I’m a Villainess, Can I Die?

"Are you all right…? Hnnf… my lady?"
I silently nodded.
Ah… I really wish they wouldn’t talk to me right now.

But our ever-professional, paycheck-driven servants, through sheer willpower, managed to suppress every single laugh. Faces flushed bright red, they flawlessly completed their tasks without a single slip-up.
When everything was done, they briskly exited the room as if nothing had happened.
Their ears, however, were still a very vivid shade of red.

Such diligent and professional workers… Considering how infamous I was for my difficult personality, it wouldn’t have been surprising if at least one of them had burst into laughter at my ridiculous one-woman show. But no—each of them maintained their composure like true professionals.
I was admiring their self-restraint when I caught Lukas’s reflection in the mirror. He was casually sitting on the edge of the tea table, arms crossed, head tilted slightly.
"You shouldn’t torment the maids."

Today is just… too much.
"Selina."
The Duke and Duchess greeted me warmly.

We had parted less than an hour ago, yet they greeted me like it had been years. Their reaction was so excessive that I didn’t even know how to respond.
"…Mother, Father."
The words came out naturally, and Lukas, noticing, glanced at me before bowing politely to the couple.

"It’s an honor to see you again, Duke and Duchess White."
"Ah, Sir Lukas. We’re always grateful to you. Both our son and daughter owe you much."
"You flatter me, Your Grace. I regret only that I cannot do more."

The three of them exchanged exaggerated pleasantries, laughing and praising one another in a way that reminded me of my old life—watching my manager schmooze with clients.
Some things never change, no matter the world.
Once their cheerful flattery session ended, their attention returned to me.
"Now, now, let’s head inside. I’ll leave our Selina in your care today."

"Yes, Your Grace."
No. Your Grace, I really don’t think he’s the right person for that.
Despite my internal protests, the Duke and Duchess turned away and entered the banquet hall.

Sighing, I massaged the back of my neck and followed after them.
Today was exhausting.
All the energy I had saved up by lazing around in bed was draining fast.

The ceremony was both grand and rushed. Lavish, yet simple. Colorful, yet basic.
Since the troublesome, infamous daughter of the house was behaving for once, they were eager to get things over with. All formal rituals and meticulous details were conveniently skipped.
It wasn’t a properly planned engagement. There had been no months of preparation—just a quick setting of the date, the hasty distribution of invitations, and only then, scrambling to prepare the banquet hall and guests.

In short, a completely haphazard event.
As the grand music began, the murmuring voices quieted.
And soon, at the highest point in the hall, appeared the two figures of virtue and grace.

As the stars of the engagement entered, the guests applauded, and I clapped along with them.
I’m so sorry. Because of me, you had to rush your engagement like this.
Feeling guilty, I mustered what little energy I had left and clapped a little harder.

While greeting the long procession of nobles, my brother briefly turned his head in my direction, his expression freezing for a moment.
I frowned slightly, but then he took a sharp breath and smiled warmly at me.
The moment I saw that bright smile, I felt a heavy thump in my ears.

This translation is the intellectual property of .
Thump, thump, thump.
Don’t smile at me. I’m not Selina.

Even if you smile at me, I can’t smile back.
Because I won’t be here for long.
Overlapping with Aaron’s figure, I suddenly saw the image of a small, frail child.

The child trembled slightly, his thin back quivering, before turning around to smile at me.
I couldn’t bring myself to respond with an awkward or forced smile, so I simply waved.
Like a fool, my kind, soft-hearted brother, who loved his sister dearly, beamed at my gesture and excitedly whispered to Ariel.

After pulling back from Ariel’s ear, she, too, turned toward me and smiled shyly, giving me a small wave.
"Take good care of Aaron."
I mouthed the words silently.

Please take care of that poor boy who reminds me so much of my past self.
And I waved back.
They walked and walked, further and further down their road to happiness.

Until all I could see were their small, retreating figures in the distance.
With the vows completed, the atmosphere of the banquet hall shifted. The formal engagement ceremony transitioned into a more relaxed celebration.
Or at least, the illusion of a relaxed celebration.

In reality, everyone was carefully observing each other, calculating who they should talk to for the best advantage.
Which meant… I was about to have a very, very, very annoying time.
"You already look exhausted."

"Yes. I’m dreading having to interact with people I don’t even remember."
I was certain I’d hear ‘Do you remember me?’ at least a dozen times today.
Lukas, standing beside me as my escort, gave a slight nod before stepping back.

I followed his gaze and spotted a young lady in a yellow dress with dark-colored hair approaching me.
Wow. You’re ditching me? Is that how escorting works?
I’d complain, but I don’t even know how it’s supposed to work.

Clicking my tongue at Lukas’s questionable escorting style, I turned my attention to the noblewoman who had now stopped in front of me.
She gracefully bent her knees slightly and bowed her head.
So that was how noblewomen greeted each other.

I gave her a polite nod in return, and immediately, a sweet voice slipped through her slightly parted lips.
“Lady Selina! I heard the news. I heard you were unwell.”
“Yes… well. I wasn’t feeling my best for a while. Thank you for your concern.”

The young woman in the yellow dress flinched.
At this point, I’d be disappointed if I didn’t get that kind of reaction.
Her entire body radiated the thought: Why is she being so polite?

But she quickly plastered on a businesslike smile.
“Oh, it’s only natural to be concerned. Ah, by the way… do you remember me?”
And there it was—the first ‘Do you remember me?’ of the evening.

“I’m sorry. My memory still isn’t fully intact… but if you tell me your name, I’ll make sure to remember it.”
“…I see. So your memories haven’t all returned yet…”
She muttered to herself, completely ignoring my presence.

Talking to herself in front of me? Her mental state was definitely… something.
Was she an important character? Dark-colored hair…
No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t remember.

Which made sense—after all, I could barely remember the main characters’ names, let alone every side character.
Who was she, and why was she acting like some kind of tragic drama character?
She was like one of those villains in melodramas who eavesdrop on half a conversation and dramatically whisper, So… that’s how it is…

“Oh! I’m Vivian. Vivian Jonas. I look forward to getting along with you.”
Vivian Jonas…
“Ah. I see. I look forward to it as well.”

She was nobody.
Just another person looking for a way to get closer to me while my memory was still unreliable.
But what was the point? Even if she got close to me, all she’d end up attending was my funeral.

Maybe she’d have a fateful encounter there—locking eyes with Lukas, the genius knight, or Aiden, the hidden prodigy mage. Or even Aaron, the elite heir of the duchy…
Poor Selina. Surrounded by nothing but prodigies.
In any case, Vivian seemed determined to cling to my side.

Her constant chatter was honestly grating, and I wished she’d leave. But since today was supposed to be a happy day (at least for Selina’s family), I saw no reason to cause unnecessary trouble and played along.
But then, the sharp click-clack of high heels echoed, and Vivian’s chatter came to an abrupt halt.
Curious, I looked down—since Vivian was shorter than me—and found her lips pressed together, her expression stiff.

The sheer drama of her reaction made me wonder if I was in a novel at all, or if this was actually a stage play.
“Selina! It’s been so long!”
The owner of those sharp heels had arrived.

A high-pitched voice. Vivid red hair, even brighter than Vivian’s dark locks. A dress embroidered with extravagant golden patterns, as if she demanded to be the center of attention.
"Lia."
The second-in-command of Selina’s infamous social circle.

Lia Lascelle.
“Not Lia—Mia. So it’s true that you lost your memory, then.”
Mia Lascelle.

“Yes, that seems to be the case. I apologize for not remembering, my lady.”
“Oh my, formal speech between us? That’s rather amusing. But it does bring back memories.”
Memories of what?

The time you met Selina in a boutique and had no idea she was a duke’s daughter, so you screamed at her, calling her every name under the sun?
Then, the next day, you delivered a formal apology letter with a bouquet of flowers and begged to be friends?
I recalled the memorable first meeting between the two, as described in the book, but instead of revealing anything, I simply tilted my head in feigned curiosity.

“Were we close?”
“Of course! We were the closest of friends.”
Mia’s red eyes gleamed as she turned to Vivian.

“Isn’t that right, Lady Vivian Jonas?”
Vivian, who had just been biting her lip moments ago, immediately put on a sweet smile and nodded enthusiastically.
“Yes, of course. The bond between you two is indescribably deep.”

Poor Vivian. Her little scheme failed spectacularly.
But it was inevitable.
A side character with no name in the book could never win against the villain’s right-hand woman. This battle had been lost before it even began.

“Oh my, I’m so happy to hear that,” Mia purred. “In that case… I’d love to have a little heart-to-heart with my dearest friend. Would you mind giving us some privacy?”
Mia’s crimson lips curled into a smirk, her tongue flicking out briefly between her teeth.
Honestly… I kind of wanted to take a step back and just watch.

After all, there’s nothing more entertaining than watching a fight unfold.
But unfortunately, this particular triangle had me as its focal point.
Which meant I was the main character in this tedious little drama.

And I had no interest in playing along.
I had collapsed less than a month ago, lost my memory, and yet, these girls only cared about who would be the one linking arms with me.
It was starting to feel like the only sane people in this world were my brother, Ariel, and the Duke’s family.

“…Of course, Lady Lascelle. Then, Lady Selina, I’ll see you later.”
Vivian delivered her final, cryptic line before walking away.
Whether that foreshadowing would ever amount to anything… well, who knew?

Now, I was left alone with Mia in this awkward, uncomfortable, and extremely annoying situation.
What a pain.