I Want a Happy Ending Even as a Villainess

Chapter 5

Who wouldn’t be happy if a hurdle in their life promised to just wake up and disappear?

Given all that Lilith had done so far, people might not openly show their joy, but they’d certainly be pleased on the inside.

I glanced at Leschel. He was calm, completely unaware of my thoughts.

“Leschel.”

As I called his name, I straightened my shoulders and back. A strange sense of confidence washed over me, making me feel like things might actually work out.

“Sorry for all the trouble I’ve caused.”

At my words, Leschel noticeably flinched. I continued, looking him straight in the eye.

“I know it’s late, but I want to start living right.”

With a determined voice and a sparkle in my eyes, I pressed on.

“No more causing trouble. I’ll do good deeds and avoid the palace.”

I emphasized the last part subtly.

“I know I’ve been a burden to you. So, I think it’s best if we keep our distance from now on.”

Leschel just blinked without any change in his expression.

“I mean, I’m an adult now.”

Feeling awkward as he didn’t respond, my voice trailed off.

“I realize I’ve been acting immaturely… even now…”

I babbled, knowing my explanation was getting longer because it was essentially a string of excuses.

Say something! Be moved, or at least scold me for taking this long to realize!

“Lily.”

Leschel, who had been quietly listening, gently took my hand.

“Did someone insult you at the last banquet?”

“What?”

“Or did Duke Crescent give you trouble again?”

“W-what?”

“Just tell me who it was.”

For a moment, Leschel’s eyes turned serious. I could see a flicker of anger in his golden eyes.

“It’s not that. It’s just that my behavior has caused you trouble.”

Though my voice was mixed with confusion, Leschel didn’t seem to care.

“Don’t worry about me. Just do what you want.”

Seeing me dumbfounded, he continued.

“No one in this world can dare to oppress you.”

Leschel’s voice was calm yet resolute.

“If any bad rumors spread about me, that’s my fault, not yours.”

He looked genuinely sorry.

“Did the nobles’ gossip bother you? Should I round them all up?”

In a sweetly soft voice, he spoke of frightening things.

Suddenly, I felt dazed, like someone had hit me over the head. His reaction was entirely unexpected.

No, had I really not expected it?

In the original story, Leschel stayed by Lilith’s side even knowing it would lead to his downfall. A person like that couldn’t be completely sane.

‘If it’s come to this, I’ll be blunt.’

I realize now that I’m only hurting myself if I try to come up with a real reason.

“I don’t want to meet with you anymore.”

Even as I said it, I felt it was too harsh. But I knew if I didn’t say it like this, he wouldn’t let me go.

But when I saw his face, I froze. Not even a shiver could escape; I just stood there, petrified.

With just one honest remark, all the brightness drained from his face, turning it black and white. He stared at me with a chilling, intense gaze.

“…Just kidding.”

In a panic, I quickly retracted my words.

“You were so serious, I thought I’d tease you a bit…”

Sweating nervously, I added an excuse. I felt my eyelids twitching and lowered my gaze.

“I wasn’t saying we should cut ties completely. Just keep some distance for a while.”

I tried to soften my words.

My real goal was to stop coming to the palace, but Leschel didn’t seem like he’d agree. In times like this, it was best to make a small concession first.

My heart pounded. I was scared of what he might say next. What if he refused? What then? Was there even a way out?

“Alright.”

His unexpected response came easily.

‘That’s easy?’

His quick acceptance made me uneasy.

“If that’s what you want.”

His eyes crinkled with a smile again. The menacing aura that had made my heart drop was gone.

But that made it even more chilling, and I couldn’t help but shudder.

‘This is dangerous.’

But all I could do was return his smile weakly.

After the tension eased, we spent some time chatting about trivial things. By the time we finished the apple pie that had arrived late, a servant approached from the garden and spoke to Leschel.

“Your Highness, it’s almost time for your appointment with Count Breslen.”

“Understood. I’ll be there now.”

Leschel replied, then walked over to me as I stood up and slowly bowed his head.

“Tomorrow.”

His perfectly sculpted face was suddenly very close. So close our noses might touch, Leschel smiled gently, his eyes curving sweetly.

“I hope you’ll come again.”

His melting smile and soft-spoken words made my shoulders twitch involuntarily. My whole body tensed. My ears and cheeks might have turned bright red.

I stood there, unable to say a word, stiff as a board. Leschel silently laughed and stepped back.

He seemed reluctant to leave, hesitating until his subordinate urged him, finally disappearing out of sight.

Only then did I realize that he’d spontaneously arranged to meet again tomorrow.

Didn’t he say he understood about keeping distance? Understand my foot! There’s no way I’m coming back tomorrow!

It was foolish of me not to reject him outright just because he brought his handsome face so close.

* * *

Even though it was late at night, the candles illuminating the study showed no signs of being extinguished.

It should have been a busy time, catching up on the day’s delayed work, yet the study was eerily quiet without even the sound of a page turning.

“Your Highness.”

Cain, who had been silently watching the unusually distracted Leschel, spoke up softly.

Jolted back to reality by Cain’s call, Leschel resumed moving his quill busily, but it wasn’t long before he stopped again.

Cain was genuinely worried about the prince at this point. He had never seen Leschel this unfocused.

In Cain’s eyes, Leschel was the perfect prince in every way. He managed the backlog of work caused by the emperor’s illness, deftly handled meetings with difficult nobles, and negotiated with foreign countries with ease.

Cain often wondered why the emperor still hadn’t named Leschel as his successor.

“What could have happened to Lily…?”

Leschel muttered, letting out a deep sigh.

Hearing the name he had hoped wasn’t the cause of the prince’s distress, Cain closed his eyes tightly.

Lilith was someone completely unsuitable for the prince. She knew nothing of etiquette, had no intention of learning, disrespected everyone regardless of their status, and recklessly damaged the royal property.

What was the use of being revered as a gift from the gods after hundreds of years if she had such a personality?

It was better when Lilith was in the palace. If she caused trouble, those around her could at least try to stop her. The palace served as a sort of fence around her.

But Lilith was no longer in the palace. For some reason, after pestering Leschel for a month, she eventually returned to the duke’s estate.

There was no one in the duke’s household who could restrain her. Cain thought it was only a matter of time before a bigger incident occurred.

As a loyal subject, Cain wanted nothing more than to separate Leschel from Lilith. But he knew if he spoke his mind openly, even he would lose his head.

“The lady is no longer a child but an adult. Her choices should be respected.”

“You’re right. But…”

Leschel clearly wasn’t pleased with that choice.

Of course, Cain had inwardly cheered when Leschel told him about what happened that day.

Initially, Cain hadn’t believed what Lilith said. Her habitual lying was nothing new. But seeing Leschel this distracted was proof enough that she had been telling the truth.

“…I suppose I have to accept it. I don’t want to ignore Lily’s wishes.”

Leschel murmured gloomily.

“More importantly…”

His golden eyes glinted coldly. His lips curled down further, and his brow furrowed in displeasure.

“What can we do about a brother who won’t listen to us?”

There was only one person Leschel referred to as ‘brother.’

Calix Lovelant, the first prince, whom Leschel saw as the biggest thorn in his side.

“What did the lady say?”

“She said she fell.”

But Leschel knew it had to be Calix. There was no one else in the palace greenhouse who would do such a thing.

Despite knowing this, he held back. If Lilith had been truly upset, she would have told him first.

But she hadn’t. So Leschel refrained from taking any action.

“Then it would be right to leave it be.”

Cain’s advice was right. If Lilith had lied, it was likely to protect Calix from getting into trouble.

Leschel didn’t like it. She’d been like that for a long time, strangely tolerant of Calix.

If she had only said the word, Leschel was ready to kill his brother with his own hands. Conversely, if she didn’t want that, he couldn’t do it.

“Sigh…”

Leschel sighed deeply and turned his attention back to the towering stack of documents.

In any case, Leschel would never do anything Lilith disliked. He had treated her this way for many years and intended to continue doing so. That sentiment had remained unchanged over time.