The Villainess Whom I Had Served for 13 Years Has Fallen

Trash visited the mansion.

Holding a broom and dustpan, I looked at Ruin, estimating whether his size could be swept up, and flicked the broom lightly.

"It seems like folding him up might do the trick."

Hearing the silent threat, Ruin voiced a bland question.

"What's that?"

"Cleaning tools."

"Why are you holding them?"

"To clean."

With a keen sense, Ruin clenched his fist and glared at me, but his threats were no match against me armed with a broom.

Ruin, who had helped clean the mansion along with Gomtang, was covered in dust from head to toe.

Considering his grass-colored hair, I briefly entertained the thought of playing soccer on Ruin's dusty head, but knowing his nasty temperament wouldn't allow it, I simply raised my middle finger in frustration.

"This bastard…"

"Calm down. This is a sacred mansion. Please refrain from swearing."

"You started this mess. Wanting to die, huh?"

"Uh…"

I looked at Ruin with a small smile. As my red gaze turned to him, Ruin clenched his mouth shut and refrained from saying more.

"Thank you."

Ruin stood awkwardly in front of the entrance door.

Though I wanted to punch him in the face for entering without permission, as a butler who wished to avoid violence in the mansion, I marked a symbol of patience in my heart and observed him.

"So, why have you come? Mr. Ruin, lover of the environment."

"I have business here."

"I see."

-Bang!

I pushed Ruin out and closed the door.

I had no business with him.

*

Ruin, who returned, was now sitting in the kitchen.

Seemingly caught a cold, Ruin, sniffling and shivering, wrapped himself tightly.

"How can you leave a person outside for 3 hours…"

"You're not a person, that's why."

"Ha… No, let's not talk about it."

"A wise decision."

Ruin had battled the winter chill for three hours. He was upset for coming unannounced, and I had no reason to let him in.

The reason I brought Ruin into the mansion was one.

I feared complaints about an unsightly statue being left in the yard. It wasn't out of pity for Ruin, nor a desire to converse with him.

So, what could have brought him here?

I looked at Ruin, still holding the broom.

"…Put that down."

"Sorry. The lady dislikes dirt in the mansion."

"Ha."

-Bang.

Ruin, regaining some energy, stuffed his hands into his pockets and placed his legs on the dining table. Acting as if he belonged, Ruin placed his legs on the table where we eat.

I wanted to kick him out.

Sincerely.

"If you have a guest, at least offer some tea…"

"I'll count to three."

"What?"

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"Find the reason yourself."

One.

Without hesitation, I counted.

Three seconds until the secondary male lead loses his legs. Considering enough time to see his life flash before his eyes, that was the number I settled on.

"Two."

"No."

"Three."

Just as the broom was about to hit Ruin's knee, he awkwardly slid his legs off the table.

Choosing his body over pride, Ruin seemed ready to converse now.

Ruin, furiously dusting off his algae-colored hair, wore a ridiculous expression.

"Why the hostility…"

Personally, I doubted Ruin's exhalation contained any carbon dioxide.

The reason was simple.

Because he's an algae head.

Regrettably, for someone not fitting the concept, he's a magician who uses flame magic.

I asked Ruin seriously if it wasn't too late to relearn magic fitting his concept.

I'd fully support him. If he learned nature-based magic fitting his hair color, we could work together to create a cleaner world.

I spoke with sincerity.

"Idiot."

Oops, my inner thoughts slipped out without filter.

Ruin wore a dumbfounded expression.

Suddenly hearing an insult and such treatment must have been a first for him. Unsure of the news he brought, Ruin glared at me, but as always, I responded by raising my middle finger.

Ruin, who came without a companion, was nothing but an unwelcome guest.

Like with Hanna, if he had come with a student council officer, maybe, but Ruin's news on his own brought no anticipation.

As I prepared the tea, I looked at Ruin nonchalantly, pouring generously the cheap green tea I had once considered throwing away.

"Why have you come to this humble place, Mr. Esteemed Guest? Seeing you came empty-handed, it doesn't seem like a casual visit."

Ruin twitched at the mention of being empty-handed. Clearly, he had never learned basic social etiquette.

Even if you visit the house of your worst enemy, bringing at least a flower is basic manners.

I scolded Ruin for coming empty-handed and sat across from him with a teacup.

"You didn't come just to see my face."

I offered Ruin the cheap green tea, steeped until it was dark green. Since it wasn't for me, I made it as tasteless as possible.

"Please, drink."

Ruin's distorted expression reflected in the teacup.

"I steeped it well."

"…Ha?"

"Or you can leave."

Instead of responding, Ruin grabbed the teacup and gulped it down. Whether the cheap tea suited his taste, Ruin emptied the cup in one go.

"Cough… Cough…!"

I smiled, satisfied.

-Bang!

Ruin harshly set down the teacup and wiped his mouth. Being the competent secondary male lead he is, everything about him seemed well-crafted.

Somewhat decadent yet cool.

Hmm.

"Sorry, but may I punch you in the face?"

"…What?"

"Your pretending to be cool is ruining my appetite."

"Nonsense."

"I'm serious."

…"

Ruin looked at me with trembling eyes, "I'm serious," I conveyed through my gaze. Ruin, his eyebrows trembling, cleared his throat and tried to control the atmosphere.

Maybe it was time to stop the teasing.

The fun of mocking him made me lose track of time more than I thought.

With Ruin, the algae head, in the living room, it seemed the air had been somewhat purified. It was time to get to the point.

My calm voice filled the space between us.

"So, why have you come to our mansion?"

"…I have a favor to ask."

"A favor."

Royal Academy, 2nd year winter vacation.

Ruin, who had been merely interested in Yuria, was starting to realize his feelings.

The moment he saw his frail and beautiful friend Yuria, his face would turn red, and his heart would race.

This winter vacation was like spring for Ruin. Though I didn't know why he came to us, since he mentioned a favor, there must be something I could help with.

I looked at Ruin, lost in deep thought, and asked why he was here. This time, I posed a straightforward question without any teasing intention.

"Algae… I mean, Mr. Ruin."

"…"

"You need to speak for me to respond."

"Ha… Shit."

Ruin muttered a curse and then opened his mouth.

"Hey."

"Yes."

"I… Ha…"

Ruin ran his dry hand through his hair, sighing deeply as if unsure what he was doing here.

"Yuria's birthday is coming up at the end of the year."

"Right."

"I want to give her a gift. And that is…"

Ruin's face began to show embarrassment. Asking me for a favor must have hurt his pride.

Honestly, it was amusing.

I never thought Ruin would come to me with a favor.

Of course, I had no intention of fulfilling a favor for someone I wasn't close to, so I nodded with a soulless reaction.

"You want to give her a wonderful birthday gift. Excellent. If you lack decency, at least the gift should be proper."

"…You've been speaking nonsense since earlier."

"Why? Do you want me to use your face to clean the floor like last time?"

Ruin clenched his mouth shut at the mention of his hidden past.

Even for a tough fighter like him, PTSD exists. Without Yuria around, Ruin, lacking his bravado, was more reasonable.

As the atmosphere turned awkward, I smiled and encouraged Ruin to continue.

"Just kidding. Please, continue. You were talking about preparing a birthday gift."

"That is…"

"Yes."

"Ha… It's… I need the jewel of Fabia."

"Oh… The jewel of Fabia?"

The Jewel of Fabia.

From what I knew, it was a gem obtained from a monster with a chicken's head and a snake's tail.

Popular among many nobles.

And for magicians, it increased the efficiency of magic—a high-priced gem that could be processed into an artifact.

Ruin mentioning a high-priced gem that could be turned into an artifact.

Hmm.

"Stop talking nonsense."

This guy was spouting madness.

Ruin, who seemingly aspired to become chicken feed, couldn't raise his head.