To be the Villainess

O65.

Chapter 65

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5 days later...

I RESTED MY hands on the cold, cemented railings of my balcony, my gaze fixed on the familiar view. The Ducal Palace stood in the distance, as majestic and untouchable as ever. The vibrant gardens, the towering spires-it was all just as I remembered, breathtaking in its unchanging beauty. A small comfort amidst the chaos. At least Sebastian's ability had only affected the areas plagued by monsters, and thankfully, this manor was far removed from the Imperial Palace.

"Are you sure you don't want the title of Grand Duchess, sister?"

The voice startled me from my thoughts. I turned slightly, catching sight of Darious standing in the doorway, a teasing smirk playing on his lips. He raised a hand and knocked on the doorframe three times, his tone playful. "Knock, knock."

I rolled my eyes, turning my attention back to the garden. "Do you ever act your age?"

"Yes, I don't want it," I replied curtly, my voice laced with indifference.

I heard his footsteps draw closer, each step measured and deliberate, until he finally stood beside me. His ocean-blue eyes mirrored mine as they scanned the garden before us.

"I was sure you were more suited for that position, Your Grace," I teased, my lips curling into a sly smirk as I glanced at him from the corner of my eye.

Darious ruffled his perfectly styled blonde hair with a sigh, the gesture disheveling his otherwise composed appearance. "Haa... It doesn't suit me, sister," he muttered with a faint smile, his voice softer now.

I turned to face him fully, mirroring his expression. "It's strange," I murmured, my gaze searching his. "You finally seem to see me as your real sister."

His smile faltered slightly, replaced by a more serious expression. Resting his elbows on the railing, he tilted his head and stared at me, his ocean-blue eyes clouded with guilt. "I was out of my mind back then. When I heard the rumors that you weren't truly Arthemice, that some wicked soul had taken her body... the thought of you not being my real sister consumed me." He looked away, his gaze distant. "But I've had time to reflect. I was wrong. Mad, even."

A quiet chuckle escaped his lips as he covered his mouth, shaking his head at himself.

Well, he wasn't entirely wrong. On paper, we were siblings. But that hadn't stopped him from acting in ways that could be construed as... less than brotherly. If anyone had seen us then, they would've drawn their own scandalous conclusions.

He straightened suddenly, turning to face me. His eyes, now clear and sincere, met mine. "I've realized something important," he said softly. "I don't love you romantically. I love you as my younger sister."

The faint smile returned, but this time it was tinged with regret. "I'm sorry for what I did, for the madness that consumed me," he continued, bowing deeply. Taking my hand in his, he pressed a gentle kiss to it.

The gesture caught me off guard. My heart skipped a beat, and for a moment, I simply stared at him. Gods, he had grown into such a fine man! This character of mine... he had truly matured!

Without thinking, I grabbed his hands and pulled him into an embrace. "Apology accepted, brother," I said warmly, burying my face in his chest.

He stiffened briefly but quickly relaxed, his arms wrapping around me hesitantly. His head rested lightly on my shoulder as his voice came in a near whisper. "I also want to apologize again for what happened here in this manor... for everything."