The Villainess is Tired of Everything-Chapter 78

He murmured softly, and then Kaysen stepped into view beside him.

"…Greetings," Kaysen said in his usual gruff tone as he landed inside the room.

Darcy's gaze lingered on me. I noticed his eyes seemed to focus somewhere specific. Blinking, I realized he was looking at my lips.

‘…Seriously.’

"You asked for it," he whispered in a voice only I could hear. His words reminded me of our last encounter, and I felt my face flush.

"…Really."

I couldn't bring myself to criticize him, so I settled for a half-hearted complaint.

Darcy chuckled heartily at my reaction, then gestured to Kaysen.

"I can't go with you personally, but I’ve arranged for someone reliable to accompany you."

"…Did you know that the person you assigned is the commander of the knights in this empire?"

"He’s not the commander anymore. Now he works under me, though that's still a secret for now."

"What?"

I blinked in surprise. Kaysen was no longer the commander of the knights?

"The emperor and Ryan were aware that Kaysen and I shared the same goals… so they’ve been applying pressure, both overt and subtle. Until I can overthrow them, Kaysen agreed to help me and secured his position with me."

"…"

That explained why Kaysen had been visiting our estate so frequently lately.

‘I never pegged Kaysen as such an opportunist.’

Though he had opposed Ryan in the book, he never went this far. Darcy was certainly changing a lot of things.

"…But you said you were leaving," I said, still processing the impact of Kaysen giving up his command for Darcy's sake.

"I was going to…."

Darcy’s face softened into a relaxed smile as he tucked a stray lock of my hair behind my ear. The contrast between his pale hand and my dark hair made it look even more vibrant.

"But I couldn’t just stand by while your family was in danger…."

His fingers brushed my ear, the warmth of his touch bringing back memories of his kiss.

"I couldn’t let them have any control over you, not like this."

He was referring to Ryan and the emperor.

"I’ll have everything sorted before you return."

His eyes glimmered with a fierce determination. The intensity of his gaze was unmistakable, a flash of bloodlust lurking in his red eyes before it disappeared.

"…Are you trying to brainwash me?"

"If I have to."

Darcy rarely used his powers. Since getting to know him, I’d never seen him use his mind control abilities. I suspected there were limitations he hadn’t yet shared with me.

Something he wasn’t telling me.

"Don’t use it unless it’s absolutely necessary."

"…Why not?"

"Whatever restrictions you have, they can’t be good. You’ve got to live a long life with me."

I plan to come back safely and be with you.

"…That’s true. I guess that’s why I’ve avoided using it until now. Maybe I was subconsciously steering clear of it."

His words seemed directed at himself as much as at me.

A wizard who doesn’t use magic. It was paradoxical, but it made sense.

"I’m going to use it as a strategy."

Darcy whispered, his eyes gleaming with resolve.

"I can use it to make them let their guard down."

"…."

"There might come a moment when you have to advise them. When that happens, remember this, Marceau."

By "them," he meant the wizards.

He knew that the place I was heading to was close to the border village where Ryan would be leading his battle.

"Wizards need to move away from relying on their magic."

Because it’s becoming their shackles.

Darcy’s voice was barely audible, meant only for me to hear.

I hoped I wouldn’t have to deliver that message, but I took his words to heart.

"Okay."

When I nodded in agreement, Darcy’s lips curled into a smile.

"I specifically chose Kaysen as your guard. Use him well, as much as you want."

It was clear that Darcy had arranged this as a personal favor to me.

"If you really don’t want him, I can assign someone else."

I glanced over at Kaysen, who was standing with Leshan. When he noticed me looking, he cleared his throat awkwardly.

‘He’s not as unbearable as he used to be, but….’

I’m someone who holds grudges.

I hadn’t forgotten how he and Ryan had pushed me into corners and tried to intimidate me.

‘Still, it’s surprising he’s agreed to this.’

Considering how hostile he had been toward me, it was surprising that he’d agreed to guard me at Darcy’s request. Is this the power of authority?

I studied Kaysen for a moment before shaking my head.

"No, it’s fine."

With Leshan joining us, it would be convenient to have Kaysen around. He could take care of her too.

‘Honestly, when else would I get the chance to make use of Kaysen?’

I decided to use Kaysen to my advantage, planning a small, harmless revenge. He was a reasonable man, so it wouldn’t be anything too brutal.

Once we were all ready to leave, we headed to the carriage.

I approached openly, while the others followed discreetly.

The driver, whom Darcy had arranged, would take us to our destination and then leave. Officially, it would be reported to Marquis Etwar that I was on a leisurely trip.

Kaysen sat next to the driver, while Leshan, Ethan, and I settled into the carriage.

"…Is this really a carriage?"

I stared in disbelief at the interior.

"W-What is this?" Leshan stammered.

"What’s going on?" Ethan was equally bewildered.

This 𝓬ontent is taken from freeweɓnovel.cѳm.

The outside of the carriage looked unremarkable, but the interior was like an enchanted space, with walls covered in magic stones that sparkled and a space so large it felt like a room. It was big enough for the three of us to lie down comfortably.

A thick carpet covered the floor, almost like a mattress, and there were pillows propped against the walls.

‘Goodness, there’s even a blanket.’

It was like a modern-day luxury camper.

The three of us stood there, mouths agape, not daring to step inside. Darcy added casually from beside us.

"Oh, I used the same principle as the pocket dimension for this."

His nonchalant explanation left us even more astonished. It’s not something you can just whip up so casually, right?

"I thought you should travel in comfort. I’d hate for you to be uncomfortable or get hurt."

Darcy frowned as if the thought of me suffering a single scratch was unacceptable.

‘…Geniuses are the best.’

I once again marveled at Darcy’s brilliance.

"This is honestly something I can’t argue with…."

Even Ethan mumbled his admiration.

"Do you like it, Marceau?"

"If someone didn’t like this, they wouldn’t be human, Darcy."

"That makes me happy."

His smile was like the first bloom of spring, evoking the excitement of seeing new buds sprouting after a long winter.

"Have a safe trip."

"…What if I miss you?"

I couldn’t help but ask as I looked at him, bidding me farewell.

I missed him after just a day apart.

"I have a feeling I’ll feel the same way."

Darcy nodded seriously, his expression so earnest that it made me smile.

He took my hand and lowered his gaze, looking at me intently.

"So if I end up breaking my promise and come to see you…."

He interlaced our fingers, holding me close like vines wrapping around a tree.

"Love me."

His voice was clear and pure, as if he had been waiting for this moment.

"No matter what you hear or learn about me…."

His last words were a plea.

"Still love me."

His voice was as captivating as a melody.

…How must he feel, sending me off like this? I responded with a slight grumble.

"I’m already in love with you, so I don’t think that’ll be a problem."

His eyes widened slightly, his gaze deepening as he looked at me.

Oh, I really didn’t want to leave now. I could spend my whole life with Darcy and never get bored.

"How can you say all this and still send me away?"

I complained.

"The one who falls in love first is the one who loses."

"That’s not true."

Darcy disagreed with me.

‘What?’

I whipped my head up and glared at him, but his intense gaze remained fixed on me.

"…Even before you realized your feelings."

He laughed softly and brushed a quick kiss against the corner of my mouth. But more than the sweet kiss, what thrilled me was his next confession.

"I think I was already in love with you."

My face flushed.

The person I love, who traps me with sweet words and poisons me, was now doing so with full intent.

But if he really plans to poison me like this…

I’d gladly accept it.

I looked at Darcy, and this time, I rose on tiptoes to press a kiss to his lips.

His eyes widened in surprise before he let out a soft chuckle.

"I liked what you said."

As I pulled back, explaining my reason, Darcy wrapped his hand around the back of my neck, his voice lowering as he whispered.

"Then consider this my plea for you to come back with the same feelings."

He kissed me again, this time with a sweetness and depth that surpassed any words.