The Villainess is Tired of Everything-Chapter 22

This seemed the best course of action for the current situation.

Darcy widened his eyes at my words and smiled.

"That's reassuring. Make sure you eat well. I didn’t know what you’d like, so I prepared a bit of everything."

...His tone made it sound as though he had prepared the meal himself, which made me chuckle. I nodded in acknowledgment.

Darcy grabbed the blade with his hand and gestured with his chin.

"Shall we go?"

Even with those few words, there was a palpable tension between them. Just watching it gave me a headache.

Ryan glared at Darcy, then exhaled deeply and muttered.

"Follow me."

Darcy led the way, and the two left the room.

Creak. The door closed.

I was dumbfounded.

What in the world is going on?

Meanwhile, the servants began bringing in the food. I was amazed at the ongoing parade of dishes.

This chapter is updat𝓮d by freēnovelkiss.com.

"...The table legs might break."

There was far too much food for just two people. The sheer number of dishes was overwhelming, and salads and desserts appeared indiscriminately.

Darcy was right; it was as if he had orchestrated the whole thing.

Yes, Darcy would find a way to settle things, just like when he created magical tools on time.

I picked up a fork and tasted the meat. The melt-in-your-mouth beef erased all my worries.

It was even more delicious knowing it had been prepared for me.

"It's been so long since someone thought of me."

Consideration is an act born from thinking about another person, so I was always grateful for it, no matter its size.

...Could Darcy really be a prince?

A prince who wasn’t mentioned in the book? Although he held one of the most significant roles after the Crown Prince, I hadn’t encountered him until recently.

I recalled Darcy’s words earlier.

"You saved me."

He’d explain what that meant later. I just needed to wait for him.

Thinking back, he never once seemed uncertain. He knew how to use his abilities effectively.

I should start by asking how he came back after saying he was leaving.

The Darcy I saw today felt like a completely different person.

'It's amazing how close we've become.'

I took a sip of soup. It warmed my throat. The soup was so good that it made me smile again.

The next thing I ate was a macaron.

The imperial chefs and patissiers were masters of their craft, and their skills were well recognized.

The macaron filling was delicate and perfectly balanced in sweetness and softness. It was the happiest I had felt during my time at the palace.

I must be so simple if eating sweets lifts my mood like this.

How nice it would be to live everything in such a simple manner.

As I exhaled, I thought of the conversation Letty and I had a while ago over some well-brewed tea.

Letty had prepared some delicious desserts for me.

'I should buy Letty a box of macarons when I get back.'

I had nearly finished eating, yet Darcy still hadn’t appeared.

I had finished my meal, and as time passed, I began to worry about Darcy.

Above all, I was concerned about him being injured. He couldn’t have come away unscathed after a confrontation with Ryan.

Knowing Darcy, he would hide his injuries and walk back into the dining room as if nothing were wrong.

I decided on a course of action.

I’d wait for him in the hallway and catch him off guard. He wouldn't be able to hide any injuries out in the corridor, and I could discern his condition even if he didn’t say anything.

Standing would help me digest my meal, so it was killing two birds with one stone.

And then, later, I’d eat with Darcy when he had his meal.

Having decided, I stood up. If I didn’t see him in the hallway, I planned to ask a servant.

With a cool expression, Darcy leaned against the wall and spoke nonchalantly.

"I understand your feelings, but let’s talk inside. A sword fight in the hallway is a bit much, don’t you think?"

"Change your tone. It’s utterly disrespectful."

"Sorry, I can’t. I’ve grown to despise polite speech because of someone."

He was completely different from the Darcy who had asked Marceau if she preferred formal speech.

Darcy opened the door to the room beside them.

He gripped the doorknob and stepped in as if he were well accustomed to it. His familiarity with the palace was indeed surprising. Instinct warned me that danger was near.

In any case, I needed to understand the meaning behind his words about being brothers. Ryan furrowed his brow and followed him into the room.

"In honor of the first time meeting my sibling, I brought a very special gift."

I’ve captured your mole.

Darcy tightened the rope he held, smirking. Ryan’s gaze followed the rope to a woman lying bound on the floor.

"...How?"

There lay Letty, bound tightly and unconscious.

Ryan was genuinely flustered.

Why is she here? Who got to her? Or did Marceau discover—

"Do you like it, brother?"

With his chin raised, Darcy asked coldly. His expression as he looked at Ryan was menacing.

Ryan hesitated. Should he deny Letty’s existence? But Darcy had already captured her.

Given his confidence in confronting me, it was better to start a candid conversation and negotiate.

More than anything, he couldn’t just abandon his person.

Ryan conceded.

"How did you find out?"

"I traced the source of those ridiculous rumors you intended to spread. It’s disgraceful for someone who will become a Crown Prince."

...The rumors intended to prevent Marceau Etvar’s engagement. Knowing about them made me even more suspicious of this man.

"I guess it’s time to wake her up."

As Darcy tightened the rope, Letty groaned and began to wake. She spotted Ryan and clenched her jaw.

In a dry whisper, she spoke.

"I’m sorry, Your Highness. I didn’t expect to be caught."

"No... it's fine."

"You care so much for your subordinate. Why don’t you come closer and untie her?"

Darcy muttered carelessly, holding the rope.

His features, partially obscured by his hair, were fierce, yet his gracefully curved eyes softened the effect.

His incongruous beauty, given the current tense atmosphere, created a peculiar aura.

"You'll hear about me directly from the Emperor tomorrow. No need for me to talk, is there? Such a hassle."

Darcy remarked in passing as he opened a window for ventilation.

"So, what will the esteemed prince choose?"

It was a clear challenge directed at Ryan.

Ryan was conflicted.

This is a trap. Darcy's hostility towards me was evident without needing words.

He had captured Letty, so he wouldn’t let this go easily.

And I was the one who first put a sword to his throat.

Yet, despite my suspicions, Darcy seemed utterly defenseless.

His clothes were luxurious, but he had no visible weapons.

His left hand held the rope, and his right was empty.

'A trap?'

Just as I approached, swinging my sword to cut the rope, something struck my head. Something cold pressed against my forehead.

Ryan was shocked.

'...What is this?'

"The downside of brainwashing is the lack of visual fear. It ends with just a few words, so it’s useless for threats. So, I prepared something different."

"..."

"It’s my favorite weapon."

A clicking sound was heard.

"My father was thrilled with it. What about you, brother? Do you like it?"

"...Where did you come from?"

"Shall I give you a little taste?"

Darcy twisted the gun pressed against Ryan’s forehead, leaning in with a sneer.

"I’m the dog who lived, coming and going from the palace for Kies. The reality of the Saizen Palace you ignored is me."

His expression was filled with deep-seated hatred, and Ryan's eyes widened.

'Saizen Palace?'

Wasn’t that the forbidden place he was supposed to inherit?

"...Are you the one father kept hidden?"

I had always suspected something was hidden in Saizen Palace.

I just didn’t expect it to be a prince like this.

Darcy pressed the gun further against Ryan’s forehead and spoke in a low voice, locking eyes with him.

"Do you not even remember the gratitude for saving you as a child?"

"What are you..."

"Ryan Stregen. That was the last mercy I extended to you."

"Mercy?"

Darcy’s gaze pursued him relentlessly.

In a fleeting moment, Ryan recalled a childhood memory.

A memory he didn’t even know he had forgotten came rushing back.

As a child, Ryan had boldly entered the Saizen Palace. It was to uncover its secrets.

And there, he met this man.

...Yes. He had met this man before.