The Villainess Whom I Had Served for 13 Years Has Fallen-Chapter 355-356

"Haaa..."

Sitting in the athlete's waiting room, Shartia let out a deep sigh. Her next opponent was a difficult one.

She had made it to the quarterfinals by sheer luck.

The matchups must have been in her favor.

It wasn't that the students in Group B were weak, but compared to the monsters in Group A, they were opponents she could beat with relative ease.

Except for one person.

Her upcoming opponent.

The First Prince.

Leo Gard Taeo, Shartia's opponent, was her half-brother and the Crown Prince of the Leo Gard Empire.

A strong empress behind him.

The Emperor's first child.

And a prince with the best qualifications of being a son.

His talent for magic was outstanding, and his swordsmanship was also excellent, but his greatest talent was the eye that could see the truth, an ability that could only be awakened by those who inherited the royal blood most strongly.

Yes, a man who possessed all the qualifications to be Crown Prince was the obstacle Shartia had to overcome to reach the semifinals.

"..."

Shartia disliked Taeo.

It wasn't because she was wronged by the discrimination she received due to her commoner mother. She understood the discrimination an illegitimate child received to some extent. She disliked him for a much more constructive reason.

Leo Gard Taeo was...

-Shartia. I'm going out of the palace.

-What...? Father will be furious if he finds out...

-It's fine. As long as I don't get caught.

...unfit for the role of king.

Having had many encounters with the Crown Prince since childhood, Shartia knew of Taeo's conduct.

She had watched and knew what he thought of the Empire.

She knew what kind of heart he had as he looked upon the throne.

-Taeo...! You missed your lessons again today.

-I am trying to broaden my horizons by seeing more things.

-If you say so... but please make sure to attend the management classes. Especially the political science class...

-Father... Once I become emperor, this freedom will disappear. I want to see many things and broaden my horizons.

...that he would become a tyrant.

Taeo's heart towards the throne was incredibly light. Even though the lives of countless citizens of the empire would be in his hands in the future, he wandered around like a vagrant, and if he caused trouble, he was someone who used the name of the Crown Prince to cover it up.

He claimed it was for the future of the empire, yet he spoke of his desire for freedom.

-Why do you suppress me! I am a person too. To observe the lives of the people before becoming a monarch is also a virtue a wise king should have.

-Taeo.

-I will conduct my own politics. Politics for the people...!

As if mocking her efforts to protect her mother while being called an illegitimate child, Taeo's pursuit of freedom caused a snake to coil in Shartia's heart.

I'm studying to survive.

I'm trying not to be ignored, yet she was angered by the sight of Taeo, who made no effort at all.

One day, the emperor came to her and said something. That it was good to see her studying.

-Shartia. It is good to see you working hard. In the future, help Taeo become a wise king.

-...Yes, Father.

-Continue to strive.

I'm trying harder.

I think I could do better if I were king.

I think I could right the wavering axis of power and create an empire unshaken by the words of nobles, yet she hated her father who only thought of her brother, who made no effort at all.

If only a prince became king instead...

If only I...

She knows.

How undeserved this greed is. She knows how fortunate it is to be born into the royal bloodline, to hold the support and power that others cannot enjoy.

But.

-She's an illegitimate child. No need to look good.

-She'll be sold off in a political marriage anyway, let's focus on the other royals.

-The Third Princess's parents are commoners, right? Let's just suck up to the Fourth Princess instead.

The reason she could escape the contempt she had received since childhood was due to her own efforts, so could this be called luck?

Her brother who chases freedom.

Me who struggles to survive.

Standing before the lingering image that continued like a reflection in a mirror, Shartia could only sigh at the gap that would not close.

Because she knew it was a position she could never reach, no matter how hard she tried. She wanted to hear people say she was a person suited for the throne. Because that would be the result of her efforts so far.

"..."

Now, the power of funds is on Taeo's side. Her father is holding Taeo's hand.

She believed Taeo had more than enough qualifications to become a wise king to the people, but he lacked the qualities to make the empire a successful nation.

He was always full of mischief.

And had a personality that made decisions easily.

A long time ago.

Yes, when a conflict arose between the empire and another country, Taeo had said this to his father. 'Why don't we just go to war?'

It could be said to be the short-sighted thought of a child, but the sincerity she saw in Taeo's eyes that day remained in Shartia's heart.

Shartia steeled her heart and held her breath to shake off the tension.

-Participants for the next match, please prepare.

It was then.

"Shartia."

Someone visited Shartia's waiting room.

-Click. Clack. Click.

Taeo's expression, who had come with snacks in hand, was bright.

As if he had predicted the outcome of this duel, the Crown Prince, filled with arrogance and leisure, was walking towards the waiting room where Shartia was sitting, offering a greeting.

Seeing the Crown Prince's face, Shartia hardened her expression and said bitingly.

"Isn't it against the rules for another athlete to enter an athlete's waiting room?"

"I just wanted to talk to my sister for a bit. I'll be leaving right away, so don't take it so sharply."

"..."

Taeo, who sat one seat away from Shartia, brushed back his hair and carefully opened his mouth.

"Are you preparing well for the duel?"

"It's going so-so."

"Hmm... right."

The Crown Prince, who nodded his head, smiled faintly and said to Shartia.

"It will be graduation soon."

"..."

"You're a fourth-year. How do you feel with graduation just around the corner?"

"Were you someone who cared about me this much?"

"Haha...! That's true too."

Taeo smiled with his eyes as he looked at Shartia.

"Have you thought about what you'll do after graduation?"

"Why do you ask?"

"Why do I ask? As an older brother, I'm worried about my sister's future."

"I..."

Taeo cut Shartia off and, hardening his previously nonchalant expression, said.

"You know, Shartia."

"..."

"After I become emperor, I plan to send all the royals into exile."

"What did you say...?!"

"Yes, there will be many siblings who oppose it. Maybe there will even be some who will try to rebel with swords. But..."

Taeo smiled cruelly and looked straight into Shartia's eyes, saying.

"There are just too many people who are trying to be my enemies. No matter how much I wander around like a vagrant, I can distinguish between those who would hold a knife to my throat and those who wouldn't. That's why I'm telling you."

Taeo's golden eyes were shining.

"..."

"Future plans. You'll have to make them, right?"

"..."

"You have to think about your mother who is alone, don't you."

Taeo smiled and bowed his head.

"Then I'll see you in the duel arena. Think carefully about what I mean."

Shartia shouted at the departing Taeo.

"...Brother."

Because it was unfair.

It's true she coveted the throne, but she struggled to survive. She was filled with anger at the sight of him, who had only enjoyed himself until now, suddenly showing greed for the throne.

"Brother... you weren't interested in the throne."

"...Hmm?"

"You said it when you were young. That you didn't want to be king, so if you became emperor, you'd just want to be a nouveau riche."

"Ah..."

Taeo opened his cold eyes and whispered to Shartia.

"I've come to want to sit on the throne."

"What...?"

"There's something I want."

Taeo's gaze was directed towards Yuria, who was visible outside the arena.

"A competitor has appeared."

Taeo said to Shartia.

"And by the way, Shartia."

"..."

"It's not polite for an illegitimate child to call a royal 'brother'."

"...!!!"

"I would appreciate it if you were careful with that mouth."

Taeo was slowly leaving the waiting room with a small smile, leaving Shartia in a state of extreme tension.

-Click.

Her mood sinks.

-Clack.

It felt as if the painful past that Elysia had shown her was burning again, as if she were looking in a mirror.

A feeling of breaking down.

Shartia, who bowed her head at the pain of a crack forming in the fortress wall she had built so firmly, began to feel solemn at the thought of being alone.

She told herself inwardly.

'It's okay.'

She had been like this all along, had been treated like this, there was no need to struggle, Shartia said.

But.

Shartia's heart, who had seen Taeo, who had treated her with the mask of a smile for a long time, was not in a state to calm down easily.

And the moment the unpleasant words came out of Taeo's mouth as he left the door.

"I'll sort out some decent men for you soon. Take your pick."

"..."

"A political marriage is fine, right?"

"..."

"If you want to stay in the palace, you'd better choose quickly."

Shartia's heart began to be eaten away by the emotion of fear.

It was then.

-Creeaak.

"What a load of bullshit."

Someone appeared, insulting the royal family with a familiar voice.

The light leaking through the open door dyed the man's hair who opened it red.

Taeo, who saw the man's face, also twitched his brow, showing his displeasure.

"What did you say to a royal?"

The man standing in front of the door also showed a bright smile, as if he was pleased with Taeo's expression.

"Your Highness, the Crown Prince."

"..."

"You're not the emperor yet, are you?"

"..."

"Are you trying to run the empire by yourself?"

It was Ricardo.

"Your self-confidence pierces the heavens. Ah, is it because you have a reliable father?"

"Shut up."

"I'm sorry. I can't, since my mouth is open."

The strangest man she knew.

Ricardo looked down at the Crown Prince and said, with a cool smile on his lips.

"You must have a wide network of connections?"

"..."

"I do too."

He began to mock the man whom no one could treat carelessly.

"What do you think you're doing!"

In the waiting room the crown prince had left.

Shartia was looking at me with trembling eyes. To Shartia's protest, who was questioningly asking what I had done, I let out a hollow laugh and shook my head.

It's fine.

"What do you mean, what am I doing? I'm picking a side."

"What?"

"Hmm?"

Shartia glared at me as if in disbelief. With a look that asked what I meant by picking a side, and how I could be so calm after committing such a serious act.

"Did I do something wrong?"

"...Of course!"

"Is that so? I don't think so."

Shartia glared at me once more, then exhaled with a "ha" as if in disbelief.

"You just talked back to the Crown Prince of the Empire... you know that? You made a mistake with the future emperor!!"

"That's right, but is there a problem?"

"Is there a problem...?! Of course there's a problem, why wouldn't there be!"

"Hmm..."

I smiled slightly, opened the paper bag the crown prince had left behind, and took a bite of the bread inside.

"Hmm..."

As I savored the dry bread that stuck to the inside of my mouth, I muttered in a low voice, 'He could have bought something better.' It was much less tasty than the bread Darvav bought.

"The bread is not good."

"Why are you eating it!"

"Hmm... because I'm hungry?"

"Haa..."

Shartia ran a hand through her hair and looked at me with trembling eyes. It seemed like she was wondering what to do about this situation. She didn't have to think so hard about it.

I placed the paper bag with the bread on the bench and conveyed my honest feelings to Shartia.

"There's no need to think about it complicatedly."

"How can you..."

"You used to chew me out just fine during meetings back in the day."

"That's because I was the student council president..."

"Haha! I'm the same because I'm a security guard. I may be a temp, but I'm doing my best at my job."

"..."

"If a competitor comes to another competitor's waiting room before a match, they could be up to something, couldn't they? I have a duty to protect the competitors."

"...Haa. What can I even say to you."

"Thank you for the compliment."

"It's not a compliment!"

The crown prince had left, looking at me with cold eyes, saying, 'Just you wait.' In this world, there are no scary people who say 'just you wait'.

[Leogard Theo]

Favorability: -100

Favorite conversation topics: Yuria, respect, power, freedom...

Disliked conversation topics: Ricardo, rivals, politics, oppression...

He was so openly showing his dislike that I was about to say one more thing, but I held back because I thought I would get scolded by Shartia.

I wanted to avoid getting on the bad side of the future emperor.

Shartia wouldn't know.

The future where she becomes the empress of the empire. Knowing the future where she endures countless hardships and conflicts to finally ascend to the throne, how could I not be mindful? I should be thinking about grabbing onto that lifeline right now.

To be honest, I had been trying to avoid getting involved with the imperial family until now. Because I hated complicated things.

Once you get entangled with the imperial family, you have to fight until your head hurts, and I didn't have the confidence to handle that. To me, the imperial family was an entity that took my taxes. Nothing more, nothing less.

So... I had been avoiding them as much as possible... but since those words came out, I had to endure it.

'Political marriage'

Those words I had overheard by chance made me overcome my annoyance. Marriage should be with someone you love. Of course, I'm a greedy lover, but I didn't want to hear threats about marriage. He's not even a petty person...

The crown prince, like many people, had a "what's mine is mine, what's yours is negotiable" personality. That selfish tendency of "it's okay if I do it, but not if you do it."

He was a character I really didn't want to get close to... but maybe this turned out for the better?

The crown prince, who appears as the male lead in the novel, had the tendencies of a tyrant commonly found in romance fantasy novels. He was a character who pretended not to care on the outside but took care of things, and whose eyes would turn if any harm came to Yuria. Of course, his tyrant mode starts after he becomes aware of the emotion of love... but anyway, he was a popular character among female readers.

The magician position was Ruin.

The reliable male lead was Mikhail.

And finally, the reliable backer who could cover up any incident was the crown prince.

With his handsome appearance, a reliable backer, and a manly mindset of killing anyone who bothers his woman, he was a character you couldn't hate. If Ruin was like a puppy who mindlessly charges in, the crown prince held a position like a snake that slowly makes you fall for him.

Looking at these elements alone, one might think the crown prince is charming enough, but after experiencing him firsthand, I thought there was no one as trashy as the crown prince.

Not only was there no reason for me, who was severely discriminatory against men, to like a man, but I also disliked the sight of the Crown Prince of the Empire not making any effort. I wondered if this guy could run the empire properly.

Anyway, Shartia was worried about me, asking if I knew what kind of person the crown prince was.

"You could be in real trouble."

"I know."

"Your family could get hurt."

"I'm an orphan, so I have no family."

"I'm sorry..."

"I'll forgive you if you give me a title later."

"Are you crazy...?!"

"I'm serious."

I shook my head and gave a playful reply to Shartia's worried expression. Because I was really fine.

"I'm really fine. He's not the emperor anyway, so there's no need to be mindful of him."

"That's why I'm saying this, because he's going to be the emperor...!"

"He might not be. If things go wrong, I can just charge in."

"You must be crazy."

"As it happens, my young lady's dream is to conquer the world, so if things don't work out, it might not be a bad idea to aim for it."

"...?"

"I'm kidding."

I smiled slightly at Shartia.

"Do I look like someone who would bow down to the crown prince, in your eyes, Princess?"

"...No."

"Then do you think I would lose to the crown prince?"

"...That's not it either."

"No, I could lose. He's the Crown Prince of the Empire, after all."

"What are you trying to say...?"

"I'm boasting that my connections are stronger than you think."

Desmunt hated the emperor.

And that feeling grew stronger after what happened to the young lady.

The imperial family had tried to crush Desmunt as soon as the young lady's incident happened, so how could they like them? Although Darvav was a step back from politics, he might be preparing to bite down on them like a hawk if the opportunity arose.

Perhaps Darvav was more likely to lend his strength to the 3rd Princess in front of him than to the crown prince.

Because it was more advantageous to choose a king who could coexist rather than a tyrant.

I stretched lazily and said to Shartia.

"Anyway, the person who has to deal with it is the crown prince, not me. There's no need to think about it complicatedly."

"Uh...?"

"Because I'm strong."

Shartia flinched at my grim expression, then let out a deep sigh.

"Really.... you're hard to figure out."

"What can I do? This is who I am."

"..."

I said carefully to Shartia.

"So, Princess."

"Uh...?"

"Wouldn't you like to make a deal with me?"

"A deal...?"

Shartia looked at me with trembling eyes.

"Yes, a deal."

I spoke to Shartia like a devil's whisper.

"Don't you want to beat the crown prince?"

"..."

"Surely, you're not of the mind to not accept help from others for the sake of a fair fight, are you? The crown prince must have brought a hidden treasure from the imperial family as well."

"..."

"I believe in your potential, Princess."

"..."

"I will make you win against the crown prince. Just the crown prince."

Shartia nodded and fell for the devil's whisper.

-The next match will now begin!

The announcer's voice echoed through the stadium.

Malik looked at me and asked.

"Where have you been?"

"I went to see Shartia."

"You're not hiding it."

"She's not the person I bet on."

"Well, I didn't plan on saying anything either."

I leaned slightly against the railing and watched Shartia and the crown prince enter the stadium.

The crown prince, who had entered the stadium, glared at me once and showed his displeasure. I also smiled lightly and laughed it off.

"President."

"Why do you call."

"What do you think of the crown prince?"

"Suddenly?"

Malik looked around at the question, which was a heavy topic that didn't fit my image of not asking about politics.

"Have you decided to enter politics?"

"No."

"If you have a mind for it, I'd like to support you."

"No thanks. I don't want to do things that give me a headache."

"A shame."

Malik, who had confirmed that there was no one around, smiled lightly and crossed his arms. Then he spoke his thoughts on the crown prince.

"He's an idiot."

"That's right."

"An idiot who can't do anything by himself and only relies on his title as crown prince, thinking he's the best."

"..."

"This is my feeling about the crown prince. Honestly, in this Holy Sword struggle, I wanted to say something not only to the green-haired guy but also to the crown prince."

"..."

"But because of his status, I couldn't speak freely."

I nodded and agreed with Malik's words.

"But a rebellion is out of the question."

"I won't do it."

"If you start a rebellion, the family tree will get strangely twisted."

"..."

"No... maybe Histania too..."

Malik cut himself off and looked at the dueling arena where the match was about to begin.

The crown prince was slowly approaching Shartia with his sword drawn. Shartia was also gathering magical power in her hands and preparing for battle.

"Have you thought about it carefully?"

Shartia shook her head with a heavy expression.

"My brother is of marriageable age and he's not getting married... so I don't think it's right for him to force me to."

"Ha. That guy must have said something strange."

"I guess so."

Shartia smiled and gathered her magical power.

"I received a surprisingly good offer."

The moment the crown prince's sword approached Shartia.

"Uh...?"

The crown prince opened his eyes in the infirmary.

Wondering what had just happened.