A Korean Office Worker Who Became a Nuisance Villainess in a Zombie Story - Chapter 139

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

My younger sibling shoved me and fled.
Pushed by my own blood, my ankle swelled, and my head nearly struck a jagged stone jutting from the ground.
It was hardly a display I’d wish to show anyone with pride.
I was almost grateful that Cyprus stood beside me at that moment.
‘I’d thought that even an enemy of a sibling, being alive was better than becoming a zombie.’
But in that state—gambling-addled, unable to distinguish heaven from earth—what difference was there from a zombie?
“…The inability to choose one’s family by will often becomes the seed of misfortune for many people.”
I said only that much and sealed my lips shut.
Seeing my reaction, Cyprus changed his question.
“What if Praha had witnessed what I saw today?”
“…Then I’d already be dead from shame.”
“Is what I saw not equally shameful?”
Cyprus’s face remained composed as he posed the question—why wasn’t he dead yet?
Only then did I realize Cyprus was kneeling on one knee before me, despite a perfectly good chair being available.
He gazed up at me from the same posture he’d held while examining my ankle.
Asking what the difference was between Praha and himself.
Was this really what mattered?
I obediently rotated my ankle as instructed and answered honestly.
“Your Highness seeing it would certainly be shameful too. But…you’ve already witnessed so many embarrassing moments of mine. This is hardly anything special in comparison.”
“Exactly. I’ve seen every side of you that Praha doesn’t know.”
“That’s right. Since childhood, I’ve shown you every sight worth and unworthy of seeing.”
I’d thrust myself forward recklessly, confessed while weeping, and been soundly rejected.
What Pochacha now insists upon regarding grooming rituals is nothing compared to what I’ve done. I was far worse.
And that wasn’t all.
When I, starving at home, was caught stealing bread at the Ball and being beaten by my mother, it was Cyprus who sighed and rescued me.
It was Cyprus who brought me to his house, prepared food for me, and stepped aside, telling me to eat comfortably.
‘He was kind then. Even while hating me.’
It’s not as if I’d lost my mind over a complete trash of a man without reason.
There were reasons on my end too.
The fact that I brought Cyprus instead of Praha to search for Aspara today was partly influenced by this history.
Cyprus knows my past.
So no matter what Aspara did, no matter what state I found myself in, I calculated that I’d feel less shame before Cyprus.
If Aspara had shoved me and disappeared before Praha…
“Sigh.”
As I shook my head, Cyprus confirmed it.
“So you have no desire to look good in front of me.”
“…If I’m being honest, that’s right.”
“Unlike with Praha.”
“That’s…right.”
“To you, I’m someone you can treat carelessly.”
“I didn’t mean it quite that far.”
“But it’s true, isn’t it? You don’t need to look good, don’t need to save face. You can show me all the ugly, all the bad. You can cry, you can rage.”
Cyprus laughed as he said this.
With genuine delight.
“Please treat me that way from now on.”
“…What do you mean?”
“I’m saying you can wound me, treat me however you like, use me and discard me as you please—just let me stay by your side.”
“…”
“I’m telling you to add me to your list of choices, because I’ll become like a trash bin where you can throw away every feeling, real or imagined.”
“…”
“You don’t even have to choose me. Just know that I exist within reach whenever you extend your hand. It doesn’t matter how you use me after you pick me.”
Cyprus, who had been wearing a golden chain around his body until now, pressed its end into my hand.
He smiled with one eye closed, as if entrusting his own leash to me.
“Say yes quickly. It’s not every day you get the chance to treat a man as charming as me like garbage.”
I stared blankly at the golden chain in my palm.
When I looked up, Cyprus was still smiling with that characteristic confidence, as if everything he’d just said was merely an extension of his usual jokes.
…But from his hand gripping my ankle, cold and sticky sweat was seeping through.
Were these words Cyprus’s true feelings?
If so, why was he telling me this?
There had been no particular catalyst between us.
Or had all those things he’d thrown at me as jokes until now actually been sincere?
‘…I have no idea.’
I had never clearly understood Cyprus’s thoughts even once.
But if what he’s saying now is his true heart, then there’s something I need to clarify first.
I gripped the chain in my hand and pulled hard.
Cyprus stumbled forward with a low cough, and I spoke to him.
“Listen, Grand Duke.”
“…”
“If you’re going to say something like that to me, don’t you think you should first clearly explain what feelings you’ve held toward me all this time, and why you held them?”
“…”
“You hated me from childhood. I didn’t know it then, but I know now. Your hatred was too intense to be merely because of my personality. Why was that?”
“…”
“Until that’s clarified, I won’t move forward. It means I won’t ask you, ‘Why did you suddenly start liking me?'”
“…”
“Why did you hate me, Cyprus?”
I asked, ready to kick him in the chest if he tried to dodge with nonsense again.
Cyprus kept his eyes lowered and didn’t answer.
Just as I was about to give up waiting and stand, his voice finally came.
“That would be difficult to explain.”
“Why?”
“I want to make a good impression on you.”
“…What?”
“Unlike you, who has no interest in impressing me, I want to look good in your eyes.”
Cyprus said that he wouldn’t willingly expose his own weaknesses like that.
“Is guarding that secret more important to you than having me seriously consider your feelings?”
“Maybe.”
“What on earth is it? …No, you said you wouldn’t tell. Is it that much of a secret? What will you do if I figure it out myself?”
“Then I’d be embarrassed. Hundreds of times more than you are now.”
“What is it exactly…. Did you seriously date our mother or something?”
“That’s not it.”
“….”
“I’m sorry.”
Cyprus looked up at me with my mouth shut and rubbed his cheek against my knee. I started to place my hand on his head to stop him, but instead just ruffled his hair once.
I really couldn’t understand this at all….
“I don’t need a trash can. I’ll handle my own garbage myself.”
“Then let’s be friends. A comfortable friend who’s handsome, capable, and devoted.”
“Huh. Isn’t that better?”
Look at how quickly he switched tactics.
“…Is that enough?”
“For now.”
“What do you mean ‘for now’….”
I pressed my hand against Cyprus’s shoulder, telling him to get up already.
As I stood and rotated my ankle, fortunately it was fine.
Mocha, who had gone out to scout the surroundings, returned right on cue.
“I think we’ve shaken them off!”
“….”
“….”
“What’s with the atmosphere? Did you two kiss while I was gone?”
“Yeah.”
“No, we didn’t!”
Cyprus laughed and stood up, stretching languidly. Looking down at me, he suddenly spoke.
“So, like a comfortable friend, should we talk about something practical?”
“What?”
“According to Imperial law, if a noble has clear grounds for disqualification, you can strip them of their heir status.”
“That’s….”
“If you want to inherit the Grand Duke title, I’ll testify as a witness.”
“….”
“So there’s no need to be embarrassed about what happened today. No need to be sad either. It’s not your fault. This is actually an opportunity.”
So let’s seize this opportunity together with excitement, Cyprus urged, saying wouldn’t it be cool to be called “Your Grace”?
Even though he himself looked like he’d snap Aspara’s neck if he saw him again.
“That’s great!”
Mocha clapped without even knowing what it was.
On the way back to the castle, Cyprus bought ice cream for Mocha and me. It was my favorite flavor—rich milk ice cream with grated chocolate sprinkled on top.
“Does it taste good?”
“Yeah.”
“Good thing. I had no idea there’d be an ice cream shop in the Entertainment District.”
“Drunk people always crave ice cream.”
I’m certain that ice cream is the second-best-selling item at convenience stores in front of bars, right after hangover remedies.
As I bit into the cookie that was holding up the ice cream, crumbs scattered everywhere.
If Cyprus hadn’t quickly caught them with his hand, they would have gotten on my clothes.
Cyprus praised himself, saying he was truly the best.
“Look, what exactly does Praha have that’s better than me?”
“Well…”
“You know what? He doesn’t even wear clothes when he sleeps. His sleeping habits are so bad that he’s hugged pillows and torn them apart. And when he wakes up thirsty, he just throws on pants without any underwear and walks around half-naked. Meanwhile, I’m always perfect. Even when I wake up from sleep, the scent of perfume lingers in my hair, and every single button on my pajamas is fastened.”
“Liar.”
You were wearing nothing but a robe when I woke up after passing out in Promé.
“It’s true! What exactly does he have that’s better than me!”
“…Well, Praha…”
“What about him?”
“He doesn’t talk as much as you do.”
“Ouch.”
Cyprus clutched his chest and collapsed to the ground.
“I’m hurt. I’m not going.”
“Ugh.”
I lightly slapped his forearm, telling him to get up.
That’s when it happened.
“It seems you’ve grown quite close to Cyprus.”
A cold voice cut through the air.
Praha stood leaning against a streetlamp, his arms crossed as he looked down at us.
[Sodom City]
-Yusara, Praha, Cyprus, Mocha (Alive)
[Sodom City]
Yusara, Praha, Cyprus, Mocha (Alive)

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————