Chapter 6

The Villain's Ending is Only Death - Chapter 6

Actually, there was no need to be nervous.

‘It’s just a scene in a game…’

Still, my fingertips trembled slightly.

Perhaps it was because I naturally associated the game's duke's attitude towards Penelope with my own biological father.

Even though I had fully entered the room, the duke, seated at his desk, did not even lift his head.

I approached the desk hesitantly and stood there.

After hiding my trembling fingertips, I bowed politely.

There were no such detailed scenes in the game.

But I couldn’t make a sound to announce my presence, and it seemed appropriate given the atmosphere.

“Have you come?”

Only then did the duke lift his head slightly to acknowledge me.

Black hair and blue eyes, just like Derrick.

His face, cold and stern, was exactly like the illustration of a grand noble.

At the same time, a white square window appeared before my eyes.

1. Why did you call me?

2. I’m busy. Just tell me what you need.

3. (Stare at him silently.)

I calmly chose option 1 among the crazy choices.

“Why did you call me?”

“The commotion this morning, I heard.”

As soon as the duke's cold words ended, the choices in the square window changed rapidly.

1. It’s not something you should be concerned about, Your Grace.

2. You must have wanted the commotion to happen.

3. It wasn’t my fault. It was all the stupid maid’s fault!

I was suddenly as nervous as if I had been lying.

‘Damn... these crazy choices...’

Of course, I had experienced this in the game before.

At that time, I was so excited about making Penelope a 'femme fatale, cool and arrogant woman' that I eagerly chose option 2.

But now, as the protagonist, the idea of spouting such ridiculous lines made my mouth dry.

‘Even if the setting is of a thoroughly twisted and blind villainess...’

Who would ever respect such a rotten stepdaughter, not even a biological daughter? Damn it.

Thud.

After a long silence, the duke put down his pen and lifted his head from the documents.

His cold eyes were sharp.

‘Please, let this choice not be a dead flag...’

I trembled inwardly and chose option 1. I clenched my teeth to prevent myself from saying anything more.

“It’s not something you should be concerned about... umm...”

But I couldn’t control my mouth, and the last word came out mangled.

“Penelope.”

The duke spoke, his voice devoid of warmth.

Despite my desperate efforts, the game’s progression did not change.

“Have you been in this house for six years now?”

I recalled the game’s content as the duke spoke.

Both the normal and hard mode protagonists were 18 years old.

Since Penelope was adopted into the duke’s family at 12, the six years add up to 18.

I remembered a detail I had forgotten in the game.

The 18th birthday is the coming-of-age ceremony.

So, Penelope’s coming-of-age ceremony must be approaching.

‘How much time is left?’

I was frantically thinking about this newly realized information.

Fortunately, the duke continued without needing a choice.

“You may not know, but it’s not easy to enter this house. Only those who have proven their worth can pass through the gates of Ecart after thorough scrutiny.”

“...”

“I did not spare any support after adopting you and making you a lady. I even accepted all your unreasonable luxuries.”

“...”

“But in six years, I don’t see what use you have been to Ecart.”

He was right.

If I had at least maintained a similar appearance to his biological daughter, I might have held onto a bit of his attention.

Penelope’s hair and eyes were now far from pink and blue.

I wanted to nod in agreement, but my body, already on the game’s track, wouldn’t move.

As I resigned myself, the square window reappeared.

1. So what are you going to do? Are you going to kick me out now?

2. I did nothing wrong!

3. (Kneel down.)

‘Finally!’

My heart raced at the familiar choices. It was the first thrill I felt since coming here.

Although it was unlikely, I quickly chose option 3, fearing the choices might change.

Thud!

Someone kicked my shins and pressed down on my shoulders, forcing me to kneel.

‘Ouch! Why is it so strong?’

I had braced myself, but it hurt more than expected, and tears welled up in my eyes.

“What are you doing?”

The duke’s eyes widened, seemingly more surprised by the sound of my bones hitting the floor.

In the hard mode, I didn’t choose this option. Honestly, it was a character break.

‘Why would a character with a ‘rude’ setting suddenly kneel?’

But the developer either found it too troublesome to create a new route or wanted to save on production costs, so they aligned the normal mode choices.

1. Do you feel better now that I’ve knelt before you?

2. (Stare at him silently.)

3. I’m sorry, Father!

I quickly chose option 3 again.

“I’m sorry, Father!”

My voice was loud and confident, as if I was sure of my choice.

“...What?”

The duke asked, bewildered.

At that moment, the familiar square window appeared.

〈SYSTEM〉 Hidden Quest [The Forgotten Name of Father]

Mission Complete!

As a reward, you have obtained the [Choice ON/OFF] function.

〈SYSTEM〉 Do you want to turn off the choices?

[Yes. / No.]

I pressed [Yes] without hesitation.

〈SYSTEM〉 Choices are now [OFF]. To see choices again, say [Choice ON].

Finally, the damn square window disappeared.

‘Done!’

I clenched my fists and cheered inwardly.

The hidden function [Choice ON/OFF] in the game can be activated by calling the duke ‘Father’.

When choices are [OFF], the listed dialogues disappear, leaving only the numbers 1, 2, 3.

Sometimes, you have to type simple answers like ‘Yes/No’ or the names of the male leads on a phone keyboard.

In the normal mode, this function was easily obtained by being spoon-fed.

It seemed designed to add variety to repetitive choices, encourage faster play, and provide a bit of tension.

However, I rarely used this function.

The normal mode was so easy and fast that there was no need.

Thus, I skipped this scene in the hard mode.

I had chosen only the arrogant dialogues in the previous choices.

‘I didn’t expect it to proceed exactly like the normal mode.’

Although I failed to get the [Choice ON/OFF] function due to a wrong choice, it wasn’t necessary for me, who was deeply engrossed in choosing the villainess’s dialogues.

‘I didn’t know then that this fun would become a poison to me...’

I lamented my foolishness and finally spoke without the choices, word by word.

“A. Fa. ther.”

The voice coming out as I wished was so moving that I almost cried.

Perhaps I was so overwhelmed that I shed real tears.

The duke, who had never been called ‘Father’ by Penelope, widened his eyes even more.

I continued without hesitation.

“I apologize for causing a commotion during my grounding. I failed to show the proper etiquette as a superior to the servants, leading to this incident.”

“...”

“I will deeply reflect during the remaining period. I promise that I will not cause any more disturbances in the house, so please forgive me this once, Father.”

I bowed deeply and pleaded.

In reality, the morning commotion was not my fault.

I had been mistreated by a maid and was in a situation where I desperately needed help.

However, Penelope’s past behavior had left me with no choice but to beg.

If I didn’t, I couldn’t survive.

Although being disliked by the duke didn’t immediately threaten my life, if I skipped this scene with the hidden function, it would likely lead to penalties later.

Naturally, Penelope had already caused trouble and was grounded.

If I acted stubbornly, it would only lower Derrick’s affection.

“I know I have been arrogant and immature.”

“...”

“If you let this one slide, I will work hard to prove my worth until my coming-of-age ceremony.”

I didn’t get up from the floor even after finishing my words.

I had never knelt and begged like this, even to my real father.

What a ridiculous situation, all because of this damn game.

‘I’ve begged and pleaded like this, so please just acknowledge it and be done with it.’

I had been on edge since waking up, and I was mentally and physically exhausted. I needed a break.

“You...”

The duke looked at Penelope with unfamiliar eyes, struggling to continue.

After a long pause, he finally spoke.

“...I understand your words. Get up from the floor.”

“Yes.”

I immediately stood up.

My legs were already numb from kneeling.

“Ecart’s gates are heavy, Penelope.”

The duke said in a low voice, a statement with many implications.

I bowed deeply in response.

“Thank you. I will make sure to live up to the opportunity you’ve given me today, Father.”

“Go now.”

As soon as the duke gave his permission, I turned around hurriedly.

I was afraid that any delay might lead to a different route.