I'm a Villainess, Can I Die?-Chapter 93

My brother, whose expression had stiffened, seemed to be contemplating something. His lips were tightly shut, and his eyes flickered subtly.

And the destination of that conflicted gaze, which seemed to be wavering, was clearly me.

What’s this? What’s wrong now?

“Selina, why don’t you go back now?”

The words that spilled from my brother’s mouth, hesitating at first, were effectively a dismissal.

“...What?”

What kind of situation is this? So, now he wants to talk, and I’m supposed to leave? Why...?

When I asked in confusion, my brother fully turned his head toward me and showed an uncomfortable expression.

His lips twitched, as though he wanted to say something, but they ended up closing without a sound.

However, seeing my brother like this, I could roughly guess what it was that he wanted to say with that hesitating mouth.

The subjugation.

It seemed that the "details" he needed to discuss with the high priest were related to the subjugation. My brother still thought I didn’t know about it.

I briefly considered staying silent and pretending not to know, but I knew from experience that stubbornness like a child’s would only make things difficult for everyone.

I glanced at the faces of those around me and nodded, standing up from my seat.

This would mean that more people now officially knew about the subjugation.

And once again, I would be pushed to the side.

This is exactly why everyone wants to deal with the dark world using backhanded methods. Information circulates so quickly.

Hah, what a nonsense thought.

“Well then, I’ll take my leave.”

“...Alright, Selina. Rest well.”

I nodded silently and left the room without responding. A little sulkiness filled me, and that’s why I didn’t answer him.

My brother is so cute and precious, I’d almost want him to remain unaware of everything, but this much should be fine.

Closing the door behind me, I pressed both hands to my face and let out a sigh.

I was tired.

After finishing his conversation with the high priest, Aaron left the reception room alone and strolled down the hallway.

It ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don’t copy, read here) was just past dinner time, but the documents that hadn’t been finished earlier crossed his mind, and he headed straight for his office.

‘I’ll have to grab something quick in the office for dinner.’

A ham sandwich, a cheese sandwich, or maybe one with both.

As he walked, lost in thoughts about what to eat, his footsteps echoed heavily down the hallway.

“Did you come?”

He had opened his office door but was surprised to find someone already sitting in the chair.

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Aaron gave an expression of disbelief before letting out a quiet chuckle and closing the door again.

“What’s this?”

“I came to deliver some documents and thought I’d have dinner together, but apparently, the owner of the room is out meeting guests. So I decided to take over the empty room.”

The chair Lucas occupied was not his usual work chair but a guest sofa.

Given his personality, it seemed he would never sit in his own chair.

Aaron smiled bitterly, took the documents his friend handed him, and sat in his own seat.

“So, did you eat already?”

“No. I had a servant bring me a ham and cheese sandwich and salad.”

“Perfect.”

The documents Lucas had handed over were the same ones Aiden had spoken about—a reduction in the number of mages from the Mage Tower and the increase in support for magical weapons and supplies.

Along with detailed instructions for use and the expected arrival of the mages.

“Can we trust the Mage Tower?”

Lucas, nearly slumping on the sofa, stared at the chandelier hanging from the ceiling as he murmured.

“Why? Is it because magic was detected from that orb?”

“Yeah.”

Aaron picked up his pen and signed at the bottom of the document, stamping it with his seal.

His action was as firm as his response, causing Lucas to chuckle slightly.

“So far, we’ve only thought that the monsters were acting strangely. We never imagined someone might be pulling the strings from behind the scenes. Not until the Mage Tower spoke up. If they weren’t on our side, there’d be no reason to take such risks and share this information with us.”

“What if the Mage Tower is deceiving us, though? What if they are lulling us into complacency with letters?”

“Well, if the Mage Tower betrays us later, you can write it down. ‘Aaron White, eldest son of the Duke of White, ruined the empire.’”

After their playful banter, the sound of a servant arriving with their meal could be heard. The two of them each took a sandwich and sat facing each other on the sofa.

“Actually, if a mage is behind it, we need the Mage Tower’s help even more. We’ll need to know what kind of magic they’re using to control the monsters and how to attack them.”

“Yeah, that’s true.”

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

The two of them ate in silence, but even as they chewed and swallowed their sandwiches, their minds were busy with thoughts.

“What about the high priest? Considering the time, I suppose he’s staying the night.”

“Yeah, I told him not just for tonight, but that he should stay in a guest room for a while. I also promised to arrange temporary accommodations for the other priests.”

Aaron answered Lucas’s question nonchalantly as he sipped his juice. The refreshing taste made Aaron frown for a moment, but soon he reached for another sandwich without hesitation.

“Why go that far? Honestly, it’s obvious the priests aren’t going to be pure in their intentions.”

“Who knows? Maybe they’ll be as sincere as Ian.”

Aaron smiled as he replied, still holding his sandwich.

If someone had seen him, they might have thought he was having a picnic, with his casual tone and expression.

Lucas’s lips curled into a smirk as he looked at Aaron. His purple eyes gleamed brightly through the deep smile.

“Heh, joking around.”

His voice, tinged with a touch of scorn, was icy.

“Right. They couldn’t possibly be pure. Ian’s the one who’s been neglected. He doesn’t even realize that it’s wrong. He speaks like someone brainwashed. How could someone like that be pure?”

“But they have value. No matter how much the priests’ power has waned, they still hold a peaceful and sacred image among the common people. It’ll be effective for stabilizing the people of the estate.”

Aaron’s words caused Lucas to nod. Still, with his lips twisted into a smirk, Lucas looked almost like a villain in the shadows.

“Well, I guess. They’d serve well as pillars for the anxious ones. And well, maybe they’re just after some funding when the temple is rebuilt, or some sponsorship... something like that.”

Lucas recalled his visit to the temple to bring Ian.

The white, pristine space... and the faces of the greedy people within. As the head of such a place, it must only have worsened, not gotten better.

Beneath their friendly faces, there were surely dark desires.

Just like his own. With that thought, Lucas let out a small chuckle.

Whether the mockery was directed at the high priest or at himself, even he wasn’t sure.

After leaving the reception room, I immediately headed back to my room. Maybe it was because I had dealt with someone outside the mansion for the first time in a while, but I was tired, both physically and mentally.

To be this exhausted after just having that conversation. My stamina really is impressive.

After silently applauding myself, I quickly started to fall asleep. It had been a long time since I had a dream.

Well, I dream every night, to be precise...

But I hadn’t dreamed of butterflies in a long time.

A swarm of white butterflies flew toward me from somewhere, and their shapes began to form into a familiar figure.

Selina. Myself.

Before I could even greet her, as it had been so long, Selina grabbed me by the collar and began to vent her anger at me.

The problem was that, like before, I couldn’t hear her voice. I had no idea what she was saying.

What’s she saying? If she were calm, I’d at least try to read her lips... But there was no trace of composure in the child, who was flailing around as if she had lost her senses in her own fury.

“Wait, calm down... calm down a bit.”

I wasn’t the only one who couldn’t hear her voice—was she unable to hear mine too? I tried several times to calm her down, but for some reason, she didn’t listen.

Just as I was starting to get genuinely frustrated with the dream version of myself, a faint voice sounded from somewhere.

‘Heh... ha... we... h...’

The voice, cutting in and out like a broken radio, made Selina freeze for a moment.

It seemed that the voice was audible to both of us.

Selina lowered her grip on my collar and stared at me intently. Her sky-blue eyes were glistening with tears... How typical, getting all emotional after causing trouble.

But Selina didn’t cry. Instead, she slowly raised her arm and pointed in the direction the sound was coming from.

‘Heh... heh... h... we...’

The sound became even more broken, and it seemed to be fading. I closed my eyes, trying to focus on the diminishing noise.

Heh we? What does that mean...?

Heh we... he, we. Heh we, heh we, heh we... danger?

Finally, when I understood the meaning, I snapped my eyes open, returning to reality.

It seemed like it was still the middle of the night. Everything around me was consumed by darkness. Just like the space I had been in moments ago, it was pitch black.

This must be reality. It can’t still be that space, can it?

In the haze of my mind, my breath sounded rough in my ears.

I slowly blinked, trying to get used to the darkness.

How long had passed? Through the gaps in my vision, I started to notice the chandelier above, swaying gently and very faintly.

Ah, this is reality.

With a deep sigh of relief, I let go of the tension in my body. My relaxed body felt like it had lost all its strength, as though the muscles had melted away.

“Phew.”

That butterfly dream was definitely a nightmare. It always left me so drained afterward. Adding to the fatigue, I placed my hand on my forehead and felt the cold sweat that had gathered.

What is this sweat on a chilly autumn night?

I wiped the sweat off with the sleeve of my nightgown and slowly got up, leaning against the headboard of the bed. I must have slept through the night.

“Ah.”

I was thirsty. My throat felt dry.

Did I shout in my dream or something? It felt so dry it almost scratched.

“Is a cold coming on...?”

Maybe it was because I had been sick so much since coming to this world, but now I could tell when I was getting sick. Compared to my past life, where I couldn’t acknowledge pain, it was a pretty big improvement.

This is a cold. This is a loss of energy, this is... no, is this a good thing? Is it bad?

A cold, at this point, feels like a burden. Please, body, don’t do this.

To negotiate with my body, I crossed my arms and gently rubbed my own arms.

Huh, but what’s this?