The villain's ending is nothing but death, Chapter 54
After confirming from the butler that there would be no evening training, I waited for the sun to set while reading a book.
‘Sigh… Transferring into a game, and now practicing crossbow shooting, which I’ve never done before.’
It was troublesome and felt unfair, but there was nothing I could do.
Having even received a threatening letter from the Crown Prince, I now had to learn how to defend myself for my own life.
‘At least I managed to obtain a decent item.’
I wouldn’t be punishing women who defy the duke, as he worried, but rather shooting the male leads who try to kill me, making them faint.
Especially the Crown Prince, who is the most dangerous and the hardest to deal with!
If I were to mess up with him, I might be accused of regicide and end up with a dead ending.
But fortunately, the steel beads explode on impact, leaving no evidence and even erasing the memory of being hit.
I clapped in excitement, imagining the Crown Prince drooling and fainting.
‘This is purely for self-defense.’
It’s not mixed with any personal feelings. I tried to rationalize it to myself.
A while later, the sunset began to spread outside the window.
I changed into hunting attire and prepared to go out.
Since noblewomen in the Inca Empire rarely hunt, there was no specific hunting outfit.
So I wore thick tights and suspenders, like what boys wear.
After putting on a leather vest and a tie, I stood in front of the mirror.
I thought I would look ridiculous in men's clothing, but the reflection in the mirror made me forget that thought.
“…Wow, it really suits me.”
Indeed, a crazy appearance isn’t swayed by mere clothing.
When I tied my hair up in a high ponytail, I looked like a seasoned huntress, almost like the goddess Artemis.
I smirked and took out the crossbow to complete the look.
It seemed heavier, but thanks to the lightness enchantment, it was surprisingly light.
Penelope used it frequently a year ago, and it felt familiar in my hands.
After the final check, I left the room, not forgetting to take the bundle of arrows.
Today, every servant I met seemed to gasp and avert their gaze.
Originally, I always received sharp, unfriendly glances as I walked down the corridors.
It seemed my appearance with the crossbow and arrows looked quite menacing.
‘I should carry it around more often to intimidate them.’
Thanks to this, I was able to leave the mansion without any interference.
The path to the training ground was quiet and desolate.
It was natural since I had timed it to coincide with when all the knights would be gone.
However, that thought was shattered by a figure approaching from the opposite direction.
The pink hair, illuminated by the sunset, appeared a deeper shade of red than usual.
Almost the same color as my hair.
But before I could even process the hair color, I noticed the [Affection 17%] above his head and quickly tried to turn away.
However, at that moment, our eyes met.
The guy stopped in his tracks.
I sighed deeply, finding myself in an awkward situation where we were facing each other.
Of all people, why did I have to run into my top avoidance target? How could I be so unlucky?
It was absurd to exchange pleasantries with Leonard after we had just fought a few days ago.
But then again, it would be equally ridiculous to turn away after our eyes had met.
So I decided to brazenly push through.
‘What can he do? If he has any shame, he’ll ignore me.’
However, Leonard was far less ashamed than I thought.
“You look like a country bumpkin going out hunting for the first time.”
Just as I was about to pass by, he sneered.
“Are you seriously going to the training ground looking like that?”
I quickly scanned my surroundings.
Fortunately, there were no rocks that could make me trip and hit my head.
So I tried to ignore him and keep walking.
“Are you going to ignore me completely now?”
Leonard quickly blocked my path, preventing me from moving forward.
I sighed softly and looked up.
“Do you have something to say?”
Leonard looked at me as if he had a lot to say.
‘Alright. Let’s see what kind of nonsense he has this time.’
I waited for him to speak, looking at him.
However, he just stared at me without saying a word.
“If you have nothing to say, don’t talk to me.”
I tried to pass by him again.
Just then, Leonard finally spoke.
“…If you want to go to the attic, go ahead.”
His unexpected words made me stop.
“I won’t care whether you go or not.”
I had been listening quietly, and suddenly a hollow laugh escaped me.
‘He sounds like he’s doing me a favor.’
Penelope might have had an attachment to that attic, but I didn’t.
How could I know if I’d be questioned about making wishes while seeing fireworks or something if I went up there?
I answered without hesitation.
“Because I don’t want to see you.”
His blue pupils widened, and the white text above his head flickered.
I watched the series of reactions expressionlessly.
Even if it dropped by 1 or 2%, it wouldn’t make much of a difference.
I focused more on the unfinished training he mentioned than on his trivial affection.
‘Then, is Eclis still around?’
Since my plan to boost Eclis’s affection during the hunting competition failed, I should try to increase it before I go.
Just then, Leonard’s lips, which had been hesitating, finally parted.
“At that time… I said it.”
I had missed what he said because I was distracted by other thoughts.
When I turned to ask him, he moved his lips again.
But I still couldn’t understand what Leonard was saying. He mumbled in a tiny voice.
However, I instinctively knew what he was trying to say.
‘If he’s going to apologize, he should do it like a man.’
I clicked my tongue inwardly and asked again.
“I can’t hear a thing you’re saying.”
Seeing him embarrassed, I couldn’t help but mock him.
I knew my attitude was mean, but I couldn’t stop thinking about all the things he had done to me.
“Ah, I’m sorry for what I said back then…!”
Leonard suddenly lifted his head and shouted.
Rustle— The sound of a startled bird flying away from the bushes could be heard.
‘Did he eat a train engine or something?’
I rubbed my ringing ears and frowned.
Leonard grumbled with a flushed face.
“You always talk to me first when you see me, but why are you so stubborn this time? Girls are just….”
Even though it was just a grumble, it seemed to reveal a lot about his relationship with Penelope.
If this were a normal game route, how would it have progressed here?
‘I should accept Leonard’s apology and thank him for taking the initiative to apologize.’
Why did I always have to say thank you for something I didn’t really mean?
When I called his name, he glared at me and answered curtly.
“I accept your apology. I didn’t do anything right either.”
“I’m glad you understand.”
Perhaps his pride was hurt by being the first to apologize, but Leonard’s scowling face quickly turned confident.
As if it were natural for me to accept his apology.
“This is the first apology I’ve ever received from you.”
I wouldn’t thank him for this apology, which I accepted as a favor.
Instead, I smiled brightly.
I smiled so hard that he might think I was just accepting him.
The sunset light, which had been pouring over the hill, now fell on my face.
As the wind blew, my bangs flew around. When I tucked them behind my ear and looked up again,
Leonard’s face, which was looking at me, seemed a bit strange.
His eyes were dazed, and when our eyes met, a blush spread from under his eyes.
His face turned red instantly as he stammered.
“I don’t need your forgiveness or anything like that.”
“I’ve said what I needed to say, so I’m leaving.”
And before I could respond, he turned and disappeared quickly.
“…What? Why is he like that?”
Left alone on the forest path, I frowned as I watched him walk away.
At that moment, the text above his head flickered brightly.
I had to check several times to make sure I was seeing it correctly until the white text completely disappeared.