The Villainess is Tired of Everything-Chapter 43

"You’re getting more magic stones as a gift today too."

"If it’s from you, I’ll like it."

Darcy smiled at my words and turned the doorknob.

‘This is the space where Darcy has lived his whole life.’

My heart trembled as I stepped inside.

The room perfectly matched his image.

The room was cluttered, with magic stones scattered everywhere, but it was oddly organized in its own way.

I wrinkled my nose at the overpowering scent of incense. The table next to the sofa was piled high with candles.

‘No wonder Roberta mentioned it earlier.’

Darcy, noticing my reaction, scooped the candles off the table and tossed them into the fireplace, where they burst into flames.

"Does the smell bother you?"

He asked, his face filled with concern.

Looking at his expression, I was tempted to say it didn’t, but I had to be honest.

"Yes."

"Then I’ll have to quit."

I sank into the sofa Darcy pointed out. It felt new, its cushions still plush.

"Maybe airing the place out will help."

He opened the windows. The night was beginning to fall.

Since the abandoned palace was so isolated, with nothing around it, the sky seemed even clearer.

"I guess I’ll need to burn this too."

Darcy placed the incense burner Roberta had given him on the table.

"Do you really have to? You could just keep it."

"I do."

With that, Darcy poured the remaining candles into the fireplace.

The sound of the wood crackling as it burned, combined with the cool breeze from outside, made me feel cozy.

It was like being under a blanket with the air conditioner on during summer.

"Oh, right. Look at this."

He opened a drawer and tossed something toward me. I caught it out of reflex, and when I realized what it was, I almost dropped it in shock.

"This, this is…"

"The weapon I used to threaten Kies. I thought you might want to name it."

He had recreated a gun so perfectly that it surprised me. My experience with guns was limited to movies and book illustrations, but still.

I turned the gun over in my hands. It resembled a pistol, but with a more antique design. Was it because it was made with magic stones?

"What will you name it?"

The answer to Darcy’s question was obvious.

"A gun."

What else would I call a gun?

"A gun? Simple, but I like it. Fine, we’ll call it a gun. Want me to make one for you too?"

For me? A gun? My initial shock gave way to temptation.

…It might be good for self-defense.

I was openly supporting Darcy, the new prince. Not only that, but I was also planning to create and commercialize magic tools, which the royal family despised, ensuring a livelihood for magicians.

Darcy, now next to me, took the gun back and twirled it in his hand.

"There’s a lot of potential for making more things like this. For example, I could extend the barrel so it could be used to target from long distances."

…Like a sniper rifle? They say geniuses only need a hint, and Darcy certainly fit the bill.

"Isn’t it difficult to use?"

"I made it so it wouldn’t be. It’s based on my magic and spells."

So there wouldn’t be any recoil like with a real gun. After all, it was a magic tool, similar yet different from a real pistol.

I was relieved that the gun had saved Darcy’s life, but I was also worried about him developing more weapons.

Darcy didn’t seem to enjoy fighting, so there must be a significant reason why he continued.

After thinking it over, I finally asked,

"You’re developing more weapons because of the emperor and Prince Ryan, aren’t you?"

"Yes. I need a ‘method’ to bring them down."

"A method?"

"Yes, something beyond magic."

Even though he could use his mind control abilities to end everything, Darcy chose not to.

Was it just for revenge?

I didn’t think so.

"You have a reason why it has to be this way."

"You’re sharp as always."

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Darcy, who had been unbuttoning his collar, nodded in agreement.

He had never fully explained his mind control abilities to me. Since no one else had this power, there wasn’t much information available.

Even Kies didn’t seem to know much about it. If Kies didn’t know, there was no way I could.

Unless Darcy chose to tell me directly, I wouldn’t find out.

With the window open, I started to feel a bit cold. As I shivered slightly, Darcy got up, closed the window, and continued speaking.

"Actually, that’s not the only reason."

"There’s more?"

"Since Kies has seen this weapon, he’ll likely try to create his own. I want to make something even better to show him that his efforts are futile."

"…."

"Before the magic stones run out."

This was new information.

"The magic stones are running out?"

"Yes, they’re not an endless resource. The supply was always limited, and now it’s dwindling."

In the books, the royal family made a business out of magic stones. This scenario wasn’t something I had ever considered.

"…Aren’t magicians also decreasing in number, like the magic stones?"

It was true that magicians had gone into hiding, and their numbers had decreased.

"Yes. There are more people with magic who are choosing to live as ordinary people."

Darcy spoke matter-of-factly.

Magical power required cultivation, but in an era where magicians were persecuted, who would want to do that? I would have hidden it too.

"Maybe it’s easier for everyone this way."

As magicians disappeared, the world would become more uniform.

Darcy added this self-deprecating remark.

"…But is this change really right?"

I asked cautiously, voicing my doubts.

Magicians were unique beings. It was sad to think that most of them never got the chance to fully develop their abilities.

I hated judging everything by appearances. I knew all too well how painful that could be.

"Darcy, come sit here."

I called him over as I sat on the bed. He quietly took the spot beside me that I had pointed to. Watching him cross his arms and look at me like a curious baby panther, I took a deep breath and spoke clearly.

"I want to meet the magicians."

"…The magicians? But you have me. I can make any magic tool you want. I’ve got plenty of time now."

…There’s no way a prince has plenty of free time!

"I don’t want to meet them for selfish reasons. I told you before."

"…A contract."

"Yes. I want to make contracts with them. If I combine my magic stones with their magic, we could be great partners."

He raised an eyebrow and leaned in close.

A face this close is cheating! I could feel my face heating up instantly.

"That’s disappointing. You’re going to commercialize the magic tools we started, but not through me?"

"But it’s thanks to that time that we’ve… become as close as we are now."

I hesitated to define exactly what our relationship was, but I was sincere about everything else.

"So I’m going to find a way to meet them."

I started to confide in Darcy, sharing everything I had been wanting to tell him.

"You said you wanted me to be happy."

"…."

"Because of you, I’m already changing. I feel it even now."

If it hadn’t been for him, would I have ever thought about stepping out again after I had holed myself up, feeling disillusioned with everything?

No. I could answer that firmly.

If Darcy hadn’t been there, I would have continued to feel drained and avoided everything.

Because someone had been there to listen, to be with me, and to see me for who I truly was, I was able to stand up again.

Because someone had been there to crush Ryan and push Kaysen to apologize to me.

How could I ignore the opportunity to do the same for Darcy?

Now I wanted to do something for him as well.

"I’ll tell you as many times as it takes. I want you to be happy. And I think improving the treatment of magicians is the starting point for your happiness."

Did my sincerity get through to him? With a nervous heart, I held his gaze until he suddenly raised his hand to cover his face and bowed his head.

"…What’s this?"

"Don’t look at me. I probably look ridiculous right now."