The Villainess Whom I Had Served for 13 Years Has Fallen-Chapter 350: The excited Desmonds family (3)

At Rosanna's question, Olivia’s eyes wavered intensely. It was a question she hadn’t deeply pondered before.

"...Huh?" "..." "Well, he's a good person..."

Rosanna interrupted her while lathering Olivia's hair, making it clear she hadn’t asked about his qualities as a butler.

"I’m asking how you think of him as a man, not just as a servant." "...What?"

Rosanna smiled faintly at Olivia’s flustered expression. It had been a while since she’d seen her daughter so visibly uncomfortable.

It was amusing. At the same time, she felt a pang of sympathy for Ricardo. It seemed he still had a long way to go.

Rosanna spoke bluntly, sharing her own opinion and nudging Olivia to share hers.

"As for me, I like Ricardo." "Huh...?" "I mean it, I like Ricardo."

Olivia turned her head to look at Rosanna, surprised.

"Cheating’s a no-go; your father would be heartbroken." "Oh-ho-ho...! ~Nоvеl𝕚ght~ What are you even talking about, my dear! That’s not what I meant; I’m just saying I think Ricardo is a decent man." "...A decent man?" "He’s a great cook." "Yes." "He’s diligent, observant, and polite. Above all, he’s very good at taking care of you." "...That’s true." "And he’s handsome, so I think he’d make a fine son-in-law." "...Son-in-law?"

Olivia frowned, feeling resistant to her mother’s suggestion to consider something she’d never seriously thought about.

Love. The thought still terrified her, bringing back memories of a significant past failure.

Not yet. Not yet was she ready to think about love deeply...

Just as she was trying to wrap up her thoughts, Rosanna’s warning echoed in her ear. It was a warning that if she let time drag on with such hesitations, it might be too late.

"Maybe you’re at ease because his side is empty now, but hesitate too long, and another woman will take that spot." "..." "Doesn’t that bother you? Don’t you want to be his first and keep others from taking that place?" "...Ugh." "I think I heard that Lady Hystania has recently shown some interest in Ricardo..."

Olivia pursed her lips and turned her head away.

"...I don’t know."

She said it shyly.

Rosanna chuckled softly, watching Olivia’s face redden. It seemed there was still hope.

Maybe that’s enough teasing for today, she thought.

It wouldn’t do to overwhelm her shy daughter, so Rosanna decided to leave it at that for now.

"Close your eyes; I’m going to rinse the foam out." "Okay."

-Whoosh!

As water poured over her head, Olivia shut her eyes tightly, thoughts drifting to Ricardo—her silly, goofy, yet endearing butler.

"..."

Her face grew hot. It felt as though her mother had poured scalding water over her.

"I don’t know..." fɾeewebnoveℓ.co๓

Her cheeks still flushed.

"Answer me."

Darbav, with a sorrowful expression, told me that he had dreamed enough good dreams.

Though I wasn’t sure how he had learned about it, I felt that clearing up his misunderstanding would require a lengthy conversation. I appreciated his concern, but I had a stubbornness that I couldn’t let go of.

"Say you’ll stop."

-Tight...

I couldn’t give Darbav the answer he wanted.

We had come too far. Now, hope was visible on the horizon after an endless struggle, a path without injury to any of us. Giving up now would feel like a waste. No, it wasn’t even an option anymore; I’d come too far to give Darbav the answer he sought.

With a resolute expression, I responded firmly.

"I can’t do that."

Kyle, who had been watching in silence, shouted with a steely gaze, urging me to heed my father’s advice and abandon my futile stubbornness.

"Father is looking out for you." "I’m grateful for that. I truly appreciate you taking me in and treating me well." "Then... can’t you just quietly do as he says? It would be best for you, for me, and for Olivia." "But..."

I smiled slightly and spoke.

"We’re so close; how could I give up now when happiness is within reach..."

Darbav and Kyle fell silent at my painful answer. As her parents and family, they, more than anyone, had wanted to see Olivia walk again, so they could only look on with conflicted expressions.

Even suggesting I stop must have taken tremendous courage for them.

"I can’t give up." "Even if it means expulsion?" "I’ll gladly accept that if it’s for her sake." "...You fool."

Darbav let out a wry chuckle, shaking his head.

"Why, though?" "..." "Why go to such lengths?" "..." "Is it out of pity for Olivia, or to repay a debt?"

I shook my head, smiling faintly. Had it been for reasons like that, I wouldn’t have even started.

"She’s the most endearing person in the world."

I shared my genuine thoughts.

"She may be stubborn, but she’s also the kindest person I know, and though strong-willed, she knows when to yield." "..." "And above all..." "..." "Isn’t she the most beautiful person in the world? And I am her butler."

Darbav lowered his head, admitting that although he considered himself indulgent toward his daughter, I seemed even more so.

"You’re completely smitten." "Haha! I can’t help it; it’s my duty as her butler to protect her smile." "Hah..."

Darbav brushed his wet hair back, sighing.

"Honestly, I feel like knocking you out. Sometimes, you have to straighten out a stubborn man with a good beating." "..." "But... looking at you now, I get the feeling you wouldn’t listen. You remind me of my younger self."

Darbav let out a long sigh and continued.

"I won’t stop you. It’s selfish, but I want to see Olivia run, too." "Thank you." "But you must promise me one thing."

Darbav looked me square in the eye.

"Don’t die." "..." "That promise to protect Olivia’s smile—keep it to the end." "...Understood."

I nodded with a smile, assured that I could keep it.

"I’ll protect it at all costs." "Alright... good."

Exiting the bath, Darbav looked back at me.

"Come with me." "Sir?" "I need to see if you’re qualified to protect my daughter."

Darbav’s expression turned icy, like a bear whose cub was about to be taken from him.

The conversation had seemed to end amicably, so why was he making that face?

"I’m not giving my daughter to anyone weaker than me."

Oh.

"Meet me in the yard."

This was trouble.

In the estate yard, Darbav, Kyle, and I stood, preparing.

Kyle eyed me sharply, while Darbav loosened up, like an instructor preparing for battle.

He scowled as he looked at me standing there idly.

"Why aren’t you getting ready?" "Sir?" "You should warm up too. We’re about to spar." "Ah... right..."

Darbav let out a laugh, gesturing to me.

"Didn’t you say you wanted to see her happy? It’s a father’s duty to ensure his daughter’s protector has the strength to do so." "Still..." "Pick up your sword."

The dark, powerful villain Darbav from the novel.

In the original story, Darbav was an archmage, a monstrous figure who had once rained down meteors on the capital, nearly wiping out the empire.

Had Roen and Mikhail not worked together, they wouldn’t have been able to defeat him.

Facing him now, I awkwardly gripped my sword.

-Caliburn. -Yes. -I’ll need your help. -Whenever you need it. I’m a strong lady, after all.

I looked at Darbav, thinking to myself.

Can I reach him?

Facing Darbav, whom I’d never fought before, I steadied my nerves, clutching my sword tightly.

Darbav gave a faint smile and said,

"I’ll go easy." "Thank you." "Just try not to be felled in one blow."

-Tight...

A massive aura surged.

I felt the coarse energy reinforcing his hands, feet, and entire body. I also had the sinking feeling that if his punch connected, it might be the end of me.

"...Die, you scoundrel." "Sir?" "Here I come."

With a short yell, Darbav kicked off the ground and closed the distance in an instant. He swung his fist at my face, and as it neared, faster than I anticipated, I reflexively swung my sword.

Not with the blade.

"...Huh?"

But with the flat.

As Caliburn’s steel flashed, Kyle rubbed his eyes, staring in disbelief. Then—

-Crash!

"..."

Darbav, having broken through the wall, looked back at me, his eyes trembling.

"Haha... I couldn’t control my strength."

Darbav clenched his teeth, looking exasperated.

"That’s why I hate swordsmen."

The exchange continued.

-Sorry. -... -Ah... I apologize.

With each exchange, worry etched deeper on Darbav’s face. And finally, as Caliburn sent him flying through the air, he spoke.

"...Try stopping this."

Only Kyle’s intervention, stopping the massive meteor spell Darbav aimed at the mansion, ended the spar.

-Let me go!!! -Hold yourself, sir! -He dares to... my daughter! -Father!!!

I scratched the back of my head awkwardly, smiling sheepishly.