To be the Villainess

O37.

Chapter 37

══ ◈ ══

VOICES ECHOED in my mind, incomprehensible murmurs that seemed to claw at my sanity. I tried to shake my head, to rid myself of the noise, but my strength had faded, slipping away like sand through my fingers. My silver-white hair, now streaked with shadows, fell heavily around my face, and my eyes felt as though they were being torn from their sockets. Every inch of my body throbbed with a dull, agonizing ache.

A cold, skeletal hand gripped my chin, forcing my gaze upward. I squinted, barely focusing through the haze. Reynald… Before I could manage a word, a sharp, ringing slap struck my cheek. The impact resounded through the room like a crack of thunder, yet I felt no pain—only a lingering, numbing heat on my skin.

Reynald’s voice sliced through the silence. “I’ll burn you alive, you pathetic intruder!” His rage twisted his face, his brows drawn tightly as he bit down on his lower lip, eyes blazing with fury. He seized my hair and yanked me upright, dragging me like a ragdoll.

“Charlie!” he barked, not sparing me another glance. “Take this wretch to the dungeon. I’ll announce a hunting festival once I’m done. Gather every monster lurking in the capital—we’ll corral them here. Before we rid ourselves of this vile creature, we’ll restore order to our lands, a cleansing before the storm.” A bitter laugh slipped from my lips at his words. Ha… if only he knew how satisfying it was to watch the smug look fade from his face.

“You won’t see your plans come to fruition, Your Majesty…” I murmured, my voice little more than a hoarse whisper. His grip tightened, yanking my head back as he leaned in closer.

“No?” he sneered, his breath hot and tainted with malice. “With you and the High Priestess gone, I’ll tear this kingdom apart, piece by piece. You see, I have the power to do so…” He gave a dark, wicked smile. “I’ve crafted other plans, in case you somehow escaped. You’re not the only one with a holy body, intruder.” His gaze hardened, filled with a sinister glee. “And soon, your head will be mounted for all to see—the true monster behind those creatures that have plagued our land.”

A smile tugged at my lips, even as the room spun. “Shouldn’t I be the one telling you that?” I managed, a faint trace of defiance in my tone. His face darkened, and another slap struck me, harder this time, making my head snap back.

“Your Majesty.” Sebastian’s voice cut in, and he stepped forward, catching Reynald’s wrist with a firm hand. “Allow me to escort her to the dungeon,” he said, his gaze colder than steel as he looked down at me.

The Emperor smirked, releasing me with a flick of his hand. I crumpled to the floor, my body too weak to resist. “Fine. But make sure she doesn’t escape… Sebastian.” His voice dripped with dark amusement as he leaned in toward the knight.

“Yes, Your Majesty.” Sebastian nodded, kneeling beside me. His eyes, usually so unreadable, held a glint of something unfathomable as he reached down, lifting me with surprising gentleness. “Let’s go, my lady,” he said quietly, his grip firm as he carried me away, leaving the Emperor’s ominous smile behind us.

══ ◈ ══

“Why are you doing this?” I whispered, my voice laced with exhaustion as he gently laid me down on the cold, unyielding floor of the dungeon.

“Doing what?” he replied, his gaze as cold as ice. I scoffed, rolling my eyes as I let myself sink into the floor. My entire body ached, drained to the core—I could barely muster the strength to move, let alone argue.

He hesitated, his eyes flickering over me. “Your hair… and your eyes…” His voice softened, almost to a murmur, as he observed me. I frowned, confused, and tilted my head to meet his gaze.