The Villainess Doesn't Want To Fall In Love

Chapter VIII: The Winter Fruit Part 2

It's indeed true that villains are made, not born. Just how much pain did he have to endure just to become a final boss in the end? What did she has done so far to lessen the odds of him becoming a villain?

She returned her eyes to him and a genuine smile plastered on her face. As if telling him that everything will be alright.

“What are you smiling about?” the prince curiously asked but she just shrugged her shoulders off.

“I'm just glad you're not kicking me out, Your Highness. I don't know what's gonna happen to me if you do.”

At first, she only wanted to avoid the main characters in the story, to save herself from her bloody route but now that it has come to this, might as well play her cards well. It wouldn't hurt her if she built a strong bond with him for real. In fact, it could be a game changer. She just wanted to change everything, to alter the storyline and create a beautiful world that everyone deserves. However, change should start within themselves first.

I hope it's not too late. Let's fix ourselves together, shall we?

“Even without my help, I'm sure you'll just do great. You have always been. It's me who's at a loss here if you leave. I don't want to go back to that dark abyss again.”

That day of his coming-of-age ceremony, he drank a glass of wine as a tradition. Little did he know it had a poison in it and it made him lose consciousness. When he woke up, he hurriedly jumped out of bed to look for his mother but then he realized the late empress had already died years ago. His maid, Sheryl, who had stayed loyal to him came to comfort him but when the tip of her finger touched his skin, a blue flame embraced her body. The flame that reflected his purple eyes slowly vanished together with the maid who turned to ashes.

It wasn't only his maid but also the poor bird he had been petting, some soldiers, and other aristocrats disappeared in his hands. He didn't want to remember those traumatic incidents but whenever he closed his eyes every night, they kept on coming back. Whatever he does and wherever he goes, they keep on haunting him. Every day felt like a punishment and the old castle he had been isolated to became a dark abyss. All thanks to the presence of his loyal right-hand man, Seventh, that he still had his sanity. However, having someone to talk to every day wasn't enough to feel like he was still living. He longed to feel the warmth of something.

It was only when he met her again that days became brighter again. When he found out that the lady of the House Belfford could touch him without getting burned, that was the moment he decided she was his cure. She might've not cured the curse but she had saved him from the feeling of depression. It's enough for him. Too bad, he had to use manipulation just to get her by his side. Suddenly, he felt pain when he realized he must feel accountable and fix the mistake he had made.

“But if you wanted to leave, who am I to stop you? You must have missed your family, already. This may be late but forgive me for I've taken you away from them.” He looked at her eyes seriously and pulled a deep sigh before he continued speaking. “As of now, I've been trying my best to hold the rebellion that you've been overthinking about. I promise that whatever happens, I will keep you safe together with your family. You don't have to worry about anything anymore. I couldn't thank you enough for everything. Because of you, I've realized a lot of things.”

“Wait, wait, what are talking about? The way you speak, you sound like you're making a farewell speech.”

“I am,” he quickly replied with a faint smile. “The truth is, I have been planning to set you free after the three days of leave, that is if things turned out well on my side. Please know that it's not my way of discarding you or harming you in any way possible. I could never do that to you.”