I’ll Become a Villainess That Will Go Down in History
chapter-387

Gilles (Age: 12)

I have tried hundreds of ways to fuse them together to make the same thing as Maddie.

Any fewer or more of the three would fail. It was extremely difficult to find the perfect concoction.

To find that balance, I tried with all my might. I needed to eat and sleep to keep my mind sharp, so I took breaks and spent the rest of my time on Maddie’s research.

Henry told me it would be better for my health if I went outside to relax, but I didn’t have time for that. Sleep and meals were my only relaxation.

Well, I was still doing research while eating.

Generally, I failed because the color would turn black as soon as I thought it had turned a beautiful color, and I was quickly becoming impatient since it had almost caught fire the last few times.

But strangely enough, the word “failure” never crossed my mind. I had the confidence that I could definitely succeed.

I would not fail if it meant saving my grandpa.

I wrote down the recipe on a piece of paper and tore it up. Then one day, Duke came to see me.

“How are you doing?”

I hadn’t seen him in a while, but his demeanour seemed a little more mature.

I put a lot of pressure on myself to lie to him so that he would not be able to run away again.

“I think I’m almost done.”

“…Don’t push yourself again.”

Duke’s large hand caresses my head.

He surely knows that Maddie’s research is not progressing well. But he didn’t say anything. Once again, I could sense Duke’s kindness.

“Thank you. …What’s up today?”

I asked him, and he gently removed his hand from my head and looked at me with serious eyes.

“I’m going to see Alicia.”

My thoughts came to a stop at those words, and Duke added.

“Gilles is coming too?”

…to see Alicia?

My heart, which was filled with joy, soon became anxious.

What would I be proud to show Alicia if we met now? After all, in her absence, I had accomplished nothing.

It was Duke who broke Cather’s spell and liberated the impoverished village.

The only thing I am proud of right now is that I might be able to make a cure for spotted fever, though I haven’t reached that point yet.

I couldn’t go to see Alicia in this condition.

I decided to make up my mind. What should be my priority now? Alicia always taught me that.

“I… I’m staying.”

My voice didn’t tremble.

Duke quietly replied, “I understand”.

I was certain that he would ask Mel, Albert, and the others to take care of the school. I could devote myself to Maddie’s research in peace.

“Bye, and give my regards to Alicia.”

I said, looking down. I’m not sure why I couldn’t look Duke in the eyes. He gently patted my head and walked away.

Duke’s footsteps were fading away.

I managed to sort out my jumbled emotions.

I really wanted to see Alicia. If Gramps hadn’t been suffering from the spotted disease, I would have run out to see her right away.

I was able to keep my emotions under control with logic.

I didn’t have time to cry. I had to make the medicine. I had to prove that this decision was the right one.

Wiping away the tears that were about to spill, I picked up the three plants again and started mixing them.