I’ll Become a Villainess That Will Go Down in History

“Only time will tell, I guess.”

This was his real intention.

It was true that we may have done something to cause unrest among the people. But both Duke and I were prepared to take responsibility if people in the impoverished village misbehaved in any way.

And then there were Nate and Rebecca. They would never hurt an innocent person, and I was certain that they were stronger than anyone else in the village. The other reason was that they had been hurt by people, even when they had been innocent.

They understood that pain better than anyone else.

“…Well, that’s a good point.”

Saying so, I accepted a paper bag containing three different plants from Paul. There was a smell that made my nose twitch a little.

This pungent smell…I wonder if it’s Tolchis.

“Are you feeling sick?”

Paul asked me in a disinterested manner. I was surprised by the sudden question.

I thought he didn’t want to talk to me anymore.

I replied in a weak voice, saying, “Yeah, I guess” as I thought about Gramps.

I had always hated to admit it, but the reality was that even if I could develop a drug, it would only slow down the progression of the disease. Given how far the disease had advanced, it would be difficult to cure Spotted Disease.

Paul then responded, perhaps trying to comfort me, as I suddenly looked like I had lost confidence in myself.

“I hope you can save that person.”

His voice was calm and gentle.

“Thank you. …Oh, the money.”

“I don’t want it. I don’t want to take money from the people of the impoverished village.”

As thorny as it sounded, Paul knew that I had money now. I was being taken care of by the Williams family, one of the Five Great Noble Families, after all.

Paul liked money, especially when he could afford to earn more. That’s why he also worked as an informant.

…I was sure he meant well this time.

I stared at the paper bag I was clutching.

“I owe you one.”

“You don’t have to pay me back, just go.”

I thanked Paul again for his kindness and left.

I got in the carriage and hurried home. While I was in the carriage, I was restless because I wanted to start my research immediately.

For some reason, I felt that the carriage was moving slower than usual.

There was no point in being in a hurry now, I told myself as I looked out the window in a daze.

I saw a beautifully blooming flower garden. The flowers shining in the sun looked golden. A gentle breeze blew, and the flowers swayed gently in unison.

“Alicia, they are beautiful.”

I realized it after I had said that.

It had been a while since she left and I still thought that I had Alicia next to me. I sometimes felt lonely at moments like this.

Although I didn’t know my parents, Gramps and Alicia treated me with the same warmth as my family. Without them, I would have never recovered.

Maybe I should be more mature now that I am twelve. But I couldn’t lie to my heart. I tried to act tough, but somewhere in my heart, there was a part of me that felt lonely all the time.

I never received a letter from Alicia. I knew that she was still alive, but I haven’t heard from her, so I feel anxious and my heart aches.

I wish there was a device that would allow me to contact anyone anywhere in the world…. I wish for such an impossible and ridiculous thing.

Looking at the flower with the color of Alicia’s eyes, I muttered to myself so that no one would ever hear.

“Hey Alicia, what are you looking at right now?”