The Villainess is Retiring

Chapter 9

I was taken aback by Harry’s subtle touch. He seemed to be asking for something.

“You do whatever you want, so why are you frustrated? What desire have you not been able to fulfill?”

Basically, Harry was self-indulgent. He had to say what he wanted to say and do what he wanted to do. Were all demons like him? Unless I specifically wished for it, I couldn’t control him at all.

He’s like a disobedient dog.

I was beginning to understand why his soul’s familiar was a dog. At least it was comforting to know that I had the leash to control him.

“Are you asking that because you really don’t know? I want to see some blood! Killing is a basic demon urge. It’s similar to a human’s appetite for food.”

“It’s similar to our need for food? If demons don’t kill for a long time, do they die?” I asked him in surprise.

I summoned him, so if he were to die because his basic needs weren’t met, I would feel very guilty. After seeing the shocked look on my face, Harry calmed down a little. He shook his head.

“We don’t die, but it’s very unpleasant. It’s quite stressful.”

“Oh, so it’s not a big deal then. It’s fine as long as you don’t die.”

“Really? It’s fine as long as I don’t die? Didn’t you say you felt depressed when you had to eat tasteless food? That’s how I feel. Without blood, I start questioning if living like this is really worth it.”

“Hmm...”

That analogy resonated with me, so I immediately understood how he was feeling.

He’s right. When I was eating bland food, life seemed so boring and everything irritated me.

“Well, you can’t kill people. That’s a crime.”

“You keep telling me that, so I’m trying to satisfy my needs in other ways. It’s bad enough that I can’t kill, but now you have a problem with me eating too?”

“Is there any other way besides eating? The kitchen is going crazy because food keeps disappearing, and they think I’m a gluttonous monster who eats five servings of food by myself.”

“There are other ways to get pleasure, but...” He trailed off as he crossed his arms and looked me up and down. After a while, he said, “But not with a crumb like you.”

“Why not? I can do anything. Even if it takes a bit of effort, it has to be better than people believing I’m a pig who eats five plates of food at a time.”

It was so embarrassing for me to see the look of shock on the maids’ faces every time they cleared the table.

“Tell me. What’s another way for you to satisfy your basic needs or obtain pleasure?”

If there was something else, I was willing to do it, but then his face went flush.

“Ugh, forget it. I just can’t do that with you. I-I’d rather have roasted turkey.”

“Why? What’s the other way? Let’s do it.”

When I tugged on his sleeve, he pushed my hand away like I had just burned him.

“Wh-what do you think you’re doing?! Y-you don’t even know what it is. Just forget it! I can’t do that with you. I won’t do it!”

“What the heck is ‘it’ though?”

“You’re not even eighteen yet. You don’t need to know!”

“It must be nice being a grandpa who’s over two thousand years old. How convenient for you to bring age into this.”

“I’m not a grandpa!”

Just then, I heard Emma's voice calling me from the hallway.

“It’s Emma, my lady.”

“Emma?”

Cleaning the table was the responsibility of the maids who worked under her.

She must not be here to take the dishes away.

Harry was stomping his feet, so I calmed him down. Feeling puzzled, I let Emma in. He had already changed back to his dog form.

“Come in. What is it?”

She entered with a bow but looked troubled.

“There’s a guest here to see you.”

“‘A guest’?”

Everia was the duke’s daughter, so she knew a lot of people. She even had a few admirers.

But...

“Who would come all the way here to see me? I never received word of it.”

“Oh, he says that he came here in secret because he didn’t want anyone to find out.”

“He came here in secret? Who is it?”

“Um... his highness the crown prince, my lady.”

“The crown prince”? I never would’ve guessed. Did he ever visit Everia after she was sent to Airelle in the novel?

Rummaging through my vague memories of the book would be of no use. All the stories in it revolved around Kathryn. Everia only appeared as the villain who tormented her. So naturally, once she played her part as the villain and was banished to Airelle, her story was never mentioned again.

I hope he’s not here to ask me to do anything annoying.

I even broke off the engagement to avoid doing anything for him. I ended it just like he wanted, so why did he come all the way to Airelle?

“Where is he now?”

“I showed him into the parlor. He emphasized that no one is to find out, so I sent the other servants away.”

What could be so important that he insisted on visiting in secret? I got up from my seat with a sigh.

“All right. Lead the way.”

* * *

Crown Prince Cassian looked very fancy for a person who wanted to stay out of people’s sight. With his brilliant blond hair and clear eyes, he looked like a classic prince. His appearance alone would’ve made him stand out, but he even wore a white uniform. He might as well have been wearing a sign that said he was a person of very high status.

That’s how you look when you travel incognito?

I was sure many people must have whispered about his identity on his way to the manor. His appearance was well known throughout the kingdom, so some probably already knew he had gone to Airelle.

“You’ve come a long way. What brings you here?”

“Airelle certainly is remote. It's the first time I've been this far away from the royal capital.”

Cassian looked around curiously. The reception room of Airelle manor was well-equipped for receiving guests, but compared to the imperial castle or Oberon mansion, it was quite simple.

“It must be quite painful to be in such a rural area. After all, you’re the Everia Oberon.”

Maybe I’d be upset if I was the real Everia since she was the epitome of aristocratic culture. Anyone would have still said that while looking at me at that moment, but it wasn’t something Cassian should have said if he had a heart.

Everia is in Airelle because of you!

There was of course no justification for Everia’s actions, but if any of those bastards was responsible for her being there, it would be the crown prince. If he had paid more attention to her, she wouldn’t have been blinded by her jealousy and devised a plan to kill Kathryn.

“This place isn’t as bad as you think. Everyone is very kind.”

“You’re telling me the people of the north are kind? Oh, since Oberon’s roots are in the north, people here must treat you kindly.”

“Well, your roots are in the south, so what are you doing in a remote place like this?”

“Isn’t it obvious? I’m here to see you,” he said with a smile.

Perhaps it was because he was the male lead, but when he smiled, the corners of his eyes curled up. He was quite beautiful.

I’m sure Everia fell in love with Cassian because of that smile.

She had a weak spot for his kind face. Whenever he smiled and coaxed her, she always fell for it.

What kind of a villain is defenseless against a man’s smile?

It was just a typical setup for a romance novel. However, Cassian’s expression had no effect on me. I looked like Everia on the outside, but inside, I was a completely different person. I watched Harry circle around the crown prince.

Harry’s definitely better looking than him.

For some reason, the fact that my dog looked better than Cassian made me feel proud.

With my shoulders rolled back, I asked him, “So you’re here to see me? What for?”

My face remained unaffected, and Cassian’s expression subtly hardened. He was speechless for a moment but soon his bright smile returned.

“I was worried that you might be heartbroken after receiving the letter to officially end our engagement. I’m here to comfort you.”

I couldn’t believe he was saying that when he was the source of the problem. I was becoming more and more speechless.

“You don’t need to comfort me. I’m not that broken up about it. What’s the big deal about breaking up? It happens.”

In this conservative world, a broken engagement was a big faux pas, but that was only true for ladies from families that were lower in status than House Oberon. Everia had a very prestigious house on her side, so for someone with that background, a broken engagement was a very trivial matter.

“Don’t try to appear strong, Eve.”

Cassian used that name affectionately and stood from his seat. I almost spat out the tea I was drinking because his voice made me break out in goosebumps, but I managed to hold it in.

Why is he suddenly calling me by my nickname?

Confused, I stared at him. However, he misinterpreted my gaze and smiled even bigger.

“Eve, I never thought I would fall in love with anyone. I thought it didn't matter who I married. That's why I got engaged to you.”

“Oh, I see.”

“But then Kathryn came into my life, and I couldn't imagine marrying anyone other than her.”

Hearing that, I had only one thought—

So what?

“Why are you telling me this? Do you expect me to congratulate you on finding true love?” I said as I let out a faint laugh.

As if he had been waiting for me to say that, he replied, “Yes, Everia. I’d like you to congratulate me. Be happy for my future with Kathryn.”

“What?”

What nonsense is this?

“I know you’re happy for me, aren’t you?”

Is this sort of unfounded confidence a special privilege of the male lead?

I just stared at him as he slowly walked toward me. I stood there in anticipation as I waited to hear what other nonsense would spill out from his mouth. Instead of saying anything, he reached out and caressed my cheek.

“Your father withdrew his support for the mining business. Thanks to that, I’m in a very awkward position. I’m having a tough time these days, Eve.”

My eyes narrowed immediately.

Now I get why he came all the way here.

In the northeast region of the kingdom, there was an undeveloped magic crystal mine. It was thought to be a huge reserve, but no one dared touch it because of the enormous cost and amount of equipment required for its development. If it succeeded, it would bring in lots of money, but if it failed... it would be a huge waste of resources.

It was a risky gamble.

However, the crown prince's faction stepped forward to develop the area. He probably wanted to use the successful development of the mine to gain an upper hand against the first prince. And the biggest supporter of the project was House Oberon.

“I’m sure you’re in a tough position. My father decided to support the mining business because he thought I would become a member of the royal family, didn’t he? Now that we've broken up, I suppose he doesn’t see why he should throw his money away.”

Never mind that it wasn’t even an amicable breakup. Since the pride of House Oberon was seriously wounded, it was only natural to withdraw support for the project.

“But if the business succeeds, the profits will be several times the initial investment. It wouldn’t be a waste of money.”

“But success is not guaranteed. And shouldn’t you be talking to my father about this? He’s the one who makes all those decisions.”

“I tried, but he wouldn’t listen. I think he’d listen to you though.”

“To me?”

“Yes, he adores his daughter, doesn’t he? He sent you here to protect you from the drama of the social world.”

Duke Oberon... adoring his daughter?

Considering the look on the duke’s face when he ordered me to go to Airelle, I wasn’t exactly convinced. He had a serious and stern expression the whole time.

Well, it wasn't really all that important. Even if I were to assume that the duke did adore his daughter and would listen to her, why should I do any favors for one of Kathryn’s pets? He was no longer mine.

“But why would I do that, Your Highness?”

“Why else? Because you’re in love with me.”

His hand, which had been caressing my cheek, slid down to my neck. My body shrank away when he touched such a sensitive area.

Cassian grinned and leaned over until his eyes were at my level. There was a reflection of my surprised face in them.

“If you help me, I can do this for you,” he said as his face drew closer and closer. “I can’t make you queen, but I can keep you near me and give you whatever you want.”

My mind started racing.

So what he’s saying is, “I don’t want to marry you, but I need the support of House Oberon, so I’ll give you the physical affection you desire instead. And I know you’ll say yes because you’re in love with me,” right?

Wow. What the heck?

He was acting like this because he knew Everia loved him enough to attempt killing Kathryn out of jealousy.

What a scumbag.

I couldn’t believe he was the crown prince of an empire. I didn’t get what Everia saw in him. Come to think of it, even in the novel, Cassian Geraint was the type who was willing to do anything for the throne. He was an ambitious negotiator.

I don’t remember there being a shady deal like this discussed in the book though!

I was about to push Cassian away, but Harry beat me to it.

[You son of a bitch! What do you think you’re doing to my contractor?!]

“Aaah!”

Cassian tumbled to the floor as he let out a muffled scream.

[Hey, Master! Why aren’t you doing anything? This son of a bitch is talking nonsense!]

Cassian was completely stunned. He was too out of it to clearly assess the situation. I was also confused. However, there was only one possible explanation.

[Harry, did you do that?]

[Of course I did! Ugh, seriously! He was making me so mad that my magic just shot out of me!]

As I was trying to assess the situation, Cassian looked back and forth between me and the floor before eventually coming to his senses.

“Did you just... push me to the floor? Me?!”