I Want a Happy Ending Even as a Villainess

Chapter 16

“I’m sorry. There were circumstances.”

“It’s alright.”

Lake seemed unconcerned. I couldn’t tell if he genuinely felt that way or if he was just putting on a brave face.

After we finished dealing with the guards, we went into a nearby jewelry store. They had eagerly followed me when I mentioned I was shopping for a gift in town.

“By the way, I was surprised. The way you mentioned…”

Before he could finish, Olivia elbowed Lake in the ribs. She glared at her brother with a sharp look.

Soon, Lake had no choice but to be pushed out of the store by his sister.

It seemed like there had been some discussion about me between them. It was obvious it was related to Tain.

“I’m embarrassed to have caused such a scene twice.”

“No! I really think you’re a wonderful lady.”

Olivia’s eyes sparkled with such intensity that it felt almost overwhelming. I simply responded with a warm smile.

“By the way, may I ask who you are buying the gift for?”

Olivia hesitated for a moment after asking.

“Oh, if it’s inconvenient, I’m sorry.”

“No, it’s for His Highness, the Second Prince.”

At my answer, Olivia nodded as if she already knew, and then ran to the opposite display case. I walked over, scanning the display in front of me.

‘Nothing here really catches my eye either.’

More than that, I found the atmosphere with Olivia stifling and hard to bear. I couldn’t quite figure out how it had come to this.

“Lady, how about this one?”

Olivia returned from the display case holding a necklace. It was a black-embellished necklace with a red gem at the end.

‘It seems like it might not suit him…’

It could just be my prejudice, but I felt that the necklace wouldn’t suit Leschel. However, since Olivia had chosen it with thought, I couldn’t outright say it was unsuitable.

“It’s pretty. Thank you.”

I took the necklace and thanked her. While I paid at the counter, Olivia went outside to talk with Lake.

When I finished paying and stepped outside, Lake was standing at a distance, in front of an alley, while only Olivia remained in front of the store.

When I looked at Lake, he gave me a slight nod and a greeting. It seemed Olivia had chased him away because she didn’t know what he might say to me.

“It was nice meeting you, Miss Olivia.”

“Yes! It was an honor to meet you, Lady!”

Olivia responded energetically. After a brief pause, she spoke with a serious expression.

“Um, if it wouldn’t be too much trouble for you, Lady”

Her solemn tone made me tense up in response.

“I’d like us to be friends, or at least acquaintances who occasionally see or greet each other.”

Her shy request left me frozen.

‘She must be just saying that, right?’

But seeing Olivia’s eager expression, it didn’t seem like it was just a casual remark.

‘We’ve only met twice. How did it come to this?’

Looking back on my short life, I couldn’t find any answers.

‘I should say no.’

My mouth wouldn’t open.

I couldn’t bring myself to reject this innocent and pure person.

While I could curse out people like Tain or Dung, it was strangely difficult to refuse someone so kind and gentle.

‘Am I really that weak with those who are gentle?’

Oh no. I have to say no right now!

“Yes, I’d be happy to.”

My mouth said yes, even though my mind was telling me otherwise.

“Really?!”

Olivia was genuinely thrilled by my response, making it even harder for me to retract my words.

“Thank you, Lady!”

Olivia grabbed my hand enthusiastically. Her bright smile was dazzlingly radiant.

‘Well, many people don’t keep in touch with friends they make anyway.’

I tried to rationalize my choice. It seemed like maintaining a relationship with someone like an elementary school classmate, whose fate I was uncertain about, would be sufficient.

“Well, see you next time!”

I watched Olivia’s back as she walked away, excited like a child about the idea of being friends with me.

* * *

The deepest part of the Pallium was a sanctuary that only those blessed by the gods could enter.

Though there were no candles, the stained glass covering the walls bathed the space in a kaleidoscope of light. In that sacred space stood a man dressed in pure white priestly robes.

Despite having stood for a long time, the man’s body remained still. In the desolate silence of the empty space, even the slightest breath was absent.

His ash-gray eyes, fixed on the wall, seemed to be gazing beyond the present world, into something far more distant and unknown. His presence conveyed a sense of reverence and sanctity, mingled with an unsettling, profound anxiety.

Soon, the doors of the sanctuary opened. Beyond them stood the Regent of Pallium. The Regent’s expression was far from pleasant, as if he were being pursued.

After ensuring that no one else was around, the Regent approached the man and spoke.

“The palace has given you a month. If you do not resolve the Pons’ case within that time, they will intervene directly.”

The Pons serial murders, which occurred on rainy days, had been under the temple’s jurisdiction until now. However, as the number of victims continued to rise, the royal family could no longer ignore it.

“Please, complete it before that.”

The Regent’s voice trembled with desperation. The man, looking at the pleading Regent, responded with a smile.

“Do not be impatient.”

His voice was calm and leisurely, yet it carried an underlying chill. The man slowly moved closer to the Regent and gently patted his shoulder.

“We act according to the will of the gods.”

His softly spoken words pierced the Regent’s ear with sharp precision.

“We will correct the fate of this world.”

The voice, devoid of any kindness or mercy, was nevertheless awe-inspiring.

“Punishment for those who defy the divine.”

The Regent knelt before him, muttering in prayer, clasping his hands together and placing them near his chin.

“I have come personally to aid the blind of this world.”

In this world, there could be no natural halo. Yet, the man before the Regent undeniably possessed one.

A divine aura bestowed upon him from the heavens, a messenger of the gods, a first and last gift from the divine to this absurd and disjointed world.

“Do not be afraid.”

Tears streamed down the Regent’s face as he heard those final words. They were tears of repentance, shedding the long-held distrust.

* * *

“Haah…”

I sighed deeply throughout the morning, feeling as though I wanted to block the wheels of the carriage with my whole body.

‘A second slaughterhouse.’

The difference was that this time, I was willingly stepping into it.

Today was my first public appearance since the Grandel banquet. Although it was grandly described, it was merely a tea party.

But what is a tea party? It’s a social event where young ladies chat and subtly reveal their true intentions beneath the surface.

I had tried to choose a family with whom there had been no previous conflicts, especially from the Crescent Duchy. But the issue wasn’t limited to just the family.

‘I’m sure there are others who’ve had their hair grabbed by the previous Lilith…’

Given that a lot of young ladies would be present at the tea party, there would surely be a few with whom relations weren’t so good.

On top of that, having attended a party that didn’t suit me, I might have earned the title of ‘clumsy young lady.’ And if anyone had seen me in that disheveled state?

‘I have a bad feeling already.’

I shut my eyes tightly, vividly imagining how the young ladies, whose faces I hadn’t even seen yet, would view me.

But I had to go. Socializing was essential if I wasn’t to spend my life in hiding.

“Today, I am a normal person…”

Be polite and kind no matter what. Respond calmly even if someone tries to pick a fight. I had to show them that I was different from before! I rallied my spirits with determination.

“Lady!”

“Lady Crescent!”

As I entered the Hyacinth Mansion’s garden, where the tea party was being held, everyone stood up to greet me. Their unexpected reaction left me momentarily dazed.

‘This wasn’t what I expected?’

This was the first warm welcome I had received since coming to this world.

‘Are they mocking me?’

That must be it, right? I squinted and scrutinized their expressions.

“I was so worried that you might not accept the invitation, so I’m really relieved.”

“I’ve been wanting to meet you as well.”

“You’re even more beautiful than the rumors suggested.”

As the Hyacinth lady spoke first, the other young ladies soon joined in, praising me one by one.

“I appreciate the warm welcome.”

I gave a somewhat forced smile and took a seat in the empty chair.

“How is it that your voice is so beautiful?”

“You’re so delicate; it’s hard to believe you’re the person from the rumors.”

The person from the rumors.

My body shuddered, realizing that the moment had finally come.