Into the Apocalypse: Saving My Favorite Villain-Chapter 114: Look and tell me, what is your hand holding right now?

Chapter 114: Look and tell me, what is your hand holding right now?

Rosalia — POV

Ah... what Cecil didn’t know was that his so-called good brother—that very man—had long since abandoned any intention of offering mercy.

Especially not toward that despicable family.

If anything, the charity Cecil believed still existed had already rotted away, consumed by resentment, betrayal, and blood that could never be washed clean.

After everyone finally reached an agreement, they decided to give the men a few hours to prepare before setting out once more. Weapons were checked, supplies counted, routes redrawn on worn maps.

The camp fell into a restless, uneasy silence—one filled with the distant sounds of sharpening steel and murmured conversations.

That was when Cassel cornered me against the wall of the room.

There was no warning.

One moment, I was turning away, my thoughts still tangled in the earlier discussion, and the next, my back hit cold stone.

Hard.

The impact knocked the breath from my lungs.

Cassel’s arm slammed down beside my head, caging me in completely. His presence swallowed the space between us, heavy and oppressive, like a storm cloud ready to burst.

"Is it fun to provoke me?" he asked quietly.

Then, softer—dangerously so—

"Hmm?"

Oh God.

I had truly believed my little game hadn’t affected him.

That he had seen through it and dismissed it as nothing more than a harmless distraction.

But now—now, as he pressed me firmly against the unforgiving wall, as his shadow loomed over me—my lashes trembled violently despite my effort to stay composed.

Dear heavens...

Did I just light a fire I couldn’t put out?

Every muscle in Cassel’s body was drawn tight, tension rippling beneath his clothes as if he were barely holding himself back. His jaw was clenched, veins faintly visible along his neck, his breath slow but heavy—controlled in a way that made it far more frightening.

And my traitorous eyes—

They noticed everything.

Oh.

Perhaps Cassel noticed how long my gaze lingered, how my attention slipped despite myself, because his lips curved—not into a smile, but into something sharper.

Something knowing.

"Do you want to touch it that badly?" he drawled.

Touch it?

Touch what?

Wh—

Before I could form the question—before I could even think—my wrist was seized. His grip was firm, unyielding, and he forced my hand open.

Then pushed it downward.

A sudden heat flared beneath my palm.

My mind exploded.

My breath hitched so violently it hurt, and my fingers trembled against my will, every thought scattering into chaos.

"Cas—Cae... y-you pervert... you—!"

The words died in my throat.

I couldn’t finish the sentence. Couldn’t even breathe properly.

Cassel watched me with unmistakable satisfaction, his eyes darkening as my reaction unfolded exactly as he expected.

I was frozen.

Paralyzed by shock. By confusion. By the overwhelming awareness of how close he was—how aware he was of me.

I must have looked ridiculous.

Like someone who had been caught red-handed and forced into something scandalous, my face burning, my breathing uneven, my entire body stiff with conflicting emotions.

A wicked gleam flickered through Cassel’s eyes—one I hadn’t seen before. Or perhaps one I had refused to acknowledge until now.

Then, deliberately, he shifted my hand slightly.

The heat beneath my palm intensified—not painful, but impossible to ignore.

I tried to pull away.

Cassel tightened his grip instantly, stopping me with ease.

I glared up at him, anger and humiliation boiling together as his face moved closer—close enough that I could feel his breath brush against my skin.

"Rosalia," he murmured.

His voice dropped lower.

"What do you think you’re holding?"

What am I holding?

This shameless bastard actually dared to ask.

I refused to answer, focusing all my strength on trying to wrench my hand free.

"Rosalia," he continued softly, almost coaxing, "tell me. What are you thinking about right now? Hmm?"

His voice was dangerous.

Not loud. Not forceful.

But smooth—like something meant to pull you toward sins you knew you shouldn’t commit.

My heart pounded so hard I was sure he could feel it.

For a terrifying moment, I almost answered him.

"That... that... that—"

I couldn’t say it.

I dropped my head sharply, staring at the floor as if it might swallow me whole.

Anything was better than meeting those eyes.

Then—

I heard it.

Cassel was laughing.

Not a smirk.

Not a quiet chuckle.

A real laugh.

Warm. Genuine. Completely unguarded.

It stunned me so much that I looked up without thinking.

This was only the second time I had ever seen him laugh like that.

For a few seconds, I could only stare, mouth slightly open, my heart skipping in a way that made no sense.

Panic struck immediately after, and I turned my head away, mortified.

If I kept looking, I was certain I’d embarrass myself further.

Cassel laughed a little longer before speaking again.

"Rosalia," he said slowly, almost fondly,

"You’re adorable."

Adorable, my foot.

I shot him an indignant glare, my pride finally clawing its way back.

It looked like he was about to say something else when—

"Boss."

Henry’s voice cut through the moment from outside the door.

"Everything’s ready. All that’s left is for you to deal with the man we rescued."

At the same time, the doorknob began to turn.

My blood ran cold.

If Henry opened the door and saw us like this—

Pinned.

Flushed.

My hand trapped against Cassel’s body—

I would never recover from the humiliation.

Never.

I struggled again, glaring at Cassel with raw panic.

"Cassel," I whispered urgently, "let go. Let go."

But he didn’t.

Only when my fury reached its limit did he lean close to my ear, his breath warm against my skin as he whispered:

"Look carefully, Rosalia."

My heart nearly stopped.

"And tell me," he continued softly, almost teasing,

"What exactly is your hand holding right now?"

My mind shattered.

He still wanted me to look?

This man—

Shameless.

Absolutely shameless.

I squeezed my eyes shut, refusing, but he didn’t stop. He repeated himself—quietly, insistently—until my resistance crumbled.

"Just one glance," he murmured.

"Look... and I’ll let you go."

I was certain he was a demon wearing a human face.

Otherwise —

Why would I do exactly as he said?

When I finally opened my eyes and lowered my gaze—

I froze.

...

The realization hit me like a lightning strike.

"...What...?"

Cassel released my hand at last.

I stumbled back a step, mortified beyond words, my face burning hotter than before.

Behind me, Cassel laughed again—low and satisfied.

And this time, I knew without a doubt—

He had done it on purpose.