The Villain’s Ending

Chapter 26

Coloring (8)

The next day at noon, Seraphina came.

Her face looked somewhat weary.

Like someone who hadn't slept a wink all night.

A clumsy bandage was wrapped around her finger.

The very finger she had crushed in the door crack last night.

We boarded the carriage without a word.

I took a seat by the window.

Seraphina sat opposite me.

Clatter.The carriage began to move.

Familiar scenery flashed past the window.

I silently took in those sights.

It felt like watching a very old black and white film.

A faded, silent reel.

Only silence flowed within the carriage.

Only the rhythmic sounds of hooves and rolling wheels could be heard.

It was an awkward silence.

But no one tried to break it first.

I looked out the window, and she was looking at me.

Even without turning my head, I could feel her gaze.

How much time had passed?

It was when the carriage had completely left the academy grounds and was on the road leading to the mansion.

"Uhm..."

Seraphina opened her mouth first.

Her voice trembled very slightly.

"I wonder if that bakery is still there."

Her gaze was fixed on a certain spot outside the window.

A small, old shop on the street corner.

In Lavin's memories, that shop existed.

As children, we sometimes used to stop there.

The savory smell of freshly baked bread, sweet pastries dusted with sugar.

Seraphina always chose bread generously filled with cream, and Lavin liked cookies with chocolate chips.

"I wonder. If it's still there."

I replied indifferently.

As if talking about someone else's story.

"...Do you remember when you got mad because I ate all your chocolate cookies back then?"

She said with a faint smile.

"When did I ever?"

"You did. At first, I thought they were mine and ate them, but then you made a fuss and even took my cream bun."

"I don't remember."

That day vividly came to mind.

Perhaps it was a happy memory for Lavin.

A warm, sunny afternoon, young Seraphina and Lavin sitting side by side on a bench in front of the shop.

"...Right."

A hint of disappointment was in Seraphina's voice.

Instead of answering, I turned my gaze back to the window.

Familiar streets flashed past.

Everything was exactly as I remembered.

But we were no longer in that scenery.

And never would be again.

"That's the way to the reservoir,"

I murmured quietly.

A narrow side path leading to the forest was visible.

"Yeah. After it rained, there used to be so many frogs."

Seraphina chimed in.

Her voice was more lively than a moment ago.

It was probably a good memory.

"Once, you caught a frog and threw it at me.

I really thought I was going to faint then."

"...I did that?"

She was smiling.

But her laughter sounded somewhat hollow.

Like an echo in an empty room.

As I listened to her words, I imagined it.

The image of young Lavin throwing a frog and smiling annoyingly.

It didn't come to mind easily.

Because there were no photos, nor any memories of young Lavin looking into a mirror.

The carriage slowed down.

It seemed we had reached the entrance of the village.

The boisterous sounds of people could be heard.

Fruit vendors, the laughter of clown children doing tricks in the street.

Everything was vibrant.

"Over there, that general store."

Seraphina pointed out the window with her finger.

Her finger was still bandaged.

It was awkwardly wrapped and had come a little loose.

As I stared blankly at her finger, my eyes met Seraphina's.

She then stopped what she was saying and quickly lowered her head.

As if to hide it, she covered her bandaged hand with her other hand.

Not long after, the carriage passed through a massive iron gate.

A well-maintained garden came into view.

We alighted from the carriage without a word.

The butler was waiting for us.

"Miss Levina is waiting in the drawing-room."

The butler said concisely.

He led us down the corridor.

Footsteps echoed rhythmically on the marble floor.

At the end of the corridor, the butler stopped before a large door.

"Miss Seraphina, please wait in the guest room for a moment.

The Count will also arrive shortly."

"...Am I going alone?"

"The Young Head wishes to speak with Sir Lavin first."

The butler said to me, then opened the drawing-room door.

Seraphina nodded silently.

She followed a maid, whom the butler had assigned, and disappeared down another corridor.

Her retreating figure somehow looked small.

Levina stood by the window.

With her back turned, she was looking out the window.

It seemed she was looking at the roses in the garden.

"You're here?"

Levina said without turning around.

"Sit."

I sat on the sofa she indicated.

The plush leather sofa enveloped my body.

"Why did you specifically want to see me first?"

"Because I have something to say to you separately."

Levina replied briefly.

Only then did she turn her body.

Her expression was not clearly visible due to the backlight.

"The annulment of the engagement is a matter between families.

There's no place for you to interfere.

Just sit and wait for everything to conclude.

The same goes for Seraphina. Don't open your mouth, just sit there."

She spoke in her usual commanding tone.

"All you have to do is follow orders."

I didn't answer.

Levina tossed a few documents onto the table.

"These are the topics to be discussed today.

There will be no disadvantages for Seraphina's side.

Since this is an annulment by mutual agreement.

You will be thrown out penniless, and you will no longer be a member of this family.

As I said before, this will be your last day bearing the Edelgard surname."

There was no tremor in her voice.

As if she were summarizing someone else's life.

Knock, knock.

At that moment, there was a knock on the door.

It was the butler.

"The Count has arrived."

Levina nodded.

"Ah, yes. I'll be right there.

Did you hear? Lavin, follow me."

Levina then led me down the corridor, saying as if incidentally.

"Oh, right. Even after Seraphina and the Count leave, please stay for a bit. I have something to tell you."

When the door opened, a middle-aged man rising from his seat came into view.

It was Seraphina's father, Count Belluz.

He didn't resemble his daughter at all.

Sharp eyes, greedy-looking lips.

Greasy hair and shiny skin.

He didn't make a particularly favorable impression.

He scanned the room once, then gave a slight bow to Levina.

"It's been a long time, Edelgard Young Head"

"Yes, it has been a long time."

The two exchanged formal greetings.

Levina took the head seat, and Seraphina sat opposite me, beside her father.

His gaze rested on me for a moment, then quickly shifted to Levina.

The discussion about the annulment proceeded more simply than expected.

Based on the documents prepared by Levina, the two individuals reached an agreement without any particular disagreements.

All while the actual parties involved couldn't open their mouths even once.

"Then, please sign these documents.

Everything we've just discussed has been written down."

Levina said.

She picked up a pen and wrote her name at the very bottom of the document.

It was a graceful and strong handwriting.

Next was the Count.

He received the pen Levina offered him with a satisfied smile.

And signed without hesitation.

Finally, the document was handed to Seraphina.

She grasped the pen with a trembling hand.

She hesitated for a long time.

"Seraphina."

The Count called his daughter's name in a low voice.

A gentle pressure was in that voice.

"...Father, I..."

Seraphina tried to say something.

Her eyes were wavering.

"Perhaps, could we postpone this annulment for a moment...?"

"Miss Seraphina."

This time, Levina cut her off.

Her voice was cold.

"This matter has already been agreed upon."

"It must be a moment of confusion. Young Head.

This child has struggled for a long time because of her relationship with Lavin."

The Count said with a smile.

He put his arm around Seraphina's shoulder.

At least on the surface, he looked like a loving father.

"Seraphina, you, your mother, and I have all struggled immensely, haven't we?

This is the path for you.

This might be your last chance, and our daughter won't disappoint her family, will she?"

At those words, Seraphina's shoulders subtly flinched.

She lowered her head.

She said nothing more.

She merely picked up the pen and wrote her name.

Her handwriting was severely shaky.

The moment she put down the pen, my relationship with her vanished along with that single sheet of paper.

Simple to the point of being hollow.

She stared blankly at me.

I turned my gaze away, as I didn't particularly want to meet her eyes.

Next was my turn.

I picked up the pen without any hesitation.

Next to Levina's name, I wrote my own.

"I will send them to you directly through a messenger later."

She said to the Count.

Then she stood up and saw them off.

The Count and Seraphina left the drawing-room.

I didn't get up.

I was looking at the empty table.

Not long after, Levina returned.

She sat on the sofa opposite me.

"You've lost everything."

"Thanks to you."

"You'll have dinner with Father, just the two of you.

There's no right of refusal, so be aware of that. Rest.

If you need anything, tell the servants."

How very kind.

I wanted to utter the words, but my mouth wouldn't open.

Feeling tired, I fumbled through my pocket for a cigarette, then remembered I had left them in my room, and just sighed.