The Villainess is Tired of Everything-Chapter 75

"I just want to become a better person before I love anyone."

I began to understand why Leshan was the heroine. How many people realize their imperfections and strive to improve themselves?

"Leshan," I called her name softly, turning to face her. It had been a while since I had addressed her like this.

"Yes."

Her prompt response reminded me of the times when we got along. I reminisced briefly before speaking.

"You’re already a good person."

This was the sincere truth that I could share with the changed Leshan.

Leshan whispered cautiously, "Lady Marceau, my grandfather will definitely help you."

"…."

"I believe in him."

Her voice was filled with conviction, and for a moment, I felt like everything would be okay.

Was I more exhausted than I realized? Her steady breathing soon filled the room. I turned my body toward her.

As my eyes adjusted to the darkness, I could see her face more clearly.

Leshan’s face was graced with a peaceful smile.

The next morning, I was awakened by a commotion. Although no one had entered the room due to the note I left on the door, something seemed to be happening.

"Lady Marceau! It’s urgent!"

"…What is it?"

Half-asleep, I asked with my eyes barely open.

"Marquis Ephekl has come to see you!"

"…Marquis Ephekl?"

That news snapped me wide awake.

‘It’s unexpected that he would come to see me.’

Given the recent deterioration of my relationship with Leshan, I thought everyone in society knew that the Etwar estate was the last place she would go.

‘Does he know something?’

It seemed necessary to meet with Marquis Ephekl.

"Tell him I’ll be out shortly."

I quickly prepared myself to meet him. It didn’t take long.

When I entered the parlor, I found Marquis Ephekl sitting there, looking pale and tense.

"What brings you here?"

I maintained a slightly annoyed demeanor. I wanted to gain something from this encounter, and above all, I didn’t want him to read anything from my expression.

Marquis Ephekl scratched his chin before speaking.

"Has Leshan come here?"

I frowned as I listened to his question.

"You’re aware that Lady Leshan and I aren’t on good terms," I reminded him, reiterating what everyone knew.

"I’m not ignorant of that. But…" he hesitated, studying me intently. His gaze felt like a trap, something that came from years of intuition.

"Still, I have a feeling she’s here."

He spoke with the authority of an investigator. Most young ladies would have confessed by now.

But I wasn’t just anyone.

I was Marceau Etwar, who had perfected her poker face after enduring the antics of Ryan and Kaysen.

"It seems you’re mistaken. I’ve cut ties with her long ago. Anyone you ask will tell you the same."

He stared at me for a long time, but nothing changed.

Thinking of Ryan’s face calmed my racing heart and brought it back to a steady rhythm.

‘Ryan is useful sometimes.’

Marquis Ephekl didn’t seem inclined to speak. Perhaps he was worried I might leak information.

So, it was time for me to take the lead.

"But I am curious. Everyone knows how close you and Lady Leshan are. Why did she leave so suddenly?"

I poked at his conscience.

"What could have caused such a rift?"

He blinked rapidly at my words.

"That’s none of your concern. Don’t go around talking about it."

He warned me.

He wasn’t someone who would overturn things lightly. He had come here because he was sure Leshan was here.

Even though he had come up empty-handed, his visit was beneficial to me.

"Understood. But in return for today’s favor."

"…."

"I’ll visit you tomorrow."

This wasn’t a request; it was a notification. If he didn’t accept, it would mean the end of our negotiations.

The implication was clear: let me in, or I’ll spread the word about today.

Marquis Ephekl chuckled bitterly, then took a sip of the tea in front of him.

After putting down the cup, he asked, "The Lady of Etwar has something to discuss with me directly?"

"Yes."

"About what?"

"I urgently need to discuss the magic stones from the mine I own."

His eyebrow twitched at the mention of the magic stones.

He was keenly observing to see if I knew anything.

He was probably pondering whether my questions about his relationship with Leshan and my mention of the magic stones were just coincidences or intentional. He was considering all possibilities.

I had to make sure he didn’t read anything from me.

I met his gaze with the same expression I had before we started talking.

"…I look forward to it."

In the end, Marquis Ephekl couldn’t glean anything and reluctantly agreed.

"Come by at 4 PM tomorrow."

He muttered, as if taking responsibility for his actions, and then left the estate. His departing figure seemed unusually forlorn.

When I returned to my room, Leshan rushed over, her face filled with worry.

"Oh my… I didn’t expect my grandfather to come. I’m sorry."

"It’s fine, Leshan. Thanks to you, I’ve arranged a meeting with him."

"Really, already?"

"There’s no time to waste."

I had wanted to resolve this before meeting the magicians, and it worked out well. Leshan’s arrival here might have been a stroke of luck.

…And I was glad to see her changed, even if it wasn’t a full reconciliation.

Leshan and I stood awkwardly, facing each other. We had said everything we needed to yesterday, so there wasn’t much left to discuss.

"Um…"

Leshan began to speak, but a knocking sound at the window interrupted her.

She fell silent, and we both listened closely. The sound was unmistakably made by a person.

‘But this is the third floor.’

Could it be Darcy?

With a bit of anticipation, I opened the window.

"Lord Darcy sent me."

Seeing Kaysen’s face, I felt a wave of disappointment.

"…Don’t look at me like that. Lord Darcy thought I’d be needed to move Lady Leshan or bring Ethan here discreetly."

Kaysen protested, clearly catching my disappointed gaze.

…Well, if we were to continue our conversation from last night, someone who knew the situation and had excellent physical abilities was indeed needed. Either Darcy or Kaysen.

"What’s Darcy doing?"

"He’s meeting with Marquis Etwar."

It made sense; Marquis Etwar needed to be informed of the situation.

Nodding, I gestured for Kaysen to come inside and pointed to Leshan, who was watching him.

"As you can see, Captain Kaysen, Lady Leshan is well and hasn’t been harmed by me."

Of course, I didn’t forget to defend myself. Who knew when Kaysen might jump to another wild conclusion?

"…I didn’t say otherwise."

"Oh, you say that so often that I must have forgotten."

I responded with a cheerful smile. Even as I continued to needle him, Kaysen remained silent.

‘He was always like this in the book.’

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It had been a long time since I’d seen Kaysen in his role as the stoic, popular supporting male character.

‘…Leshan doesn’t seem likely to end up with Ryan anymore.’

Having realized that Ryan and Marquis Ephekl had been conspiring, it would be difficult for her to return to him.

So why not give the supporting male lead a chance?

Feeling generous, since things were going well between Darcy and me, and I had secured a meeting with Marquis Ephekl, I decided to give them some time together.

"Then, could you take Leshan to the room where Ethan is? We should continue the conversation from yesterday."

"…Understood."

Kaysen’s eyes widened slightly at my request, but he nodded.

As Leshan approached Kaysen, she naturally stood close to him. Watching their awkward interaction, I blinked.

‘…Is this what people call chemistry?’

I had heard that Kaysen frequently visited Leshan’s estate… but had they not grown closer?

‘Not that it’s any of my business.’

I tilted my head slightly and reached for the door handle.

"Well, I’ll go on ahead."

I walked ahead to the study where Ethan was waiting. He was leaning against the wall, deep in thought. His haggard face suggested he hadn’t slept much.

"How… is this possible…"

He seemed to be mulling over what we had discovered yesterday.

"That’s why we’re here to talk."

It was time to solve both his questions and mine.