To be the Villainess

O33.

Chapter 33

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I SAW THE smirk tugging at Zacharias’s lips as he looked at me, his confidence dripping with arrogance. My expression shifted—fear slowly evaporating, replaced with something darker, more dangerous.

A sharp laugh escaped me. “Oh my god!” I wiped away a tear from the corner of my eye, caused more by amusement than fear. “You’re trying to abduct me? Really?” I stepped closer, placing a hand on his shoulder with mock familiarity, tapping it lightly. “How… quaint.”

I spared a glance at the system’s holographic announcement. If it hadn’t popped up, I would never have known about this little stunt. How convenient.

“Come with us willingly, and you won’t be harmed,” he said, his tone far too calm for the chaos about to unfold.

A louder, more genuine laugh bubbled out of me. “Oh, I might just cry if that were true, Sir Zacharias.” My voice dripped with sarcasm as I strolled toward my other dagger, which had been thrown earlier.

As I bent to pick it up, a chill ran down my spine—eyes were on me. Instinctively, I heightened my guard. I slipped the ring onto my finger, spinning my dagger effortlessly in my hand as I rose to my full height. Then, I turned sharply to face him, one hand resting on my hip, challenging.

“You really think you can handle me on your own?” I taunted, a wide grin spreading across my face, daring him. I watched as his jaw clenched, his lips tightening into a thin line. He shifted his stance, preparing for the inevitable clash.

“We’ll see, my lady,” he replied, his voice low, tension thick in the air.

Huh. He’s changed. What has that Emperor done to him? A love potion? The thought nearly made me gag in disgust. Pathetic.

Suddenly, a gust of wind brushed past my cheek, the warning of a swift strike. I sidestepped just in time, his blade narrowly missing me.

“Not bad,” he remarked, his sword poised in front of him, “for a woman who’s never had any proper noble education.”

I raised a brow, twirling my dagger before throwing it in his direction. “Oh, how delightful! A knight’s attack, dodged by a lady lacking in ‘education.’ Isn’t that just humiliating for the royal knight?” My dagger flew toward him, but he agilely leaped onto a nearby rock, avoiding it with ease.

A smirk tugged at my lips. I held out my hand.

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The ability [Evoke] has been activated.

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The dagger I had just thrown snapped back into my grasp, as if pulled by an invisible force. The ability was certainly convenient. His eyes widened for a split second. Perfect.

“How—” His words were cut off as another dagger flew toward him. He dodged again, faster this time, but I wasn’t done.

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The ability [Evoke] has been activated.

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My dagger returned to me again. I gripped it tighter, the sting of my previous injury reminding me that I wasn’t invincible. But pain only fueled my resolve.