The Villainess is Tired of Everything-Chapter 64

I drew the curtain while locking eyes with Ethan. After confirming that Ryan couldn’t see my face, I mouthed the words:

Go back to the room, immediately.

Predictably, Ethan mouthed back:

No.

I could understand his reasoning. How often would a magician have the chance to face an unguarded prince? An opportunity like this was golden.

Then, his figure vanished from the window.

‘Did he just pretend to leave?’

I returned to the conversation, trying to probe the situation between him and Leshuan.

"Where is your beloved? I’m concerned that if we continue like this, strange rumors might start circulating."

"There’s no need to worry about Leshuan."

Ryan’s tone was so cold that I narrowed my eyes.

"I don’t understand how meeting another woman while leaving your lover behind isn’t something to be concerned about."

"She’s the one who suggested it."

Leshan suggested this meeting?

"Would you accept an apology and a gift? That’s the real reason I’m here… I’ve brought more magic stones than the Marquis of Etwar did last time."

He pulled out the magic stones he had brought. I wondered how long it took him to come up with such an excuse. It was pathetic to see him trying to use me now after all this time.

The magic stones themselves were innocent. I decided then and there to give them to Darcy for research. How perfect it would be to use Ryan’s gift to bring about his downfall.

I bowed slightly, feigning gratitude.

‘Is that all the information I’m going to get?’

It was time to send Ryan on his way….

"It would be wise not to trust Prince Darcy too much, Etwar."

The person I shouldn’t trust is standing right in front of me.

I had tolerated enough. I stood up abruptly.

"I never expected you to speak so ill of your brother in front of others. I’m disappointed."

"I’m only doing it for your sake."

"Oh, for my sake? I wonder what you would have said if you had heard this a few months ago."

"…I mean it."

Ryan looked me in the eye. I frowned as if his gaze were something filthy.

"Are you just upset that the fish you had in your net slipped away?"

"…."

"You should have treated me with more sincerity when you had the chance."

With that, I turned calmly toward the door.

Ryan also rose, clearly intending to stop me, but I was prepared to send him away….

"Ethan."

Until I saw Ethan standing by the door, carrying a tray with tea and light refreshments.

I quickly turned my head. Ryan glanced at Ethan with a blank expression.

"The tea has already arrived. Why not serve it?"

Luckily, Ryan didn’t pay much attention to him.

‘But the problem is Ethan.’

I discreetly glanced at Ethan’s hand. It was clenched tightly into a fist, which was more than suspicious.

‘Did he make something with the magic stones I gave him?’

I needed to prevent Ethan from making a move.

Thinking quickly, I placed my hand on Ethan’s shoulder and pulled him closer to me.

"Good job."

"…Quite the praise for a mere servant."

Ryan grumbled discontentedly from behind, and I let out a small laugh.

"I cherish him."

I subtly positioned myself to block Ethan’s face from Ryan’s view. It was possible they could meet as magician and prince in the future, but there was no reason to let them get acquainted now.

"…It seems you’re fond of collecting lovers. Bringing another man into your house after the second prince. It seems your tastes remain consistent."

I knew he was mocking me, but I had no desire to defend myself. In fact, if it meant he would lose interest, I’d welcome it.

I nodded.

"Yes, I’m very fond of beautiful things."

Wait.

Doesn’t this sound exactly like what Lady Wernar said earlier?

But there was no better way to handle the situation while keeping Ethan’s face hidden. Plus, making Ryan uncomfortable was an added bonus.

I glanced at Ethan and whispered a warning.

Hold back. He’s not someone you can fight.

But Ethan’s eyes seemed to have lost all reason.

"Something feels off."

Ryan’s words sent a shiver down my spine. He had moved closer to Ethan and me.

"I can sense murderous intent directed at me. As a prince, I can’t just overlook such hostility."

Like a true protagonist, he had a built-in radar for detecting killing intent.

"I’ve never let someone like that go."

To prove his point, Ryan drew his sword with a metallic shing.

Of course, Ethan wasn’t someone who would just stand still. He struggled to break free.

I used all my strength to hold him back, but I knew it wouldn’t last long.

Even though he was just a boy, the difference in strength was evident.

‘If only I had a gun right now….’

Desperately, I watched as the door opened, revealing someone stepping in.

A face framed by silver hair.

‘Am I seeing things?’

"Marceau, I thought I was the only one who could stand by your side."

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Darcy, who had pulled Ethan away from me with a near-superhuman strength, greeted me with a bright smile.

"Won’t you be satisfied with me by your side?"

His expression turned slightly sad as he lowered his gaze. Seeing his face, beautiful like a blossoming rose, felt almost surreal.

…But why?

I had eagerly awaited the moment we would meet again, yet now, behind his sweet smile, I felt like I could see the Grim Reaper lurking. Why does his sorrowful expression feel so chilling?

"How could you hold another man like this? I’m devastated, thinking you’ve found a new lover in my absence."

"…That’s not true."

I waved my hands in denial. Darcy, more than anyone, knew that Ethan wasn’t my lover. So why was he acting so petulant?

Was it because Ryan was here?

"Then I’m the only one by your side?"

It felt like I was dealing with a sulking child. But I had a gut feeling that if I didn’t answer, something terrible would happen.

I complied quickly.

"…Yes, that’s right."

It was the truth, after all.

Finally, a faint smile of satisfaction spread across his lips.

Darcy whispered something to Ethan, and Ethan’s struggling stopped immediately. It was markedly different from when I had tried to restrain him. I had no idea what Darcy said.

"Do you have any reason to see Marceau?"

Darcy, who didn’t even bother with formal titles, stood defiantly in front of Ryan.

"I don’t like the idea of seeing blood spilled here."

With a casual ease, Darcy placed his hand on Ryan’s, stopping him from fully drawing his sword. Ryan scowled.

"This is none of your business."

The veins in Ryan’s arm bulged, but he couldn’t move an inch.

It wasn’t that Ryan wasn’t trying to draw his sword—it was that Darcy was stopping him.

"It’s time for the uninvited guest to leave."

Darcy’s voice was so relaxed that it was hard to believe he was the one exerting force.

Ryan stopped trying to draw his sword and instead smiled, though his eyes were cold.

"I haven’t finished my conversation with the person who offered me tea. Were you invited?"

"We don’t need formal invitations to visit each other’s homes. It’s a shame your relationship isn’t that close."

Ryan’s attempt to provoke Darcy fell flat. Watching them verbally spar was oddly satisfying.

"And my brother is about to get very busy. You’ll be leading the next campaign."

"I know. His Majesty the Emperor has already informed me."

"It’s the battle you’ve longed for. I hope you achieve everything you desire."

"Don’t mock me. It’s my duty as a prince. I am the true talent His Majesty has cherished."

"Ah, yes."

That calm expression never ceased to amaze me. If it wasn’t something he wanted to hear, he simply let it go in one ear and out the other.

"Isn’t it a busy time? Shouldn’t you be preparing now? A greenhorn who has never experienced real combat."

"…."

"You’re aware that the victories so far have been thanks to me. If you lose this time, your pride will take a hit. Aren’t you afraid?"

The days of keeping Darcy hidden and using him discreetly were over. His exploits had spread through rumors, and continuing to use him openly was risky.

It was practically the same as openly supporting Darcy as the next crown prince.

The story had diverged far from the original, but Ryan was now set to lead the campaign. And the opponents he would face…

"Magicians should all be under the control of the royal family. I’ll make sure that’s demonstrated this time."

Ryan’s gaze lingered momentarily on Ethan, who was standing with his back to the wall. His eyes were as cold as ice.

"I’ll take my leave for now. Marceau, I’ll visit you again."

Although Ryan seemed to be at the boiling point of his anger, he didn’t explode this time.

His departure, seething with barely suppressed rage, was even more unsettling.

It was impossible to tell what he was hiding inside.

"As if he could scare me."

Darcy muttered with an impassive face.

It was confidence born of his abilities.