The Villainess is Tired of Everything-Chapter 40

Kies’s attempt to unsettle Darcy only resulted in revealing his own intentions, giving Darcy another advantage.

The reason why Kies, despite his disdain, had to accept Darcy was known only to Darcy himself and me.

This knowledge would make Ryan’s supporters anxious and Darcy’s supporters relieved.

"I don’t have much more to say. Since the palace is prepared for everyone, I hope you all enjoy yourselves."

Darcy finished his speech with a half-hearted smile, the corners of his mouth twisting upward in a way that made it clear it was forced.

But who would dare challenge him? Even Ryan didn’t have the courage to step forward.

As I watched, I remembered the first time I met Darcy and shook my head.

‘A merchant, indeed.’

He was someone who belonged in the light, not in the shadows. Feeling a sense of pride, I tried to calm my trembling heart when I noticed the person standing in front of me beginning to collapse.

The figure, the dress, even the hair color—all of it was familiar.

It was only then that I realized the person in front of me was Leshuan.

The realization came in an instant.

Instinctively, I reached out and caught Leshuan’s head with both hands.

Thud. In the awkward position, I also tumbled down with her. The layers of my dress, which I had worn for this occasion, cushioned the fall, but it still hurt.

"Leshua!"

The Marquis’s scream echoed through the room as everyone’s eyes turned toward us.

‘At least I won’t be mistaken for having pushed her.’

Since I had also fallen and completely lost my balance, I wasn’t worried about rumors...

But as I thought that, I flinched at the coldness I felt when my hand brushed against Leshuan’s arm.

‘Did I really touch Leshuan’s body?’

It was hard to believe she had been breathing and alive just moments ago. Even a seriously ill person wouldn’t feel this cold.

She had seemed perfectly fine earlier, hadn’t she? Had Leshuan ever been this sick before?

In the original story, there was a mention of her having a weak constitution, but she had never collapsed like this.

Was something that happened today the trigger? Something that caused this level of shock to her body... What could it have been?

‘Could it be because she met with me?’

Her stillness was almost akin to that of a dead person.

I had thought our relationship was resolved, but perhaps it wasn’t?

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I bit my lip to steady my confused thoughts and placed my fingers under her nose.

I felt the faintest breath of life. As she exhaled a shaky breath, her body was suddenly lifted.

"I’ll take care of her."

It was Kaysen.

To see him act before Ryan had a chance was surprising. It wasn’t the kind of assertiveness typical of a secondary male character.

The Marquis, who had rushed over through the crowd, checked on Leshuan with a pale, trembling face.

"Leshua, wake up. My dear…!"

He was far from composed. His hands trembled as he bowed his head slightly toward me.

"Thank you. I’ll make sure to repay you for this."

In that moment, any potential misunderstandings that I might have caused her harm were dispelled. The Marquis wasn’t a fool.

"It’s nothing. But what exactly happened…?"

No matter how much I didn’t get along with Leshuan, I never wished for her health to deteriorate.

"…I don’t know."

The Marquis responded after a brief pause. It was a small hesitation, but I knew instinctively.

The Marquis knew why Leshuan had collapsed.

But he didn’t blame me. Instead, he thanked me for saving her from what could have been a serious injury.

Why was that?

"She needs to rest. Let’s take her to the sitting room."

Was it because there were too many people?

My mind was racing from this unexpected situation, and in the midst of it, I marveled at the Marquis’s strength as he took Leshuan from Kaysen and carried her himself.

"I’ll show you the way."

Ryan, who had just returned, checked on Leshuan’s condition and calmly led the way. The Marquis nodded and followed Ryan.

Kaysen watched with a vacant expression as Leshuan was carried away.

It was clear whom the Marquis had in mind as Leshuan’s match.

Of course, it made sense for her to aim for the highest position in the land.

"When do you plan to get up?"

"Ah."

Darcy had quietly approached and was now smiling at me. My face turned red.

I had been so caught up in the situation that I hadn’t even thought about getting up.

"Are you okay?"

"Yes."

"You looked a bit lost… Here."

The kind tone he used was completely different from the casual attitude he had displayed in front of everyone earlier.

The moment Darcy offered me his hand, it felt like a scene from a movie.

He had told me to act on my feelings, and I had said I would do as I wanted.

I took his hand. As I tried to stand with a smile, I winced at the pain in my ankle.

"…It seems I’m not okay after all."

"It’s just a sprain, I’m fine."

My ankle hurt a little, but it wasn’t unbearable. However, Darcy didn’t seem satisfied with my response.

He looked different, almost as if his face had changed color. He stared at the hem of my dress where my ankle was and then spoke.

"You should go rest."

"Okay, then I’ll call a maid—"

But I couldn’t finish my sentence. Darcy squeezed my hand, and before I knew it, he slipped one arm behind my shoulders and the other under my knees.

Darcy lifted me as effortlessly as if I were a piece of cotton candy.

"Uh, Darcy?"

…We did agree to get to know each other better, but sudden physical contact like this—especially being carried like a princess—was overwhelming.

"Wow…!"

"Are they…?"

The gasps around us sounded particularly loud in my ears. The fantasy of a relationship between Darcy and me was becoming reality in real-time.

We weren’t even at the point where we could be called a couple, yet it seemed that was exactly how people would see us now.

I underestimated Darcy’s boldness.

As I reflected on this, Darcy noticed the concern on my face and whispered softly.

"This is the fastest way."

"But there are attendants…"

"The prince carrying you is the safest option."

Darcy lowered his head and grinned. His silver hair fell lightly, brushing against my cheek like willow leaves.

It was a smile only I could see.

The warmth melted away any lingering disbelief I felt.

In the end, I could only surrender.

"Let’s go."

It was a whisper so faint that even I could barely hear it, but Darcy didn’t mind.

He began to move.

"I’ll go with you."

…And then, an unexpected guest followed us.

It was Kaysen.

Darcy glanced back at Kaysen, who had followed us.

"Why are you following?"

"…To accompany Lady Leshuan. You know that, so why ask?"

"I’m saying you could have come later."

"You know this was the perfect moment."

"Not that it’s any of my business."

Their bickering surprised me. Kaysen, who was usually reserved, rarely spoke so openly to anyone besides Leshuan.

Seeing him stand firm despite Darcy's cold tone was unexpected.

‘He looks like a subordinate being scolded by his superior.’

The usually stern and formidable Kaysen seemed so small now.

Darcy, who had been looking rather bored, suddenly seemed to remember something and spoke up.

"Don’t you have anything to say to Marceau?"

"…."

Kaysen, who had been silently following us, slowed his pace.

"Now would be the best time."

In response, Darcy also slowed down.

"I don’t usually repeat myself."

There was a subtle threat in Darcy’s tone.

It was amusing to see Kaysen so flustered. I was a bit disappointed that I couldn’t have time alone with Darcy, but this was a good enough consolation.

"…Thank you for today."

Kaysen’s voice was firm, like a tree, and the content was exactly what I had expected.

He was nothing if not predictable.

People don’t change easily.

I looked at Kaysen intently.

"That’s not what I meant."

"Never mind, it’s fine."

Darcy tried to say more, but I stopped him.

"It’s pointless to expect anything more."