The Villainess' Ending Was Death

The day after Thorpe Manor officially became Fresa’s property, news reached the Count Gillespie Manor. Who would have thought that Fresa would buy Thorpe Manor? Now that the other Thorpe family members had lost their homes, they would have to find a way to live off what little money they had managed to scrape together.

‘Those annoying leeches will all fall off soon.’

Rowan read the newspaper article over and over again, then put it down on the table.

It was a good thing for him.

He was already tired because the Thorpe family members came to him begging for money. Now that the manor had gone to Fresa, their last stronghold had also become Fresa.

It was a good thing for Rowan, but it must have been quite a difficult situation for Fresa. If he was there at a time like this, wouldn’t it be easy to change Fresa’s mind?

‘I want to meet Fresa soon and talk to her, but Alicia is acting too sensitive, so it’s difficult.’

If he had known that Fresa was this capable, he would have married Fresa instead of Alicia, who was a lowly maid. He only regretted it.

‘Why have you been hiding it all this time?’

Fresa had been acting like a completely different person since she returned after pretending to be dead.

The more he watched her actions, the more he felt a strange sense of discomfort. What if Fresa had deliberately deceived everyone? What on earth was the reason? Why did Fresa just quietly accept being ignored by her family and having her fiancé stolen by the maid?

The more he thought about it, the more confused he became.

‘I want to know why.’

To do that, he had to win Fresa’s heart, but he couldn’t think of a way to do it.

Fresa used to shower Rowan with affection even when he didn’t do anything, so it was even more frustrating. He thought about giving her expensive jewelry or a dress, but if Fresa’s current wealth was enough to buy the Thorpe mansion, it wouldn’t mean much.

‘My head hurts anyway.’

While Rowan was obsessed with Fresa, Alicia came into the bedroom after finishing her morning wash. She smiled at Rowan with moist, transparent eyes, not knowing anything.

“Rowan, let’s go have breakfast.”

“Okay.”

Rowan answered dryly without realizing it and got up.

“What’s wrong? Did something bad happen in the newspaper?”

Alicia couldn’t help but notice the change.

She cautiously grabbed Rowan’s hand, looking anxious again.

“I’m just a little tired, Lisha.”

Rowan quickly wrapped his arms around Alicia’s shoulders and kissed her forehead to try to smooth things over.

Alicia still had doubts despite that affectionate kiss. Quickly scanning the table, she soon found Fresa’s name on the front page of the newspaper article.

There was a reason why Rowan had become cold to Alicia.

Alicia naturally pulled herself out of Rowan’s arms and said.

“Oh, I’ll comb my hair for a bit. I’m going to the dining hall first.”

“…Okay, come slowly.”

Rowan left the room first without any particular suspicion.

Alicia quickly read the newspaper article as soon as the door closed.

“The Thorpe Mansion… Fresa…”

Her head was already hurting from worrying about what happened last time, but when she heard that Fresa had become the owner of the Thorpe Mansion, her heart sank.

She wondered if she’s thinking of returning to the capital?

Alicia couldn’t hold back her nervousness and bit her fingernails.

It was all because the stupid Thorpe siblings failed in the plan she had proposed.

If Fresa returned to the Thorpe mansion and got close to Rowan, it would be a big deal.

For some reason, Rowan was definitely captivated by Fresa.

‘That can’t happen.’

Alicia had long since forgotten breakfast because she was so busy figuring out how to get Fresa away from Rowan.

* * *

A few days had passed since Fresa had shaken off the Thorpe siblings who were clinging to her and returned to Paro Village.

Fresa had designated Lauren as the owner of the mansion.

Lauren had refused several times with a very surprised expression, but Fresa had persisted, so she eventually accepted.

She was relieved that the bad relationship with the Thorpe family was finally over, but on the other hand, she was still concerned about the remaining affairs of the Counts Gillespies.

The last time she framed Lauren, it was all planned by Alicia.

‘Alicia is keeping me in check.’

Alicia really seemed to think that Rowan had turned his heart to Fresa.

Since she couldn’t attack her beloved Rowan, she must have decided to turn the arrow on Fresa. Although Alicia pretended to be more affectionate than anyone else, she was actually a poisonous person inside.

Fresa was also the only one who knew the truth.

‘If he hadn’t touched her first, I wouldn’t have cared if they fought each other or anything.’

Since Alicia had started to intervene, it seemed like things wouldn’t go her way.

Alicia would try to get what she wanted by any means, and because Rowan was acting stupid, Fresa was the only one who was bothered.

Anyway, those two people were the ones who had been blocking Fresa’s path from the beginning to the end.

Fresa picked up the sprayer, thinking of the faces of the Count and Duchess Gillespie, whom she didn’t even want to think about. And she let out a faint sigh as she sprayed the fresh herbs.

“What are you worrying about again? Even though everything was going well.”

Reese, who was flying around and enjoying the vitality of the plants, suddenly flew over and sat on Fresa’s shoulder.

“I think there will be another problem that needs to be solved soon.”

“What do you mean? This time, I will help you.”

“Reese, focus on recovering. The fate of this world may depend on it.”

“Hmm. Even if you are okay now.”

Reese didn’t look as gloomy as before, but he was probably still worried about the World Tree.

Fresa was worried too.

If this world went wrong, everything he had achieved so far and the people he cherished might get hurt.

Fresa just hoped that wouldn’t happen.

Now that she thought about it, what happened to that black lump? Fresa thought she would ask Isaac soon, so she moved to the side and sprinkled water on another herb.

At that moment, Lycaon suddenly appeared from somewhere and poked his head in.

“Resa.”

Chiik.

The startled Fresa sprayed the spray directly onto Lycaon’s face.

Lycaon instinctively closed his eyes, but he had to completely turn over the water that was scattered in thin particles.

His pretty face was soaked in an instant.

Fresa apologized while hurriedly wiping his face with her apron.

“I, I’m sorry. I suddenly got my face in…”

“…It’s okay. The boss even let me wash my face, so it’s nice and refreshing.”

“I’m sorry.”

Fresa pouts and intentionally washes Lycaon’s face harder.

Lycaon, who soon straightens his back, gently grabs her wrist and stops her. He asks, blinking his water-dropleted eyelashes slowly.

“It’s okay now. I came here because you were always downstairs. Do you have a lot of work to do?”

“I was just thinking about something. Is everything okay upstairs?” 

“Yes, well. Except for the fact that it’s noisy because there are so many people.”

The pharmacy was definitely quite busy after Isaac and Lauren became part of the pharmacy family.

Lycaon seemed a little displeased with that.

It seemed like he liked quiet places.

‘You shouldn’t look like you’re the center of all the noise.’

Fresa stared into his eyes for a moment and then suddenly spoke.

“Do you like quiet places, Mr. Lycaon?”

“I don’t particularly like quiet places.”

Oh.

The answer was completely different from what Fresa had guessed. Then, when she was about to ask what kind of places he liked, Lycaon spoke first.

“I just like spending quiet time with you.”

Fresa closed her mouth at the unexpected words and expressions. Somehow, her ears felt a little hot, and she felt embarrassed to look at Lycaon.

“It’s a good time, it’s a good time.”

Reese, who was lying on the herbs, muttered, clicking his tongue.

Fresa quickly turned his gaze away and sprayed the herbs that had already been watered with water again.

Lycaon looked at her face, let out a small laugh, and quickly changed the subject.

“How about staying there once the Thorpe mansion is cleaned up? This place is only for the pharmacy. I can set up a magic circle connecting the mansion and the pharmacy. Then it’ll be easier to move around.”

Fresa was slightly tempted by the idea of ​​a magic circle connecting spaces, but soon shook her head.

“I don’t necessarily want to go back to the kingdom. There are memories, but it was a place where more terrible things happened.”

The Thorpe mansion was a place of love and hate for Fresa. She had precious memories of Lauren, but it was also a place where she was persecuted by the Thorpe family. However, Lauren would manage the mansion better than anyone else.

When her beloved siblings grow up a little more, they can come up to the capital and live with her, so she won’t be lonely.

If she had someone precious, Lauren’s new future might unfold there. So Fresa didn’t change her mind.

“The mansion will be entirely Lauren’s. But can you set up a magic circle? I think it will be convenient for Lauren to come and go. May I ask you?”

“That was my intention from the beginning. You don’t have to ask me.”

Lycaon smiled as if he knew Fresa would say this. At that moment, he heard urgent footsteps coming down the stairs.

“Your Highness, the Emperor has summoned you.”

Zed quickly relayed the news without even finishing his descent.

Fresa turned his head toward the stairs to check his face, but his complexion was darker than usual.

‘What’s going on?’

However, it was a foreign matter, and further on, it was Lycaon’s family matter, so Fresa didn’t ask why.

Lycaon stared at Fresa with eyes that couldn’t tell what he wanted to say, then pursed his lips.

“…I’ll be back soon.”

“Yes, take care. Don’t use magic too much.”

As soon as Fresa finished speaking, Lycaon hurriedly followed Zed and disappeared.

Fresa glanced once at the stairs where he had disappeared and once at the empty space where he had stayed, then let out a faint sigh.

 

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