I'm a Villainess, Can I Die?-Chapter 61

What I learned from yesterday’s attempt at finding a hobby was simple—making competitions into a hobby was a terrible idea.

Every day, I was learning something new.

Now, who should I visit today?

As I strolled through the garden, I thought about the people in the duchy.

Mother... she’d probably recommend something like embroidery. Father... yeah, let’s skip that. I already visited Aaron yesterday...

While I was walking alone for the first time in a while, considering my options, I spotted a familiar, stoic-faced figure approaching from the other side.

“Priest Ian?”

“Young Lady.”

Ever since my condition improved, I had been receiving check-ups from both Doctor and Ian about once every two weeks. Before that, I used to see them every day, so Ian didn’t feel all that ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) unfamiliar to me.

He gave me a polite nod, and I returned the gesture.

When he lifted his head again, he had a slightly darker expression than usual.

His lips parted, as if he had something to say.

I stood still, waiting for him to speak. My patience seemed to encourage him, and soon, he finally opened his mouth.

“There is something I’d like to discuss with you.”

We decided to walk together.

Today, the wind was particularly cool, and the scent of grass was pleasantly fresh. The soft grass beneath my feet made a satisfying crunch as we walked.

“Go ahead.”

“I’ve been thinking... perhaps it’s time for me to leave the duchy.”

“...What?”

“...What?”

Like an idiot, I repeated his words, and then we both fell silent, stopping in our tracks.

I was very, very serious about this. Ian leaving the duchy? That would be a problem.

Because Ian was the vitamin of the duchy.

Yes, literally. A walking health supplement.

He was the one who restored the strength of the exhausted servants, the knights, and even my family.

Because of that, even though Ian had a somewhat blunt way of speaking and an expression that rarely changed, no one ever misunderstood him in a bad way.

Myself included.

In my case, I had far worse stamina than anyone else, so I saw Ian more often than most.

And now he wanted to leave?

What in the world had made him think such a dreadful thought?

“I feel like... I’m receiving treatment that is far beyond what I deserve.”

At his words, something clicked in my mind.

Far beyond what he deserves?

Could it be...

“Priest Ian, do people carry you around whenever you go somewhere?”

“What? No?”

A look of pure bewilderment flashed across Ian’s face.

Hmm. I guess it wasn’t that bad, then.

If that wasn’t it, then what did he mean by ‘treatment beyond what he deserves’?

I tilted my head, lost in thought, until Ian, having recovered from his confusion, finally spoke again in a slow, measured tone.

“I sleep in a soft, comfortable bed. I eat meals that are far too luxurious for someone like me. I receive praise that I do not deserve.”

I fell silent for a moment.

...Was this just how devout priests were?

Feeling overwhelmed just because he was sleeping on a proper bed, eating well, and receiving compliments?

Ian looked at me with a solemn, sincere expression.

I resumed walking, and Ian, after a moment of hesitation, followed suit.

This reminded me of the times when Aaron and I used to take walks together.

“What’s your daily schedule like, Priest Ian?”

“I wake up in the morning and offer my prayers. After that, I learn medical practice from Doctor. Then I have breakfast and study the use of divine power. In the afternoon, I take a walk and share divine energy with those who need it. After dinner, I pray with Doctor before going to bed.”

Ian’s schedule flowed out smoothly, as if he had recited it a thousand times before.

His day was packed from start to finish.

Meanwhile, my daily schedule was: wake up, roll around in bed, eat, roll around some more, eat again, and roll around until bedtime.

Our lifestyles could not have been more different.

Wow. What a hardworking young man.

I was quietly impressed by his routine, but then, I suddenly remembered—my past self had been even busier than that.

Wow. Past me was insane.

There was no way I could handle that anymore. Even if someone forced me, I wouldn’t be able to do it.

“I just laze around in bed all day,” I said. “My bed is probably even better than yours. My food is better, too. And as for praise... let’s skip that part. Anyway, by your logic, doesn’t that mean I’m also living far beyond what I deserve?”

For the first time, I fully realized just how much of a sloth I had become since coming to this world.

But wasn’t this the perfect happy ending? The villain staying quiet meant everyone else could be at peace.

I had spoken purely without any particular intent, but Ian suddenly waved his hands, looking flustered.

“Of course not. You’re the Young Lady of the duchy.”

“Exactly. I’m just the Young Lady. I’m not especially smart, I’m not skilled with a sword, I have no magic, and I don’t even have divine power.”

Honestly, I had nothing.

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

If Selina hadn’t been born a duke’s daughter, she probably would have starved to death somewhere by now.

The only thing she had was... maybe good luck with the people around her?

But the important thing was—I was completely content with my current situation.

I had nothing special, but I had good people around me, and I didn’t have to do anything.

For someone who had been exhausted beyond belief in their previous life, this was paradise.

I had no responsibilities, and everyone was happy because the villain wasn’t causing trouble. A win-win situation.

“I was just lucky enough to be born a duke’s daughter and end up in this environment,” I continued. “It’s all luck. But you’re different, Priest Ian. The duchy needed you. You saved a life, and you continue to help others.”

Ian didn’t respond.

Since I was still facing forward as I walked, I couldn’t see his expression.

And I didn’t intend to turn around to check.

“You deserve to be here. You’re worthy of everything you’ve received.”

The sound of footsteps beside me stopped.

Only then did I turn around.

Under the bright sunlight, Ian stood still, eyes closed, hands clasped together.

His expression was much more at ease than before.

He stayed like that for a long time.

I eventually grew tired of watching him pray and sat down on the grass, staring up at the drifting clouds.

Then, out of curiosity, I glanced back at Ian.

Did praying really bring good things?

I clasped my hands together and closed my eyes.

...Nothing happened.

When I opened my eyes again and turned toward Ian, he had already finished his prayer.

“Did you pray?”

Ian asked kindly.

He looked almost enlightened now.

Was that what prayer was supposed to do?

“Yes,” I said. “I prayed for you, Priest Ian.”

It was true.

Though my prayer was more of a ‘don’t leave, don’t leave’ hypnosis...

Well, in that case, I was actually praying for myself.

But since the subject of my prayer was Ian, technically, I wasn’t lying.

Ian flinched slightly, as if surprised. Then, solemnly, he bowed his head.

It was just as reverent as the first time we had met.

I, still sitting in the grass, bowed back.

This always seemed to happen when I met Ian.

I dusted myself off and stood up, brushing away any dirt or grass stains.

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If my clothes got dirty, I wouldn’t mind.

But the servants would probably lose their minds trying to clean them.

I peeked over my shoulder, but I couldn’t tell if my dress was stained or not.

“...Actually, I received a letter from the High Priest.”

“A letter?”

I had been completely focused on my skirt when Ian’s words made me look up at him instead.

He nodded at my question and pulled something out from his sleeve.

Wow. So robes with wide sleeves really could function as pockets.

For some reason, an old nursery rhyme popped into my head. The elephant uncle uses his trunk as a hand~

Before I knew it, I had mentally rewritten the lyrics: Priest Ian’s sleeves are pockets, when he’s given a letter, he tucks it inside~

“A letter arrived from the High Priest the other day.”

The thick, rough paper was neatly folded.

Ian hesitated briefly before holding the letter out to me.

I stared at it for a moment before taking it.

“Am I allowed to read it?”

“...Yes.”

His voice wavered slightly.

Ian’s High Priest would be none other than High Priest Vanessa of the Temple of Chief God Ariana—the only named priest in the novel.

As I unfolded the letter, my eyes immediately caught the orderly handwriting, so precise it almost looked printed.

‘My beloved son, Ian, how have you been?’

I paused at the very first line and looked up at Ian.

“...The High Priest is your father?”

“No, it’s just a title.”

“Oh.”

Father and son, huh? Well, whatever their relationship was, that was their business.

I returned my gaze to the letter.

**‘I heard that while I was away, you left for the White Duchy. To make such a significant decision without me... If I said I wasn’t hurt, that would be a lie.

Ian, if your duties and obligations there are fulfilled, I would like you to return to the temple. No matter how common it has become for priests to serve noble houses in this era, does my own son have to abandon his place as well?

I had hoped you would remain steadfast in your role as a righteous and devoted priest. Without you, I am terribly lonely.

My son, Ian, Priest of Chief God Ariana. A position too grand can often turn into poison. Personal greed will only erode you from within.

I love you, and it is out of love that I ask you to return. I hope to receive a favorable response.

—Your father and teacher, High Priest Vanessa.’**

So, to summarize: Come back home, Ian.

“This is why you felt like you were being treated too well.”

“No... I have always thought about it.”

Sure. He might have considered it before, but this letter was definitely what pushed him to the point of saying it out loud to me.

I glanced over the letter once more, then folded it back neatly.

“So, do you still feel uncomfortable enough to leave?”

Ian slowly shook his head.

His face was as expressionless as always, but his eyes shone brighter than ever.

“No. I want to stay here.”

“Then that’s settled. Stay.”

A simple answer to a simple decision.

But Ian didn’t immediately agree.

That letter must have been weighing on his mind.

“Are you worried about rejecting the High Priest’s summons?”

“...Yes.”

Well, I could understand that.

He was calling Ian his son, after all. Rejecting him wouldn’t be easy.

And the entire letter was just a long-winded plea for Ian to return.

“Then... let’s invite him here and get his permission.”

My search for a new hobby was put on hold for Ian’s situation.

But I hadn’t given up.

Once this matter was settled, I would start over—with Ian as my first target.

So, I had to make sure we handled things well with the High Priest and convinced him to let Ian stay.

Ian and I agreed to discuss the details tomorrow, and we parted ways.

Instead of heading back to my room, I walked toward another destination.

The far end of the garden.

It was a quieter area—less trees, fewer flowers, and instead, a wide stretch of open grass.

Was this the right place...?

I tried to recall my hazy memory as I kept walking.

Then—

Vroooom. Vroooom.

A familiar noise.

Looked like I had found the right spot.