How To Survive As a Villain on the Verge of Death

In the dry midwinter, in a garden filled with dry blades of grass, paper lanterns with candles were hung in rows on an exterior wall covered in dried ivy. The temple as well as this lodging were all old wooden buildings. It’s surprising that there were no fire accidents every year. It’s quite possible that the criminals wanted to start a fire. At this point, no one seemed to think it was strange if a fire accident occurred. Diane also tilted her head when she heard her.

 

“I know, right? You’ll turn it off at night, right?”

 

Nell, who was serving the meal, answered.

 

“They say they turn off all the lights before 10 o’clock. The embers could spread and cause a fire.”

 

“I’m glad.”

 

Suddenly, she remembered the flower lantern she made earlier. The flower lanterns they made were first brought to the temple. The flower lamp would still hold a quiet flame on the altar. If the temple catches fire, all the lanterns piled up would burn out. Then, would the flower lanterns they made also burn down? It’s not important, but she thought it would be good if the flower lantern didn’t burn up. It’s a flower lantern made by His Majesty the Grand Duke himself, so it would be a shame if it burned down.

 

Diane said as if she had read her mind.

 

“That’s right, I asked the priest to remove the flower lanterns we made separately later.”

 

“Really?”

 

“Yes, I also want to take home what I made. “I think it would be good for you both to keep it as a souvenir.”

 

It’s a memorial. It was definitely something worth celebrating. She would never have to make flower lanterns with Terence.

 

“Thank you for taking care of ours too.”

 

Diane laughed as she picked up her salad with sauce and ate it.

 

“Actually, I’ve never seen Terrence make something so seriously. I don’t think they would believe me if I told other people.”

 

“That’s right.”

 

Even after seeing it in person, she still couldn’t believe it. Diane smiled at her slightly flushed face.

 

“I think Terrence really loves the princess.”

 

There was no doubt or disbelief on Diane’s face. She seemed to genuinely believe that Terence liked her. She smiled and drank the water without saying a word. Terence loved Eve. It was nonsense. Throughout the novel, the only woman he liked was Sorel. Even though it was natural, she felt strangely bitter.

 

“Miss Diane, don’t make fun of me.”

 

Even when she scolded Diane, she just laughed, as if she was having fun. Nell, who served next to her, also seemed happy. After they finished dinner, they returned to the drawing room. Diane’s luggage sat on the table in the living room.

 

“Oh, Miss Diane. Can I open your luggage?”

 

“My bag?”

 

“Yes, I want to borrow something.”

 

Diane readily agreed.

 

“Sure, feel free to take a look.”

 

Among the items Diane brought, she opened a square box made of paper. The inside was filled with shiny, colorful threads. It was silk thread used for embroidery. To make the paper lantern, Diane brought not only colored paper and glue, but also all kinds of materials, including embroidery thread, yarn, and beads. In reality, all they used was red colored paper and glue. 

 

She asked, pointing to the neatly packed colorful silk threads.

 

“Can you please lend me this thread?”

 

“Embroidery thread?”

 

“Yes, I was going to practice embroidery here, but the thread I brought from the imperial palace was not enough.”

 

Without any hesitation, Diane pushed the box containing her yarn in front of her.

 

“Sure. I have plenty at home, so I’ll lend you all of them.”

 

“It just takes a little bit.”

 

She chose two or three colors of Diane’s embroidery floss and set them aside. It was blood-red and orange, bright orange and maroon thread.

 

* * *

 

Diane left after dinner. This was because Diane’s mother, the Duchess, sent the servant to urge her to return home.

 

“I wish there was more, but it’s a shame.”

 

She also felt regretful, but it was something that could not be helped. She enjoyed being with Diane, but for her health she had to avoid being outside the mansion on cold nights as much as possible.

 

“Because it’s late today. Next time another holiday comes, let’s go see it together again.”

 

This country worships all kinds of gods, so there are endless celebrations. On important holidays, large-scale events are held at the main building, but in most cases, small commemorative events are held at each temple. Diane took her hand and made a firm promise.

 

“Yes, let’s go see it together.”

 

After Diane left, she was left alone in the living room. Nell and Chloe cleared the table and served hot tea and desserts to drink after the meal.

 

“So, did you two make flower lanterns?”

 

She asked Nell and Chloe. Since she was with Diane since daytime, she didn’t have time to watch what they were doing. Nell and Chloe responded immediately.

 

“No, I didn’t wear it.”

 

“I didn’t either.”

 

“Aren’t you both on your backs?”

 

Nell looked back at Chloe and smiled embarrassedly.

 

“I don’t plan on getting married anytime soon.”

 

“Okay?”

 

Well, it seemed like Nell hadn’t even come of age yet, so it’s too early for her to think about marriage. While she was thinking that, Nell clasped her hands together in front of her and hesitated, looking at her. She pursed her lips a few times as if she wanted to say something, and then spoke as if she had gathered courage.

 

“I… Well, that… If it is okay with you, I would like to continue to serve the princess without getting married.”

 

“What?”

 

This was unexpected.

 

“Why did you think that?”

 

Most maids were poor lower-class nobles or wealthy commoners. In particular, if you were a maid working in the imperial palace, there was a high possibility that you had noble blood among your relatives, even if you were a commoner. There were some people who became maids to make money and become financially independent. There were many people who applied to be maids in order to work near high-ranking nobles and find a good wife. Since most of them were women with proven backgrounds and had gained experience working among high-ranking people, they were popular brides for low-ranking officials and knights. When selecting a maid, education, etiquette, and appearance are also considered, so no matter how you look at it, there is nothing left out.

 

“I thought that with Nell, she could meet a good man and get married.”

 

But Nell shook her head.

 

“The princess cared for me a lot. I want to continue to serve you by my side.”

 

“…I?”

 

When did she cherish Nell? All she could remember was that she took him with her, lying that she had lost her memory.

 

“You took my side when I fell down the stairs before.”

 

Oh, she did. In fact, at that time, she just saw Nell fall and went to look for her because she was afraid she might get seriously hurt. Rather than taking a side, she was just telling the truth. But Nell earnestly asked if she didn’t think so.

 

“I want to live like this, serving the princess without getting married.”

 

Well, she said she wanted it this way, but it was strange that she tried to stop her.

 

“If you want, do it. I would be grateful if you continued to be with me.”

 

Having said that, she added one thing.

 

“But there’s no need to feel pressured. If she finds someone she likes, she can quit at any time.”

 

Nell was still young and she may change her mind at any time as she gets older. She might be lucky enough to meet the perfect man she liked. Nell smiled happily and thanked her.

 

“Thank you, princess. But she won’t quit.”

 

Belatedly, their eyes turned to Chloe. Chloe also spoke with a grave expression.

 

“I have no intention of getting married either. I plan to continue working in the future.”

 

Nell looked at Clory with affectionate eyes, as if she had gained a comrade. Well, Chloe’s work may be different from Nell’s. Nell didn’t know Chloe’s identity, so she quickly changed the subject before asking more questions or continuing the topic.

 

“I see. But you both came to see the event, right?”

 

“Yes, we watched it together. The temple was filled with lanterns, so it was really cool.”

 

“I know. I think I’ll come and see it again next year.”

 

After that, small topics continued. She pretended to drink tea and thought for a while. She would be divorced and alone in a few years, so she wondered if the three of them could continue to be together. Even if she got divorced, she was still a princess, so she could keep Nell as her maid. Even after the divorce, Terence would keep Chloe around for security purposes. There was a possibility of replacing her with another maid, but if she asked her to keep Chloe around, she would agree. The reason he attached Chloe to her was probably to keep an eye on her. After finishing her tea, she went into the bedroom late. Before she knew it, it was midnight. There was cold air in the bedroom, perhaps because it had been empty all day. She could feel the cold air even though the temple maid had already lit her stove.

 

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Translator Note: