I’m a Villain, but I Want to Live a Long Life - Chapter 74

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

“Selene!”

 

I watched Estelin and Eria sisters hurrying toward me from across the hall.

 

Since our assigned seats were far apart, this was the first time I was seeing their faces since the event began.

 

“We saw you talking with Father Michael earlier.”

 

Estelin said while glancing at the people receiving blessings around me. Then Eria spotted something and exclaimed.

 

“Wow! How many tickets are all these?”

 

Eria was peering into the glass box containing all the tickets I had received so far.

 

There were already dozens of tickets piled up inside the box.

 

They were all obtained by showing the Pinchels’ blessings to the visitors.

 

“I’ve received quite a lot, haven’t I? Well…”

 

“Lady Tigris!”

 

Just then, a lady who had just received a blessing from the Pinchels approached. She smiled and extended her hand.

 

“I never expected to have such a special experience at a charity event! Thank you so much. Thanks to you, Lady… I was able to see the face of my husband who passed away long ago.”

 

I was momentarily flustered but soon nodded. Looking closely, I could see the lady’s eyes were moist.

 

‘The lady missed her husband so much that the Pinchels showed her his appearance.’

 

I quickly took the lady’s hand and said.

 

“Not at all. I’m happy that you were satisfied.”

 

“So modest too… Please take this. I’d like to give you ten or twenty tickets if I could, but unfortunately they said each person can only purchase one ticket.”

 

I looked at the blue paper the lady pressed into my hand. That small paper decorated with gold leaf borders was a ticket for this charity event.

 

“Thank you so much!”

 

When I answered with a smile, the lady smiled brightly and shook her head.

 

“No need to thank me. I hope you win, Lady. If House Tigris takes the charity event trophy following the gladiator event, that would be truly amazing.”

 

I nodded vigorously at her warm words of encouragement. The lady looked at me once more with kind eyes before walking away.

 

Estelin, who had been watching, said.

 

“Congratulations, Selene. Even though this is your first charity event, you’re doing so wonderfully that I’m happy for you.”

 

I smiled proudly as I put the ticket I received from the lady into the glass box.

 

“That’s right. I’m relieved that people’s reactions are better than expected. By the way, Estelin…”

 

But as I was speaking while looking at Estelin, I froze. Her expression looked somewhat dejected.

 

‘She has something she wants to say to me.’

 

Estelin had a somewhat timid side, and she would make that pitiful expression when she needed to ask for something or had a request.

 

It wasn’t an intentional expression, but seemed to come from her concern about whether she might make others uncomfortable.

 

‘…Being too kind is also a problem.’

 

I chuckled and approached Estelin, opening my mouth.

 

“Estelin, is something wrong?”

 

Estelin hesitated and glanced at Eria.

 

“Well…”

 

“What is it? It’s fine, so tell me.”

 

“Actually, Eria and I would also like to receive a blessing… but since I’m a participant, I only have one ticket.”

 

My eyes widened. Estelin, who was watching me, lowered her gaze.

 

“The thing is, watching for a while, everyone with the blessings…”

 

I closed my mouth, thinking I knew what Estelin was trying to say.

 

Like the lady from earlier, and my father too.

 

They were happy to see deceased family members or lovers through the Pinchels’ blessings.

 

‘Estelin and Eria also wanted to receive a blessing because they miss their mother.’

 

But since Estelin was a participant in the event and couldn’t purchase tickets, she felt sorry about it and hesitated to ask me.

 

“…Estelin. Really, why are you like this?”

 

When I spoke in a rather serious voice, Estelin looked up in surprise.

 

Then she immediately waved her hands and muttered in a flustered voice.

 

“S-sorry! That was too shameless of me, wasn’t it? I shouldn’t have…”

 

“That’s right. I’m really hurt.”

 

When I cut her off, Estelin shut her mouth. Soon her honey-colored eyes filled with bewilderment.

 

“Ah… I’m really sorry, Selene. It’s not like that…”

 

“What exactly do you think our relationship is, Estelin?”

 

“Pardon?”

 

Estelin looked up at me in surprise.

 

“If it’s Estelin, I’d even break my savings account… no, I’d lend you the money in my vault.”

 

“…”

 

“Of course, Estelin would never need to borrow money from me, but anyway, that’s how much I trust you.”

 

Estelin’s eyes widened. I continued speaking.

 

“Do I look like someone who would demand tickets from Estelin and Eria?”

 

When I deliberately narrowed my eyes, Estelin quickly shook her head.

 

“N-no! I just…”

 

Eria was covering her mouth with one hand and giggling beside us. I made eye contact with Eria and smiled secretly, then spoke sternly.

 

“Have I been the only one thinking of Estelin as a friend all this time?”

 

“N-no! I just… everyone was receiving Pinchel blessings and giving Selene tickets, so I thought I should do the same…”

 

Estelin’s voice dropped. Watching her, I relaxed my expression and grabbed her shoulders.

 

“Why are you afraid to ask me for something? We’re close enough to ask favors of each other.”

 

Estelin’s eyes gradually filled with emotion. I smiled at the sight.

 

During the first few days after possessing Selene’s body, I had to endure people’s harsh words even while just walking down the street.

 

Things like ‘troublemaker lady’ or ‘the demon of brutal Tigris’ were such words.

 

No matter how much I had experienced in life, honestly, such blatant insults never became familiar no matter how often I heard them.

 

However.

 

‘Selene! Over here, how have you been?’

 

Estelin would approach me naturally every time as if nothing was wrong.

 

Even at the tea party Meg Cline hosted, she stayed by my side the entire time. Not leaving for even a moment.

 

Estelin didn’t say anything, but I knew why she acted that way.

 

‘She deliberately protected me so I wouldn’t be attacked anymore.’

 

That wasn’t all.

 

‘According to the spy we have in House Belmart, Duke Laurent stood up for you at today’s Council of Nobles.’

 

‘Duke Laurent?’

 

‘Yes. When Duke Belmart credited Ansun with developing the Tears of God and belittled your abilities, Duke Laurent stepped forward and gave him a sharp rebuke. Thanks to that, Duke Belmart was furious.’

 

Estelin’s entire family, including her, was favorable toward me.

 

‘Honestly, it’s so reassuring.’

 

In this world where I had no connections, to have people who weren’t even family treat me so warmly.

 

It felt like I had gained friends I never really had even in my previous life.

 

“We’re friends, aren’t we? Right?”

 

When I linked arms with Estelin and asked, she nodded with a moved smile.

 

“…Of course, Selene is my most precious friend. And you’re also my first friend. These days I’m really… happy because it feels like we’ve returned to the past.”

 

I tilted my head.

 

“First friend?”

 

“Oh, Selene might not remember. We were very young back then.”

 

“Are you saying we’ve known each other since we were children?”

 

Estelin nodded. I was so surprised that I opened my mouth slightly.

 

The story of Selene and Estelin being childhood friends wasn’t mentioned anywhere in the novel.

 

Selene only appeared as a villain who hated Estelin to death.

 

“When exactly was that?”

 

“Until Mother passed away… It was quite a long time ago. Why, back then our mother and Duchess Tigris were close friends. Our fathers too.”

 

At those words, I forgot that Estelin was watching and hardened my expression coldly.

 

‘This is different from the novel I know… Even if things changed because I intervened, the future would change, not the past.’

 

A certain thought suddenly came to mind.

 

Could this have been it?

 

The reason the Temple tried to drive apart House Laurent and our family in the original story.

 

Because the two families were originally so close, they wanted to split that intimate relationship?

 

“Selene. Are you alright?”

 

Lost in thought, I was startled when Estelin wrapped her hands around mine and turned my gaze.

 

Estelin was looking at me with worried eyes, gently stroking my fist that was clenched tight enough to draw blood.

 

“What’s wrong? Are you hurt somewhere?”

 

“Oh, no. I was just thinking about something else for a moment…”

 

I tried to smile as I spoke.

 

But my pounding heart wouldn’t calm down easily.

 

It was strange.

 

‘Why am I getting so excessively angry?’

 

Nothing was certain yet, and even if there was something, it would just be the Temple being despicable.

 

I’m not even the real Selene.

 

‘Could it be that Selene and I are becoming synchronized?’

 

If that were the case, it would make sense for my body to react to emotions the real Selene would have felt.

 

‘…Let’s think about it later.’

 

Other things take priority right now.

 

I quickly smiled again and looked at Estelin.

 

“Anyway, don’t worry about the blessing.”

 

Then one of the Pinchels fluttered over and circled around between Estelin and Eria.

 

“The ticket is naturally fine too.”

 

As soon as I finished speaking, the Pinchel flew above Estelin’s forehead and emitted a faint light.

 

“Oh my.”

 

Estelin’s eyes, which had been murmuring, took on a strange light and turned toward the air.

 

Eria, who was standing beside her, was the same.

 

“This can’t be…”

 

Estelin murmured. Her eyes were gradually turning red.

 

As if seeing the same thing, Eria opened her mouth in disbelief.

 

“Sister… Can you see it too?”

 

Estelin nodded.

 

“It’s Mom. What Dad said about her being much prettier than you and me, that wasn’t a lie.”

 

“…Yeah.”

 

For some reason my nose felt hot, so I cleared my throat unnecessarily and watched the sisters.

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