How To Survive As a Villain on the Verge of Death

The two of them had put so much effort into it that she wondered how luxurious it would be to make it. She was a little worried that they would dress up as if they were going to a wedding, even though it was just a newlywed couple going out. When she saw the finished product, all her worries were pointless. The makeup was light and subtle to match the dress, and the neatly styled hair looked elegant without being too flashy. She was comfortable yet elegant and classy. It looked like a noble lady casually going out with her husband.

 

“It’s okay.”

 

Nell and Chloe, standing behind, looked at their finished work with satisfaction.

 

“We worked hard to plan how we would decorate it. I tried to make it elegant without being too flashy.”

 

It was the result of the two of them laying out dresses and cosmetics and discussing them all day. Since they were just going out to dinner, she didn’t think she needed to prepare that hard, but she liked the way it looked anyway.

 

“I like it more than I expected. thank you.”

 

They were both very happy to hear my honest praise.

 

“I wanted to do my best to decorate it for you after a long time of reconciliation and going out together.”

 

Nell said with a relieved expression, folding her hands together. Everyone in the mansion thought she had a fight with Terence and made up. It seemed like everyone was always watching how we were doing. If you think about it, Nell and Chloe were close maids who came in and out of the boudoir. You wouldn’t know that we’ve been sharing separate rooms since the first night.

 

Chloe took the coat she brought and went out to the reception room. Lot, who was hanging out in the reception room, looked at me and complimented me on how pretty she was.

 

“It’s pretty, Your Highness The Grand Duchess.”

 

“Thank you, Lot.”

 

Bayan, who was lying down ignoring Lot’s toy fishing rod, also glanced at her. His expression was as pouty as usual, but she could sense a faint look of admiration in his eyes.

 

[I understand why humans are passionate about clothes and jewelry even after hundreds of years. After all, humans are up to their own devices.]

 

Now, he sometimes said things like that from anywhere, saying that people didn’t understand. Actually, other people hear Bayan talking like a cat, so it’s okay.

 

“Lot. I’ll ask for Bayan. Have fun together all evening.”

 

“I will play with Bayan until he falls asleep so he won’t be bored!”

 

Lot hugged Bayan and spoke confidently. She thought Bayan was saying something, but she ignored it. At that time, the door opened with a quiet knock. A servant came in and she announced Terence’s arrival.

 

“Your Highness the Grand Duchess. His Highness the Grand Duke has returned.”

 

“Already?”

 

Outside the window, the sun was just setting. There was some time left until dinner. He came early. Did work end quickly today?

 

A moment later, Terence came into the reception room. Terence, who returned to the mansion, was dressed as usual. These days, because he went to and from the imperial palace to work, he was always dressed in formal attire, but not as carefully dressed as she was. Of course, that man looked like he stepped out of a famous painting even though he was dressed neatly in his formal attire.

 

The moment the door opened, Terence saw her and stopped for a moment. A glance of confusion passed through his dark purple eyes. Why was it like that? It was only a fleeting moment, but it seemed like he was surprised to see her. Seeing him embarrassed made her doubly more embarrassed.

 

‘Why? Is my outfit strange? But he doesn’t like it?’

 

Terence quickly hid his surprised expression and returned to his usual calm expression.

 

“You’re already preparing.”

 

“Yes, that… You came early.”

 

It looked like he finished work early and came back early. After saying that, the conversation ended. She wanted to continue the conversation in a natural way, but she was very bothered by his gaze a moment ago. As they stood silently, Nell and Chloe, who were waiting next to them, immediately lowered their heads.

 

“Then we will leave.”

 

“Okay.”

 

The two hurriedly left, taking Lot with them. Even Bayan, who was in Lot’s arms, disappeared along with them.

 

Suddenly, Terence and she were alone in the empty reception room. While she was hesitating and watching, Terence broke the silence first.

 

“If it seems too early, shall we stop by somewhere else before dinner?”

 

“Where?”

 

“Well. How about going to the downtown area and buying a dress or jewelry?”

 

“That… A dress and jewelry?”

 

Could it be that he was noticing that he didn’t like the clothes and jewelry she was wearing? She guessed not. Terence was not that type of person. If he didn’t like it, he was the kind of person who would say out loud that he didn’t like it.

 

“No, that’s… I don’t need a dress or jewelry right now.”

 

As she stuttered in confusion, Terence asked with a puzzled look in his eyes.

 

“Are you uncomfortable in any way?”

 

“No. I’m worried that my outfit might look strange.”

 

It looked good to her, but Terence might see it differently. Just in case, she asked around and got a firm and clear answer.

 

“It doesn’t look strange at all.”

 

Terence spoke in his usual calm voice.

 

“Rather… It’s very beautiful.”

 

“…”

 

For a moment, she opened her mouth dumbly and looked at him. Her whole face turned red and she felt hot. She didn’t know how he could say something so embarrassing. She was embarrassed for no reason. She felt like her whole body was shrinking from shame. In fact, Terence was looking out the window with a nonchalant expression. So, could it be that the surprised expression on his face when he saw her earlier was admiration in some way? It’s not because he didn’t like the way she looked, was it? Thinking like that made her feel several times more embarrassed.

 

“Well, thank you.”

 

She cleared her throat loudly and looked away to hide her embarrassment. Terence asked a question again, his eyes fixed on her.

 

“Then… Is there a place in particular you’d like to visit?”

 

“Well.”

 

To avoid this embarrassing atmosphere, she quickly joined in on the conversation. But there was no place she particularly wanted to go. How could there be a place she wanted to go when she had no idea where anything was? Looking back on the content of the original work, there was nothing special about it. The main characters of the original work dated at the imperial palace or the mansion of a noble family. They didn’t even go to the theater. So she couldn’t think of any special place to go.

 

However, as Lot said, she couldn’t ask, ‘Would you like to go get some ice cream?’

 

“I do not know. I’ve never been out to the downtown area much.”

 

Eve, the princess, rarely went out of the imperial palace except to attend social events of noble families or visit temples. She did the same when she chased Terrence. The only places Terence went to were the imperial palace’s administrative offices, nobles’ mansions, and training grounds. But, there must be a place one could go on a regular date.

 

“Aside from the downtown area, is there a place where many people from the capital gather? It’s like a night market. Right, where was the night market?”

 

Come to think of it, the night market was mentioned once in the original work. For some reason, she wanted to go to a place like that and see people buying and selling things. She also wanted to see strange things that only exist in this world.

 

“The winter market closes early. There should be nothing by now.”

 

“Ah… okay.”

 

Well, it was winter now. In winter, the sun sets quickly, so everyone finishes their business early and goes home. Terence saw her disappointed face and suggested cautiously.

 

“Instead, during this time, street vendors gather at the riverside. If it’s okay with you, shall we go there?”

 

“Street vendors?”

 

“It’s not that many, but there will still be some people who come out to see.”

 

Was it a street vendor street along the riverside? It seemed to be a place that sold delicious food and miscellaneous items.

 

“I guess it’ll be okay. Then let’s go from there.”

 

As soon as they made that decision, they boarded the carriage and headed to the river. The riverside where the stalls were spread out was far away from the downtown area. As she passed through the beautiful and clean streets of the downtown area, more and more quaint buildings appeared. This seemed to be an old downtown. After passing a residential area with traces of time remaining, she headed to the wide open riverside. A little way down the road, there was a river covered with sand, and in front of it was a frozen river. She knew there was a river in the islands, but this was her first time coming to such a wide riverside. Although it was called street stalls, there weren’t many stalls. There were only about ten stalls selling food and hot tea. Nevertheless, there were many people out for a walk with bright lanterns around. Everyone was walking along the river, buying warm drinks.

 

“That’s good. I should have come here a long time ago.”

 

Although it was evening, the surroundings were quite bright. It was because of the small paper lanterns hanging from the trees along the river. The bright light from the lantern cast a yellow light on the ice.

 

“I’m glad you like it.”

 

Terence looked a little surprised when he saw her admiring expression. Since Eve was a precious princess, he would have thought she would dislike a place like this. But she wanted to see more of where people live here. If she got a chance in the future, she wanted to go outside the capital.

 

Suddenly, she saw people circling on the frozen river a short distance away.

 

“Oh, that…”

 

People wearing thick winter clothes are holding hands on the ice, spinning in circles or laughing as they run across the river. She could see blades sliding across the ice beneath people’s feet. At that moment, she realized what it was.

 

“…skate?”

 

There were skates here too. Actually, she heard that even in the world where she lived, skating was widespread in modern Europe. The culture here is similar to back then, so it makes sense.

 

If you look closely, there was a stand next to it that rented out skates.

 

She was curious and looked at it for a while, and then Terence said with a smile.

 

“Shall we try?”

 

“…yes?”

 

She looked at him with bewildered eyes.

 

“Have you ever skated?”

 

“No. Have you ever ridden it, princess?”

 

“Just once.”

 

She thought for a moment and then nodded. She didn’t think Eve had ever skated before, but she had. She explained it vaguely so as not to raise suspicion.

 

“When I was young, I was curious so I secretly rode in the palace pond.”

 

When she lived in the original world, she went to a skating rink once. It was a special day at school when they all went out to play together for various activities. Although it only happened once, it was a pleasant experience.

 

Terence looked at her expression blankly and then made a suggestion.

 

“Well then, since we’ve come this far, shall we ride together?”

 

“I can’t do it because it’s dangerous. Even though it looks easy, it’s quite difficult.”

 

What if she fell when she said she had tried it before?

 

“Is it very difficult?”

 

“It’s difficult for beginners.”

 

When she told him clearly that it was difficult, Terence gave a slight smile.

 

“Eve, wouldn’t it be okay if I held you?”

 

A sweet smile appeared on his face as handsome as a fairytale prince. As always, it was a beautiful smile that seemed to captivate people. She felt like her cheeks were getting hot for no reason, so she quickly looked elsewhere. Was there anyone who didn’t feel weak when he smiled like that?

 

She cleared her throat and composed herself.

 

“If you want to do that, let’s give it a try.”

 

She guessed se could catch it well. All of this will become memories later.

 

“Then hold on to me tightly so you don’t fall.”

 

* * *

 

It was nice that he said that confidently and even borrowed skates. The owner of the stall seemed surprised to see our clothes, but he obediently lent them his best skates. Maybe young nobles also come here to have fun sometimes. Anyway, she had a lot of fun until she put it on and went out on the ice. One foot slipped and the body instantly tilted to the side. She held on to the border fence and barely managed to keep her balance on the slippery ice.

 

Terence, who was nearby, quickly grabbed her arm.

 

“Eve, are you okay?”

 

“Gwae, it’s okay.”

 

She held his hand and barely managed to stand up properly. It felt like if she moved even a little bit, the skate blade would slide to the side again.

 

‘What, why is it so difficult?’

 

She didn’t think it was like this when she was young. She couldn’t get used to it at all and couldn’t get out of the borderline. Terence was very adept at coming to her side whenever she stumbled. He was still maintaining his balance and holding her body. She looked up at Terence with a puzzled look.

 

“I heard this is your first time riding it?”

 

“It’s my first time, but…”

 

Terence, uncharacteristically, trailed off and swallowed his words. Yes, she could guess what was going to be said next.

 

‘It’s my first time, but…’ He might say something like, ‘It’s not that difficult, it’s a lot easier than I thought,’ or ‘There’s even young kids over there who can ride it, so there’s no way I can’t do it.’

 

But Terence glanced at her feet, still wobbling on the ice, and wisely kept quiet. The children were happily running around the ice, but she was still struggling near the boundary line. Terence spoke very carefully, holding both her hands together.

 

“You said you’ve definitely ridden it before…”

 

“It was just one time.”

 

Looking back, she wasn’t that good even when she was young. She remembered barely going around the ice while holding on to the wall. It’s just one of the few happy memories from her childhood that has been beautifully edited. Still, since she had experience with it, she thought she would adapt to it somewhat easily. But instead of adapting, she continued to stumble precariously, barely moving 1cm at a time.

 

Terrence, on the other hand, seemed a bit awkward at first. It adapted in an instant and moved naturally, supporting her body whenever she stumbled. After walking in place at a slower pace than a turtle for a few minutes, she had no choice but to admit it. Terence was extremely athletic, and she was seriously unfit.

 

A soft laugh was heard. Terence was holding her and smiling.

 

“Don’t laugh.”

 

‘Why are you so good at everything?’

 

She looked at him dissatisfied, and Terence smiled and pulled her closer.

 

“Please come this way. I will catch you.”

 

Thanks to this, she was in a position to be held in his arms. Now, his familiar scent lingered softly like a sweet temptation. Suddenly, she remembered the first time she danced at the Duke’s ball. At that time, she was so nervous that she didn’t even have time to pay attention to Terence. Of course, she was still nervous about slipping, but she felt much more at ease now than she did back then. Because she knew that no matter what happened, this person would get her.

 

“Thank you.”

 

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Translator Note: