I'm Not the Mastermind-Chapter 58

Even if Ines stepped forward to explain the truth, Reina wouldn’t believe her anymore.

Of course, there was always the option of revealing that he was a dragon. But Yujin preferred to keep that as a last resort. The fewer people who knew, the better.

So, as he had originally planned, he would continue playing the role of a morally ambiguous figure rather than a true villain.

And, as per Tiamat’s advice, he would gradually reveal sincerity over time, slowly dismantling the villainous image.

For example—he would still maintain his enigmatic and somewhat threatening presence, but at the same time, he would be a devoted and passionate professor to his students.

At first, people might assume it was just a calculated move to build his reputation.

But over time, his students would come to realize that his sincerity toward teaching was genuine.

And when the time was right—when Reina’s internal image of him had softened enough—he would tell her the truth and offer a proper apology.

Of course.

“……”

“Good morning, Professor Sahart.”

Looking into Reina’s eyes, Yujin could tell—her wariness had escalated beyond simple suspicion.

Now, there was unmistakable fear mixed in.

Somehow, it felt like this was going to take longer than expected.

Still, this was his own doing.

So, Yujin decided to just accept it.

“Well then, shall we? We have a lecture to conduct in the labyrinth today.”

“…Yes.”

And with that, as he mentally braced himself, he headed toward the labyrinth with Reina.

Meanwhile—

“…Ugh…”

Still half-asleep, Alicia frowned slightly as sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating her face.

“…Ah…”

Letting out a drowsy murmur, she blinked her lone eye a few times before raising a hand to shield herself from the light.

She slowly sat up.

Something felt… unfamiliar.

“…Where… am I?”

The space around her—though somewhat familiar—felt strangely foreign.

A neatly arranged desk, towering bookshelves filled with countless documents…

It looked like an office.

Alicia might not have remembered, but this was a place she had visited more than once in an unconscious state.

The Headmaster’s office.

She tried to recall why she was here.

‘I was with Professor Yujin, and then…’

She had gone on a nighttime walk with him.

And then—

“…Ah.”

She remembered.

It had been during their conversation.

Yujin had asked her to think about what she would do once her problems were completely resolved.

To imagine what happiness would look like for her.

And in response, she had—

She had imagined a future with him.

A life where they shared love. A life where they built a family together.

At the time, she hadn’t fully grasped the depth of her own emotions.

But now, she understood.

This is love.

She loved Yujin.

When she had been drowning in despair, he had reached out his hand to her.

And in doing so, he had unknowingly planted the seeds of affection in her heart.

And from that moment on, every little thing he did had nurtured that feeling—helping it grow, until he had become an irreplaceable presence in her life.

Thinking about a happy future had automatically led her to him.

Even the simple fantasy of being by his side had brought her overwhelming joy.

That was when she had realized it.

And yet—

What had Yujin said to her?

"That’s a mistaken feeling."

He had rejected her.

Said that once their contract was over, their connection would come to an end.

And in response, she had tried to claim him.

She had tried to take him.

But he was not an easy man to hold onto.

He had seen through her emotions.

And he had firmly rejected them.

Why?

Why?

Why was it wrong?

This was her emotion.

This was her desire.

She wanted him.

So why—why was he saying no?

Yujin wasn’t unaware.

He had tested her.

And yet, he had still claimed her love was a mistake.

But he was wrong.

This love was not a mistake.

She had to show him.

She had to prove it.

That this emotion was real.

That no matter how hard he pushed her away, she would not let him go.

“…!”

Alicia shot up from the bed.

Her entire body felt heavy and unsteady, but it didn’t matter.

She had to find Yujin.

She had to tell him again.

That he was wrong.

That this love wasn’t mistaken.

With determined steps, she made her way toward the door of the Headmaster’s office.

And—

Click.

“…!”

The door opened before she could reach for it.

Someone stepped inside.

And in that instant—

Alicia’s body froze.

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A woman with striking red hair, a mature figure, and golden eyes.

The Headmaster of the Academy and one of the most formidable mortals—Ines Karandar.

She locked the door behind her with a cold gaze, as if she already knew everything.

"Princess Alicia, where exactly were you planning to go?"

“……”

She had already heard the full story from Yujin.

At the time, it had seemed too absurd to take seriously, but now, Ines understood that this was a far graver issue than she had initially assumed.

And so, she couldn’t simply stand by and allow Alicia to recklessly run off.

More precisely—she couldn’t allow her to go to Yujin.

It would only make things worse.

“……”

Realizing the weight behind Ines’ gaze, Alicia clenched her fists, instinctively bracing herself.

That piercing gaze told her that nothing would get past this woman.

But even so, she tried to reason with her.

"Headmaster, step aside."

"Where do you intend to go?"

"That’s—"

"If you’re looking for Professor Yujin, he’s no longer at the Academy. He left for the labyrinth."

"!"

Alicia’s pupils trembled at those words.

But only for a brief moment.

She quickly clenched her teeth and spoke again.

"Move aside."

"Do you plan to chase him into the labyrinth? Do you even know where he is—what floor, what section?"

“……”

"No, even if he were still at the Academy, you would not be able to meet him."

At that, Alicia’s hands began to tremble.

Her emotions were already unstable, and now, it felt as if something was physically crushing her—binding her in place.

"…Why?"

"Because Professor Yujin does not want you to."

"That’s a lie!"

Alicia’s voice rang out sharply, but Ines didn’t so much as blink.

"He told me so himself. That you should be sent back to the Imperial Palace."

"!"

Alicia’s entire body stiffened.

"I know what you desire, Princess. But right now, your emotions are too unstable. He does not want you to come to him in this state."

Her mind went blank.

A suffocating pressure gripped her chest, as if her heart was being crushed.

‘Professor Yujin… doesn’t want me?’

That couldn’t be true.

It was impossible.

Her fingers trembled.

Her breath came out uneven.

This creeping coldness—she recognized it.

It was the same feeling she had experienced when she was a child.

When she had seen her mother collapse in a pool of blood.

That void-like despair clawed at her chest once more.

No.

No.

She refused to accept it.

With all her might, she pushed back against the fear rising inside her and raised her voice.

"…No. This isn’t his decision…! Headmaster, you’re the one forcing this, aren’t you? You’re trying to keep me away from him!"

"No, this is what he wants."

Ines’ voice remained calm.

But to Alicia, those words felt like a blade slicing through her heart.

"Princess Alicia, Professor Yujin is not trying to abandon you. He simply wants you to return to the palace—to spend time with your family and sort out your emotions.

He does not want you clinging to him out of desperation.

He wants you to think for yourself, to understand yourself, and to resolve your emotions on your own."

Her voice was unwavering, steady with absolute conviction.

This was her decision.

And she would not allow any counterarguments.

"This is his way of helping you. It is what is best for you."

Alicia bit her lip hard.

Her entire body tensed as she glared at Ines.

Her eyes swirled with a storm of emotions.

"Stop. I’m telling you, this is for your own good."

Despite the intensity of Alicia’s gaze, Ines’ tone remained firm.

There was no room left for discussion.

"…No."

Her voice shook.

She clenched her jaw.

"That’s not true…"

Even in her despair, she clung to one last shred of hope.

Professor Yujin… had pushed her away?

The one person she had longed for, the one person who had saved her—had rejected her?

No.

No, no, no.

That couldn’t be true.

He had saved her.

He had reached out his hand to her when she was at her lowest.

And now, that same hand was pushing her away?

No.

Impossible.

"I… I love him."

The words spilled from her lips.

Her body trembled.

Her breath hitched, and her heart pounded violently in her chest.

This was the one truth she refused to hide.

The emptiness she had felt after losing her mother,

The loneliness that had consumed her all these years,

The warmth and peace she had finally found—

All of it existed only in the moments she shared with Yujin.

"And now… now you’re telling me that he doesn’t want me?"

Tears welled in her eyes.

She refused to accept it.

Taking a step forward, she closed the distance between her and Ines, her voice trembling as she pleaded.

"Headmaster… please. Let me see him."

Ines simply gazed down at her.

There was sympathy in her expression.

But her resolve did not waver.

"No."

At that moment, all the strength drained from Alicia’s body.

She looked as if she were about to collapse.

Her expression twisted with despair, as if she were watching her entire world crumble.

"Why…?"

Ines’ answer was mercilessly cold.

"Because he wished it."

And with that final blow—

Alicia fell to her knees.