Serena was dumbfounded. At the same time, she was also flustered.

She had heard that love comes before friendship, but she had never heard or seen that friendship comes before love.

“If there really is such a person, isn’t that friendship actually love?”

Like the famous saying, ‘If you’re friends, then I have no friends.’

“…I see.”

Magnus answered with a still shocked face and hung his head.

Seeing that gloomy expression, Serena felt a bit uncomfortable.

Because it was like looking at a naive child who doesn’t know the ways of the world.

* * *

They say there are a few surprising things in the world. Recently, such things had been happening to Serena quite often.

For example, ending up with the precious talent Drukan, the dragon slayer hero, as her guard because no one came for nearly two weeks.

For example, Magnus making a gloomy face when she explained that love comes before friendship.

“Serena.”

For example…

“Will you spend the rest of your life with me?”

Receiving a proposal from an unexpected person.

Rose petals fluttering and a heart shape made of flowers drawn in the middle of the garden.

And a bouquet thr*st right in front of her nose, along with a ring and necklace that looked nothing but luxurious.

Everything perfectly reminded her of something.

“……?”

“I want you to stay by my side from now on.”

Serena’s face immediately soured at those words.

Even for someone who doesn’t express herself well, she couldn’t help but contort her expression in this situation.

After all, it was a proposal.

Who would think they’d receive a proposal from their biological father?

No matter how open-minded Serena was in many ways, this was difficult.

“……”

“So will you come back to me?”

From all around, voices saying “Oh my, oh my, that’s crazy!” could be heard.

Of course, those words calling someone crazy were directed at none other than Serena.

It was natural.

“How can she do such a thing? Good heavens.”

Because Serena Lavernia was a villainess.

She understood, but at the same time, she was at a loss for words.

“…The world is coming to an end, truly coming to an end. They say villainesses ruin countries, and that saying is really true……”

“What kind of tantrum did she throw this time… How could she commit such an insulting act… His Grace the Marquis is truly pitiful.”

“I heard the Marchioness collapsed because of her outrageous behavior……”

Serena, who had instantly become trash, ended up holding her forehead.

Serena felt dizzy.

Honestly, she didn’t care what kind of rumors piled up, but she didn’t want to hear such impious stories.

“…Now.”

Serena was about to let out a roar as she tensed her stomach.

It was because she couldn’t comprehend this absurd soap opera-like development.

“Do you know what you’re doing…? Why on earth should I be by Your Grace’s side? What good would come of it!”

Serena shouted, turning pale white.

No matter how much she wanted a reputation as a villainess, it didn’t mean she wanted to film a soap opera.

And she hared receiving this kind of misunderstanding even more.

“……”

Marquis Lavernia froze in place with one knee on the ground.

He didn’t expect such a strong rejection.

“…Serena, I…”

“No.”

She said firmly.

Serena was more creeped out by this crazy soap opera situation than getting involved in the original story.

‘Why is he putting on such a strange act in the first place?’

It would only make her reputation dirtier, wouldn’t it?

Serena thought.

And soon after, she judged.

‘Did he hate me so much that he would do even this to drive me away?!’

Serena was shocked.

She didn’t expect him to go as far as to frame her with such a false charge to prevent her from approaching.

Even doing such an uncharacteristic act.

‘My goodness, how much must a person be hated to end up like this?’

Everything Serena did led to negative interpretations.

It seemed like people might scream even if she just picked up something on the street.

Serena was a bit surprised.

She didn’t expect Marquis Lavernia to push her into the abyss to this extent.

And in such an unexpected way!

“You don’t need to do this. I have no intention of appearing before Your Grace ever again.”

Serena spoke honestly.

She truly didn’t want to go near the marquis’s mansion anymore.

“I’ll leave the capital when my work is done.”

“Serena, why on earth…”

“Why, you ask…”

Serena now felt Marquis Lavernia’s expression seemed a bit artificial.

Well, he’s someone trying to drive her away by going to such troublesome lengths.

‘Is he telling me to nail it down so I can’t set foot here?’

Serena still couldn’t understand Marquis Lavernia’s true intentions, but she could tell that this whole situation was pushing her in a bad direction.

“I’m sick of the marquis’s mansion.”

“…Have I… made you suffer?”

“You’re doing it even now. Honestly, you’re a nuisance.”

Serena thought of the worst words she could.

‘Does he want me to take on the role of the villain?’

Actually, this situation wasn’t that clearly understandable.

“I… I’ve made a mistake……”

Marquis Lavernia bowed his head, still kneeling on one knee.

Then he started muttering something.

‘What is this…?’

Serena felt like she had a sense of déjà vu.

Because she had seen this figure somewhere before, bowing his head and muttering something.

That’s when it happened.

Hop! A rabbit jumped up and held out a notebook in front of her.

Ah, she remembered.

[Serena, the source of evil has appeared! The source of evil about to go berserk must be resolved right now!]

This can’t be.

This is the source of evil? But why did it suddenly become the source of evil?

Serena racked her brain.

From her perspective, she had only done what Marquis Lavernia wanted.

Serena stood still, looking down at Marquis Lavernia.

“…I,”

And she pricked up her ears.

He’s muttering something! Serena instinctively realized that those words would be the solution.

“…I, because I didn’t pay attention, so…, what should I say to Charlotte…, when she’s not feeling well… What have I done… When she was young, properly…”

Serena’s mind lit up. She had found the reason.

More precisely, she had found Marquis Lavernia’s ‘trigger’.

‘It was the Marchioness.’

In the original story, Marquis Lavernia’s trigger was also the Marchioness.

The time when Marquis Lavernia, who had been turning a blind eye to Serena Lavernia’s actions until then, finally gave up on everything.

It was when the Marchioness died.

In other words, if there’s a possibility that the Marchioness might die, that becomes the reason he turns into the ‘source of evil’.

‘…Which means?’

Unless the Marchioness is saved, the source of evil won’t disappear.

‘Huh?’

How can I do that right now?

Serena panicked.

Because there was no way to save the Marchioness right away.

“Why do I always…”

The gloominess of Marquis Lavernia, who had slumped down, only deepened.

His muttering voice kept getting lower, and Serena just rolled her eyes in vain.

“I want you to stay by my side from now on.”

“So will you come back to me?”

At that moment, Serena recalled Marquis Lavernia’s sudden confession.

She frowned with an expression that said ‘No way’.