I'm a Villainess, Can I Die?-Chapter 118

The day Selina was unconscious, the Duke and Lukas had urgently left to conduct a raid and investigation on the Marquis’s estate.

The investigation was swift and merciless. Backed by an imperial warrant and escorted by imperial forces, they stormed into the Marquis’s mansion.

The Marquis tried to block them with a face full of panic, but with the imperial family involved, there was little he could do to resist.

He thought to himself.

This had been inevitable ever since the High Priest went on his deranged rampage.

No—perhaps it had been inevitable the moment that man reached out to him with sweet temptations, whispering promises.

As he watched the imperial troops descend into the basement, the Marquis let out a hollow smile.

He was arrested almost immediately. A bloodstained underground prison was discovered in the mansion’s cellar.

Soon after, corpses began to be unearthed in the open space behind the estate.

Everyone present let out a collective sigh of horror.

It was gruesome. People had been kidnapped, locked in the basement, and their murdered bodies buried in the yard.

Just like the body found previously—brutally slaughtered.

How many deaths had the captives witnessed while trapped down there? They must have lived in constant terror, waiting for their turn.

“He’s not even human...”

Someone muttered quietly, and those around them nodded in agreement.

The Marquis's wrists were soon bound with enchanted restraints—impossible to undo without magic.

The rope connecting his wrists was held by an officer of the imperial investigative unit leading the procession.

Like they were dragging a beast.

Staring down at the restraints binding his wrists, the Marquis turned his gaze slowly toward Lukas and the Duke, who were overseeing the operation.

Then, just as he passed them, he stopped walking.

“...What happened to him?”

“Him? ...You mean the High Priest?”

The Duke answered the question without flinching.

The Marquis, unable to say the High Priest’s name out loud, merely raised his eyebrows in silent acknowledgment.

“What happened to him?”

He repeated the question, and the Duke replied coldly.

“He’s dead.”

A single, sharp word. Firm and merciless.

The Marquis, still locking eyes with the Duke, let out a dry laugh. A criminal laughing while being dragged away—there was no end to his insolence.

“Good.”

And with that, he started walking again. His weakened steps caused his shoulders to rise and fall.

If the High Priest had tried to pin everything on him and run away... that would’ve been truly unbearable. But knowing the man had died first—well, that was at least a small comfort.

Death was fair to everyone. And beyond death... he would find him in hell, and maybe crush that High Priest’s jaw with his own hands.

“My daughter...”

Just before crossing the threshold, Marquis Lascelle stopped again and looked up at the sky.

The clouds had cleared, revealing a dazzlingly blue sky. So blue it reminded him of that girl from the Duke’s family.

“She doesn’t know anything.”

Lukas sneered at the Marquis’s words. A man who had killed so many people daring to think of his family? Ridiculous.

The embodiment of a selfish noble. Just like his aunt in her younger years.

“We’ll find out during the investigation.”

Lukas’s words were brutally rational, but his voice was unbearably gentle.

That made it all the more chilling. To whisper such cruelty in a kind tone.

The Marquis glanced back at them. He looked at the two of them from a distance before turning away, without hesitation.

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He was glad he had sent his daughter away. At least she wouldn’t have to see him like this.

And he hadn’t lied—Mia truly knew nothing.

She was aware he longed for his former glory, yes, but that was all. She had no idea what he and the High Priest had done together.

That they’d joined hands to commit such filth.

Mia...

Thinking of Mia’s smiling face, Marquis Lascelle looked up at the burning sun and smiled brightly.

Just as he always did in front of his daughter.

The investigator leading him gave a tug on the rope. A sign that there would be no more delays.

The Marquis swayed slightly as the rope pulled him forward.

Yes. It’s time to end this. Dragging it out would only leave those two with the pathetic memory of his back.

“...The High Priest. He was my accomplice.

I joined hands with him... my partner in crime.”

At his words, the Duke and Lukas looked sharply at the Marquis’s back, their eyes filled with suspicion. Trying to guess why he was suddenly admitting this now.

But they would never learn his reason.

Because the moment those words left his lips, Marquis Lascelle’s body began to collapse.

He dropped to his knees, struggling, then crumpled to the ground.

And that was how he died. Bound like a beast, ◆ Nоvеlіgһt ◆ (Only on Nоvеlіgһt) face down on the cold ground, eyes wide open.

A wretched end befitting a criminal.

— — —

Today, we were finally going to have a proper family meal. It had been about a week since I woke up, which meant nearly three or four weeks since the last one.

While I’d been recovering, I’d been cooped up in my room, forced to eat flavorless soup. It really made me appreciate the joy of chewing.

The rest of the family had been busy with their own responsibilities. The death of the High Priest and disappearance of the monsters didn’t mean the whole ordeal was over.

Thanks to the war ending earlier than expected, they had to reallocate the unused military budget, and reassess the damages across the territory.

The knights who’d helped us were still returning to the duchy, and preparations were underway for a small banquet to honor them a week from now.

Ugh... so much to do. Then again, that’s always the case. Cooking’s easy—it’s the cleanup afterward that’s annoying.

Flicking my fingers in boredom, I waited for the appointed time and made my way to the dining room.

Maybe it was the long break, but I felt a little excited.

“Selina, welcome.”

As soon as I opened the door, Mother greeted me warmly, just like before.

It was early winter, and they’d already lit the fireplace. Logs crackled and popped cheerfully in the hearth.

I nodded and quietly took my seat.

I wondered if it would be awkward since it had been so long since we all sat down together.

But my worry turned out to be silly—dinner was peaceful.

The warm stew was delicious, and the seasoned roast chicken melted in my mouth. Useless chatter bounced back and forth, laughter filled the room, and the fire made everything feel cozy.

Ah... this strangely peaceful feeling. As if all the tension and gloom from the past weeks had just been a dream.

“So keep your outfits modest,” Mother said, looking around the table. She was referring to the upcoming party in the banquet hall, set for about a week later.

Its purpose was to mark the resolution of the crisis without large-scale disaster (even if there were damages), and to thank the knights and mages who had joined the subjugation.

...I mean... who throws a party for something like this?

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If I were a knight, I’d probably prefer money and time off to a party... but that’s just me.

Anyway, because of that, the clothes and food were meant to be simple. Which suited me just fine. Party dresses were always heavy, hard to walk in...

“Selina, the hall will be heated, but the air will still be cold. Don’t forget a warm coat.”

Mother brushed my arm gently. Her expression screamed How did you get so thin... I’m worried sick...

“Yes. I will. You too, Mother—don’t forget yours.”

I nodded, and she gave me a happy smile.

Just ten days ago, that lovely face was clouded in deep sorrow. It was a relief to see her smiling again.

After that, the conversation was full of hopeful plans.

“What should we do for New Year’s? It’s tradition to attend the imperial party...”

“But that doesn’t happen until a week after the new year. How about we do something small here on the day itself? What do you think, Aaron?”

“I like that. If we want to invite close friends, let’s keep it limited.”

“You should invite the princess, Brother.”

As soon as I said it, Aaron’s ears turned bright red. Like a boy with his first crush. The whole family burst out laughing.

“Oh, and the month after the New Year is Selina’s birthday. What kind of party do you want?”

Father set down his fork and asked the question, lacing his fingers and resting his chin on them. He was serious.

We still had three months to go!

“I don’t think I like fancy parties. Just something like the New Year’s gathering—with just family.”

“...Really? Selina, are you sure that’s enough?”

Mother looked at me with concern.

The others were the same.

Just that? We could throw the most extravagant party in the world... Their eyes practically said it.

God. No, thank you.

I could already picture it: playing hostess like some star monkey at the zoo, greeting endless lines of guests.

“I don’t want anything fancy. Just the family is enough.”

“Selina...”

“Selina.”

“Selina!”

My name came flying from every direction. They all looked so emotional I felt embarrassed.

I awkwardly poked at my food, pretending not to notice, but I couldn’t stop a smile from creeping onto my lips.

Dinner soon came to an end. In that short time, we’d covered everything from my birthday to Aaron’s future wedding.

How many plans and how much of the future had we packed into this small table? Still, it wasn’t a bad feeling. No—rather, it was a warm, peaceful moment that made me truly feel life had returned to normal.

Back in my room, I sat across from Aiden and had tea. A little daily routine we kept ever since the day I woke up.

Every day, we’d go on a short walk and have a quick tea session together.

When Aiden entered my room and took his usual seat, I’d greet him with “Did you sleep well?” and he’d reply, “Did you sleep peacefully?”

And before bed—“Goodnight,” “Sleep well”... Honestly, we sounded like a grandmother and her grandson.

But the point was—I was keeping my promise.

“Aiden, you’ll be at the party next week, right?”

“If you’re going, my lady.”

His quick response made me pause mid-fork and look at him.

He had to go anyway, but he made it sound like I was the sole reason.

“We’re going with light outfits that day.”

“Ah... yes. Right. It’s a small party.”

Aiden nodded slowly. Seemed like he’d already been informed.

“What are you going to wear that day?”

I glanced at him and popped a strawberry into my mouth. The winter berry's sweetness spread across my tongue.

Seriously, how do they grow strawberries all year? Some kind of magic? Do they enchant the plants?

Wait, focus.

My thoughts almost went off track again. Not my fault—there’s no such thing as greenhouses here, and they’ve got strawberries in every season... Well, I guess there’s nothing money can’t solve in this world.

“I thought I’d wear my dress uniform.”

Aiden answered while I was distracted by strawberries.

“Dress uniform...? Oh, right... that time...”

I remembered what he wore the day he and Sir Alogen went to inspect the temple—the day I jumped with the High Priest, the day he flew in to save me.

That blue jacket with the silver badge suited him so well.

“I see.”

“But... why do you ask?”