After the meal ended, Rath Arahan insisted on escorting me out of the Imperial Palace.
Was it because he no longer cared about the press?
The distance wasn’t far. I could have easily gone to the nearby training grounds with Ain or Anais. So why was he so persistent about accompanying me?
“Did you like the dress?”
“Ah… yes. It’s beautiful. Thank you.”
“It’s a shame we couldn’t have dinner together today.”
“…?”
I blinked.
Arahan sounded genuinely regretful, as though he truly lamented that we hadn’t shared a meal. The sudden shift left me confused.
Wasn’t he supposed to talk about the charity event?
Or was there another reason?
…Or was this simply kindness?
Back in Korea, people often say ‘Let’s eat together sometime’ the same way they say hello. I had assumed it was nothing more than a polite phrase to close the conversation.
Arahan was considerate toward women, yes—but he always knew where to draw the line. He was a romanticist who cherished Osborne above all else. I never imagined he would cross boundaries.
And yet—
Thinking back to how he had once used me, curiosity crept in.
In this world, yesterday’s enemy could become today’s ally. Still, this change was too sudden.
“I’ve been meaning to ask…”
I stopped walking and looked up at him.
“Did I do something wrong to you, Duke?”
“…What?”
“Or is this some kind of plan to keep me from causing trouble?”
“…No. It’s nothing like that.”
Then why did he look at me like that?
The same expression he’d worn after the noble party—apologetic, hesitant, as if he’d suggested something he shouldn’t have.
Was he playing with me?
Was he pretending to be kind, the way I had pretended to boldly confront Karlcia Senil Morc?
And now he was saying—
Would you like to have dinner with me…?
Even if he claimed it was for the charity event, unease lingered.
Could it be—
“…Did you fall for me?”
The words slipped out before I could stop them.
I clapped a hand over my mouth, already preparing to apologize.
But—
Arahan’s face turned red.
…No way.
“Haha… did I say something strange…?”
“I see,” he said quietly.
“I keep thinking about you. I’m sorry. I suppose I’ve been searching for excuses to see you again.”
He hesitated, then continued, “I think that’s what falling in love means.”
“…?”
“It seems I’ve fallen for you, Miss.”
—
Don’t say that.
Don’t say things like that.
You’re not even my favorite character.
No—you’re the male lead.
You’re supposed to be with Osborne.
Did that slap really change everything this much?
“…This is getting out of hand.”
I exhaled sharply, forcing myself to calm down.
“…Calm down. Relax.”
Then I forced a laugh.
“Haha. I must be overflowing with charm, right?”
“That’s true,” he said, smiling faintly.
“And now I’m worried. I fear His Majesty may start taking interest in you again.”
…This wasn’t a joke.
Why was he acting like he had been slapped?
“…How did you end up falling for me, when you’re supposed to adore the lovely Osborne Luciela?”
“I was concerned.”
“…?”
“There were many things I said thoughtlessly, believing they were mere whims. But more than anything…”
He paused.
“The way you enjoyed the cake—it was adorable. And the way you stood up for commoners… that was brave.”
Can someone really change this suddenly?
Perhaps in a novel.
But why me?
Why was Elizabeth, a villainess destined to die, suddenly being seen as admirable?
“…I’m a villain.”
And I’m supposed to die as one.
“I know.”
“I might tarnish the Duke’s name and honor.”
So please—
Laugh with Osborne.
Let me walk the path of a villain and return to my original world.
“Yes,” he said calmly. “I’m prepared for that.”
“I won’t hesitate to commit evil,” I said quietly.
“I know I might die at any moment.”
That’s how I’m meant to leave this world.
So don’t stop me.
“I won’t stop you,” Arahan replied.
“But please remain within my sight. Let me protect you by staying beside you.”
—
I bowed my head deeply, hiding my burning cheeks.
Mom… why did I get slapped?
Why did I end up dancing with him and making everything so complicated?
The hardest thing to adapt to in this world wasn’t wealth, power, or even becoming a villainess.
It was love.
Unconditional love directed at Elizabeth.
I thought it belonged only to Horn and Anais.
When I first arrived here, I believed no one would love me. After all, I was meant to die. My soul would disappear.
So I decided not to love anyone.
Distance was safer.
I only longed for my mother—and that was enough.
But then—
No matter what you do, I’ll stand by your side.
Those words created attachment.
And that frightened me.
The only reason I wanted to return was because this body belonged to Elizabeth—a woman destined to die, hated and despised.
I didn’t crave love.
But I wanted to be loved.
A cruel paradox.
“…My lady…?”
“…Could you give me some time to think?”
I forced a smile.
“There’s a carriage waiting. I’ll go first.”
Arahan couldn’t lie. He treated women kindly, but never lightly. His words were sincere.
Asking for time was my shield.
Accepting immediately would have been too easy.
When I’d seen him after the slap, his indigo eyes had trembled. I thought it was concern for commoners.
But—
When I return… I’ll read your story again, Arahan.
The tears gathering in my eyes weren’t because of his confession.
They were because I knew—
That love wasn’t meant for me.
Horn’s love.
Anais’s love.
Arahan’s affection.
All of it belonged to Elizabeth.
Even if I returned to my world, that wouldn’t change.
So why was I trying so desperately to die as a villain?
Was there any guarantee I’d even return?
Did I deserve this love?
You don’t deserve love. Do you know that?
You’re living on your mother’s life force—and you dare ask for love.
My father’s words echoed.
It was my birthday.
All I’d wanted was for someone to wish me well.
From that day on, I knew.
I wasn’t worthy of love.
That’s why love now felt warm—and painful.
Because it wasn’t mine.
“…The villain in the book receives more love than I ever did.”
How ironic.
I could stay here.
Live as Elizabeth.
Yearn for that love.
But I would suffer.
Because none of it was truly mine.
“So I shouldn’t leave any attachments.”
It’s not mine anyway.
The words were bitter.
They turned into thorns, piercing her heart.
Her heels clicked against the stone floor as she walked toward the palace gates.
Her tears didn’t stop.
Not just because of his confession—
But because knowing that the love wasn’t hers hurt far more than being unloved at all.
