Home/I Saved the Villain and Fell Asleep/ch 92

Chapter 92

"Think carefully about what I might do if you leave me alone. I'm so worried, so scared, and I miss you so much that I might do something you'd hate."

"What... is something I'd hate?"

I heard the crackle of flames. The heat made me visibly flinch.

"Me going berserk."

"Wow..."

"You know? Sometimes you look at me like I'm a child you're afraid might go astray."

"You tried to solve everything with force."

"Ah, right. Add 'trying to solve everything with force' to the list of things you hate."

"Are you threatening me?"

"Since promises don't work, I guess it's a threat?"

His smirk was infuriating—I punched him in the side. He didn't dodge, took the hit, then grabbed my head and shook it.

"You made me this way. So take responsibility."

I was so dumbfounded I could only laugh. I'd started paving that flower path thinking I'd survive this life instead of dying young—but without realizing it, an obsession narrative had been building.

Now I couldn't even deny it when Teo called Kali a separation-anxiety shadow.

"You'll have to deal with it whether you like it or not."

The problem was, I didn't dislike it. Damn it.

I knew that at sixteen, it wouldn't be strange to have a fiancé—but my past-life memories kept putting the brakes on my thoughts.

I was the one who'd been chanting for him to grow up faster!

"So do a good job. So I don't go berserk."

"Ugh, fine—just get off me!"

The warmth pressing against my back wasn't unpleasant, but I waved my arms in pretend irritation.

"Hariella, think about what I'm feeling. Worry that I might actually go berserk. That I might burn everything down when I'm angry... Think about me. It'd be even better if you're conscious of me."

His tickling voice lingered in my ear. After dropping that bomb, Kali left the room with light steps.

I was left alone, staring at the closed door in shock.

It felt like the little neighbor kid from long ago had barged into my house with a bouquet, demanding I keep a childhood promise.

Not that I still see Kali as that little squirt—he's taller and bigger than me now...

"Young lady!"

The genre suddenly changed, didn't it? Wasn't this supposed to be about reforming a future villain and surviving? I didn't ask for the villain's obsession?!

"Young lady? Young lady!!"

"Y-yeah?? Huh??"

"Are you okay? Your face is red. Did you fight with the youngest young master again? I saw him walking away with quite a force."

"No...? We didn't fight..."

Julia's hand reached for my forehead. I stared blankly at her as she tilted her head, checking on me.

"Julia."

"Yes?"

"I need to calm down. A warm tea—no. A glass of wine."

"Just one glass, right?"

"Fine."

I needed alcohol. And someone I could talk to freely.

I really don't have any friends, do I? I always talked to Kali, ate with Kali, played with Kali...

This is like a cat-dog. One body, two heads—not that.

"Did I really leave him alone that often? He's run off on his own too."

When he was young, he'd run off alone and get caught by dark mages, and at Colton's mansion, he sensed something and ran off alone again. I was so frustrated back then.

...Maybe that's why. I hated seeing Kali throw himself into danger so casually, so I grabbed him and pushed him behind me. And I started stepping up—under the pretense of protecting him.

I just hated it. Kali being in danger.

"I'd have no excuse even if I'm called selfish."

I don't understand Kali's anxiety. Even after hearing his true feelings, I can't fathom the source of it.

Maybe it's the same for him. I was afraid of him going astray too.

"A refreshing wine to cheer you up, young lady!"

"Come here!"

Julia, carrying an entire ice bucket, set out simple finger foods and wine glasses. She'd learned from Kasha how to pour wine and eagerly filled the glasses.

"Ah! Young lady!!"

As soon as the wine was poured, I grabbed the glass and downed it. I ended up in a chase with Julia, trying to keep the ice bucket from me while trying not to think too deeply about Kali's feelings.

"An invitation?"

"A party celebrating the Grand Duchess's coming of age, apparently."

"Everyone will flock to it."

He was the most powerful noble after the imperial family. A party celebrating his only daughter's coming of age would have everyone dropping everything to attend.

"We should go."

Sier fiddled with the invitation's edge, frowning.

The Algenprina ducal house was one of the empire's pillars. In the past, during seclusion, it might have been different—but now that they'd re-emerged in society, not attending such a major party would invite gossip.

"It's a good opportunity to officially visit the Grand Ducal house."

Father's hand, holding a pen, hovered in the air.

"Where is the former Emperor hiding...?"

Dark circles had settled heavily under Father's eyes. The repeated pattern of catching and losing the dark mages' trail had clearly taken its toll.

"Searching everywhere and finding nothing... means there's something where we haven't looked."

"The Grand Ducal castle."

Though they say the darkest place is under the lamp, would he really be hiding there?

"For this party, only Sier and I will..."

"Duke!"

"Dad!!"

Kali and I both snapped. I reflexively glanced at him—our eyes met. After yesterday's conversation, I couldn't look him in the eye, so I looked away first.

"I was going to, but fine—let's all go."

"Hale, isn't that dangerous?"

Mother expressed her worry. With Irein still unconscious, she'd decided not to attend.

"The investigation is being handled by me and His Majesty's people—the children should be fine. Don't leave the ballroom and stay within mine and Sier's sight."

I nodded, but Father's eyes were full of distrust.

"Sier, I know you're busy, but I'm counting on you."

Sier was just as busy as Father. His surroundings were always crowded with people trying to greet the ducal heir.

"Kali must have mixed feelings."

It was the place that should have been his home—not a place he wandered through, hiding under another family's name, but a warm, cozy sanctuary.

"But Father, aren't both of them at risk? The safest place would be the castle."

Sier was skeptical about us attending.

"I know... but leaving them alone makes me more uneasy."

At Father's firm words, Sier couldn't argue.

What! Argue back! ...Not that I want to be left behind!

"The Grand Duke wouldn't dare do anything to them in front of so many people."

And if the princess and young master disappeared from the Grand Ducal castle, he wouldn't escape responsibility.

"And if some reckless madman charges in—don't think twice, just take them out."

Father's thumb drew a horizontal line across his neck. In response, I gave a thumbs-up.

"This is a good chance to see who the Grand Duke's people are. Many imperial and noble factions will attend—watch closely who to approach and who to avoid."

"Yes, Father."

"And Hari, show me your club for a moment."

At Father's gesture, I held out my Goblin Club. He narrowed his eyes and examined it.

"You've been using it well. Hmm, can you tell how much magic is left?"

"Yours will probably run out after one or two uses."

"Let me see."

I held out the club's tip—Father placed his hand on it and infused mana. The second golden gem filled with brilliant silver mana.

"What about mine? What about me?"

Sier, whose eyes always sparkled at the sight of my club, pressed close and asked.

"There's still plenty of fog, but more wouldn't hurt, right? Hehe."

I wouldn't say no to more. Fighting the dark mages at the cave had used up about half of Sier's magic. Fog was perfect for debuffing groups of enemies.

When Father's hand left the club, Sier grabbed its tip. Five seconds passed, then ten—his hand didn't leave.

"Sier...? How much are you pouring in? Are you okay?"

Infusing magic, Sier tilted his head and smiled innocently. He didn't look strained at all.

"Enough to circle the castle maybe five times? Oh, I just hit six."

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