Chapter 7 – If Your Fiancé Is a Slitted-Eye Villain… That’s a Problem

Ian Crawford already knew.
He knew she had overheard the secret conversation.

“He’s sure of it.”

Realizing that drained all the blood from Diana’s face.

What now?

Admitting it would put her parents in danger.
But denying it… the consequences were terrifying.

If she said she heard everything, there was no doubt she’d be dragged into the villain’s schemes.
She knew she had to keep smiling, but staying calm was easier said than done.

As she wrestled with conflicting thoughts—

“I’m kidding.”

“…What?”

“Haha, you just looked so flustered, Miss Diana. It was cute. I couldn’t help myself.”

…A joke?

“No way. That wasn’t a joke.”

She didn’t come here to apologize just to slip up.
That was a test. A threat.

Diana swallowed her scream.

“You’re… more mischievous than you appear, Lord Ian.”

She kept her voice low, not wanting him to hear the tremble.

“You went too far. It didn’t sound like a joke at all.”

“Oh dear. I suppose you’re not fond of harsh jokes. My apologies.”

“Next time, I won’t accept your apology.”

“I’ll take that as you forgiving me this time. I suppose I’ll have to send something better than a bouquet.”

No! She didn’t want anything from him. She just wanted to get away.

Watching him smile made her think of a snake for the first time.

She glared at him through a forced smile. Ian simply sipped his tea with calm ease.

“What is he thinking?”

If he meant to threaten her, they could’ve met alone.
As the villain, he could’ve easily staged an accident to eliminate Diana and her mother.

“So why go this far?”

Surely, he didn’t expect her to just admit it. He knew she wouldn’t.

She had no idea what he was after.

“Miss Diana,” Ian said sweetly, breaking the silence.

“If you’re not too tired, would you take a walk with me in the garden?”

“…?”

A second ago, he was threatening her. Now he wanted to take a walk?

There’s a saying: Those who smile through pain are top-tier.

If that’s the case, Ian Crawford was a world-class villain.

With no choice, Diana nodded.

The garden was beautiful.

The blooming roses stood out most, their bright reds painting every corner of her vision.

The two walked side by side — a perfect pair, at least on the surface.

“Those are Rubycaras, Empires, and Avril roses. We’ve carefully cultivated each one.”

“They say the Wellington estate has rare roses. It’s true. Do you have a favorite?”

“…I like Avril roses the most. They bloom beautifully in early summer.”

“I see. I’ll remember that.”

Ian was far more gentlemanly and considerate than during their last walk.

That was the problem.

“Something’s wrong.”

The cold villain who always kept his distance was now showing interest in her tastes.

Like he was trying to be not just a decent fiancé — but a proper one.

“Not good. This is a really bad sign.”

Diana’s instincts screamed danger.

But she couldn’t run. This was her own home — where could she even go?

“Don’t tell me… is that why he came here?”

She thought she’d twisted the plot just enough… but somehow, it had come full circle.

When she realized it, she felt a chill down her spine.

“Miss Diana?”

“Yes?”

“I’m a little disappointed. Aren’t you curious about my favorite flower?”

“…Ah.”

Why did Ian look so pleased?

Diana had no choice but to ask.

“Do you have one, Lord Ian?”

“I like hydrangeas.”

“Hydrangeas?”

“Yes. When you soak them in water—uh, not water torture—but really soak them, they perk right up.”

Did he just say water torture?

He definitely said water torture!

“I really admire that kind of resilience.”

Diana’s expression crumbled, and Ian burst out laughing.

“But of course, roses are the queens of flowers. I admire how they bloom despite their thorns. Beauty born from hardship is always special.”

“…You have a strong aesthetic sense.”

“You’re beautiful too, Miss Diana. I imagine you’ve faced your own hardships?”

He shifted topics so smoothly.

Once again, the focus was on Diana.

“How are you finding society life? Any challenges?”

“Not really, I think.”

Even if she had any, Ian wasn’t the person to confide in.

Carmine and Mio briefly came to mind, but she quickly pushed them away.

Like Ian had, she changed the subject with practiced ease.

“Wouldn’t your social life be much more demanding? Don’t you meet far more people?”

“It would be a lie to say otherwise.”

Thankfully, Ian didn’t dodge the question.

“Relationships are complex. Everyone insists their reasons are justified.”

“That must be exhausting.”

“They’re so fake. Always the same tired excuses.”

“…”

“Sometimes, it’s unbearable.”

There was a smirk on his lips — sharp and bitter.

“Do you dislike insincere people, Lord Ian?”

Even though you’re so insincere yourself?

Diana kept that thought to herself and just watched him.

Then, Ian suddenly stopped walking.

“Is something wrong, Lord Ian?”

“…”

“Did I say something inappropriate?”

“No… it’s just…” he said, turning to her. “It’s not ‘Lord Ian.’ It’s Ian. Have you forgotten my name?”

“…Huh?”

Out of nowhere, he said that — and even grabbed her hand.

“I’d prefer if you called me by name. Hearing ‘Lord Ian’ from you feels distant.”

“But we’re not—”

He gently pulled her closer.

Just one step closer, but now she was near enough to see his skin, smooth like marble.

“If everyone calls me ‘Lord,’ my name will become meaningless, won’t it?”

Excuse me, who are you and what have you done with the villain?

Diana wanted to ask seriously.

How could someone so terrifying turn so charming in the blink of an eye?

Was this even possible?

“If it feels too awkward now, then at least from our next meeting, call me Ian.”

“…Okay.”

“Promise?”

“I promise. So… can you let go now? Let’s talk with some space between us.”

Ian looked at Diana, who was trying desperately to avoid eye contact, with clear amusement.

He even leaned down and pretended to kiss her fingers.

Diana snatched her hand away, but he didn’t stop smiling.

“I trust you’ll keep your promise.”

She’d just fallen into the hands of a skilled manipulator.

“Then next time, I’ll show you the gardens at my own estate.”

That’s when Diana realized something — a beat too late.

Ian had just casually made plans for their next meeting.

After Ian left…

Diana collapsed onto her bed, staring blankly at the ceiling.

She had no idea how she even managed to see Ian out.

Where had it all gone wrong?

“…What do I do now?”

Diana admitted it —
Yeah, honestly, she thought it’d be different if she got isekai’d.

Like scratching a lotto ticket and actually winning.
Like pulling a 5-star character on the next gacha roll.
She thought she could twist the plot.

“Is that so bad? A little delusion never hurt anyone!”

If failure is the mother of success, then Diana’s current trajectory was… chaotic at best.

No one was blaming her — and yet, she felt like screaming.

How could nothing go her way?

Nice heroine, cool male lead, villain who deserved death.
Characters in novels were so painfully predictable.

The main couple always confirmed their love after endless drama.
The villain always failed in everything they did.

She thought she understood it all.

After all, this was just a story, right? The people here were just characters, right?

As long as she survived this moment, everything would be fine.
She thought she knew what kind of villain he’d be.

But ever since she became Diana Wellington…
The people she dealt with weren’t just characters in a novel.

They were human. Just like her.

Maybe that’s what she forgot —
That behind the role was a real person.

And people… were much harder to handle than characters.