[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-am-i-the-villain-or-not":3,"chapter-am-i-the-villain-or-not-am-i-the-villain-or-not-chapter-238":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Am I the Villain or Not?",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":20,"prevChapterSlug":21,"totalChapters":22,"novelImage":23},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"volume":17,"translator":18,"content_hash":19},571497,820,"Chapter 238 - 240: Don’t Cry, My Dearest","am-i-the-villain-or-not-chapter-238",238,"\u003Cp>Liya's head felt swollen as she sat restlessly in the study of the mansion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She held a book in her hands, flipping through it back and forth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But no matter how she looked at it, she couldn't calm her mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What was this supposed to be?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She wanted to read to steady herself, yet the more she read, the more clearly she felt that strange sense of disconnection surging in her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When, exactly, had she started developing a habit of reading?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the end, Liya still couldn't continue. She closed the book, tossed it aside, and rubbed her temples.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She picked up the teacup beside her and quietly took a sip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bitter taste swept over her taste buds, followed by a faint sweetness spreading through her mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vanilla stood beside her, saying nothing. After Liya finished drinking, she thoughtfully poured her another cup of tea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liya looked up at Vanilla and couldn't help but ask, \"Vanilla, I remember, you're a mage, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vanilla bowed slightly and replied, \"Lady Liya, I'm only an apprentice mage.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An apprentice mage was essentially a trainee for becoming a full mage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liya naturally knew this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So she nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I didn't expect that among your demi-human people, there would actually be a demi-human like you with such magical talent.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, what surprised Liya even more wasn't Vanilla's magical talent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was her unique rationality and intelligence, so different from other demi-humans.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was Vanilla born knowing all this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No, of course not.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With reminders from others, Liya had already sensed a very obvious gap in her memory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With her self-awareness, she understood that Vanilla couldn't possibly have been trained by her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A demi-human who was so polite, whose behavior was extremely elegant, and who was willing to serve others as a maid, someone like that was almost impossible for her to have personally taught.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The one who cultivated Vanilla was someone else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So who exactly was that person?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although she had asked Gwen many questions, Liya still couldn't recover that missing part of her memory that should have existed in her mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, she did gain a few clues.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First, because someone from the Clavenna family had a marriage contract with Gwen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So the identity of that mysterious person was almost certainly someone from the Clavenna family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the one bound by the engagement couldn't possibly be her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tracing things through the relationship between the mysterious person and Gwen, Liya finally thought of something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gwen was the swordsmanship instructor to the imperial princess.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her qualifications were clearly insufficient, there was no way the royal family would let Gwen become the princess's instructor for no reason.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only then did Liya realize that the person she had forgotten must have connections to the royal family, and not weak ones, at that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liya was certain that she had to investigate using this information.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So she asked Gwen, who was still staying in the capital, for help.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She believed Gwen would definitely be able to uncover something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, Liya noticed the crystal on the table trembling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She quickly picked it up, but the voice coming from it wasn't Gwen's.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead, it belonged to someone else she was very familiar with...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Miss Liya.\" Leon's voice sounded from within.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liya wasn't sure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What did she have to report at a time like this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I remembered something. It might be able to help you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liya straightened up immediately and urged her, \"Tell me!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the other side, Leon stood on a mountainside at the mine, holding the glowing communication crystal in her hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her lapis-blue long hair swayed continuously in the breeze, her clothes fluttering along with it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Standing at the top of the mine, Leon's expression was stern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking down at the miners below, she spoke calmly, \"When the workers dug out that mirror, I happened to be there.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the time, Leon remembered that she had been going to look for Liya.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But then, I suddenly forgot you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It wasn't until this morning that I remembered.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Listening to her words, Liya felt a wave of dizziness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, an idea formed in her mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She leaned forward slightly, staring at the crystal in front of her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What day of the week is it today?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Miss Liya, today is Saturday.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment she heard the answer, Liya immediately sensed something was wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because she also remembered receiving a notice from the mine workers and going there to see that mirror.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But after that, she knew nothing at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She only knew that when she woke up, the mirror had already been placed in her home.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That day was Friday, and it was still morning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had lost an entire day, Friday.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as Leon had said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During that entire Friday, Leon had forgotten her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, the blank space in Liya's memory matched Leon's experience with shocking similarity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liya instantly grew excited and spoke eagerly to the crystal, \"Thank you, Leon!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your clue has given me more than enough help!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After speaking, she quickly cut off the connection and turned to instruct Vanilla, who was standing nearby, \"Go notify Steward Halnarsen immediately. Have him bring that mirror over.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon receiving the order, Vanilla bowed slightly and left the study.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not long after, an elderly yet powerfully built, tall bear-man walked in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vanilla followed closely behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the bear-man's palm, one hand grasped the edge of the mirror frame, carrying it into the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In his hand, the mirror looked like a small tray, remarkably light and compact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Halnarsen placed the mirror in front of Liya and respectfully said, \"Miss Liya, the mirror you requested.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The smooth surface of the mirror reflected Liya's face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She looked it over from top to bottom, and the reflection mirrored her movements.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hm… this doesn't seem particularly special?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She reached out, wanting to touch the mirror, but suddenly she froze slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Turning her head, she looked at Halnarsen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Halnarsen, what did you just call me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why didn't you address me as 'family head'?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Halnarsen bowed slightly. \"Miss Liya, the family head is someone else.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liya turned her entire body toward him, staring seriously as she asked, \"What do you know?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Halnarsen lowered his head and replied respectfully, \"My apologies, Miss Liya.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My capabilities are limited. I only know this much.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liya placed one hand on her chin and began to think carefully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just then, the bear-man's voice sounded again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But I still remember.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Halnarsen looked at Liya and said in a deep, muffled voice, \"That I once took all of you…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…to build a snowman together.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, Liya suddenly raised her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'That's it!'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She no longer cared about the strange mirror, ignored Vanilla standing nearby, rushed past Halnarsen, and hurried out of the study.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, she reached the door to her bedroom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The intense burst of movement left her gasping for breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Liya didn't care at all. She pushed the door open and rushed to the cabinet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A magic lock? Oh gods, when did I even set this up??\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She didn't dwell on it. Reaching out, she began thinking about the correct way to open the magic lock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the instant her hand touched the cabinet, the lock seemed to recognize her automatically and opened on its own.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liya didn't quite understand, a sense of doubt rising in her heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this was clearly a good thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She didn't think further, rummaging through the drawer, pushing aside old, patched-up toys, and feeling down to the very bottom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then she took out that notebook, already yellowed with age.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Snowman, snowman!'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She ignored everything at the front of the notebook. In her mind, there were only the words \"snowman.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, she found that page.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She looked at its contents and read them carefully, line by line.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"December 21st…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Today, it snowed, a really, really heavy snow…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The childish handwriting carried a hint of youthful innocence and girlish naivety.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At last, Liya read further down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I showed the snowman to my brother.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"To my brother… brother?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Who is this brother?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She slammed the diary onto the table and, almost crazed, flipped through the earlier entries.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"November 6th…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"November 7th…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"November 8th…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Brother, brother.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Throughout the memories in this diary, these two words appeared again and again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Liya had not the slightest memory of any of it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Desperate, she tried to dig out the answer she wanted from this thin notebook.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if it was just a name.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Brother, brother…'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Who is he?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So Liya kept flipping through the pages, not even caring that the yellowed, brittle paper was tearing under her hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Why did I forget? Why?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A desperate sound squeezed out of her throat, tinged with sobs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Remember already, Liya!'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Following the diary entries, she flipped to the back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"December 23rd.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He said he hates tears.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yes, he hated tears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, she learned to be strong for the first time, learned to be independent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So from that moment on, Liya never cried because of him again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this time, she still broke down and cried urgently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Drip! Drip!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tears soaked into the yellowed diary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liya lowered her head helplessly, letting her hair cover her face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time, she read out the final line.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'm so useless…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A breeze slipped in through the window, gently brushing across Liya's face and slowly stirring the yellowed, fragile pages.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moved by the wind, Liya noticed something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One page of the diary had its corner folded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if it had been done on purpose, just so she would see it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She hurriedly flipped to that page and looked closely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was blank, with nothing written on it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But suddenly, her eyes widened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the top of the blank page, a simple smiling face was drawn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet it seemed to carry some kind of magic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A name slowly surfaced in her mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Vik… tor?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A fierce gust of wind rushed in through the narrow window, making both window panes rattle loudly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The curtains were swept up, and Liya's hair became tangled in the surging wind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But within the raging wind, there seemed to be a gentle breeze, one that, without her noticing, wiped away the tears at the corner of her eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liya blinked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That wasn't a breeze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, she saw it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a hand, warm to the touch, gently stroking her face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With its thumb, it softly wiped away the tears at the corner of her eye.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A black trench coat fluttered endlessly in the wind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man's steady voice gradually sounded by Liya's ear, \"I really don't like tears.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liya stood there, stunned, staring at the man before her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A crow stood on his shoulder, lifting its head, its single eye looking exceedingly proud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Within the man's indifferent gaze, there was an added trace of gentleness as he quietly looked at Liya.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feeling the warmth from his palm, Liya raised her head slowly, her eyes still wet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside the window, the wind seemed to grow noisier, but no longer wild, instead, it became warm and gentle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soft air flowed over her skin, lifting her hair in a tender breeze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man's familiar voice, accompanied by the calm wind, gradually echoed, \"So, don't cry...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My dearest.\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1869,"2026-05-30T15:48:18.711Z","2026-06-01T04:31:37.164Z",1,"novelbin.me","8ad3b417105b15db632e2a5f1361e368e4685e4d1924040a0b74a48ecbe37adf","am-i-the-villain-or-not-chapter-239","am-i-the-villain-or-not-chapter-237",393,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fam-i-the-villain-or-not-cover.jpg"]