The Villainess Whom I Had Served for 13 Years Has Fallen

TLed by NolepGuy

Chapter 222

A gentle breeze blows.

The light wind brushes past my hair and cools my stifled chest as it passes by. It feels like a good decision to have come out. I had debated whether to step out since it was so late, but it seemed like a good way to get some fresh air.

“This is nice….”

Growing tired of hospital life that had stretched over a week, I leaned my arms on the balcony railing and enjoyed the moment of leisure.

It was definitely comfortable at first, so why does it feel so dull now? Is it because the hospital food is tasteless?

-It’s bland.

-There’s no helping it. Just eat it.

-It’s flavorless. Bland and tasteless.

While there were benefits to resting, I felt like I was reaching my limit. Proper rest is best taken at home, not in a hospital.

As I faced the breeze and calmly closed my eyes, I smiled faintly and gazed at the Northern Snowy Mountains. Thinking about how the protagonist had lived here, I gave a small nod.

“It really is beautiful.”

The sight of snow gently settling on the white snowy mountains was pleasing to the eye. It felt like my chest was clearing up, leaving me with a sense of calm. Maybe I should build a vacation home here if I earn enough money later. Living here permanently might be too much, but a vacation home for short visits seemed like a good idea.

“What am I even saying?”

I chuckled softly, indulging in my daydreams. Sometimes, entertaining such thoughts could spark greater ambitions. With a bright smile, I brushed back my messy hair.

My unkempt hair, untouched due to being in the hospital, fluttered even with the smallest breeze. It had grown long enough to cover my eyes. I swept my fallen hair back and murmured quietly.

“I wonder if Miss Yuria is doing well.”

I heard from the doctor that James had woken up, but I wasn’t sure if he was okay. I hadn’t visited him because I thought showing a handsome face to a patient who needed mental stability might worsen his condition. Still, I was worried.

Of course, the biggest reason was Yuria.

‘She’d probably dislike it if I visited.’

I didn’t want to intrude on their precious father-daughter time. Besides, I didn’t think I’d hear anything pleasant if I did.

How should I put it? It was hard to explain.

Even though I hadn’t directly heard any bad words, it felt like she subtly found me uncomfortable. Ever since my last meeting with Yuria, I hadn’t been able to muster the courage easily.

Being hated was something I was used to, but not knowing how to respond to it was a different matter. I thought it was only natural for Yuria to dislike me.

Considering what I had done, smiling carelessly would have been strange. Even though we had reconciled, I wasn’t thick-skinned enough to act like nothing had happened.

And her favorability hadn’t risen much either.

As I gazed at the Northern Snowy Mountains, I thought about the favorability score I had seen a week ago, letting out a bitter smile.

[Favorability: 13]

“…”

Whenever I thought of Yuria, only regrets came to mind.

I could have guided things in a better direction.

If I had thought a little differently, we could have created a happier future for both of us.

Like the time I locked her in a wardrobe for three hours.

-Let’s spray this medicine on Yuria’s face.

-That sounds fun. Who’s going to do it?

-I don’t know, just trick someone into doing it.

Or the bullying from the other classmates.

-Hey, let’s invite her to eat with us tomorrow and ditch her.

-Good idea. Let’s say it’s a class dinner….

There must have been better solutions, but I, who thought fists were closer than reason, had clumsily resolved things and seemed to fear Yuria getting hurt.

Surely, there must have been better ways to handle it.

Because of my rash decisions, didn’t Yuria end up even more hurt? I regretted it.

Though it was all in the bygone past.

The cold breeze tickled my chest, as if urging me to let go of past regrets and move on. It resonated warmly in my heart.

“Should I head back?”

I should probably sleep soon.

It would be troublesome if the Young Lady, lying in bed, took over my spot. I casually gathered some snow from the balcony railing and moved my body.

‘I should place this on her forehead.’

Grinning at the thought of playing a prank.

Had enough time passed to make a small snowball the size of a fist? I heard the sound of someone walking on the veranda.

‘Is it a patient?’

Judging by the footsteps, it didn’t seem to be the Young Lady. I listened closely to the weak footsteps, waiting for the door to open.

“Oh.”

I encountered a familiar face.

Someone I felt awkward and sorry to see.

At the same time, a foolishly kind woman with a meddlesome nature opened the glass door to the veranda.

As I looked at Yuria, who was gazing at me with moist eyes, I softly called her name.

“Miss Yuria.”

Yuria was dressed lightly again today. She wasn’t wearing an outer garment, looking as though she might be blown away by the slightest breeze.

What was she doing out here at this late hour? Smiling faintly, I spoke to her.

“The wind is chilly.”

“…”

“You’ll catch a cold dressed like that.”

I took off the cardigan draped over my shoulders and reached out to place it over Yuria, who stood silently.

-Flinch.

‘Is she still angry?’

Awkwardly smiling, I paused my outstretched hand and fell into thought, but eventually, I draped the cardigan over Yuria’s shoulders.

No matter how awkward it was, I didn’t want Yuria to get sick. As the heroine, it wouldn’t do for her to catch a cold because of the possessor’s hesitation. Shaking my head lightly, I gave an awkward smile.

“I washed it today, so it shouldn’t smell.”

The cardigan was so oversized that Yuria’s arms weren’t visible.

Her clumsy appearance almost made me laugh, but seeing her stern expression, I held back. It felt like I should have a calmer conversation instead.

I carefully thought of a topic Yuria might like. Something she could respond to without feeling burdened.

“Miss Yuria.”

“…”

“I heard the news. Your father has woken up….”

Yuria nodded.

Her head was lowered, so I couldn’t see her expression, but her nodding reassured me.

“You must have gone through a lot.”

“…”

“He’ll recover quickly, so everything will be fine.”

-Clench.

Yuria, who rarely spoke, bit her lip and maintained a long silence.

“…”

As the silence dragged on, I cautiously lifted my head to glance at Yuria’s Affinity Window. I wanted to find a definite hint to break through this situation.

But that shortcut only made things more complicated.

It was very complicated.

Looking at Yuria’s Affinity Window, I murmured softly, “This is tricky….”

The status window revealed the reasons for Yuria’s emotions without holding back. Depression, guilt, wishing I’d just scold her, fear, and regret—things that shouldn’t be under the “Favorite Conversation Topics” category were all there.

I wasn’t unfamiliar with meeting depressed people, but seeing the heroine burdened with such uncomfortable emotions didn’t sit well with me.

Moreover.

“…”

It seemed like I was the reason for those turbulent emotions, making it hard to speak carelessly. It appeared the Young Lady had said something.

Taking in the Northern Winds, I spent some time pondering. It felt like a lie I had tried to keep hidden had been exposed. I didn’t know what to say.

‘…’

I didn’t want to embarrass myself by playing the hero, nor did I want to sound like a villain with a backstory. I concluded that it was best to just do what I wanted.

-Plod.

I took a step closer to Yuria and reached for the cardigan’s buttons.

“It’s cold.”

Carefully kneeling, I began fastening the buttons. Yuria, watching my hands, bit her lips tightly.

-Sniff…

Her shoulders trembled as if she was overwhelmed with sorrow.

Yuria, biting her lips as if they might burst, was taking deep breaths, her shoulders rising and falling.

I gave a small smile at her sorrowful expression and spoke softly.

“Are you okay?”

“…”

“It must have been very hard for you.”

At my gentle inquiry, Yuria shook her head and lowered it.

“N-no. Why would it be hard for me….”

I asked Yuria again. With a calm and quiet voice, as if gently touching a retaining wall that seemed ready to crumble at any moment, I spoke.

“There’s no one in this world who isn’t struggling. Not me, not the Young Lady, and not Miss Yuria either.”

“…”

“It’s just that the weight of those struggles differs for each person.”

“Sniff…”

“It must have been very hard for you, right?”

Yuria spoke in a trembling voice.

“I… I can’t… I’m not allowed to struggle.”

“If I struggle… it’s because I’m a fool… because it’s all my fault.”

Yuria shook her head as if rejecting the words that wouldn’t come out easily, clutching her chest tightly with her fist.

I wondered if that answer was what she most wanted to hear. A desperate wish for someone to scold her and tear her down.

But what could I do?

I had no intention of saying such things.

“It’s okay.”

After fastening Yuria’s buttons, I carefully stepped back from her. Yuria’s head followed me with trembling eyes as I moved away. Her face, swollen and red from crying so much, reminded me of a goldfish.

‘Pfft.’

As I gave a small smile, the cracks on Yuria’s face deepened even further.

“I’m sorry…”

Yuria, as if pleading for me not to leave, spoke hastily through her sorrow. I gave her a small smile and carefully perched on the balcony railing.

“Don’t cry.”

And then, I gave the simplest answer.

“You’ll ruin your pretty face.”