The Villainesses in the Romance Fantasy Novel Became Obsessed with me

Is the process important, or is the result important?

To be precise, the answer that both are important is the wisest.

But if I were to choose which is more important.

I would say without hesitation that the result is important.

“Nadia didn’t become a villainess… and I’ll arrive alive at another villainess’ place…”

That’s enough.

A better process and results couldn’t even come to mind now.

I let go of her hand, and it was already in the past.

I held my shoulder, which was throbbing upon being hit by an arrow, and walked forward in silence.

If you ask me why I didn’t ride despite having prepared the carriage…

‘How do I ride when it’s broken?’

It had been a long time since the horses died after being hit by an arrow, and I had switched to walking.

There were too many pursuers released by Nadia, and they were fast.

I barely managed to shake them off now, but if I slowed down, they’d chase me again.

With arrows stuck in my shoulder and no way to treat the wounds, I had no choice but to walk to the ‘Loud’ territory.

It was a truly miserable situation.

‘The good news is that it’s at least a walkable distance.’

Still, It was ridiculously far.

Even though the plan to escape by carriage had failed, I had to walk.

Because there might be a potential villainess candidate waiting for me there.

To be honest, I didn’t really know if anyone was waiting.

“Sigh, if I hadn’t known about novels, I would have lived more comfortably and died with peace…”

In the end, this must be my inevitable fate.

An unavoidable fate.

And a fate that couldn’t be avoided.

‘Just like my previous life, and just like the fates of the villainesses…’

Sympathizing with the villainess without knowing my place probably led to this.

It would be too much if they sent me to this world just for that.

‘But I just…’

I only thought the villainesses in the novel were pitiful.

“Now… my life and my family’s lives are precious… I’m sorry to Nadia too…”

Now, I didn’t even know what I was saying.

I walked alone on a dark dirt road, heading to where the next villainess might be.

I just ate a piece of dried jerky.

As time passed, the feeling of death looming in front of me grew stronger.

***

My vision was blurry.

The hot sunlight hit my body, and a strange liquid seemed to be flowing from my shoulder.

The person in the distance was getting closer, and my body slowed down even more.

‘Hey, you bastards… if you see me, don’t just stand there, come and help…’

I wanted to shout that out, but my voice wouldn’t come out.

I walked slowly.

And as fast as possible, I headed towards the entrance of the territory.

‘Could I die in a place like this…’

I had no intention of giving up.

‘I will do whatever it takes to meet those women and make sure they don’t become villainesses.’

‘You can see me now…?’

I used magic tools to change my appearance to avoid pursuit, so now that I’d removed the dye, wouldn’t they notice my hair color when I got closer?

As I got closer to the guards of the territory, and the moment our faces became visible to each other.

“White hair!”

They saw me and came running from a distance in an instant.

Even at a glance, I appeared to be in bad shape.

“Wha, white hair! As Lady Pieridot said, the eldest son of Marquis Sinclair has arrived! Contact Lady Pieridot! The genius Marquis has arrived at our territory!”

“M, more importantly… Give me some water quickly…”

‘I’m really going to die…’

With that, my body relaxed, and I slumped to the ground.

The guard’s voice calling for a doctor echoed in my ears as I slowly closed my eyes.

***

It was an unfamiliar ceiling.

‘Where am I?’

I tried to guess my location by recalling memories in my head.

‘It must be the mansion of the Pieridot Family.’

Since I didn’t lose my memory from not eating food and water.

Of course, this must be the mansion of the Pieridot Family.

I looked at my injured right shoulder to check my body’s condition.

‘They wrapped it well with bandages.’

The wound would remain, but I hope there wouldn’t be any lasting effects later.

I couldn’t use my well-trained martial arts properly now.

Then, I lowered my gaze from my shoulder and looked towards my heart.

‘I wonder if Nadia is doing well. She should be fine until we meet again.’

The ‘Mark of the Pledge’ ’remained there like a tattoo.

“I wonder if Marquis Pieridot saw it. But it doesn’t really matter.”

Marquis Irten Pieridot, as depicted in the novel.

He was known for his strong character, gentle personality, and discretion.

His wife was also known to avoid conflicts and for her kind nature.

They might seem like a family with a good atmosphere on the surface.

Anyway.

Setting aside such thoughts, I turned my head towards the door.

Because I saw the figure of a person.

“Are you there, Marquis Pieridot?”

“Ahem.”

A voice came from behind the pillar.

Marquis Irten.

“As expected, you are indeed the eldest son of the Sinclair Family, known as a genius. It’s impressive how easily you noticed my presence.”

“No, the pillar didn’t completely hide your presence, Marquis.”

“… I see. I thought I hid well, but it seems not.”

Irten emerged from behind the pillar with a bitter smile.

He seemed to have a good appetite, and he always had a smile on his face, making him look cheerful and healthy.

He approached me and spoke with overflowing consideration.

“I hid behind the pillar for a moment in case you get startled to see me suddenly.”

“Thank you for your consideration. And thank you for the treatment.”

I shrugged to show that I was okay.

Perhaps the fast recovery from the injury was due to medication.

The Marquis probably had a specific response in mind.

“The Sinclair Marquisate will not forget this favor. Thank you for your assistance.”

“No, it was just something I had to do. And may I ask you something?”

Irten stiffened his expression and asked in a severe tone.

“Did you receive that injury on our estate by any chance?”

The Marquis was both alert and anxious.

He seemed worried that if I, a fellow Marquisate member, were injured in his territory, I might demand something using that injury as an excuse.

And he couldn’t afford to cause harm to our family.

However, contrary to his concerns, I had no intention of making any significant demands.

“The injury was indeed received here in the ‘Loud’ territory. Surely, the news of my travels at a young age spread. Undoubtedly, they heard that news and targeted me.”

“… I see. Well, the white hair of the Sinclair Family does tend to stand out.”

Now, shall I lighten the mood?

I turned my head sharply towards Irten.

“Are you suggesting there’s a problem with my hair?”

“Oh, no. I misspoke. I’m sorry-”

“I was joking. But more importantly, Marquis Pieridot, aren’t you older than me? Feel free to use informal language. It actually makes me uncomfortable.”

“… Are you sure about that?”

“Yes, I prefer it. And besides, it’s my fault I was attacked. I spread rumors of my travels at a young age, practically asking to be hunted. It’s not your responsibility, Marquis.”

Courtesy.

And sticking to one’s principles and logic.

If I, at the age of 12, could display such composure and even handle the situation smoothly, who could dislike me?

‘I may not seem like a prodigy, but perhaps Marquis Irten can’t help but favor me.’

Seeing my demeanor, Marquis Irten exclaimed with astonished eyes and admiration.

“Haha, you truly are a genius… The Sinclair Family is blessed to have such a prodigy born into the family!”

“That’s too much praise.”

“Instead of discussing this in bed, how about we have a meal and talk? Our family will make proper arrangements!”

“Yes, I’d like that. Thank you for your kindness.”

I clasped my hands together in gratitude.

Seemingly pleased with my demeanor, Marquis Irten burst into laughter.

Indeed, showing appropriate courtesy to adults often earned favor easily.

***

Marquis Irten was quite sincere about eating.

His demeanor reflected the accumulated experience of all the food he had eaten.

And today, he seemed to be leveling up his experience even further.

“As expected, the name ‘Wealthy Pieridot’ wasn’t just for show. It seems the table might collapse.”

“Young Master Damian has arrived, so we can’t skimp on preparations! Hurry up and bring it in!”

With a hearty laugh, Irten began his meal.

Observing him, I picked up my utensils and started eating.

Despite my long hunger for real food…

‘I must eat as slowly as possible… maintain dignity…’

Suppressing my intense desire for the food bubbling up within me.

I slowly put the steak in my mouth.

Even though the pieces were small.

It felt like torture.

As I took a slow bite, Marquis Irten looked at me intently and asked.

“How is it? A steak made from cattle raised on our territory! Does it suit your taste?”

“… Yes, it seems tastier than the steak we have at our territory. Your food truly is exceptional, Marquis Pieridot.”

“Well, well! Young Master Damian knows how to appreciate good food! Hahaha! He’s like my own son!”

That might be a bit presumptuous.

I thought to myself as I carefully put the steak in my mouth.

By this point, Marquis Irten’s favor had been sufficiently earned.

‘I might not even need to try to earn it.’

Honestly, I hadn’t said much to him.

Perhaps Irten’s internal fondness for me was already high from hearing my reputation.

Frankly speaking, the Sinclair and Pieridot families had favorable conditions for marriage.

Both families had a son and daughter of similar age.

The dignity of both parties could be maintained, and they could benefit economically from their interaction.

And if the prospective son-in-law was reputed as a genius in the world?

It was inevitable for their favorability for me to increase.

After roughly satisfying my hunger, I broached the main topic after setting down my utensils.

But…

“So, I have something to say, Marquis…”

“Who are you?”

My main topic was pushed aside by the sudden appearance of a young girl.

However, from my perspective, it was actually beneficial.

Because the main topic I was going to bring up was about that girl.

“Hehe, why is my daughter here…”

Marquis Irten seemed flustered and unsure of what to do upon her arrival.

‘In real life, she looks like that.’

A girl with playful mischief with her blue hair and a confident demeanor.

Fortunately, she didn’t resemble Irten and hadn’t gained weight.

Carefully, Irten spoke to her, as she seemed entirely lacking in restraint.

“Bluebell Pieridot, since we have important matters to discuss, would you mind returning to your room?”

“No!”

Potential villainess Bluebell shouted, raising a middle finger at Marquis Irten.

“Shut up!”

A villainess raising a middle finger to her own father.

Bluebell Pieridot.

‘She’s had a bad personality since childhood, just like in the novel. Did she torment the heroine from the beginning of the story?’

How should I transform her?

I knew the answer to that.

Perhaps this time would be different from Nadia.

I was determined to transform her perfectly, by any means necessary.

“Marquis Irten.”

“Oh, sorry about that. My daughter’s just so headstrong.”

“What’s there to apologize for, Dad? Who is he anyway!”

Ignoring Bluebell, I continued speaking.

“I plan to stay at Loud Estate for a while. To do that, I need money.”

“… So, although it’s not appropriate in this situation, are you asking to borrow money from me—“

“That’s not it. I want to work. I left my family to see the world and make a living. So, Marquis Irten, perhaps…”

Do you need a tutor?

Damian Sinclair.

The fake genius dubbed the genius of the century.

First, who would reject my offer to be a tutor with a genius reputation?

“I don’t want to. Why should I learn from a brat like him?”

“Thank you! Please make my daughter a decent person!”

There was no one else except for the villainess.

As a parent, it’s natural to want to address your daughter’s insolence.

I intended to become her tutor and transform her.

The reputation of being a genius was earned for times like this.