The Villainess Whom I Had Served for 13 Years Has Fallen - Chapter 360



360 – Wolfgang and Desmond -1-

Late at night.

A loud roar echoed through Shartia’s office, shrouded in darkness.

“That idiot…!”

Shartia’s voice, resonating through the room, was filled with great anger. Shartia, who rarely showed anger even in the face of significant matters, couldn’t let this one slide.

“Why is he showing interest in the West…!”

Shartia was furious.

Because she had received information that the Crown Prince had made contact with Wolfgang.

“Why is he interested in that power-hungry b*stard…”

Wolfgang ‘Louis’ was a man obsessed with power. He was a noble who would stop at nothing for the sake of power.

Every noble has a ‘line’ they do not cross.

Even Desmond walked this ‘line’, and the Empire’s sword, Histania, never crossed it either.

Maintaining dignity.

Serving the Empire.

And upholding the honor of the nobility. But the Marquis of Wolfgang did not adhere to this ‘line’. He would do anything for power.

The history of the Marquis of Wolfgang was unique.

The name ‘Wolfgang’ started as a merchant, bought a title from a fallen noble, gradually expanded his influence, and eventually reached the high rank of Marquis.

Compared to other nobles, it was a family with neither history nor tradition. Yes, the Wolfgang family had a history that made them hungry for power. They lived with the constant insult of being called ‘fake nobles’ by other nobles.

– Crack.

Therefore, it was a family that would do anything to grasp power, even if it meant killing their own kin, as long as they could prove it…

– Bang!

Clenching her fist, Shartia gritted her teeth as she thought of the Crown Prince’s face.

“That idiot…”

“…”

“He has joined hands with Wolfgang…”

“…”

“Sigh…”

“…You must not waver, Your Highness.”

Shartia’s subordinate, who delivered the news, bowed his head. He wore a black hood that covered him down to his legs, pulled deeply over his head.

“We have received information that the Crown Prince’s close aide and Wolfgang Louis met secretly.”

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“In the west, right?”

“Yes.”

“The reason is obvious without even looking.”

Shartia interrupted her subordinate’s words and muttered her thoughts quietly. ‘They must have asked for help to subdue the beast.’

Hearing Shartia’s words, the subordinate nodded and replied.

“Wolfgang’s response was positive.”

“Of course, it would be. The next emperor extended his hand first.”

“…”

“How happy they must be. There was already trouble between Desmond and Wolfgang, and now they have a breathing space.”

An idiot who can’t tell the difference between dung and chocolate…

What’s the use of having eyes that can distinguish the truth if you can’t even tell the difference between people wearing masks?

Lost in complicated thoughts, Shartia moistened her dry throat.

“…Damn it.”

She should have realized she was unqualified from the moment she started wandering outside.

“No matter how much you dislike Desmond, Wolfgang is not the answer. There are so many nobles who would side with you.”

“…That’s why the princess must become the emperor.”

“Are you saying we should empower the information guild after becoming the emperor?”

“…Haha. Just seeing the princess’s name is an honor for us. You always reward us generously.”

“…Just keep your mouth shut.”

“Of course.”

Shartia couldn’t understand the crown prince’s decision to extend his hand to the family that was the most talked about among the nobles. If he had no connections, he could have reached out to Histania.

The thought of the crown prince leisurely attending the academy while bringing Wolfgang into the capital, not knowing what dangers might arise, made her even more furious.

“Sigh…”

That’s what was happening in the west.

The disappearance of high-ranking nobles, assassinations, and other unsettling events were all linked to the Wolfgang family.

Moreover,

Even drugs and slaves that nobles should never touch.

“…”

Shartia rubbed her sleepy eyes and quickly approached the desk. She rummaged through the numerous documents on the shelf, looking for information about Wolfgang.

[About the Western Region.]

[Western Character Relationships.]

[The History and True Face of the Wolfgang Family.]

[Imperial Nobility Relationships.]

“…Where is it.”

As the document sticking out between numerous papers caught Shartia’s elbow, the fluttering papers fell to the floor, gently brushing past Shartia’s eyes.

“…Oh.”

[The Whereabouts of Wolfgang Louis.]

“Found it.”

*

-Clop. Clop.

A carriage gilded in gold is racing towards the capital.

The massive carriage, so grand that it could be mistaken for carrying royalty, was drawing the attention of many and exuding majesty.

“Hyah…!”

The horse leading the carriage was a magnificent steed with beautifully grown black mane, and the coachman was also dressed in the finest attire that imperial nobles would wear.

The man inside the carriage, with his arms crossed, asked the coachman in a cold voice.

“How much longer to the imperial palace?”

“We’ll arrive in about 20 minutes if we keep going.”

“Then go a bit slower. I want to take in the sights of the capital.”

“Yes, understood, Master.”

Hearing the formal reply from the coachman, the man drew back the curtain and looked at the scenery outside.

“…It’s towering.”

He wasn’t referring to the height of the buildings.

His gaze was fixed on the towering imperial palace. As if the place he desired was the imperial palace itself. With a meaningful smile, the man let out a long breath.

“Butler.”

“Yes, Master.”

“I heard there was some unpleasantness in the capital recently.”

“…”

“They said there was a conflict with Desmond…”

The butler only bowed his head in silence at the man’s question. It was enough of a disqualification for a butler to tarnish the family’s name. Especially with the Duke of Desmond, a grand noble.

“I’m sorry.”

Even if his honor had fallen to the bottom because of his child, the duke was still a duke. Moreover, the name Desmond was something no one could ignore.

The only words a person of low status could say to their master were “I’m sorry.”

The man frowned and looked out the window.

“Desmond has started to pressure the family because of this incident.”

“…”

“The merchants who had friendly relations with Wolfgang have also left in large numbers.”

“I’m sorry. I have no excuse.”

The man calmly expressed his thoughts without even glancing at the butler.

“You do understand what it means for me to allow you to accompany me, don’t you?”

“…I consider it an infinite honor. The head of the Wolfgang family, the heart of the empire, has given a lowly servant the opportunity to sit with him.”

“I like your answer. If it weren’t for that mouth of yours, you wouldn’t be here right now.”

The butler bowed his head in silence at the man’s words. If the answer had not been satisfactory, he would not have remained alive.

The butler placed his hand on his chest and did his best to answer without offending the man.

“…It is an honor that my humble mouth can bring joy to the master.”

Wolfgang Louis nodded with a satisfied smile.

“I’ll let this matter slide, considering the time you’ve served the family.”

“Thank you! I, Rude…! I will work hard to ensure that the glorious name of Wolfgang is not tarnished.”

“Yes… yes… then…”

The man smiled faintly as he looked at the huge mansion beyond the window.

“There is one thing I want you to do.”

The man let out a cold sigh as he looked at the mansion, which was too large to be considered the property of an ordinary noble in the capital, and which openly displayed the family’s prestige.

“I want you to bring Desmond’s butler before me.”

“That is…!”

“Why not?”

“…”

“It’s something you can do. That butler’s backing isn’t that great either.”

“But master…! That man!”

“Why not?”

“That man has served the Desmond princess for a long time.”

“Are you afraid of Desmond…?”

“No…!”

“Does Desmond feel heavier than Wolfgang?”

“N…No!”

Wolfgang Louis grabbed the trembling butler’s shoulder and opened his cold eyes.

“You’ve tarnished the family’s honor.”

“…”

“To a mere commoner. And to a commoner without parents, no less. Don’t you think we must repay the disgrace brought upon the family’s honor?”

“…I will follow the master’s orders.”

Louis leaned back against the carriage with a satisfied smile.

“I’ll be expecting it, butler.”

Someday.

With a vow to bring down that mansion. He looked at the Desmond mansion outside the window.

And at that moment.

-Whinny!!!

-Thud!!

The carriage shook violently, causing Louis’s body to jolt.

Annoyed by the sudden shock, Louis frowned and looked at the coachman’s seat.

“What is going on?”

In front of the coachman’s seat stood a man and a woman. Blocking the carriage completely.

“I’m sorry. Someone suddenly blocked the road… I’ll resolve it quickly.”

“…Hmm.”

Judging by the appearance of the person blocking the road, they seemed to be nobles. Their faces were blurry, but their clothing was far beyond the level of commoners.

“Not a good sight.”

The coachman shouted angrily at the people blocking the road.

“Move!”

Louis’s expression twisted at the coachman’s loud voice. There was no trace of noble dignity.

“Butler.”

“Yes.”

“Find a new coachman as soon as we arrive.”

“Understood.”

Replacing it with something new was enough.

It was when Louis’s mood became uncomfortable due to the delayed time.

“Abby.”

Louis felt a chill down his spine.

‘…’

As if he had touched someone he shouldn’t have, Louis trembled as he looked at the coachman’s seat.

‘Wait a moment…’

White hair.

A middle-aged man holding a cane.

And this place is…

‘Damn…!’

In front of the Desmond mansion.

Wolfgang Louis thought.

It seemed that things had gone terribly wrong.

The family with nothing to lose in the empire had blocked Wolfgang’s path.