ILTV - The Villainess Fell in Love with Me

Chapter 1 - She's just so Rei!! - Part 1

*Claire's Point of View*

(A/N: this has spoilers for 'I'm in Love with the Villainess'! If you haven't at least read the first three books please turn back! Read those books, they're masterpieces and this story directly follows book two and takes elements from book three!)

"Somewhere, anywhere! I'm sure we can go anywhere... if we're together!"

Those are the words Rei called to me as she dragged me away from our crowd of friends. Honestly... she's just so cheeky! But I couldn't help but smile.

I originally had no intentions of having a future. That canvas of infinite possibilities was always empty, but I know now... no matter what, on that canvas of infinite possibilities, Rei would be by my side no matter what.

Rei ran with a spring in her step, her happiness radiated from her. I quickly realised that from my aching cheeks I had not stopped smiling.

Could you blame me? Rei was the love of my life after all. And she had just proposed to me! I honestly couldn't be any happier, even if I still struggled to show my feelings.

I wondered where the hell Rei was taking me. We were now leaving the main part of the kingdom and heading to a rather quiet neighbourhood on the outskirts of town. Curiosity was getting the better of me, so I decided to ask my love where she was actually taking me.

"R-Rei! Honestly, where do you think you're taking me?" I asked, my mouth working against my mind, which made me sound harsher than intended.

"You'll see!" Rei responded with her signature smile.

We stopped outside of a rather lonely looking house. It was separate from the other houses in the neighbourhood, and also looked the most run down. That said, it didn't look at all bad, it just didn't look lived in. Already from outside I could see that it was a rather spacious home, having two floors, rather than the usual one floor that the other houses had.

"Rei, what is this?" I asked again, looking at the house, not having a single clue as to why we were there in the first place.

"This... is the property I bought a little while ago," Rei began with a small smile. She was so cute, honestly. She planned everything out, and I was far too stubborn and selfish to accept her.

Old habits die hard.

My mind flashed to Rei's earlier sobbing... I never knew she could cry like that. It pained me so much. Her eyes were still slightly red and puffy, and her cheeks were still lightly stained, but otherwise she was clearly in a far better mood than she was previously.

"Miss Claire? Are you listening?" Rei asked, snapping her fingers at me.
I must have zoned out. Rei is the only one to have such an effect on me.

"Yes?"
"I was saying I already got some people to fix up the place inside, but the outside just needs a little tidy up."
"It... screams you so much," I said with a little smile. Rei couldn't help but smile at my words.

"I want to live here with you, Miss Claire. I can help you adjust to the commoner's life," Rei suggested. She put her hands behind her back, wearing an expectant expression.

She was just so irresistibly cute. How could I say no to a face like that!? In fact, I would deem anybody insane who thinks Rei's smile wasn't addicting. I would get quite the dopamine rush whenever she flashed that cheeky smile in my direction, even if I would never admit it to her face.

With a smile, I slowly approached her.
"I guess if it's with you, I'm happy with anything..." I whisper with a smile. Her smile beamed, radiating happiness. She wrapped her arms around me, hugging me tightly.
I felt my own arms wrap around her. She was a tight hugger, but I didn't care. Just being in her arms made me happy enough.
What? I'm not going to say that to her face of course.