The Villainess' Ending Was Death

Even after Lycaon and Zed left, the pharmacy was busy. The days passed by so quickly that there was no time to worry about their absence. Because the supply had more than doubled, Fresa had to wake up early in the morning to grow herbs and make medicine.

Thanks to Lauren’s sincere help, she was barely able to fill the supply, but thanks to that, Fresa had almost no personal time.

The safe that had been empty because she had bought the Thorpe Manor was being steadily filled again.

She had long since completely forgotten about the Count and Countess Gillespie.

Since they had not taken any particular action, she had naturally put it out of her mind.

One day, while she was busy like that, a letter with the emblem of the Pilz royal family arrived.

Lauren, who had been checking the mail on Fresa’s behalf, was surprised and ran to Fresa.

“Miss! A letter from the royal family! It was sent by Her Majesty the Queen!”

“Her Majesty the Queen?”

Fresa also received the letter with slightly surprised eyes.

Isaac, who was checking the number of Zara Hair Ointment and Mint Water, also looked at the letter with an interested look.

Fresa opened the envelope and checked the contents without wasting time.

It was not a very long letter. However, it contained clear and definite contents.

Fresa folded the letter carefully after checking it several times and said.

“She would like to invite you to the royal banquet. She said she wanted to meet you in person and tell you something.”

“Her Majesty the Queen herself?”

“Yes.”

It said that she was familiar with Fresa’s activities and wanted to talk about them.

It was clearly related to business.

Isaac, who had been watching quietly, asked a question.

“What are you going to do?”

“It wouldn’t be bad if we could deal directly with the royal family. It would actually be a good opportunity.”

Fresa looked back and forth between Lauren and Isaac with a slightly excited expression. However, attending the royal banquet required quite a bit of determination.

Since she had already become famous for this and that, everyone would recognize her and gossip about her.

She was somewhat used to other people talking about her behind her back, but that didn’t mean she was okay with it. On top of that, she felt burdened by meeting the queen in person. Up until now, Fresa had been overshadowed by the Thorpe siblings, so she had never met the royal family in person.

When Fresa couldn’t stop thinking for quite some time, Lauren intervened.

“Don’t worry too much, Miss. You’ve done well so far. This is a really good opportunity. Okay?”

“Thank you, Lauren.”

Fresa held Lauren’s hand tightly and smiled.

As Lauren had said, Fresa had grown this business without making a single major mistake.

So there was absolutely no need to be afraid of meeting the royal family.

‘I guess Mr. Lycaon’s absence was a big deal.’

If Lycaon had been there, she would have said she would go straight away without any worries.

It was a good thing that a strong backer was standing by. But when he thought about it, there was another person left for Fresa.

“There was Mr. Cade.”

Now that he was used to seeing her as a pharmacy employee, he had forgotten that she was the master of a famous guild.

Fresa turned her head and looked at Isaac.

“I need a partner.”

With Lycaon absent, there was only one person to go with.

“Mr. Cade, would you like to go with me?”

* * *

Rumors were going around that Fresa had been invited to the annual banquet hosted by the queen of the Kingdom of Pilz.

Fresa’s return was a hot topic in many ways.

It was surprising that she, who was thought to have died from drinking poison, was actually alive, and that she had made a fortune by developing a new drug in a small town.

The story that she had purchased the Thorpe Mansion and given it as a gift to her beloved servant was famous even among the commoners, not just the nobles.

Fresa’s name had already been mentioned several times in the kingdom’s newspaper.

Rowan Gillespie ruminates on her name, letter by letter, with a hazy look in his eyes before folding the newspaper.

‘This is the chance to meet Fresa.’

He was anxious because Fresa was not staying in the kingdom, so he could not meet her easily. But if it was an invitation from Her Majesty, he would definitely accept.

Fresa was currently expanding her pharmacy business, and if he could do business with the royal family, it would be a huge gain.

‘I didn’t know Fresa well until now, but I do now.’

Rowan also learned how clever and greedy Fresa was. That made him regret it even more.

Alicea was beautiful and kind, but living together was not as fun as it was at first. In fact, apart from those two things, she had no other charms, and he was tired of it. On the other hand, Fresa felt new. She had a strange appearance that Rowan had never seen before, an expression that he had never seen before, a personality that he had never known, all of it was new.

Rowan was curious because it felt like he was seeing someone else. So, he wanted to change Fresa’s mind somehow.

Wasn’t it time to forgive her past mistakes?

What if Fresa was waiting for Rowan to return and couldn’t show it on the outside?

Rowan wanted to have a proper conversation with Fresa at this banquet and untangle their tangled relationship.

To do that, he had to get Alicia away, but he couldn’t think of a way to do it, which was a headache.

He was still trying to maintain his marriage with Alicia, but if Fresa wanted to sort out the relationship, he was willing to consider it.

‘It may be regrettable in many ways, but Fresa’s wealth and ability are worth giving up Alicia.’

After organizing his thoughts to some extent, Rowan gently ran his fingertips over Fresa’s name engraved on the newspaper.

“Rowan, what are you thinking?”

Rowan’s shoulders stiffened at the sudden sound of Alicia’s voice.

Alicia, who had not yet been able to change her habit from when she was a servant, was holding the tray herself.

The fragrant tea scent that she did not like made Rowan uncomfortable.

They say that when you lose interest, you get irritated by even trivial things.

That was exactly what Rowan was like right now. However, until he could reconnect with Fresa, he needed Alicia, so he stared at Alicia, wearing the mask of a loving husband as he always did.

“Her Majesty has sent an invitation to the banquet, Lisha.”

Alicia’s fingertips paused for a moment, but she soon placed the tray on the table and calmly faced Rowan.

“Do you really have to go? I’m not feeling well these days, so I want to rest, Rowan.”

Alicia, who never missed a banquet, said something unexpected.

It was a good thing that she had been wondering how she would meet Fresa while being separated from Alicia.

Rowan deliberately stalled for time, pretending to be worried and gently holding Alicia’s hand, said.

“You’ve been busy lately. You can rest, Alicia.”

“But if you attend a party alone without a partner, everyone will think it’s strange. Why don’t you just go and spend time together, okay?”

“How can you refuse an invitation from Her Majesty the Queen? Okay? Stop being a brat, Alicia.”

“I think Her Majesty will understand. She cares for you so much.”

“That’s a separate matter. It’s been a long time since you were so immature.”

Rowan didn’t change his mind, and Alicia eventually shut up first.

A strangely awkward atmosphere hung between the two who couldn’t find a common ground.

Alicia felt bad about it herself. She knew why Rowan insisted on attending the banquet. There were already rumors that Fresa Thorpe had received an invitation from the Queen.

Rowan had just heard Alicia’s words that she was sick to meet Fresa.

Alicia tried her best not to show it on her face, even though her whole body felt cold from the anger. After a while, Alicia barely managed to open her rough lips.

“Then…”

Alicia smiled softly as usual and continued speaking gently.

“I don’t want to leave you alone, but this time, I can’t help it. I’m sorry.”

Rowan’s expression slightly wavered, but quickly returned to normal.

“You don’t have to be sorry, Lisha. You are the most precious thing to me.”

At first glance, it sounded like a very kind remark, but Alicia read the hidden intention in that sentence.

‘You must be excited to go alone and spend time with Fresa.’

But how nice would it be if this world were that easygoing?

Alicia sipped her already cold tea and smiled, hiding her feelings.

* * *

Fresa looked around the spacious royal banquet hall in a simple blue dress.

Isaac, who escorted her, shook his arm slightly to catch her attention.

“Why are you looking around so much when this isn’t your first time?”

“Oh, it’s been so long, it’s strange. It feels unfamiliar.”

It’s been so long. Actually, it hasn’t been that long, but back then, she was so focused on the original that she couldn’t enjoy the banquet at all.

That’s why today was practically her first time attending a proper royal banquet.

The banquet held at the royal banquet was certainly different in scale.

Since it was an event hosted by the queen herself and invited only selected nobles, even the smallest decorations were luxurious.

‘How much is all this?’

She knew that the royal family owned a huge fortune, but it was always new to see them spend so much money in one night. However, Isaac was not pleased with Fresa.

“Everyone is looking at you right now. Please refrain from doing anything that might expose your weakness.”

“What’s wrong with taking a look? Mr. Cade is nagging too much.”

“I’m asking you as a business partner.”

“Yes, yes. I understand. I will maintain my dignity as a celebrity.”

Fresa listened to Isaac’s words. The reason she came here was not to gain the favor of other nobles anyway.

“Her Majesty has not yet arrived.”

The purpose of today was to meet the queen who invited Fresa and find out what was really going on. Was she really planning to talk business with Fresa? Or was she just inviting her to see her fame?

Fresa paused, holding Isaac’s arm gently, lost in thought.

“…Count Gillespie ahead.”

Isaac furrowed his eyebrows slightly and informed Fresa of the mine’s appearance.

Fresa turned her head toward where he was looking.

Rowan Gillespie was walking across the banquet hall alone, without a partner.

He soon stopped in front of Fresa.

“Fresa, it’s been a while.”

 

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