I'm the Villain, But the Heroines Keep Choosing Me-Chapter 75: The Decision

That evening, Commander Voss called her to his office.

"Captain Thornwood. Excellent work on the strike mission." He gestured for her to sit. "I’m recommending you for permanent promotion to Guard Commander. You’ve proven exceptional tactical capability and leadership."

"Thank you, sir." She should have been elated. This was everything she’d worked toward.

"There’s a condition." His expression was serious. "Your relationship with Lord Valcrest. It’s becoming... noticeable. Some officers are concerned about your judgment being compromised."

"My judgment is – "

"I’m not questioning your competence. But perception matters. A Guard Commander needs to be above reproach. Your association with someone using dark powers creates complications." He paused. "I need you to formally distance yourself from Lord Valcrest. No more joint operations. No more private meetings. Purely professional coordination through official channels only."

Seria felt something cold settle in her chest. "You’re asking me to cut contact with our most effective anti-demon asset because his methods look wrong?"

"I’m asking you to maintain professional boundaries with someone whose powers are controversial. For the good of your career and the guard’s reputation."

"And if I refuse?"

"Then the promotion doesn’t happen. Someone else becomes Guard Commander. You remain a captain, which is still prestigious, but you’ll have refused advancement because of personal attachment to Lord Valcrest. That will raise questions."

She stood, mind racing. "May I have time to consider?"

"You have until tomorrow morning. This is a significant opportunity, Captain. I hope you make the right choice."

---

Seria walked through the city as evening fell, her mind churning.

Everything she’d worked for. Guard Commander. Recognition of competence. Proof that gender didn’t determine capability.

All requiring her to cut contact with Damien.

She could take the promotion. Build the career. Prove herself on her terms. Just had to sacrifice the connection she’d spent months building with someone who actually saw her completely.

Or she could refuse. Maintain the connection. Accept permanent captain position. And confirm everyone’s suspicions that her judgment was compromised by personal feelings.

Why is this so hard? she thought bitterly.

He’s just – he’s not –

Except he wasn’t "just" anything. He was the person who understood her burdens. Who treated her as equal. Who’d shown her that being human and competent weren’t mutually exclusive.

Who needed her. Genuinely needed her to help stay human.

And who she –

She stopped walking, standing in the middle of the street as realization hit.

She cared about him. Actually cared, not just professional respect or investigative partnership. Cared enough that choosing career advancement over connection felt wrong at fundamental level.

"Damn it," she said to the empty street. "Damn it, he was right. The choice was already made."

She found herself walking toward the Valcrest estate without conscious decision.

Margaret opened the door with knowing expression. "He’s in the study. Working late, as usual. Says he’s expecting you."

Seria climbed the familiar stairs, knocked on the familiar door.

"Enter."

Damien looked up from his desk, saw her expression, and set down his pen. "Commander Voss made you choose."

"How did you – "

"Because that’s what institutions do when something threatens their image. They make you choose between career and complication." He stood. "And you’re here. Which means either you’ve come to say goodbye properly, or you’ve made a choice you’re not entirely comfortable with."

"I don’t know which it is yet," she admitted. "I came here because I needed to – I don’t even know. I just knew I couldn’t make this decision without seeing you first."

There was silence for a moment.

"What do you want me to say?" His voice was gentle. "Do you want me to tell you to take the promotion? To prioritize your career? Because I will, if that’s what you need to hear. Your success matters."

"Does it? More than – " She gestured between them. " – more than this?"

"I don’t know. That’s your determination to make." He moved around the desk but maintained distance. "What do you want, Seria? Not what’s smart or professionally appropriate. What do you actually want?"

She looked at him – at the man who’d been honest about his manipulation, who’d respected her competence, who’d needed her help and admitted it, who’d shown her that caring and strength weren’t opposites. 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

"I want to not have to choose," she said finally. "I want the career and the connection. I want to be Guard Commander and still be able to come here when things get hard. I want everything, which is childish and impossible."

"What if it’s not impossible?" Damien’s voice was quiet. "What if you take the promotion and we find ways to maintain connection that don’t compromise your position? Discreet coordination, legitimate tactical consultation, maintaining boundaries in public while preserving partnership in private?"

"You’re suggesting we hide it. Make it secret."

"I’m suggesting we adapt. The connection doesn’t have to be public to be real. And your career doesn’t have to end because you care about someone controversial."

"That’s – it feels like lying."

It feels like corruption...

"It’s pragmatism. Choosing both by being smart about how we maintain connection." He moved closer. "You don’t have to decide tonight. Sleep on it. Think about what matters most. Come back tomorrow with clear head and make the choice that fits who you actually are, not who you think you should be."

She wanted to argue. Wanted him to make the choice for her, or push her toward the career, or something.

Instead, he was doing what he’d done before – giving her space, respecting her agency, refusing to manipulate the decision despite having clear stake in the outcome.

Which somehow made the choice both harder and clearer.

"I’ll think about it," she said. "But Damien? Whatever I choose – I need you to know it’s not about whether I care. I do. Care, I mean. About you. The connection. What we’ve built. I just – "

"I know." His voice was warm. "You’re scared of choosing wrong. Of making mistakes that can’t be undone. Of admitting you want something that looks wrong even if it feels right. I understand all of that."

"Of course you do." She managed a slight smile. "You understand everything. It’s annoying."

"One of my most annoying qualities." He returned the smile. "Go home. Sleep. Decide tomorrow. Whatever you choose, I’ll respect it."

[SERIA: GIVEN SPACE TO DECIDE]

[EMOTIONAL CONFLICT: MAXIMUM]

She left, but this time the confusion felt different. Clearer, somehow.

Because she knew what she wanted. The question was whether she was brave enough to choose it over what everyone expected.