The Villainess Whom I Had Served for 13 Years Has Fallen chapter 138

138 – Lying about seeing the inner self. -2-

“I said throw it away.”

Ruin’s voice, tinged with annoyance, lacked any consideration, akin to a lion’s low growl suppressing anger.

He spoke in a menacing tone not to show concern but to express his discomfort, simultaneously revealing his rejection of the gift and his anger towards it.

It had to be Ricardo, of all people.

Ruin had never liked Ricardo.

The fact that someone insignificant like him appeared stronger than others annoyed Ruin, and his lack of etiquette in duels while enjoying the privileges of a winner angered him.

Above all, Ruin was irritated by Yuria’s close relationship with Ricardo.

For reasons he couldn’t fathom.

Why was he fixated on Yuria?

Simply put, whenever Ricardo was seen hanging around with Yuria, it felt like seeing garbage right in front of him, turning his insides upside down.

Seeing Ricardo eating with Yuria twisted his stomach, and he didn’t like seeing her smile at that guy.

It wasn’t like this before he got close to Yuria…

Ruine couldn’t understand Yuria.

He couldn’t comprehend receiving gifts from Ricardo after being tormented by him.

There was a witness to his misdeeds.

She experienced it firsthand.

One of the questions was why she was still in contact with that guy.

Moreover, the dress Ricardo gave her was undoubtedly inferior to the one Ruine had given her, from the material to the color of the clothes. Ruine was convinced that everything from one to ten was poorer than what he had done.

After all, Ricardo was a beggar.

According to rumors, he incurred a huge debt of 1 million gold due to fines for black magic, so he was financially strained. Ruine was sure that the guy who served cheap green tea wouldn’t invest a lot of money in Yuria’s dress.

So.

Ruine couldn’t understand Yuria’s rejection.

Ruine stared at Yuria, who had a stiff expression. Looking at Yuria’s face filled with doubt, he wondered if he had heard correctly, seeing the worry in her troubled expression.

Yuria asked Ruine in a trembling voice. What did you say?

“What did I say?”

Ruin kindly whispered his thoughts to Yuriya. He thought she must have accepted Ricardo’s gift reluctantly.

Surely, Yuriya couldn’t refuse Ricardo’s gift because she was tender-hearted.

Ruin thought that with Yuriya’s tender heart, she wouldn’t be able to reject Ricardo’s feelings. Whenever Ricardo was mentioned, Yuriya would make a displeased expression, so Ruin thought she must have similar feelings as himself.

Ruin slowly spoke, thinking he was representing Yuriya’s feelings.

“The dress Ricardo gave you. Throw it away, Yuriya.”

Ruin extended the paper bag towards Yuriya again and said, “Who knows what he did to the dress and you’re accepting it.”

Ruin said kindly.

Kindly, with a smile in his eyes.

“I know how you feel, so don’t feel burdened, just throw it away,” Ruin said in a gentle voice, but Yuriya found Ruin’s words simply absurd.

“No…”

Who does he think he is, expressing negative emotions towards being told what to do.

They weren’t even close.

Despite being just friends, Yuriya was angry at Ruin’s forceful words.

“Why are you saying that?”

Yuriya shouted at Ruin in a slightly raised voice.

She felt upset at his forceful words.

Above all, she couldn’t tolerate ignoring Ricardo’s gift.

“Ruin. Even among friends, there are things that should and shouldn’t be said. I appreciate you thinking of me and giving me a gift, but telling me to throw away a gift given by someone else is not proper, is it?”

“Yuria.”

“Think about it. Would you feel happy? Ricardo might also give you a gift with the same feelings as you. Aren’t you thinking too negatively?”

Ruin tightly clenched his fist, pondering Yuria’s words.

“The same feelings…?”

Just because of the phrase ‘the same feelings,’ Ruin’s fist began to tighten fiercely.

The phrase ‘the same feelings’ was quite unpleasant.

He had chosen the gift with a certain feeling in mind.

He had chosen it while thinking of the Yuria he liked. The notion that his feelings were the same as that guy’s, who lived for his own pleasure, made Ruin quite uncomfortable.

Ruin, suppressing his rising anger, spoke to Yuria.

“Yuria. Do you trust Ricardo?”

“What?”

“Think about it. How many times have you been betrayed and hurt by that guy, and you still trust him?”

“…”

“My point is right, isn’t it?”

“No. I want to reconcile with Ricardo and start over…”

“Start over? Do you think he’ll change? Don’t you remember? When he ostracized you with Olivia at the academy?”

“…Stop it.”

“Is that all you know? You know Ricardo put tacks in your shoes, and wrote insults on your desk.”

“I know. Stop it.”

Yuria, irritated by Ruin’s provocative remarks, clenched her fist and bowed her head.

Facing someone directly and expressing anger was not something Yuria was accustomed to. And because of Ruin, who only spoke the truth, Yuria couldn’t easily lift her head.

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Ruin wasn’t wrong in what he said.

She had forgotten. Ricardo was the perpetrator, and she was the victim. It was like oil and water, unable to mix.

However.

“I know. Stop it.”

That was not different for Ruin.

When she was being tormented, Ruin ignored it, sitting at his desk as if observing something interesting, which Yuria did not appreciate now that he seemed to be a righteous person.

Perhaps the indifferent Ruin was worse.

Terrifying memories began to flicker in Yuria’s mind like a ghost light.

The day when filth poured down from above as she entered the classroom.

Ruin was sitting at his desk that day, resting his chin. He could have intervened, could have just said not to do it.

Instead, Ruin said nothing, merely spectating as if watching an interesting toy.

But.

Who are you to judge?

If she hadn’t worked on assignments with Ruin, if she didn’t have a talent for healing, Ruin wouldn’t have come to her side.

Thinking of the overwhelming past, Yuria clenched her fist and spoke with a trembling voice.

“What were you doing then?”

“…What?”

“When I was being tormented, what were you doing?”

“I helped.”

“No! Not now, but when Ricardo was around! Before you and I became close, you acted just like those guys.”

“No. I never did.”

“You were just pretending.”

A small crack started to form in their relationship.

What had started with good intentions began to lose its meaning due to someone’s criticism. A single word spoken out of superiority turned into an arrow, digging up hidden wounds.

Yuria didn’t want to bring up these words. Though she harbored resentment towards Ruin inside, they were good friends now.

They had memories of supporting each other through tough times, overcoming hardships together. Yuria tried to bury those memories deep in her heart.

But.

As Ruin casually denied ever doing so, doubt started to creep into Yuria’s mind.

“You were just watching back then… You have no right to judge Ricardo, do you?”

“Yuria.”

“No matter how much you dislike Ricardo…! It’s you who’s disliked, not me!”

“Yuria!”

“Ruin. You…! You have no right to say that!”

Ruin coldly hardened his expression and spoke to Yuria.

“I am different.”

“…”

“I see you for who you truly are.”

“…”

“I didn’t approach you based on your looks or magic like that guy did.”

“What’s different? They all look the same to me! Even you standing by and watching…!”

“That’s because we’re not close. I thought you’d react that way if I, who mean nothing to you, suddenly offered to help. And…!”

Ruin spoke, exhaling the heat rising from deep within his chest.

“Things are different now, aren’t they?”

“…”

“I’m watching you. Yes, initially we became friends out of curiosity, but now it’s different, even if you were to change your appearance…”

“…”

“Even if I don’t recognize you, I can still understand you because we’re the closest of friends. Maybe I hurt you before, but things are different now.”

Ruin declared with certainty, pounding his chest.

“I’m different from that guy.”

Ruin’s words were a lie that would never come true.

*

On the way back to the dormitory.

Yuria walked towards the dorm with heavy steps.

“Sigh…”

She felt pathetic for engaging in meaningless fights.

Thinking that she might have been too cold towards Ruin, who had also kindly given her a gift, Yuria walked heavily, bowing her head.

She held the dress Ruin had given her in her hands.

– The choice is yours. But I would like it if you wore the dress I gave you.

As she bowed her head, the image of Ruin extending a paper bag lingered in her mind.

We fought, but there was no malice in Ruin’s heart. Besides, he wasn’t incapable of understanding Ruin’s position.

Ricardo was deeply hurt.

Honestly, it couldn’t be denied that Ricardo was unlucky; perhaps he had overreacted too sensitively.

Yuria walked with complicated thoughts.

And when she arrived at the dormitory.

“Yuria~”

The group she disliked was approaching, holding a purple drink in their hands.

They were the ones she disliked.

Harassing her.

Talking behind her back.

Treating her like she was invisible.

Yuria looked at them and smiled faintly.

They smiled back at her.

“We’re sorry for everything we’ve done.”

“Huh?”

“We’ve thought a lot, and we’ve been too harsh on you.”

Yuria opened the door to the conversation she most wanted to hear.

“Would you come to our room and chat for a bit?”

Yuria accepted their risky invitation.

Yuria chattered happily.

The person she believed in might be a fool, but she wanted to hold onto that lifeline. Hoping that grasping the lifeline that came down to her in a desperate situation would lead to a happier future, Yuria held onto it with a wishful heart.

The next morning.

“Huh…?”

Yuria’s face was grotesquely disfigured.

Her skin contorted.

Her clear pupils dulled.

Her lips were so dry, making her face look grotesque like a witch living hidden in the shadows.

All that remained for Yuria was a single pink hair.

Looking at herself in the mirror, Yuria stood still, unable to do anything.

“Ah… ah… ah…”

“aaahhh!!!”

◈

Rules of the ball.

– All students must attend the ball.

◈

In the peaceful mansion of Desmontague today.

Olivia, holding a giant candy stick, looked at Ricardo in his suit and asked, “Where’s Ricardo?”

“Why?”

“You’re dressed so nicely.”

“Ah… I’m going to become a prince.”

“Huh?”

Ricardo smiled and walked towards the ballroom.

“Will they accept a dropout student?”

If they don’t, I’ll crush them.