The Villainess' Ending Was Death

Elias returned to the Thorpe mansion, trembling at the shame he had received from Fresa.

The Grand Duke of the Granadines’ guard even monitored Elias to see if he was really leaving Paro Village.

What did this mean? He was so angry that he couldn’t stand it, but with the Grand Duke standing there, he couldn’t even say what he had to say to Fresa.

“Shit!”

Elias became even more nervous after visiting Paro Village.

“Brother, rather than getting Fresa’s help, why don’t you try to persuade Alicia? Honestly, that’s better! Wouldn’t it hurt her pride if Fresa helped her?”

“Please shut up, Amy.”

Amy only incurred Elias’ anger by spouting out her unhelpful words right next to him. Jerome consciously stood a little away and tried to hide the expression on his face that he knew this would happen. Of the three siblings, Jerome had the most contact with Fresa, who returned alive. He was the only one who clearly noticed that Fresa had changed from what she used to be.

‘There’s no way Fresa can help us.’

So what should he do? If he failed to make a certain payment to the bank, the Thorpe mansion would be auctioned off in two weeks. Even if Jerome hadn’t sold the Sword of Winter, he would have been able to breathe for a while. However, it was already spilled, and if Elias found out about it, Jerome would be kicked out before the mansion was even sold.

‘Damn it, what should I do?’

Jerome was biting his nails and trying to move his head, which wouldn’t turn.

It was at that time that Alicia came. Alicia, who arrived at Elias’ office with the guidance of the butler, was smiling softly as usual.

“Elias. I came here because I had something to say.”

When Alicia noticed them, Jerome and Amy made eye contact with her, greeted her, and quickly left her office.

Elias sighed as he ran his hands through his throbbing hair.

“…Has Earl Gillespie changed his mind?”

Alicia, wearing a pure white dress that revealed her body, naturally sat down on the sofa and shook her head.

“No. That’s not it.”

“…Then why did you come here?”

When Elias reacted somewhat nervously, Alicia wiped her smile. And she said, tapping her teacup that someone had left behind with her fingertip.

“It looks like Fresa refused to help. Yes?”

“…”

“I thought of a good way. I couldn’t change Rowan’s mind, but it was the perfect way to change Fresa’s mind.”

Elias then fixed her gaze on Alicia.

“What method?”

“Is the maid named Lauren, with whom Fresa was intimate, still working at the mansion?”

Elias remembered her name, which he had forgotten. He probably had someone with that name.

“I guess so. But why did the maid…”

“Use her. If she says they won’t help, we have to force her to help.”

Alicia lifted the corners of her mouth again and showed her faint smile. If Rowan didn’t give up on Fresa, all she had to do was let him know that Fresa was still nothing.

Rowan may only be briefly intrigued by the fact that Fresa died and came back alive. Now, in a small town, she was making a big fuss about her drug store and business, but Fresa, which belonged to the Thorpe mansion, would not be able to act as she pleased.

Rowan always said it was pitiful to see Fresa’s timid appearance. The voice that grumbled, saying that when he saw that scene, even the remaining sympathy disappeared, was clearly heard.

‘So we have to stop the business before it gets bigger.’

Alicia’s idea was to use her servant named Lauren to blackmail Fresa, then extort her money to revive the Thorpe mansion.

The cost of reclaiming the Thorpe mansion was enormous. No matter how much Fresa had earned so far, it would not be easy to repay it.

‘The Grand Duke of the Granadines is a variable, but there is no way the Grand Duke really regards Fresa in any special way.’

Perhaps, if Fresa falls, the Grand Duke would naturally leave.

She didn’t know why the Grand Duke of the Empire became Fresa’s fiancé in the first place, but it was all just a temporary thing.

Alicia smiled at Elias, hiding her true feelings.

“I’m sure Fresa will accept it. She had a special relationship with Lauren.”

Eventually, Elias, who thought for a moment, nodded his head and accepted Alicia’s suggestion.

“That doesn’t seem like a bad idea. Thank you, Alicia.”

“You’re welcome. We’re like family. I just want to help in some way.”

As Alicia said that, she smiled sweetly and beautifully. Elias glanced at her face, and then she smiled slightly.

* * *

Fresa bought clothes for herself and Lycaon at the boutique, and even bought gifts for Zed and Isaac, and before she knew it, it was dinner time. 

The two stopped by a dessert cafe one last time. They went up to the second floor of the cafe under a soft evening glow and looked out the open window at the still crowded street.

Fresa was busy admiring the scenery without even eating the sweet macaroons and cake.

“Resa.”

Lycaon took a small slice of the cake and held it in front of Fresa’s mouth.

Fresa rested her chin in a daze and then looked back at Lycaon. And she was a little embarrassed, so she quickly picked up her fork.

“Oh, I will eat it.”

Because it was early evening, there were quite a few people in the cafe, and she was embarrassed because it seemed like the two were lovers if they acted like this.

‘Mr. Lycaon is such an insensitive person.’

She thought he was a sweet person, but he still tried to feed her cake herself.

Lycaon held the fork with the cake stuck in the air for a moment, then lowered it and asked.

“What were you looking at like that?”

“It’s your first time in the Empire. The scenery is amazing. Everyone looks happy…”

Fresa answered as she munched on a fluffy cake topped with pure white cream. Lycaon chuckled and stretched out his hand to lightly wipe the corner of his mouth.

“Wherever people live, they are all similar. You say things like that even though you went through a rough time when you arrived.”

It was only then that Fresa realized that she had accidentally covered herself in cream and ate it.

“I’m not a child and I can clean it myself if you tell me. Still, it’s nice to see. It is proof that His Majesty the Emperor is ruling properly.”

Fresa answered back a little gruffly, and she looked out the window for no reason.

Lycaon stared at her with an ambiguous expression on her face.

“Well. On the surface, it may seem so.”

“Originally, everything inside is a mess. So did the Thorpe family.”

Fresa immediately understood what Lycaon was talking about. Even though it may be peaceful and beautiful on the outside, there were many cases where it was rotten on the inside. On the one hand, she was a little puzzled.

‘I heard that Mr. Lycaon’s older brother is the current emperor. Is there something that doesn’t match?’

Lycaon didn’t talk about her brother, so she’s not sure if their relationship is good or bad. But she didn’t seem to be any better than her siblings in the Thorpe family.

She said she often wondered if she had picked it up. Lycaon just stared at Fresa without any response. It seemed like it would be difficult to talk in crowded places. Or maybe it’s something she finds difficult to tell to Fresa.

She didn’t really want to ask anyway. She was the first to speak as she looked down at the cake and macaroons that she had not even eaten.

“I have to go back now. I don’t know if Mr. Zed taught Mr. Cade well. Before closing the pharmacy, we need to check inventory and sales volume.”

“The boss is busy as expected.”

Lycaon then responded playfully and stood up holding a paper bag full of things he bought today. Fresa let out a small laugh at the sight of her childish young lady and her butler looking after her.

“What if someone recognizes Lycaon? It’s a bit odd that His Majesty the Grand Duke looks like a porter.”

“I don’t really care.”

But for someone who said she didn’t care, she wore her robe quite deeply. 

Fresa looked at Lycaon, who was wearing a black cloak and a pulled-down hat, and then walked towards the stairs. At that moment, several girls in fancy clothes were coming up from the opposite direction.

Fresa stepped aside to allow them to pass easily.

Lycaon also stood tall behind her, waiting for her opponent to pass. The moment Fresa came down the stairs after they had all passed, she saw one of the passers-by look back at her.

Fresa met her eyes for a moment without her knowing. The woman had straight, bright blonde hair that reached down to her waist, and her bright purple eyes were striking. She had such a striking appearance that one could naturally say that she was beautiful even at a glance.

She seemed to look at Fresa for a moment, then she shifted her gaze towards Lycaon.

“…His Royal Highness the Grand Duke of the Granadines?”

It was a soft, gentle, yet noble voice.

Fresa thought without thinking that her voice was really good, but then she realized that the person she was singing was Lycaon.

Lycaon was already looking back at the owner of the voice.

 

—————————————————————

Translator Note: