Chapter 43. Can a Villainess Even Live Without Bitterness?
Marie’s brother’s name was Emel.
He worked as an accountant for a famous merchant guild.
He was so smart and capable that many people sought him out.
But lately, he said that his situation had worsened greatly because of the ongoing drought.
“Is the situation really that serious?”
“Yes, it is.”
Emel, who had respectfully knelt on one knee, nodded vigorously.
For the record, since he had realized I was the Empress, he had maintained that posture the entire time.
“I’ve never seen a drought this severe. There were even times when not a single drop of rain fell for an entire month.”
He explained in a calm voice.
“Not only the small streams but even the major rivers have started to dry up. Now it’s no longer just a food problem—people are starting to worry about drinking water.”
“It’s truly serious.”
The severity of the drought really sank in for me, realizing it wasn’t just about food but drinking water too.
“If heavy rain doesn’t come soon to fill the rivers within a month or two, people will begin dying, starting in the provinces. There might even be an outbreak of plague.”
When large numbers of people die, plagues often follow.
That had happened in the original novel as well.
‘How did they resolve it in the book again…?’
To summarize, the heroine Fay had resolved the crisis.
Pained by the suffering of the commoners, Fay began fasting and praying to the heavens.
Even though Jerome tried to stop her, it was useless.
Fay never ceased her prayers.
Perhaps moved by her sincerity, even the heavens responded.
On the 14th day of her prayers, rain miraculously fell.
That single rainfall ended a drought that had lasted five years.
‘This is the third year, isn’t it…?’
Meaning, this terrible drought still had two years left to go.
I looked at the children who were hurriedly stuffing themselves with pie at the table.
They were all thin and gaunt from lack of proper nourishment.
‘And we’re supposed to wait two more years like this?’
It was a far more severe situation than it had seemed when reading about it in the book.
And it wasn’t just about Marie’s family.
There must be countless others in even worse conditions.
‘Marie’s debt has been taken care of thanks to Leonard… but what about the drought?’
Waiting two years for the heroine to act would only mean countless deaths.
That wouldn’t do.
‘I have to do something. No matter what.’
***
Right. At this point, the only thing to rely on was the original story.
There’s no reason I have to wait two more years.
I would just do what the heroine was supposed to do.
Originally, solving the drought was the event that solidified the heroine’s standing.
But.
‘Is that really what’s important right now?’
First and foremost, I needed to solve the drought as quickly as possible.
Alright. Let’s do this!
I ambitiously began fasting and praying.
Of course, when I told the maids my plan, they tried to stop me.
“Your Majesty the Empress! Fasting, truly?”
“It will surely damage your health!”
“I’ll be fine.”
Don’t worry, everyone.
If Fay could do it, surely I can too.
About a week passed like that.
At first, I thought it was manageable, but soon the hardships set in.
I no longer even felt hungry.
Sometimes my vision blurred and my mind grew dizzy.
“Your Majesty the Empress, at this rate you’ll collapse!”
The maids’ worries grew day by day.
And it wasn’t just the maids.
The gardeners, the guards, the painters, the chefs…
Even Leonard and Cedric eventually came to express their concerns.
Ah. Not everyone came out of concern, though.
“This is utterly ridiculous.”
Jerome muttered, looking at me as if he couldn’t believe it.
Come on, when Fay did it, you tried to stop her with a voice full of concern.
Why is it that when it’s me, you always look at me with such a cold, dismissive gaze?
I’m not even being treated like cold rice—more like raw rice.
Still, thanks to Jerome’s attitude, my resolve only burned brighter.
And so, after exactly 14 days of fasting and praying—
By the original story’s timeline, this should have been the day the rain came.
I looked up at the sky.
“…What is this.”
In the end, it didn’t rain.
Why did the sky have to be so uselessly clear!
What? Pray with all your heart and the gods will listen?
Are you telling me I didn’t pray hard enough?!
“Hahaha.”
I let out a hollow laugh.
This wretched original novel.
So just because I’m not the heroine, nothing works?
Thus, it was proven that it had been the heroine’s buff all along.
Seriously, how’s a villainess supposed to survive this world?
Ah. After getting briefly angry, I felt dizzy again.
Darkness swallowed my vision.
***
When I opened my eyes again, Cedric was in front of me.
“You were very close to serious danger.”
Cedric spoke with a grave expression.
“Why are you here…?”
“I came because I heard that Your Majesty the Empress had collapsed.”
Apparently, he had treated me.
From what I heard, I had been unconscious for three full days.
Well, I had only been drinking water and praying for two weeks straight.
Still, thanks to Cedric’s treatment, my body recovered quickly.
When I was finally able to eat proper food instead of just water, I was overwhelmed with joy.
Truly, the sense of taste is a beautiful thing.
After finishing a proper meal for the first time in a while, I returned to the office.
I reorganized the drought-related documents once more.
The fasting prayer operation had failed, but now, out of sheer stubbornness, I would solve this drought.
I steeled my heart.
Just you wait.
I’ll defeat the flow of the original novel that dared to mock my efforts.
Let’s see who wins!
“Your Majesty the Empress.”
While pouring tea, Countess Chloe asked carefully.
“Are you looking over documents regarding the drought?”
“That’s right.”
“Perhaps… would it be possible to ask the magician for help?”
Countess Chloe cautiously suggested.
She must have been deeply concerned about the drought too.
Well, I had fasted and prayed for more than two weeks after all.
“I already asked Cedric… He said it’s possible to make it rain in a small area for a short time, but solving the drought itself is impossible.”
“Even Sir Cedric, known as the Sage of the Forest, says it’s impossible…”
Countess Chloe looked truly regretful.
But it didn’t seem like it was only the drought she was concerned about.
“Is there some other problem?”
“Well…”
Countess Chloe hesitated to answer.
“It’s alright. Tell me.”
When I urged her gently, Countess Chloe finally spoke up carefully.
“Recently, there have been unsettling rumors spreading among the people of the Empire.”
“Rumors?”
“They’re saying that… the cause of the drought is Your Majesty the Empress.”
“Me?”
I couldn’t help but be shocked.
It was supposed to be the Imperial Consort who took the blame, according to the original story.
“Apparently, the news that Your Majesty prayed for the people became twisted. Now they’re saying that your prayers are causing the drought to continue.”
“Good heavens.”
What kind of crazy Empress would pray while starving just to make the drought worse?
It’s true that people tend to spread all sorts of ridiculous rumors when the country is unstable, but this was beyond absurd.
“Who’s spreading such nonsense?”
“I don’t know. By the time it reached my ears, many people had already accepted it as fact.”
This was an unexpected backlash.
Was it because I deviated from the original story?
I hadn’t expected praise, but to be misunderstood like this…
“Whoever’s spreading such insane lies, if I catch them, I’ll never forgive them.”
Hearing our conversation, Marie became even more furious than I was.
Thanks to her, I managed to regain my composure.
“They’re just looking for someone to blame because they’re scared. Don’t worry too much. We’ll resolve this. I’ll make sure of it.”
Now, solving the drought had become more than just a matter of pride.
Luckily, during my recovery, I had thought long and hard and finally came up with a method.
I had already asked Cedric for help regarding it.
‘But before executing that plan, there’s something I need to take care of first.’
The plan would require me to travel far.
Unfortunately, this time I wouldn’t be able to use a carriage. I would have to ride a horse.
The problem was—
I didn’t know how to ride.
‘Horseback riding…’
It would be fastest to learn from someone.
It wasn’t something I could master just by reading etiquette books, like other lessons.
I needed a proper instructor.
‘After all, there’s only one perfect candidate for the job.’
Having made up my mind, I turned to Countess Chloe and asked,
“Where is Sir Leonard right now?”
—
Read More at – GENZNOVEL.COM!!
PLEASE JOIN OUR DISCORD AND SUBSCRIBE THE ROLE TO RECEIVE LATEST NOTIFICATIONS!!
Click here -> https://discord.gg/S8c2kGVr2g
Comment