The Villainess Who Accidentally Stole Their Hearts - Chapter 17
Chapter 9.1
Feeling as though she had just seen something she shouldn’t have, Mikarin’s head dropped instinctively. Sweat poured down her face, and her heart pounded wildly.
Thump, thump, thump, thump!
‘W-What kind of look is that…?’
Zerno wasn’t glaring at Mikarin. He wasn’t frowning or curling his lips in displeasure. He was simply staring, his gaze completely empty, carrying no trace of emotion.
The moment she met those eyes, she couldn’t help but realize.
‘…It wasn’t because he found me endearing that he never got angry at me all this time, but simply because—’
He had no expectations.
Mikarin’s hand clenched the fabric of her skirt.
“Still, given your level of incompetence, I’ll have to punish you accordingly as the heir.”
His voice was languid. There was no anger, no irritation… not even the faintest hint of annoyance. It was calm, completely devoid of any emotion.
Zerno neither hated nor disliked her.
‘No, that can’t be. He’s only acting this way because he’s angry right now.’
Mikarin gathered her courage and lifted her head, but Zerno’s gaze had already shifted away. Glancing over documents, he added almost as if it were an afterthought.
“I’m revoking your access to the main estate.”
“….!”
Access to the main estate.
It was proof that she was closer to the direct lineage, unlike the collateral branches. While collateral relatives needed permission to enter, she could come and go freely at any time.
Almost like a direct family member.
‘Is he telling me to live like the other branch families…?’
Mikarin parted her lips without realizing it.
“B-Brother.”
“You’re still here?”
“….!”
Unable to watch any longer, Viscount Barento stepped in.
“Lady Mikarin, it would be best if you left now.”
“B-but—”
“It’s for your own good, my lady.”
Although he spoke gently, the Viscount’s gaze was firm. Mikarin stood up shakily as she lowered her head with a pale, stricken face.
“I’ll go home and reflect… just as you wish, Brother.”
Zerno kept his eyes on the documents, even as she left his office completely.
̊ · : * ✧ * : · ̊
Kaboo-oom!
The sound of fireworks burst as soon as I stepped out of Zerno’s office.
Along with it, a message appeared.
Congratulations!
You’ve taken down your first cheating pest!
As a reward, you receive a 〈 Random Box 〉!
‘Random box?’
Before I could even see what it was, an overwhelming stream of ♥ hearts flooded the screen.
♥♡ Love Delivery ˚₊·-̳͟͞͞♡
You’ve received a ♥ from 〈 The Delosif Family Employees 〉!
♥♡ Love Delivery ˚₊·-̳͟͞͞♡
You’ve received a ♥ from 〈 Zerno’s close retainers 〉!
♥♡ Love Delivery ˚₊·-̳͟͞͞♡
You’ve received a ♥ from 〈 Viscount Barento 〉!
Wow, it looked like everyone’s really been enjoying this.
I nodded, and another message appeared.
♥♡ Love Delivery ˚₊·-̳͟͞͞♡
You’ve received a ♥ from 〈 Zerno 〉!
‘Zerno… Does he actually enjoy scandalous drama?’
Amidst all the chaos, his expression had been colder than usual. But to think that, behind that icy facade, he might secretly be enjoying the unfolding mess…
And the notifications didn’t stop there.
♥♡ Love Delivery ˚₊·-̳͟͞͞♡
You’ve received a ♥ from 〈 Leonard 〉!
‘…Why him?’
Was he some sort of masochist who enjoyed suffering? I mean, dopamine wasn’t only triggered by pleasant things, after all.
“Lady.”
“….?”
When I turned at the sound of someone calling me, the masochist—no, Leonard—was looking at me.
“Could I please have a moment of your time?”
His tone was unusually polite and serious.
I grinned at him teasingly.
“Are you sure? The witch might come and take you away.”
“That’s fine.”
He quietly added,
“Even if you take me away.”
“…?”
‘…What did he just say?’
As I stepped closer to Leonard, a sudden commotion echoed from the other end of the hallway.
“What are you doing?”
It was Akain.
He must’ve just come back from the training grounds with sweat still on his skin.
‘What’s going on with that neat freak showing up with sweat still on him?’
With a deep scowl, Akain marched over and firmly positioned himself between Leonard and me as if to block the space between us.
“And who are you?”
“I’m Leonard from the Periwel Merchant Guild. It’s an honor to meet you, Young Lord Delosif.”
As expected of a businessman.
Despite Akain’s intimidating demeanor, Leonard responded without the slightest hesitation.
“Well, now that you’ve had the honor, you can leave.”
After dismissing Leonard, Akain turned to me.
“I heard something happened in Brother’s office.”
“It’s already over.”
It seemed he had rushed over when he heard something interesting was happening. Unfortunately, the scandalous drama had already wrapped up.
“It’s over?”
“Yes. You’re late.”
I poked my head out from behind Akain and addressed Leonard.
“Then let’s go enjoy a delightful tea party with the witch.”
“Nike.”
“I told you it’s all over, didn’t I? You’re the one who showed up late, brother.”
Akain flinched, which was unlike him.
Taking advantage of the moment, I stepped forward and spoke to Leonard again.
“What are you waiting for? Do you need the witch to come and drag you away herself?”
At my words, Leonard gave Akain a slight bow before following me.
̊ · : * ✧ * : · ̊
As the head butler exited the office, he noticed Akain and tilted his head in puzzlement.
“Young master? Is everything all right? You look unusually pale….”
The butler paused as if recalling something.
‘…Hasn’t this happened before?’
Akain’s face was as white as it had been that other time.
“…Nike must be really sick.”
“Pardon?”
“Otherwise…”
“The young lady is perfectly healthy, young master. I don’t understand why you keep saying this ever since last time.”
“That kid… she actually…”
“…?”
“She actually wai…”
“Wai?”
“Never mind.”
“….”
Akain shook his head and gazed out the window at the sky.
‘She actually waited for me.’
It’s already over.
You’re late.
You were the one who showed up late, brother.
What could those words mean?
‘I had a feeling, so as soon as I heard something had happened to Nike, I rushed over… but to think it was true.’
She’d been waiting, so anxiously that she even sounded disappointed.
‘This can only mean she’s terminally ill.’
With a serious expression, Akain looked up at the sky, then turned his gaze in the direction where Nikaearsha had disappeared.
̊ · : * ✧ * : · ̊
In the parlor, tea and refreshments were swiftly arranged on the table.
Nikaearsha offered a cup to Leonard.
“Here, drink. It might have the witch’s poison in it, though.”
“Thank you. It has a delightful fragrance.”
Leonard smiled softly, pausing to savor the tea.
As she watched him, she remembered something Emma had once said.
“Just looking at his face fills me up. I can’t believe such a handsome man is my boyfriend.”
‘Indeed. I can see why.’
Leonard was undeniably handsome, with a warm and gentle look that instantly put people at ease. It was a valuable trait for a merchant, allowing him to easily gain trust and goodwill.
Nikaearsha hesitated for a moment before speaking again.
“…Don’t you resent me?”
“Why would you think I’d resent you, my lady?”
“Well…”
Nikaearsha’s words trailed off.
‘If I hadn’t exposed the truth, Leonard might still be happily dating right now.’
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