The Villainesses in the Romance Fantasy Novel Became Obsessed with me

– I… Nadia is not here! I’ve looked around the entire mansion, but she’s not here! I’m sorry!

– Will your apology change anything? Hurry up and find her!

– Yes, understood!

A maid’s voice could be heard outside the door.

We were hiding in the art studio, trying to keep quiet.

As the maid’s voice faded away, I quietly pretended not to know as I looked at Nadia’s blood-stained hand and asked, “How did you do it?”

“Do what?”

“Tear Murphy’s hand apart.”

Nadia replied, looking down at her hand.

It was stained red with dried blood.

“I don’t know… It just felt like something I could do. And I couldn’t bear it.”

“… Is that so?”

After a lifetime of enduring.

She couldn’t bear the thought of someone putting their hands one me? 

To confirm once again, I asked, “If Murphy had tried to hit Roy… would you have endured it?”

“No. Even if Roy had been hit, I wouldn’t have cared.”

“Why?”

“Just because… Even if he got hit, my feelings wouldn’t change.”

“… But it sounds like if I were to be hit by Murphy, your feelings would change?”

“Yeah, I wouldn’t like that.”

Nadia nodded firmly without hesitation.

Seeing that, I was firmly convinced.

‘Nadia’s fondness for me. This is very strange.’

Certainly, I had only performed basic duties as a steward.

Bringing food, informing of schedules, putting on blankets.

I had only engaged in conversations aimed at influencing her development.

I hadn’t particularly done anything which could potentially give rise to such feelings.

‘But why…’

Why does Nadia trust and regard me so specially?

I thought I understood the villainess Nadia completely.

But I still felt like I knew nothing about the person named Nadia.

“Darmian.”

“Y-yes!”

Nadia asked innocently. She didn’t have a hint of malice.

“Should we stop hiding now? Murphy won’t cry anymore.”

What are you talking about, Nadia?

As I struggled to find the right words, Nadia blinked as if asking, ‘What’s wrong?’

“We hid in the art studio because Murphy was crying. Wasn’t it because it was noisy?”

“Oh, no. We’re hiding until Lord Medeus’s anger subsides because of what the young lady did.”

“What did I do wrong? Why is Lady Medeus angry? It’s Murphy who hurt his hand.”

Nadia was genuinely asking.

About what she did wrong and why Murphy’s mother Medeus would be angry.

Maybe she hadn’t experienced family bonds before.

I opened my mouth to help explain her situation.

“I’m not sure if this analogy fits… But imagine if I lost my hand to someone else, how would you feel?”

“I’d kill the person who attacked you. How dare they touch my servant?”

“Oh, no. It’s just a hypothetical situation. There’s no need to get angry.”

Nadia relaxed her fist and regained her composure.

It was a bit frightening because her expression just resembled the time she squeezed Murphy’s hand to shreds.

“Anyway, Baron Medeus must feel the same way as Lady.”

“Why?”

“Because Murphy is Baron Medeus’ family. Even if Lady thinks he’s worthless, he’s precious in Baron Medeus’ eyes.”

“I don’t understand. Why would she… value someone so worthless? I don’t really get it.”

Nadia lowered her head while wearing a confused expression.

I wiped the blood off Nadia’s hand with a handkerchief.

“It’s okay if you don’t understand now. You can learn slowly later. Lady still has a long life ahead.”

“Okay. But, Darmian…”

Tap-

Nadia firmly grasped my hand as I wiped the blood.

“Why don’t you thank me?”

“… Huh?”

“I protected you. From Murphy. You didn’t want my help?”

“Oh, no. I am grateful for you protecting me.”

Crushing Murphy’s hand was a bit harsh though.

I swallowed my words because the atmosphere felt uneasy.

But.

Nadia, who was observant In this aspect, looked at me with cold emerald eyes.

Her hand still firmly held mine.

“The phrase ‘I am grateful for your protection.’ Does it mean you didn’t like the other parts of it?”

Crack!

Nadia squeezed my hand even harder.

She was reproaching me.

For not affirming her actions.

It seemed like she wanted recognition and praise through me for her actions.

‘But still.’

I have to say no!

I looked her straight in the eye and said, “B-but I don’t think it’s entirely untrue. Lady’s actions were too extreme.”

Rarely, Nadia’s voice trembled.

“I-I made him pay a fair price for trying to harm my servant. Was that too extreme…? My servant, Darmian…?”

Crack!

Nadia pressed my hand forcefully.

I feared my bones might break, but she seemed to be controlling her strength out of regard for me.

“How dare you say such words to me? How dare you betray me, Darmian?”

“It’s not betrayal, my lady!!”

Flinch!

Nadia flinched slightly at my loud voice and loosened her grip.

From now on, I would be the loyal servant who may only exist once in the world.

I raised my voice even louder.

“I truly care for the lady! I must intervene when my lady strays from the right path! I must speak the truth! That is true loyalty!! If you think my thoughts are wrong…”

You may twist my hand like Murphy’s!

At that, Nadia hastily released my hand which had been squeezed dry by her.

She seemed startled by my sudden assertiveness.

“Oh, no. That’s not necessary. I have no intention of twisting your hand.”

“No, I don’t think I was wrong! If you think I was wrong, then take my hand, Madam!”

“I will formally apologize, Darmian. I was wrong.”

Now’s the time.

A chance for a breakthrough.

I didn’t miss this opportunity; I pressed her against the wall and applied more pressure.

“What exactly did you do wrong?”

“I misjudged your loyalty.”

“You’re wrong, Madam!”

“I was wrong aga-“

“I truly care for Madam! It’s not just empty words, but I am speaking the truth! Do you still not understand the meaning of my words?”

“… Fine, just tell me.”

Good.

I’d completely taken control.

Now, I should take advantage of this moment to get educate her! 

“The real mistake you made, Madam, was the ‘excessive suppression’ of Murphy. To be precise… It’s about the fair price you mentioned. It seems your calculation in that aspect was incorrect.”

Murphy threw a jab, but Nadia countered with Dempsey roll.

That’s not fair at all.

However, Nadia seemed to emphasize more on ‘who’ Murphy attacked.

“… No, Murphy attacked Darmian. That’s a big deal.”

“Madam, what about you attacking Murphy?”

“Even if he’s killed, it’s not much of a loss. Murphy is worthless.”

Sigh!

Back to square one.

I thought I could properly engrave it in her mind this time…

Just as disappointment started to creep in.

Nadia added one more thing.

“Still, I understand what Darmian means. In the end, you were speaking for my sake.”

“Yes, that’s right!”

“Then it’s settled. That’s enough for me.”

There was a lightness in Nadia’s tone, as if her mood had lifted.

Should I commend her for trying to understand, though?

I felt like I had just had a real conversation with Nadia for the first time.

But she didn’t seem inclined to dwell on it.

Crash-!!

The door to the art studio was forced open, and the enraged snake, Medeus, appeared.

It was only a matter of time before we were caught, but it appeared my voice was too loud.

Her bloodshot eyes were solely focused on Nadia.

“I found you… You wretched girl…!! How dare you…!!”

Revealing her true colors now would disrupt the plan.

Medeus would secretly harass Nadia which forces her to leave.

And she needed time to sort out her emotions.

“My, my precious son…!! Lock Nadia up immediately-“

“Madam.”

Tap-

I took Nadia’s hand and led her.

Towards the exit of the art studio.

“Let’s escape.”

I immediately picked up the pace and passed by Medeus.

Medeus appeared to be cursing at us as we fled, but that wasn’t really important. 

“Where should we run to?” 

Where should we spend our time? 

That was the biggest problem. 

Nadia didn’t show any resistance. She came out with me, possibly believing in me. 

For the first time in her life, she left the mansion.

***

It was the first time. 

The outside world was new to her. 

The street of commoners that she’d always seen through the mansion window. 

People moving busily. 

People shouting to sell things. 

Children running around freely. 

Nadia captured that moment in her mind like a picture. 

“It’s noisy, but it’s okay.” 

It didn’t feel bad. 

Nadia was beside me. 

She stared through Darmian’s face. 

“Darmian, did you live in a place like this before you came to the mansion?” 

“Hmm, yeah. You could say I lived here.” 

“Really?” 

She was curious. 

Where did he grow up, how did he live, what did he do?

Nadia was curious about Darmian’s entire human record. 

“Then tell me how you lived.” 

“Me? Well, that’s…” 

“Don’t want to?” 

“… It might not be interesting, but I’ll guide you first.” 

Darmian led her through the city centre with slow steps. 

He never let go of her hand as if afraid of losing her. 

As they held each other’s hand walking down the street, Nadia felt her heart flutter. 

“It’s fun.” 

“Huh?”

“Oh, nothing, just talking to myself. Let’s go.” 

Listening to Darmian’s voice, Nadia wandered around, led by his hand, 

She closed her but left the ears open, and enjoying every moment of freedom. 

“I want it.” 

Darmian’s past, thoughts, hands. 

Everything about him felt comfortable and pleasant. 

Nadia looked at Darmian’s hand holding hers, which still revealed traces of red despite being wiped with a handkerchief. 

“It’s just like my hand. My hand bleeds, yet he held it without hesitation.” 

And out of consideration for me, he didn’t say bad things, unlike the other servants in the mansion who just spew negativity. 

“He’s special. Darmian is more special than anything else in the world. His worth is different.” 

‘I want to know only him.’

‘I want him all to myself.’

“…”

“Lady?” 

Nadia stopped briefly.

Darmian was surprised to see that and asked. 

“Was the street tour not interesting? Shall we talk about something else?” 

“No, it’s okay. Let’s go, Darmian.” 

“Yes, whatever you say.” 

Nadia resumed walking after a moment. There was a hint of concern on her face. 

“How can I have Darmian all to myself?” 

She was seriously thinking about possession. 

However, contrary to Nadia’s thoughts, Darmian, who was holding her hand, was also seriously pondering. 

“How can we escape quickly? Am I going to gave no choice but to get help?” 

Possession and escape. 

The conflicting thoughts of two people who couldn’t coexist. 

‘I want Darmian.’

‘I want to finish it quickly and escape.’

The two were at odds from the beginning.