The Villainess' Ending Was Death

“You mean Count Gillespie?”

 

Zed’s eyes widened as if she was a little surprised. Lycaon looked out at the house opposite, where the lights were off, with an emotionless face. The look on Fresa’s face when she encountered Rowan Gillespie was hard to erase. It was a surprised and embarrassed expression that Lycaon had never seen before.

 

‘Could it be that her feelings still remain?’

 

The fact that Fresa and Rowan had once been engaged kept running through his mind. Lycaon responded, tapping his fingers on the table.

 

“Yes.”

 

“Why is the sword of the kingdom in Paro Village…”

 

“It looks like it’s his honeymoon.”

 

Judging from the conversation he had with his companion, that was the case. He probably abandoned Fresa Thorpe for his new wife. Arsenic flowed through the cracks of Lycaon’s dry lips. Because the heart of the defender of her kingdom was so light as a feather.

 

“Then, Your Highness, you should be careful too.”

 

Zed frowned.

 

“The rumor has already spread to the Kingdom of Piltz, and His Majesty the Emperor is paying attention.”

 

“My brother is always worried.”

 

Lycaon narrowed his brows as he thought of his affectionate older brother. He has not yet reported to the Emperor that he has found the antidote. Even though he knew clearly that the emperor waited for his return more than anyone else. It was because he was enjoying his life here now.

 

“Shouldn’t you go back now? Your wounds have healed a lot.”

 

Zed spoke carefully, as if he had peered into Lycaon’s mind. In reality, Lycaon was returning to his original body thanks to Fresa’s antidote. His lost magical power came back to life, and his physical strength recovered to some extent. It was a miracle achieved by Fresa. She was able to resolve Lycaon’s poison among the empire’s wizards, priests, and even high priests. And Fresa did it alone.

 

‘I didn’t expect it at all. I never thought Fresa Thorpe would have that much ability.’

 

Wasn’t she clearly criticized for being the incompetent daughter of Count Thorpe’s family? He had to know Count Thorpe’s level to not notice her ability even though it was right in front of his nose.

 

‘Mr. Lycaon.’

 

Suddenly, Fresa’s voice passed by his ears. Her feelings of uselessness kept clinging to Lycaon’s ankles. Moreover, the appearance of the unpleasant Rowan Gillespie further disturbed his mind. Lycaon, who had been silent for a while, leaned back against his back and answered.

 

“It’s not time yet, Zed.”

 

At least he had to deal with one bug. His back words were muffled on the tip of his tongue.

 

* * *

 

Fresa, who returned home after breaking up with Lycaon, decided to take care of her herbs to clear her troubled mind. She felt restless even when she lay down anyway, and it was difficult for her to sleep.

 

‘Now that the original work has been completed, I don’t know anything about it.’

 

It meant that Rowan and Alicia moved purely by their own will.

 

‘But even so, it’s a honeymoon to the village I ran away to.’

 

How difficult was it to live as an obstacle to the main characters? Past events passed by like a flash of light. How she got down on her knees and begged Rowan to break off her engagement.

 

Alicia, who wanted to be her friend, had to be treated as invisible. Because of that, she received a disdainful look from Rowan. Something that required her to be slapped by Alicia. Just thinking about it made her face tingle. In fact, she didn’t really understand why Fresa in the original was a villainess in the first place. After being ignored by her family and having her fiancé taken away by her maid who suddenly appeared, who could bear it?

 

‘Now that it was finished, I was done with having anything to do with that horrible original.’

 

It seems like she was conceited. She had no special ill feelings toward Count and Mrs. Gillespie. Since they were the main characters of this world, they just moved as they were in the original. It was better for Fresa to think that way. Because if they treated her like a person, she would only get hurt.

 

‘No. It was actually good because there was no need to be tied to the original. Do you really believe that I, the dead person, am alive?’

 

She said that if it was Rowan and Alicia that Fresa knew, she was just a human being who thought she was mistaken. She says that there must be at least one person in the world who looks like her. Fresa gathered all her will and stuck the dead tree branch into the flower pot. Today she was planning to try a new experiment. She wanted to see if it was possible to revive plants that had reached the end of their lives.

 

She bought this tree branch at an antique store a long time ago. It was a superstition that holding it would bring good luck. She put it under her pillow every day, but it didn’t seem to have any effect. Still, she had it since she was young, so she didn’t feel like throwing it away easily. It seemed like he had some affection for the withered tree branch. Anyway, he had only grown seeds and herbs so far, so it was time for a fresh challenge. Fresa pressed her fingers into the dirt where the twig was stuck and concentrated for a long time with her eyes closed. And she slowly lifted her eyelids.

 

“Oh my god.”

 

Fresa’s eyes widened. Green buds were sprouting on the branches. Even though she was only one, she learned that even dead plants could be revived.

 

‘It’s a greater ability than I thought.’

 

At that moment, pass. A small light appeared from somewhere, circling around the tree branches, and soon it swelled with a pop sound. And it had black sesame-like eyes, nose, and mouth. An unknown thing spoke to the embarrassed Fresa.

 

“Are you the person who woke me up?”

 

It was a solemn tone and voice that did not match her small and cute appearance. What on earth was this dandelion seed thing? As Fresa just looked at him with bewildered eyes, Mr. Hall cleared his throat and said.

 

“I am the spirit of the World Tree, human.”

 

“Spirit of the World Tree?”

 

“Yes. It is a noble body born from the world tree that supports this world.”

 

Mr. Hall ran his thread-thin arms through his unkempt hair. It felt like she was stroking her own fluffy fur.

 

Fresa’s expression became subtle.

 

The world tree. The great tree that supports this world. Where all life was born and dies. She only read about it in books, but she didn’t know it actually existed.

 

‘Is it a real spirit?’

 

Fresa held out one of her fingers and tapped Mr. Hall. Then Mr. Hall shouted as if he was startled.

 

“How cruel!”

 

Despite his small and cute appearance, his personality was quite unique.

 

“The spirit of the World Tree is just a twig.”

 

Mr. Hall got angry.

 

“A tree branch! That goes as far as… It was just a temporary shelter.”

 

It was just cute with its small body screaming so loudly. Fresa smiled brightly and nodded her head.

 

“I understand, Mr. Dandelion Hall.”

 

“My name is Callistus, human. It’s not such a mean name.”

 

Mr. Hall walked around Fresa in a circle and looked indignant. It was a very unfamiliar name to Fresa. It was even difficult to say.

 

“Calthritus?”

 

“Callistus!”

 

“Karlsturis?”

 

“Callistus! Callistus! Callistus!”

 

“I’m sorry, but the pronunciation is too difficult.”

 

Mr. Hall, who had been arguing over names for a while, returned to his seat and sighed.

 

“Just call me Reese, human. I will gladly take care of your shortcomings.”

 

“Thank you, Reese.”

 

It wasn’t a very enthusiastic attitude, but it was given a title that suited him anyway. Fresa continued with a satisfied expression.

 

“So are we going back to the World Tree now?”

 

Reese’s complexion, or rather the color of his fur, darkened somewhat.

 

“…I want to do that, but it’s impossible with a body like this.”

 

“Why?”

 

“It’s like it’s not even in proper shape right now.”

 

The wreath, which was pure white and fluffy just a moment ago, has turned a gloomy gray. Fresa felt sorry for that little Mr. Hall. She was somewhat responsible, as she summoned her spirit while trying to revive a twig.

 

“Is there anything I can do to help?”

 

The wreath’s color immediately returned to its original state. yes as small as sesame seeds sparkled.

 

“Make a contract with me, human. And help me until my strength is restored.”

 

“A contract?”

 

“If you sign a contract with me, you can improve your abilities even more than now. You can do more than just revive tree branches.”

 

Reese, whose fur had just turned red, spoke in an excited voice.

 

“Of course! When my strength returns to its full extent, you will become stronger. How are you, human?”

 

Fresa thought for a moment. She never thought that her current abilities were lacking. Usually speaking of a contract, she had to give something to each other. If the Rhys amplifies her abilities, she will also have to pay the price to the Rhys. As her silence grew longer, Reese seemed to become anxious and patted Fresa’s cheek with her soft, thin hand.

 

“Why isn’t there an answer, human?”

 

“First of all, my name is Fresa, not human. If I sign a contract, what do I have to give you?”

 

Reese blinked his eyes. His fur turned white again. It seemed like he was affected by her emotions.

 

“I get strength from the vitality of plants. So you can just keep growing plants like you do now. It’s not that difficult, right? Are you going to sign a contract?”

 

“Hmm.”

 

“Are you going to sign a contract, Fresa?”

 

Reese’s slender fingers massaged Fresa’s shoulders. The sight of him as if he was flattering me was so cute. Reese was even watching Fresa’s thoughts.

 

‘It’s not a bad condition. There are a lot of medicines I want to make and herbs to grow in the future, so it will definitely be helpful.’

 

Fresa glanced at Reese and then slowly nodded her head.

 

“Great.”

 

The wreath turned green. He floated up to Fresa’s eyes. And as if she had stopped fawning, she spoke again in a serious voice like the first time.

 

“Will you make a contract with me, Callistus, according to the will of the World Tree?”

 

“Yes, I have a contract.”

 

As soon as Fresa’s short answer was finished, a bright cluster of lights enveloped them. In the light, Fresa saw a beautiful man with long green hair. He disappeared so quickly that it was impossible to see him in detail, but he was a man with a mysterious aura. Soon the light faded.

 

“Please take care of me from now on, Fresa.”

 

Reese suddenly held out something that could hardly be called his hand. Do you want to shake hands? Conflicted for a moment, Fresa stretched out one of his fingers and held it together. He was pretty warm.

 

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