I’m a Villainess but So Popular

Editor: Aru

Side Story 12. That Villain’s story

Through the fluttering snow, black shadows could be seen.

Three dark shadows were approaching.

A bare hand protruded from the black cloak, as if it belonged to a corpse.

“I’ll take care of it as soon as possible. Both of you remain back.”

I said in a bland tone, reaching out my hand to the air.

Flames erupted as soon as the palm of my hand got heated.

The blue flames shot up into the dark sky.

The flames, which threatened to consume everything, engulfed the black monsters.

The monsters couldn’t keep up with a fire that was much larger than them.

Soon later, the black monster’s body tumbled onto the snowfield.

After resorting to flame magic, I took a step forward and stared at the monsters.

As I approached, the monsters didn’t even move.

I nodded to the two imperial wizards who were waiting behind me, knowing that the monsters were dead.

“Are they no longer alive?”

“Yes, I guess we should immediately retrieve the monster’s dead body.”

“I understand, Trump-nim.”

The two men approached the monster’s body, merely noting the date and time of collection in their notebooks, and magically caring for its dead body.

The bodies of the monsters will now be taken to the Imperial Magic Research Department for a basic inspection and post-processing.

‘It’s been more than a decade, yet they’re still coming out.’

Of course, reports of monster sightings have declined substantially in the last three years.

Monster sightings were recorded roughly once a year in each territory.

This was the first time a monster had emerged in our territory in three years.

And, perhaps because it’s been so long, there have been many accounts of three creatures being seen at the same time.

In the event of one, the three were more than enough to frighten the residents of the territory.

The monster’s strength was little in comparison to the coup, but the monster was still a monster.

Fortunately, I was still residing in the territory when the report arrived.

It was because it was a three-month period a year when I left the Imperial Palace and stayed in the Dukedom of Spades to check after the territory.

‘I’m grateful I caught it so immediately after receiving the report.’

And because of my job at the palace, my subordinates were also in the Dukedom, thus the operation to exterminate the monster went off without a hitch.

I was afraid that the monsters might harm someone, but no one was hurt since we were able to subdue the monster quickly.

“So, we’ll carry the corpse away. We’ll be on our way soon.”

A wizard from the imperial palace bent down to greet me.

“We concluded our personnel appointment at the Dukedom earlier, so don’t be concerned and get some rest. Trump-nim.”

“I should have made you some tea. I believe I was overly harsh with you previously since we were discussing work.”

I smiled and remarked to the two Imperial Palace Wizards who had respectfully greeted me.

“No, it’s okay. Thanks to your hospitality earlier, we’ve had enough. It will just irritate you if we stay, so you don’t have to do it, Trump-nim.”

“That’s correct, and Vincent and I need to get going because we’re working overtime.”

“Oh, I’m sorry, I can’t help it if it’s overtime. Then I’ll summon a carriage for you, so take it.”

“Thank you very much, Trump-nim.”

I escorted the two people who grinned and thanked me to the Dukedom’s entrance.

I waved them in and placed them in the carriage I had summoned.

“Then I’ll see you at the next meeting.”

“Yes, Trump-nim! I hope you have a wonderful good rest!”

I nodded as I glanced at the two people who responded bravely.

The horseman soon lashed out, and the carriage started moving.

I stood there for a long time, watching as the carriage got farther and further away.

I didn’t return to the castle until the carriage was no longer visible.

The butler, who had been waiting for me with the door slightly pushed open, nodded, bowed, and took my coat.

“Are you pretty much finished with today’s schedule, my lord?”

“Yeah.”

I nodded, rubbing my tired eyes with my hands.

“Why don’t you take a break? I believe you’re tired of getting up early in the morning to meet guests and even confront monsters…… ”

“Yeah, I suppose I should get some sleep.”

It was a little after five o’clock in the afternoon.

Originally, I didn’t nap during this period, but it was very tough to bear the fatigue today because I had been working on the territory for several days.

“I’m going to have dinner an hour later than usual. Wake me up if I don’t come down in two hours.”

“Yes, I will prepare for it.”

I yawned and left the hallway, leaving a note for the butler.

I didn’t even take off my clothes as I entered the bedroom and laid down on the bed.

It was great to see the smooth texture of the blanket and the fluffy pillow.

‘I’m curious about how Cassius and the children are doing.’

It wasn’t the first or second time I’d done this, but it felt strange to sleep alone after always sharing a bed with someone else.

I wasn’t used to being alone during this time of year.

‘Let’s just hang on for a couple of days……’

The children and Cassius will be in the territory by the end of the week.

I’ll request that the butler make some cookies for the children tomorrow.

“And now, let’s get some sleep…”

As soon as I stopped thinking about it, I fell asleep instantly.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

“Yerine.”

Someone called out my name.

“Yerine?”

A soft and gentle voice.

I was awakened by a familiar voice that resonated like a chime.

“Oh, you’ve finally woken up.”

With a smile on her face, the woman with white hair, who was recognizable to my eyes, remarked.

I sprang up and glanced around in astonishment when I saw her.

I was lying on the bed until recently, but now I’m sitting on a tree stump in the midst of the jungle.

And there was another person sitting opposite me on the other stump.

“It’s been a while, Yerine.”

A woman with gorgeous black hair waved and smiled.

“Seyeon…?”

“Yeah. How are you doing?”

She went to my side and asked for a handshake, and I sensed a positive vibe from her.

It was nice to see her with a bright smile on her face.

“Yes, I’ve been doing fine. What about you?”

“I’ve been well, too.”

When she saw the two of us, the Dragon Woman smiled gently.

It reminded me of how a mother would look at her grown daughters.

“Dragon-nim, how are you doing? I haven’t seen you in quite some time.”

I spoke while wrapping my hand around the Dragon Woman’s.

The Dragon Woman gently lifted the corners of her mouth and clasped my hands together.

“I’ve been well. How long has it been since I last saw you like this? Around a decade ago?”

“Yes, I think that’s about it.”

I saw the Dragon Woman in my dream right before Yssius was born and never saw her again.

She stated it was tough for her to meet me in a dream at the time, so it was a shame she couldn’t see me more frequently.

“How are the children doing?”

“Well, they’re growing up every time.”

“Yeah, that’s a relief. How’s your husband and your friends?”

“Of course. Everyone is doing well.”

It wasn’t an empty word.

Everyone was content with their lives.

Erica soared to prominence while working for the Treasury Department, while most of my colleagues became family heads.

Rayl was married to Astra and was doing well regardless of the fact that he was a prisoner.

“Are you doing well as well? I’m not sure why, but you appear exhausted.”

The Dragon Woman looked sad and brushed her fingers along the back of my hand.

“Oh, it’s a bit hectic right now…”

Seyeon shook her head uncomfortably and scowled slightly between her brows, kicking her tongue.

“Still, don’t overdo it. Take it easy.”

Seyeon murmured as she patted my shoulder.

“Don’t you believe we should enjoy our leisure time now?”

A sorrowful light flashed in her dark brown eyes for a brief time.

She was clearly remembering those days, when she had gone through several regressions and was frantic because she couldn’t accomplish anything.

I eventually changed the future that she couldn’t.

Neither she nor I knew why I had been given to that role.

What is clear is that I and she found solace in playing opposite roles.

And she and I called each other ‘we-us-our’ and wished for each other’s happiness.

“That’s right.”

I placed my palm across my left eye and whispered quietly.

I had the sensation that I could feel the heat of a fire passing through my chilly eyes.

“Both of us suffered.”

“……Yeah.”

“That’s not how we should be anymore.”

Seyeon, who had been staring at me with slightly widened eyes all night, nodded her head.

The Dragon Woman, who was staring at us, knelt and covered our shoulders, whispering.

“Neither one of you, it will not happen in the future.”

I closed my eyes, listening to the soothing voice that sounded like a lullaby and the warmth that surrounded my body.

***

When I opened my eyes, the clock was pointing at 6 in the afternoon.

“It’s been barely an hour.”

I didn’t get much sleep, but my fatigue was gone.

How is it possible for my mind to be so clear after only one hour of sleep?

‘Is it the dragon’s power…?’

In any case, going back to sleep will be tough in this state.

‘I am supposed to have dinner at seven, should I stay in the study room for another hour?’

As I sat on the bed, I immediately remembered Seyeon’s brown eyes from my dream.

Those eyes and figures were once mine.

Nonetheless, she emanates a cheerful environment that is unlike anything she has experienced in her life.

As though the environment of our current figure was vastly different from that of our previous selves.

Laughter erupted when the thoughts progressed to that point.

‘At first, I didn’t believe we could live with such a big smile on our faces.’

I got out of bed with a great smile on my face.

I opened the door, exited the room, and climbed the familiar stairs.

Continue till I reach the peak.

‘I haven’t been here in a long time.’

I opened the door to the same room where my life as Yerine began, and I took a good look throughout.

I didn’t want to remove the remnants of Yerine’s initial efforts, so I restored only the required sections of the room and left them alone.

The burned-out bed was restored, and only the stone walls with gaps were filled to keep the wind out.

Aside from that, there were a few small modifications.

The original Yerine had shut the hidden door to hide the magic book, but it was now wide open.

The dress she struggled to save was likewise carefully stowed in the closet.

And the Duke of Spade’s ring, which she had sworn she would never lose, was on my finger.

This room, where our journey began, has evolved gradually over the years.

For some reason, a room that used to just appear cold no longer appeared so.

My heart was pounding in my chest.

I turned my head and made eye contact with the red eye as I walked around the room reliving recollections.

“Ah.”

A few years ago, a girl with shaggy hair concealing her red eyes stood in front of that mirror, with a frantic expression on her face.

The girl had vanished, and in her stead stood a lady with purple hair who was no longer depressed.

I inadvertently stretched my hand towards the mirror.

I was taller than I had been when I initially stood in front of this mirror, and I stretched my hand to the reflection, who had a gentler look on my face.

At my fingertips, I could feel the cool surface of the mirror.

It was only then that I realized what had happened.

Many things have changed.

‘Really, a lot has changed.’

At that time, I was wearing only one plain-patterned dress that allowed the wind in at first.

But suddenly, things were different.

On my head was a black headband that Yssius and Chaerine had given me.

On my chest was a badge indicating that I was Trump.

On my wrist was the friendship bracelet I matched with Erica.

On my right hand, there was an opal ring that only Spade’s family could wear.

And a purple and red gemstone ring on my left hand held a vow to my most beloved.

‘It’s shocking, but I’ve succeeded in my own way.’

I grinned contentedly and took a step back.

For a villain, I thought I had a fairly decent life.

<End of Side Story>