I Became the Villain’s Master - Chapter 118

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Chapter 118

“It seems he has brought someone new.”

The ladies, fanning themselves gracefully, began gossiping about me right to my face. It dawned on me that they didn’t recognize me because I had altered my hair and eye color with magic at the Imperial Ball.

‘This is too much!’

Their seemingly polite words felt like daggers piercing my heart.

‘Ouch…’ I’d almost prefer outright insults. Just then, someone’s arrival diverted their attention.

“Lady Aria.”

Aria, dressed in a gown that was both opulent and classically elegant, entered with Terrion. All eyes turned to them, and I instinctively covered my mouth.

‘Doesn’t she look stunning?’

Aria was a completely different person from the Imperial Ball. Her gaze, as she surveyed the room, was composed and confident. The trembling, insecure girl surrounded by mocking noblewomen was gone.

‘She’s truly the heroine,’ I realized, a warmth spreading through me as I watched her exchange a look with Terrion that screamed ‘love.’ How much had changed in such a short time?

Terrion’s return from the monster subjugation seemed to have been a turning point. Aria, searching for someone, finally met my eyes.

“Rosie!” she exclaimed, then, excusing herself from Terrion, she rushed towards me with a delighted expression. The negative attention on me intensified.

‘Wait, this isn’t good,’ I thought, feeling drained by the sheer weight of their stares.

‘Is this what it feels like to be wilting under pressure?’

“I’ve missed you so much! Are you alright? I’ve been so worried, I haven’t been sleeping well.”

“Really? You don’t have to worry about me.”

Aria’s eyes widened like a startled rabbit as she clasped my hand. Kiris’s eyebrow arched at the sight, but I was too distracted by Aria’s boldness to notice.

“How can I not worry? I can’t think of anything but you.”

“I… Is that so?”

“Yes! I was so happy to hear you were attending the Holy Festival. Do you still need the Duke’s protection?”

“No, I’m staying at the Tower for various safety reasons.”

“The… Tower?” Aria’s expression hardened, and she glanced at the imposing figure of Kiris. “How did that happen…?”

Was staying at the Tower really that serious?

“Did he force you to go against your will? Tell me. I’ll take care of it.”

Wait, what? It didn’t take long for me to understand her implication. Leaning closer, Aria whispered, “If that’s the case, blink twice quickly.”

“That’s not what happened…!”

“Really? It doesn’t seem that way to me.”

“I have a close friend at the Tower, and I agreed to stay at the Master’s request. There was no coercion involved.”

“Is that so…?” Aria still seemed unconvinced but finally nodded. “That’s good then…”

Did she think I had been kidnapped and imprisoned by Kiris? Well, given his reputation, her misunderstanding was understandable.

“Greetings,” Terrion said, approaching us. “I am Terrion Eckart. I’ve been eager to meet the lady who is such good friends with Aria.”

Responding to his courteous greeting, I gracefully gathered my skirts and curtsied. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Your Lordship.”

I could hardly believe I was finally face-to-face with the male lead of the novel! But strangely, his violet eyes held a flicker of recognition.

‘Does he know me?’

Perhaps Aria had mentioned our friendship. I was about to dismiss the thought when Kiris stepped forward, interrupting my train of thought. “I hear you’ve completed the monster subjugation.”

His tone made me tense. He looked ready to kill with a single glance. Terrion, however, met Kiris’s crimson gaze without flinching.

“Indeed, Master Kiris.”

“You wouldn’t have returned so quickly without our assistance.”

“We made a trade, not a request for aid. Your words are misleading.”

‘Ooh…!’

I was witnessing the confrontation between the male lead and the villain, a scene straight out of the novel! Excited, I took a few steps back to get a better view, but Kiris gently grasped my arm, his eyes glinting. “Where are you going? You should stay by my side.”

“The lady was speaking with me.”

“And what of it? You should attend to Lady Aria.”

“I merely wished to express my gratitude to someone who has shown Aria such kindness.”

I stood there, bewildered, looking from one to the other.

‘Are they fighting over me?’

As I struggled to process the situation, Aria took my hand, her expression serious. “Rosie, trust me. I’ll protect you.”

‘Protect me from what?’