The Villainess Whom I Had Served for 13 Years Has Fallen - Chapter 354



354 – Bet -4-

“Sigh…”

Sitting in the waiting room, Shartia let out a deep sigh. The next opponent was a tough one.

She had luckily made it to the quarterfinals.

It must have been good luck with the matchups.

It wasn’t that the students in Group B were weak, but compared to the monsters in Group A, they were relatively easy opponents.

Except for one person.

The opponent she was about to duel.

The 1st Prince.

Teo Leogarde, who was Shartia’s opponent in the duel, was Shartia’s half-brother and the crown prince of the Leogarde Empire.

A queen with a solid foundation.

The emperor’s first child.

And a prince with the best qualifications to be called a son.

He had outstanding talent in magic and swordsmanship. But his greatest talent was the ability to see the truth, a gift only those who inherited the royal bloodline most strongly could awaken.

Yes, the person who had all the qualifications as a crown prince was the very obstacle Shartia had to overcome to reach the top four.

“…”

Shartia disliked Teo.

It wasn’t because of the discrimination she faced due to her mother being of commoner origin. She could somewhat understand the discrimination against illegitimate children. She disliked him for a much more constructive reason.

Teo Leogarde.

– Shartia. I’m going out of the palace.

– What…? If Father finds out, it will be a big problem…

– It’s fine. As long as I don’t get caught.

Because he was not fit to be a king.

Shartia, who had many clashes with the crown prince since childhood, knew about Teo’s conduct.

She knew how he viewed the empire.

She knew what kind of heart he had towards the throne.

– Teo…! You skipped class again today.

– I’m trying to broaden my horizons by seeing more things.

– If you say so, but… still, make sure to attend the management classes. Especially the political science classes…

– Father… Once I become emperor, this freedom will disappear. I want to see many things and broaden my horizons.

He was someone who would become a tyrant.

Teo’s heart towards the throne was as light as could be. Despite the lives of countless imperial citizens being in his future hands, he wandered around like a vagabond and used the crown prince’s name to cover up incidents.

He claimed to long for freedom for the sake of the future empire.

– Why are you oppressing me! I am also a person. Before becoming a monarch, observing the lives of the people is also a virtue a wise king should have.

– Teo.

– I will have my own politics. Politics that serve the people…!

Teo’s longing for freedom, as if mocking my efforts to protect my mother while being called an illegitimate child, coiled like a snake in Shartia’s heart.

I am studying to survive.

I was trying not to be ignored, but I was angry at Taeo, who didn’t make any effort.

One day, the emperor came and said this. He said it was nice to see me studying.

– Shartia. It’s nice to see you working hard. Later, help Taeo a lot so he can become a wise king.

– …Yes, Father.

– Keep up the good work.

I am trying harder.

I think I could do better if I became the king.

I thought I could straighten the axis of the shaking power and create an empire that wouldn’t be swayed by the words of the nobles, but I resented my father who only thought of my brother who didn’t make any effort.

If only the prince became the king…

If only I…

I know.

How excessive this greed is. I know how happy it is to be born with the blood of the imperial family and to have the support and power that others cannot enjoy.

But.

– You’re an illegitimate child. You don’t need to look good.

– You’ll be sold off in a political marriage anyway, so focus on other royals.

– The parents of the third princess are commoners. Let’s flatter the fourth princess instead.

The reason I was able to escape the contempt I received since I was young was because of my own efforts, but can this be called luck?

A brother chasing freedom.

Me struggling to survive.

Shartia, standing in front of the lingering image that continues like a mirror facing each other, could only sigh at the gap that was not easily narrowed.

Because I know that no matter how hard I try, I can’t reach that position. I wanted to hear people say that I was a person suitable for the throne. That would be the result of my efforts so far.

“…”

Now, power is in Taeo’s hands. Father is holding Taeo’s hand.

Taeo had enough qualifications to become a wise king for the people, but I thought he didn’t have the qualities to make the empire a successful nation.

He is full of mischief in everything.

Because he makes decisions easily.

A long time ago.

Yes, when there was friction between the empire and other countries, Taeo said this to Father. ‘Can’t we just go to war?’

It could be said that it was a child’s short thought, but the sincerity I saw in Taeo’s eyes that day remained in Shartia’s heart.

Shartia took a deep breath to calm her mind and shake off the tension.

-Next participants, please get ready.

It was at that moment.

“Shaltia.”

Someone had come to Shaltia’s waiting room.

-Click. Click. Click.

Teo, who came holding some snacks, had a bright expression.

As if predicting the outcome of this match, the prince, full of arrogance and leisure, walked into the waiting room where Shaltia was sitting and greeted her.

Seeing the prince’s face, Shaltia hardened her expression and said sharply.

“Isn’t it against the rules for other participants to enter the waiting room?”

“I just wanted to talk to my sister after a long time. I’ll leave right away, so don’t take it too harshly.”

“…”

Teo, who sat a seat away from Shaltia, carefully opened his mouth while brushing his hair.

“Are you well prepared for the duel?”

“It’s going so-so.”

“Hmm… I see.”

The prince, nodding his head, spoke to Shaltia with a faint smile.

“Graduation is coming up soon.”

“…”

“You’re a fourth-year, right? How do you feel about graduation being just around the corner?”

“Have you ever cared about me this much?”

“Haha…! That’s true.”

Teo smiled with his eyes as he looked at Shaltia.

“Have you thought about what you’ll do after graduation?”

“Why are you asking that?”

“Why? As your brother, I’m concerned about your future.”

“I…”

Teo interrupted Shaltia and, with a serious expression, said.

“You know, Shaltia.”

“…”

“When I become emperor, I plan to exile all the royal family.”

“What did you say…?!”

“Yes, there will be many younger siblings who will oppose. Some might even think of raising a rebellion with swords. But…”

Teo said with a cruel smile, looking straight into Shartia’s eyes.

“There are just too many people who want to go against me. Even if I wander around like a vagabond, I can tell who would point a sword at my neck and who wouldn’t. That’s why I’m telling you.”

Teo’s golden eyes were shining.

“…”

“Future plans. We need to make them, right?”

“…”

“You should also think about our mother who is alone.”

Teo bowed his head with a smile.

“Then, see you at the duel arena. Think carefully about what it means.”

Shartia shouted loudly at Teo who was leaving.

“…Brother.”

Because it was unfair.

It was true that I coveted the throne, but I struggled to survive. I was furious at the sight of you, who had only enjoyed life until now, suddenly revealing your desire for the throne.

“You… weren’t interested in the throne.”

“…Hmm?”

“You said so when we were young. You didn’t want to be king, so you asked me to make you a rich man if I became the emperor.”

“Ah…”

Teo whispered to Shartia with cold eyes.

“I want to sit on the throne now.”

“What…?”

“I found something I want.”

Teo’s gaze was directed at Yuria, who was visible outside the arena.

“I have a competitor.”

Teo said to Shartia.

“And you know, Shartia.”

“…”

“It’s not polite for a b*stard to call a royal ‘brother’.”

“…!!!”

“Watch your mouth.”

Tae-oh was slowly leaving the waiting room with a small smile, leaving Shartia in extreme tension.

-Click.

The mood sinks.

-Click.

The painful past that Elysia had shown felt like it was burning again, as if looking in a mirror.

A feeling like it was going to break.

Shartia, who bowed her head in the pain of the cracks forming in the fortress she had built up so firmly, began to feel solemn, thinking she was alone.

She spoke to herself.

‘It’s okay.’

Shartia said there was no need to struggle, as she had always been treated this way until now.

But.

Shartia’s heart, having seen Tae-oh’s face, who had always treated her with a mask of laughter over a long period, was not easily calming down.

At the moment when the words she didn’t want to hear came out of Tae-oh’s mouth as he walked out the door.

“I’ll set you up with a decent guy soon. Pick one.”

“…”

“An arranged marriage is fine, right?”

“…”

“If you want to stay in the palace, you’d better choose quickly.”

Shartia’s heart began to be consumed by the emotion of fear.

It was then.

-Screech.

“That’s nonsense.”

Someone appeared, insulting the royalty with a familiar voice.

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The light leaking through the open door dyed the man’s hair red.

Tae-oh, seeing the man’s face, also showed a displeased expression, twitching his eyebrows.

“What did you say to the royalty?”

The man standing at the door also showed a bright smile, as if he liked Tae-oh’s expression.

“Crown Prince.”

“…”

“You’re not the Emperor yet, are you?”

“…”

“Are you planning to run the empire alone?”

It was Ricardo.

“Your arrogance is sky-high. Is it because you have a reliable father?”

“Shut up.”

“Sorry, I can’t help it since I have a mouth.”

The strangest man he knew.

Ricardo looked down at the Crown Prince and spoke, a cold smile on his lips.

“Do you have a wide network?”

“…”

“I do too.”

He began to mock the man no one could treat carelessly.