The Villainess Whom I Had Served for 13 Years Has Fallen chapter 86

86 – The Villainess’s Father -3-

Desmund Darvab.

One of only five great archmages in the empire and also the head of the Desmund family, which rivals the magical tower itself.

Scrolls, magical tools, artifacts. He supplied 30% of all magic goods to the empire and was also Olivia’s father, the businessman who expanded his ventures into politics, diplomacy, industry, and more.

From Noble mtl dot com

In the novel, Darvab was portrayed as a villain.

He prioritized utility over justice.

He was a cunning human being who favored ugly survival over righteous sacrifice.

In a moment when the empire was threatened by heretics, he was capable of holding grudges to the extent of mocking the crown prince’s outrage by saying, “When do you ever hesitate to ostracize us for practicing black magic, but now you beg for our help? What a joke.”

Above all, he was someone who cherished his daughter ‘Olivia.’

– Olivia slapped the crown prince? Was Olivia hurt?

– Olivia is on a diet…? Bring the empire’s best physician. She might have a serious illness.

He was such a doting father that the nobles labeled him ‘fool for his daughter.’

He found his daughter, who resembled him, endearing.

And to Darvab, his daughter, behaving more affectionately (?) than his cold son, appeared all the more lovable.

Therefore, the character Darvab deeply despised Mikhail and Yuria in the story.

As the villain who hated Mikhail and Yuria for driving Olivia to her death, I remember him being the object of scorn from many readers.

He was a figure who, in his attempt to save his crumbling house, dabbled in black magic, and faced a miserable death, but personally, he was also a character I liked.

Because I enjoyed seeing his human side.

Although Darvab’s fate changed dramatically when the lady did not die, he nevertheless remained a true character, among the top five I encountered in the novel.

Anyway, the Darvab I remember was a good person.

Harsh to others but affable to those within his own circle, he cherished his family and had a human aspect of seeking to protect those within his fold even if it meant sacrificing others.

That’s the head of the Desmond family I remember, and Olivia’s father.

Of course.

After the lady employed black magic, my ties with him had ended.

*

It felt as if time had stopped.

I intended to seek him out, but I didn’t expect to meet him so soon.

Standing foolishly still at the unexpected emergence of the head of the house—a man I thought I might never meet—I was caught off guard.

“It’s been a while, Ricardo.”

“…Lord… Head of the House?”

I quickly bowed in respect.

“Greetings to the great leader of the Desmond house.”

“Enough. No need for formality.”

Darvab waved a hand dismissively with a grudging expression, indicating his dislike for such formalities, and with a calm voice said,

“It’s been nearly two years. You’ve grown up quite impressively, to the point I almost didn’t recognize you.”

“That’s overly kind.”

“Still modest, I see. Well… how have you been doing since then?

How have you been.

It was a question that could have been answered simply, yet I found myself unable to reply readily. Being an outcast from the house, I was unsure of what to say.

Too much of a nuisance to the house to say I have been well with a hollow smile, I struggled to speak.

“Well, that’s…”

As if reading my heart, the head of the house showed a gentle smile, as though to say there was no need for me to feel burdened.

“Speak freely. I, too, am curious about what has become of you all.”

“Thanks to your lordship’s kindness, I have been well.”

“‘What favor? The family has already abandoned you.”

Darbav muttered with a bitter look on his face.

“We won’t be doing well….”

Just as Darbav stated, we were indeed abandoned by our family. The existence of a lady who practiced dark magic was a problem significant enough to ruin the family.

A family that was envious of Desmont.

The royal household started to curb Desmont’s growing influence. And also, the Magic Tower that was planning to expand its magic tool business.

Everyone was dependent on Desmont’s favor, and when the lady’s issue exploded during that period, Darbav chose to cut us off.

It was the best choice.

The only option he could make as the head of the family.

I didn’t find it unfair.

Because I would have done the same.

Only that the abandoned mistress wailed at this fact.

While the mistress was unconscious, Darbav spoke in a cold voice during my interview with him.

“You understand that you’re at fault for Olivia’s matter.

“I understand. I will humbly accept any punishment.”

“The reason I permitted you to be Olivia’s butler was for you to protect her. To stop her from going down the wrong path.”

“…”

“Despite having butlers with better educational backgrounds and more competence than you, I left this job to you for that sole reason.”

“…”

“But, what on earth is this?”

“I’m sorry.”

“I’m thinking of sending Olivia to a monastery as soon as she regains her health. So…you should never plan to step into the Desmont house again, return to the academy. I’ll support your tuition fee.”

“My lord…”

“I so want to tear you both apart. Be quiet.”

“I am a butler who serves the lady.”

“What does that mean? What can that do when the ending is like this…”

“Still, I believe I must abide by my duties as a butler. If you do not permit it, I’ll be homeless near the nunnery.”

“Are you insane?”

“No, I am perfectly normal.”

This started from my stubbornness, knowing the future.

To avoid the world’s scathing critique, there lay my responsibility to oppose the decision of the household head who felt the necessity to cut off their tail, burdened with the family’s apathy and the fine for black magic.

It was a fact I knew too well.

Because the decision also came from our head of the household, we exchanged glances with bitter smiles, words unspoken between us.

Back then, Darvab was furious, and Olivia’s brother was so angry that he grabbed my collar.

And the young lady was abandoned by her family.

Darvab’s bitter smile made me anxious. Because I was the one who was wrong.

A moment of silence stretched out before a single question flew from Darvab.

“You heard the rumor? That you paid off the debt?”

“Yes.”

“…I didn’t intend for that.”

“Excuse me?”

“Nevermind.”

Mumbling briefly, Darvab gazed at the lady sitting next to me. The lady who still couldn’t accept the closure of the chocolate shop where many memories lingered, displayed her melancholy emotions towards life with vacant eyes.

“Lady…!”

“The purpose of our journey is lost…”

“Please, gather your senses. The head of the household is here…!”

“My favorite shop… The baker had promised to give me a service the next time I come. He must keep his promise!”

The lady’s spirit was gone.

Darvab looked at the lady’s figure from behind, sitting in a wheelchair, a frown in his eyes.

“That woman…”

A revolting emotion was evident in Darvab.

Seeing her appearance, I assumed he was upset, but Darvab spat out completely unexpected words.

“Is she your girlfriend?”

“What?”

“I thought you and Olivia were in good terms. Or maybe I was mistaken.”

“?”

With a bitter smile, Darvab, making connections in his mind, expressed his regret.

“Well, you are of an age to have a girlfriend. I can understand that… But it’s a little disappointing. If you break up by stabbing money in the back, then it’s another matter.”

“I’m not sure I understand what you mean.”

“That woman.”

Darbav stared at the wheelchair and asked,

“Isn’t she your girlfriend?”

“No.”

I answered definitively.

“I see.”

Color began to return to Darbav’s pale complexion.

Deciding to introduce the young lady staring at the chocolate shop later, I focused on my conversation with Darbav.

If I introduced her now, I wasn’t sure what to say. If Darbav got angry, I felt obliged to take the young lady’s side, so I wanted to avoid unnecessary friction.

I needed time to think of a suitable remark.

And I needed to calm Darbav down, so he could engage in a peaceful conversation with the young lady and me.

Feeling awkward, I started a conversation with Darbav.

“Sir, what brings you here?”

“Ah,”

Darbav said, lifting the paper bag in his hand.

“I was reminded of Olivia after a long time. So, I dropped by. Just on the off chance it was open.”

“I see.”

“Here. Olivia liked this place a lot. So, I bought some snacks at a nearby store before going back.”

Darbav took out a chocolate seashell bread from the paper bag and offered it to me.

“Do you want to try it?”

“It’s okay. I had breakfast before coming.”

“That’s too bad. It’s a really delicious bread.”

Darbav was gentle.

Honestly, I thought he’d swear at me. Asking where I thought I was going. I expected he’d start with harsh words as soon as he saw my face.

Then, his unexpected demeanor gave me hope, as I vividly remembered him declaring that he was so angry, he’d never want to see me again.

That’s why I dared to ask Darbav.

I couldn’t contain my curiosity.

“Sir.”

The master, who was eating the bread, lifted his head to my question. The sight of him eating with bread crumbs around his mouth reminded me of someone sitting next to him.

“Why are you asking? Do you want to eat it now?”

“No. There’s something I’m curious about…”

“Something you’re curious about?”

Darbav allowed the question as he placed his bread in a paper bag.

“Go ahead.”

“Don’t you dislike us?”

“Huh?”

“Didn’t our family come to the brink of ruin because of us? And the scandal…”

Darbav did not deny my words, nodding his head.

“That was the case.”

‘It was the case?’

Darbav spat out an unexpected answer.

“I was about to visit you soon. To discuss upcoming matters.”

“What does that mean…”

“You asked if I disliked it, right? …Yes. I even thought about excluding Olivia from the family register, who gifted the crisis that greatly troubled the family and possibly led to its ruin…”

“Seeing such odd things…”

Darbav gazed at the sky with a sorrowful expression.

“They say there’s no parent who can win over their child.”

Darbav spoke to me with a troubled expression.

“Is Olivia doing well?”

Darbav asked with concern.

Just when I thought his question ended.

From Noble mtl dot com

After a moment of contemplation, the lady began to look ahead, turning the wheels of her wheelchair.

“Ricardo. Since things have come to this, why don’t we open a store… huh?”

The lady finally noticed her father in front of her.

Her eyes widened in shock.

“Dad…”

I could feel the swelling emotion in the lady’s stuttering voice.

“Dad?”

“Ol…ivia?”

“Dad?”

In an instant, the man in front of me disappeared at a speed I couldn’t react to. Darbav had instantly sprinted out.

By the time I came to my senses.

“Heeek!!”

“Hueeek!”

An emotional reunion was taking place between the two women.

Come to think of it.

Darbav.

I had forgotten that he was a dreadful doting father.

“Why have you lost so much weight?!”

“Ricardo starved me!”

“eeek! That rascal!”

“…”

I still couldn’t get used to seeing their reunion after so long.