“I’ll just live as a villain.

Chapter 11

The Crown Prince Cassian I met in the reception room looked anything but secretive, despite claiming he had come quietly. His bright blond hair and clear blue eyes made him the epitome of a prince. Even just his appearance would have drawn attention, but on top of that, he wore a pristine white uniform. Anyone could tell he was someone of high rank.

‘Secretly, my foot.’

Surely, many people along the way must have been whispering about his identity. The people of the kingdom knew the Crown Prince’s face, so it was possible someone had already noticed he was heading to Erel.

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

“Indeed, Erel is far. It’s the first time I’ve been so distant from the capital.”

Cassian looked around with a curious expression. The reception room of the Erel estate was well-arranged for hosting guests, but compared to the palace or Oberon Castle, it was modest.

“Living out here in the countryside must be difficult… that ‘Ibria Oberon.’”

That would have made sense for Ibria. She embodied the essence of noble culture. Anyone seeing the current Ibria might have said that, but it wasn’t something Cassian should have said—if he had any conscience, that is.

‘Wasn’t it the Crown Prince’s fault that Ibria ended up in Erel?’

I wasn’t trying to justify Ibria’s misdeeds, but if we were to ask who the real jerk was, it was clearly the Crown Prince. If he had just stayed loyal to his fiancée, Ibria wouldn’t have had any reason to scheme out of jealousy.

“It’s actually nicer than I expected. Everyone’s quite kind.”

“The northern people are kind? Ah, the Oberons have northern roots, so I suppose that makes sense.”

“Then why would Your Highness, with southern roots, come all the way out here?”

“It’s obvious. I came to see you.”

Cassian smiled at me. The effect of being a male protagonist, perhaps—his eyes curved gently as he smiled, and it was strikingly beautiful.

‘No wonder Ibria fell for that smile.’

Ibria had been weak against Cassian’s smile. Every time he pleaded with a smile, she easily gave in to his words.

‘A villain swooning over a man, being pulled every which way. How typical.’

But I felt nothing at all for Cassian’s smile.

‘I may look like Ibria on the outside, but inside, I’m a completely different person.’

I watched Harry, who had transformed into a dog, pacing near Cassian and observing him.

‘Honestly, if we’re talking looks, our Harry’s way more handsome.’

My dog was handsome, yet I couldn’t help but feel tense. I straightened my shoulders and asked Cassian more boldly:

“You came to see me? Why?”

At my disinterested tone, the smile on Cassian’s face stiffened slightly. But after a brief pause, he recovered his bright, protagonist-worthy smile.

“I thought you might be upset after receiving the annulment notice. I came to offer some comfort.”

The culprit behind this mess offering comfort? I was more and more incredulous.

“I don’t need comfort. I’m not really upset. What’s an annulment? Things like that happen in life.”

In this conservative world, a woman’s annulment was considered a big flaw. But that applied only to daughters of minor families. Ibria carried the powerful Oberon name. For a woman with such a background, an annulment was a trivial matter.

“You don’t need to pretend to be okay, Ivre.”

Cassian spoke my name gently and stood. His unexpectedly kind tone made goosebumps rise; I nearly spit out my tea, but managed to hold it back.

‘Where did that nickname come from all of a sudden?’

I looked at him in bewilderment. He smiled wider, as if he could read my thoughts, interpreting my blank stare as something else.

“I never thought I’d fall in love with anyone. That’s why I didn’t care who I married, which is why I was engaged to you.”

“Oh… I see.”

“But then Catherine appeared, and I couldn’t imagine marrying anyone else.”

All I could think was: So what?

“Why are you telling me this…? Should I congratulate you on finding true love?”

Hearing my incredulous laughter, Cassian’s face lit up as if he had been waiting for exactly that reaction.

“Yes, Ibria. I want you to celebrate it. Our future together, Catherine and me.”

“…Excuse me?”

‘What kind of insane nonsense is this?’

“You’ll gladly bless me, won’t you?”

‘Is this baseless confidence a perk of being a protagonist?’

I looked at Cassian incredulously. He slowly stepped closer. I stood there, curious how far he’d go. But instead of speaking, he reached out and touched my cheek.

“My father withdrew support for the mining project. It’s caused me serious trouble. Lately… it’s been really tough, Ivre.”

My eyes narrowed automatically.

‘Ah, now I get it. This is why he came all the way here.’

In the northeast of the kingdom, there was an undeveloped magic stone mine. It promised great reserves, but the cost and technical demands were high. Success would be fine, but failure meant wasted time and money. No one dared risk it.

The Crown Prince’s faction intended to develop the area, aiming to gain a definite advantage over the First Prince. The main supporter of the project had been the Oberon family.

“Of course. Your father thought supporting the mining project made sense because you were to become part of the royal family. Now that we’re annulled, there’s no need to waste money.”

And this wasn’t an amicable annulment. The Oberons’ pride had been hurt, so withdrawing support was natural.

“If the project succeeds, profits will multiply. It’s not wasted money.”

“But success isn’t guaranteed. Why not discuss it with your father? He ultimately decides.”

“I already tried. He wouldn’t listen. I believe you can persuade him.”

“Me?”

“You care for your daughter, after all. That’s why you’re hidden here from society’s scrutiny.”

‘The Duke cares for his daughter?’

Considering how the Duke had forced me to come to Erel, this story wasn’t exactly convincing.

‘But even if he really did care… why should I feed a fish that swam off for another woman?’

“Why should I do that, Your Highness?”

“Why? Because you like me.”

The hand tracing down my neck made me flinch. Cassian smiled and lowered his height to meet my eyes. My startled expression reflected in his clear blue eyes.

“If you help me, I could give you this much. The Queen might be difficult, but you could have what you want.”

He leaned closer. My mind raced.

‘So basically…’

You won’t marry me, but I need the Oberon family’s influence. So if you want, I’ll give physical affection. You can’t refuse because you like me.

‘Wow. Seriously?’

I knew Ibria had been so obsessed with him that she considered killing Catherine out of jealousy. That explained his confidence.

‘What a garbage thought process.’

This is the Crown Prince? The protagonist?

I looked at his smug face and clicked my tongue. No sense, no awareness, no gratitude—nothing.

‘Is the kingdom really okay? Is this novel okay?’

“Ivre.”

Cassian called me, as if mourning for both the kingdom’s people and the readers.

“Our engagement was a transaction from the start. I become your husband, you give me power. Just like before. The only difference is what I can offer you now.”

“I see.”

“Yes, so…”

“I refuse.”

“What?”

“I refuse that deal.”

“Why?”

“The reward isn’t appealing to me.”

Cassian’s face stiffened. He hadn’t expected me to reject it. He stared into my eyes, trying to gauge me, then chuckled wryly.

“You’ve improved in negotiating. Do you want more? Even a government position?”

“No.”

“So you still want to be my wife. I told you I can’t give that.”

“Good. I don’t want that either.”

“…I don’t understand. Then what do you want?”

“Simple. Turn around, walk boldly back to the capital, and never see me again. Easy enough?”

My tone was as kindly and clear as teaching a kindergartener. Well, I tried my best.

“Just go back? You mean no deal?”

“Finally, you understand.”

I smiled with relief and waved.

“Then will you do as I said? Turn around, walk, return to the capital.”

But Cassian didn’t move.

“Why…”

He opened his mouth several times, looking complicated, before finally speaking:

“Why refuse the deal?”

“Simple. A deal is when each side holds something the other wants, and both exchange it gladly. But what you offer doesn’t satisfy me.”

“But… you like me. You always clung to me.”

“Yes, I did back then. Not anymore.”

“How can you… change so easily?”

Cassian grabbed his head in disbelief. I shrugged.

“You did the same. You fell for someone in an instant. The reverse is also possible. People’s hearts change. Nothing is constant.”

“…I see…”

Cassian looked shocked. He likely never imagined someone could exist who didn’t love him.

‘Well, if I weren’t Ibria, that would have been true.’

“But me? I’m not that Ibria.”

“So, a deal is impossible. You can’t give me what I want. I already have it all.”

I wanted comfort and luxury. As the Duke’s daughter, I already had the means. No one could trade with me in this world.

“If you want what I have, you’ll have to beg.”

“…Beg?”

“Yes. You want what I have, but can’t give a satisfactory reward. That’s begging.”

I laughed, and Cassian clenched his fist.

“But a noble Crown Prince would never stoop to that, right?”

Having grown up praised since becoming Crown Prince, this must have been the first time he felt insulted.

“Lady Oberon, do you know the gravity of insulting royalty?”

“Why? Are you going to charge me? You wouldn’t dare. The Oberons would turn against you…”

Of course, he couldn’t. His faction needed the Oberon family.

“And there’s no witness. Even royalty can’t accuse the Oberons without evidence.”

Everyone had been dismissed to ensure secrecy. The two knights outside couldn’t hear the conversation anyway.

“Ah. No one is watching, so why not beg? Who knows? My heart might change. People’s hearts do change.”

Cassian, oblivious, stared hard at me.

“…Today isn’t a good day for conversation. I’ll go.”

“Yes. I won’t see you off far.”

I lifted my skirt lightly and said goodbye. Cassian turned quietly, lips pressed tight. The knights awaited, standing regally as he opened the door roughly.

[Harry.]

I called Harry, staring at Cassian’s back. Harry immediately shouted, excited.

[You’re going to kill him, right? How should I do it?]

[Harry, do you think about nothing but killing all the time?]

[I’m a demon. It’s natural.]

[…Still.]

[Just kill him. He’s annoying anyway.]

[If you kill him, more trouble will come. Just trip him, make him hit the floor hard.]

[That’s enough? I need blood…]

[Harry, my wish is for you to…]

[WAAAH! Trip him! Knock him down!]

Harry screamed, used force, and a translucent ball of light slammed into the back of Cassian’s knees. It was so strong you could see his knees buckle.

“Ugh!”

Cassian fell forward to the floor. The knights, and even Emma waiting outside, were shocked. Everyone froze, mouths agape.

Cassian was no different. He lay there, confused.

“Your Highness…”

A knight called, helping him up. He staggered, still dazed. His white clothes were wrinkled, looking shabby compared to when he first arrived.

“Oh, Your Highness!”

I ran out, exaggerating my voice.

“You’ve been having a hard time, it seems. Legs gave out suddenly inside, and now again here…”

I shook my head, feigning worry.

“With weak legs, you must have many concerns. When you return to the capital, get medicine for your lower body. Something good for your legs.”

[…Hey. You sound worried, but that actually hurts him more. Men care about their lower body!]

Even Harry, who had been shouting about killing him moments ago, looked solemn. Everyone present stared at Cassian’s lower body in silent awe. I smiled sweetly, delivering the final blow.

“Cheer up, Your Highness. Having weak legs doesn’t mean the world has ended!”