I’m a Villainess, Can I Die? - Chapter 52

The eyes of the people, who were intoxicated by the handkerchiefs that Lucas had given them, were focused on me.

No, to be precise, on me and Vivian. Even Lucas, who was handing out all the presents and leaning back against the entrance to the greenhouse, was looking at me.

By the way, I wasn’t really good at acting.

Contrary to what I said, my voice was hard to hear, even by my standard.

However, despite my acting like this, Vivian’s lips were wriggling as if she had quickly grasped the situation. It was as if the corners of her mouth were forcefully blocked from going up.

After a while, Vivian, who had a sad face, shook her head exaggeratedly.

As expected, as a theatrical actor from acting school… No, I wasn’t an actor. Anyway, Vivian was still an excellent actor.

“What are you talking about, Lady? Lady had even sent me a letter expressing your apology so it’s already over! Besides, Lady was sick and had been in bed for a whole week! I am not narrow-minded enough to hate such a person, Lady!”

A damp, loud voice echoed through the greenhouse. Apparently, this drama seemed like a moving story.

This nonsensical play was intended to effectively silence the rumors about me that said I didn’t come to Vivian’s party after saying that I would.

The original plan was for me to give an apology present to her, but our quick witted Vivian clapped back.

Despite Vivian’s fervent performance, all of this honestly felt like an awkward skit to me.

I was worried that no one would be deceived by this, but surprisingly, it didn’t seem like the situation was too awkward for the others.

Gradually, the people who were silently listening to the story… were exclaiming with emotion, drenched in tears.

Is this really working..? Really, this?

With nearly ten people trying to get a handkerchief by spilling tea, dropping cake, or even both… There was a loud argument in front of the other people about who was the worst, so I guess this was natural, wasn’t it?

I nodded my head and looked at Vivian at the unexpectedly more satisfying situation. Wiping the tears from the corners of her eyes, Vivian slowly opened the box.

In the quiet silence, the sound of someone gulping and swallowing saliva was heard. Well, in terms of a play, now would be the climax.

Vivian opened the box and looked up at me.

“Lady… Lady Selena!”

She exclaimed in admiration, as she took out the contents of the box with trembling hands, seemingly thrilled.

The nobles, who were sitting and looking over at our side, moved their bodies when they could not see the gift well because it was covered by Vivian’s hands.

Vivian slowly placed the box on the table and lifted it with both hands so that they could see my gift. This seemed like a calculated action for me.

Thinking like this in such a short time… As expected, she was different no matter what.

When they saw the sapphire brooch studded with black stones that went well with Vivian’s hair color, people exclaimed.

The atmosphere was hot today, so everyone’s reactions were great.

I didn’t know how much the brooch cost because I didn’t buy it myself, but Lucas, who did buy it, said it was a fairly satisfactory gift, so it was clear that it wasn’t an ordinary item.

No matter how much they fought over the cake, the voices whispering about the value of the brooch could be heard here and there, with people forgetting their nobility.

Vivian, who immediately wore the brooch on the chest of her dress, grabbed my hand tightly.

“Really… Thank you! Lady Selena.”

***

The sky after the sun had set was dyed red, like the tea that went flying over the tables today. I stood at the entrance, addressed each and every guest briefly, and sent them off.

Obviously, not long after the party started, those who had been having a hard time and uncomfortable with me smiled and shook hands with me now.

Obviously, those who had been having a hard time shortly after the party started and were uncomfortable with me then, smiled and shook hands with me now.

With how warmly the eyes were looking at me… It felt like I was standing in the sun.

“Well then, Lady. I look forward to seeing you again.”

Jacob grabbed my hand and winked at me. Was something in his eye? I was willing to sprinkle dust in it if there wasn’t.

As Jacob, who was constantly winking, passed by and had his back so far away that I couldn’t see him, Vivan walked in front of me with the brooch on her chest.

When I reached out, Vivian grabbed my hand.

“Thank you for accepting the invitation today, Lady Vivian.”

“Thank you for the invitation, Lady Selena.”

After the formal greeting, the hand fell off. However, Vivian did not leave immediately, and after carefully examining the inside and outside of the greenhouse, she took a step closer to me.

It seemed like she was going to say something in secret. As I bent down for the short Vivian, Vivian smiled and opened his mouth.

“It’s nothing important, but about Sir Jacob…”

“Sir Jacob?”

“Yes. That is… You better keep away from him.”

As soon as Jacob’s name was uttered, Vivian’s eyebrows contorted. As if she didn’t want to mention him at all.

“Why?”

“Well… It’s hard to say anything, because there’s no exact evidence. But, for sure, he’s not a person who is good for keeping close.”

After those words, there was a moment of silence. Vivian, who watched me quietly, smiled and said a few goodbye words before leaving the greenhouse.

Even she, who wore the blue dress, has left, and now what was left in this glasshouse was a few employees, Aiden, and Lucas.

And me.

“Lady, I told them to prepare your bath.”

Bathing, a bath would be good. I was very drenched in fatigue. Dealing with so many people was very tiring, both mentally and physically. I felt like soaking my body in warm bath water.

After that, I would go to the dining room and eat with my family… Just like before I jumped off the tower, my family nagged me to have one meal a day together. The fingertips of my parents who brought up the story were trembling. They nodded without noticing their trembling fingertips, as if they didn’t realize.

So, one family meal a day had become my natural routine.

There was a greenhouse party today, so we decided to have dinner together.

Recalling the perfect after-event schedule, I rubbed the back of my neck, which was aching from fatigue.

“Sir Lucas, aren’t you going?”

When I asked Lucas, who was sitting at a table with a clean seat while looking at the place, he smiled bitterly. It was different from the external smile and emotions he had been showing all day today.

If other people saw that expression, they would be able to truly understand Lucas’s nature.

“I’m meeting Aaron.”

He was going to meet Brother here?

At this place? Where teacups and plates were overturned, with cakes and teas overflowing here and there?

The choice of location was truly unique.

But a respect for taste was important.

“Then I will go first. Thank you for all your help, Sir Lucas.”
I bowed and turned back. As I slowly came up next to Aiden, who was waiting for me, someone grabbed my wrist.

Startled by the sudden action, I turned my head again.

Sir Lucas, who met my eyes from a close distance, let go of me quickly, seeming to be even more startled. Hey, what did it mean to suddenly grab onto me and let me go just as quickly?

His face was so surprised that I couldn’t even get angry about what he wanted.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. Sorry for stopping you all of a sudden. Selena. Be careful,”

Lucas said with the corners of his lips raised. It didn’t seem like it was nothing, but what could it be? I had no intention of asking, so I nodded my head and turned back again.

***

Lucas, who was left alone, slowly looked down at his hands.

It was another impulsive act.

It was the moment he saw her back after spitting out a couple words and turning around without any regrets, the moment he saw the burning red sunset pouring over Selena’s head. Without realizing it, his legs moved. He wanted to hold onto her.

And he unknowingly grabbed her hand. Those eyes turned to him, and then his reason returned.

He lifted his hand, which was holding her wrist, and swept his face. It was strange. It was a strange day. It was a really strange day.

“What are you doing standing here? Lucas.”

“Ah…”

Lucas lowered his hand and looked at Aaron. He didn’t notice Aaron until he came right in front of him.

“Let’s go in.”

Aaron tilted his head at Lucas, who didn’t properly answer his question, and walked ahead anyway.

But his steps soon stopped in front of the door.

The inside was very messy. So much so that he wondered if there was a war, not a party here… He had never seen the result of such a party in his lifetime.

Aaron was so startled that he looked back at Lucas with his mouth wide open, pointing his finger inside. Lucas burst out laughing at how foolish the Lord’s, who graduated at the top from the Academy, appearance was right now.

“Some things happened today. Selena wasn’t the focus, so don’t worry about it.”

“…What the hell happened… No. Don’t say that. I’ll have to ask Selena directly at dinner time later.”

Aaron paused for a moment to catch his breath. Lucas wiped the smile from his face as Aaron’s eyes, which had just been full of vigor, trembled slightly. His friend made that face sometimes.

And he knew what the story behind that expression was.

“How did Selena look?”

“She was the same as usual.”

Aaron closed his eyes tightly and opened them again at Lucas’s quick reply. His eyes were no longer trembling.

This was an inevitable ‘family’ habit. In Selena’s absence, they would stop the other and check to see if the child looked okay.

Selena said she would never do that again, and they believed that. But it was a separate matter. It was like any kind of obsession.

Aaron, who quickly wiped his sweaty hands on his pants, muttered as if asking himself back.

“Of course, right?”