The villainess is too lazy to avoid the male leads.

Chapter XXV

'Remember that time?' he turned back, & smiled at me. The light was blinding behind him, outlining his pergfect figure.
I blinked, & shook my head hard. When I opened my eyes again, it was back to normal.
-What was that? Dellusion, hallucination? After-effect of hitting my head? Well...
Ian was picking up a sword as instructed. Soon, it would be my turn- so I was standing in line, after the other girl who said she wanted to learn to weild sword. The girl who was the very reason, I got dragged into this mess.
Strangely though, I didn't dislike her but it was rather towards Selene who... was it on purpose, or not?
- No, that can't be. She just must've been too panicked to think of anything else. Right. That must've been it.
Ian who picked my brother as his partner in the play, was seemingly getting ready.
Hmm... he won, right? Or not? I can't remember the first part... but to magnificently choose my brother, currently the best at swordfighting coincidentally... he will surely win?
Or maybe it will be a tie? Or maybe he will lose to him on purpose so as to not reveal his skills early as all male leads do. Though I don't think that will happen since he has no reason to lose on purpose...
But what happened in the end, none of my predictions were right.
Brother, of course won. Ian, on the other hand, he... he lost miserably.
I thought he would at least be a little struggle to brother but... he kept deflecting every struck so easily. With ease, brother again dodged while Ian was biting his lip so hard, it bled.
He seemed to be trying hard, but then, why did he lose?
He is the male lead right? The male lead can't lose without having hit his opponent not even once...
At this point, his skills seemed even worse than the ugly squid's. (Crown prince or known better as the insignificant male lead)
Even so, he still barely managed to pass the exam. Barely- that word didn't sound good with the male lead.
There's no barely for the male leads.
My hands clenched as I watched Ian walk past me but I could do nothing.
Even as the ugly squid snorted at him who was going back to his seat.
Thankfully, Selene took no time to comfort the male lead who was down.
I sighed: if there was one thing I admired about Ian, it was that he never gave up. He tried even harder, & that he never get ahead of himself. He would never be embarrassed of losing... that was what I liked the most about him. How he held his head up, even after he lost. Even if he meets hardships, & even if he is at death's door. Ian always stood by what he believed to be right.
That might also be one of his greatest flaws though.
As I was in deep thought, I didn't realize it was my turn already.
'Phoenix Elan?' someone called, waking me up from daze.
'Your number is... 138. Please go stand there- it will start in ten minutes.'
Now, the only one I should really be worrying about is... myself.
🌺🌺🌺
I washed my face with cold water to wake myself up.
Phoenix Elan... that was who I was. Of course, my life as Phoenix- from beginning to the end, had a big impact on me but...
Something in my chest felt weird- stuffy, but hollow.
It was because of that darned dream, or should I say nightmare?
'Ian...'
It was ridiculous anyway- Ian would never even think of saving me, & Selene may not hate me but that doesn't mean...
I stared at the mirror reflecting me, or her: in a way, I am beautiful as ever. With long honey brown hair, almond shaped eyes with long lashes... to the point I'm just as pretty as the old me.
'But it seemed... Ian, you... you didn't hate me.'
When I walked into my room, I saw someone unexpected- specifically, he who said he was going on a business trip for a week.
'Argh~' he groaned as he turned on my bed.
And now, he's here, & so suddenly at that.
'Jung Hee, when did you come? I didn't hear you at all,' I told him as I walked towards him: 'Aren't you going to change?'
He didn't answer- it seemed he was too tired to.
I remember this: Michael used to do this when he came back to the mansion during summer from the academy.
'Jung Hee, wake up,' I shook his shoulder gently: 'You should sleep on your bed-!'
When I opened my eyes again, I was on top of him and he was staring into my eyes with those half opened peach blossom eyes of his.
(A/note: speaking of peach blossom, I want to eat peach)
His tight grip on my wrist made me realize that he had pulled me down.
'... Are we not sleeping together anymore?' he asked, his voice hoarse.
'...'
For some reason, I failed to answer.
'Because you're mad at me, Yeona?' as he asks, his arms circle around my waist, bounding me to place.
'Why are you mad at me?'
'... I... I'm not mad at you,' I reply when I realize he was talking to me, & struggle to get out of his grasp by pushing at his chest.
It seemed impossible though- he was stronger than me, obviously, & undeniably... wow, nice chest!!
'If... you're not mad, you'll sleep with me right?'
'What?- mhm,' I responded half heartedly while distracted.
-In my past world, it was called inappropriate for women to be embraced by someone they're not engaged to, & Ian never liked to touch me unless necessary. So this is my first...
'Wait, what did you say?'
'Yeona, my clothes feel uncomfortable: can you take it off for me?'
(A/note: god, that took a fast turn...)
'What? No! You can do it yourself!' I started to push harder- if this went on any longer, I will-
'But my hands are occupied,' he murmurs as he stares at my lips- and suddenly, I feel self conscious.
'You can just, let me go.'
'... No can do.'
His one hand trailed upwards, following my spine exactly.
'Jung Hee...'
'Hm?'
'Stop.'
My voice was of quiet whisper, so quiet, & weak, but his hand stiffened immediately.
It didn't feel wrong- but I knew it was wrong. Because I'm not the Yeona he knew, & right now, I was being influenced by her emotions left in her body.
'Ah... Yeona?'
I use that opportunity to slip out of his embrace.
But to me, he's a complete straner. And I don't want to hurt him in the end- to have him hope as if I can love him.
Jung Hee sats up straight, staring at me, & I... look away quietly: a rejection.
Because I know from experience, that unrequited love hurts the most when you still have that flames of hope burning in your heart.

A/N: chapter's longer than usual. Well, hope you enjoy.