Third-Rate Villain Of Fantasy Novel-Chapter 39: Alone Time [1]

Changes also began to occur in the relationship between Elena Edelweiss and Damian Kraus.

It was not that Damian had fallen in love with Elena.

Rather, unlike when they first met, Elena could feel him slowly drawing closer, as though he were carefully dismantling the invisible wall that had once stood firmly between them.

That single, subtle change became the greatest joy she experienced in this regression.

Of course, that did not mean she was entirely satisfied with spending time together alongside her father-in-law and the young lord.

Elena understood better than anyone how deeply Damian cherished his family.

After all, when they had both lost the people they loved most, they had shared that pain together, leaning on one another in silence.

Because of that, she was not so narrow-minded that she could not understand his behavior.

Still... it was a promise.

A promise Damian had made to his fiancée.

Elena pressed her lips together and quietly reminded herself not to entertain unnecessary thoughts.

Naturally, when she recalled the atmosphere of that day and the words they had exchanged, she had believed they would go alone.

That belief lingered in her heart like an unfinished sentence.

They stood in a place where the scent of hyacinths filled the air, the pale petals swaying gently as if whispering secrets only they could hear.

"Elena. Do you remember when I asked you to go on a picnic with me last time?"

Elena blinked, momentarily caught off guard by the sudden question.

"Ah... yes. Of course," she replied after a brief pause.

Damian hesitated, rubbing the back of his neck as if choosing his words carefully.

"I’ve been thinking about it. I found a nice place, but—"

"I’d love to go!"

The words slipped out before he could finish.

Only after she spoke did Elena realize what she had done. Her eyes widened slightly, and she quickly lowered her gaze, her ears turning red.

Damian froze for a second, then let out a soft chuckle.

"Thank you," he said, smiling faintly. "I’m glad."

As he turned his head, his eyes landed on Alphonse, who had been watching them from the side with unmistakable envy written all over his face. Alphonse immediately straightened up and forced a smile, but it was far too stiff to be convincing.

Damian narrowed his eyes slightly.

"Alphonse."

"Ah—Brother." Alphonse coughed, clasping his hands together. "You two... take care. And be careful out there together."

Damian studied him for a moment before speaking again.

"Let’s go together."

"...Yes?"

"...Eh?"

Both Alphonse and Elena spoke at the same time.

Damian continued calmly, as if the idea had come to him naturally.

"Of course, I’ll ask Father too. Come to think of it, Alphonse, you’ve never been outside the castle before, have you? It wouldn’t be bad for the whole family to go out for a stroll together."

He glanced at Alphonse.

"What do you think?"

Alphonse stared at him for a second, then his face lit up like fireworks.

"Y-Yes! Absolutely!" he exclaimed. "Just a moment!"

Before anyone could stop him, he spun around and bolted down the hallway.

"Hyungnim! I’ll go prepare right away!"

"Huh?" Damian frowned. "Alphonse? I haven’t even talked to Father yet—"

His voice trailed off as the sound of hurried footsteps disappeared.

"...Sigh. He’s already gone."

Damian shook his head helplessly, then turned back to Elena.

"I suppose I should go speak with Father too." He paused, then added gently, "I’ll take you back to your room first."

"Yes..." Elena answered softly.

As they walked side by side, neither of them spoke.

Elena was painfully aware of every small movement — the sound of their footsteps, the way Damian slowed his pace to match hers, the brief moments when their sleeves brushed against each other.

She knew. She knew very well.

She knew how much Damian’s trivial actions could lift her heart... and how easily they could upset it as well.

When she recalled her own thoughts at that moment — how her heart had leapt at the word picnic, how she had foolishly imagined something far more personal — she felt too embarrassed to lift her head.

Maybe...

Maybe when Damian suggested the picnic, he had only meant a simple walk outside. Nothing more. If it were truly a date, he wouldn’t have immediately thought of bringing Alphonse. He wouldn’t have mentioned Count Kraus so naturally.

Since she hadn’t been by Damian’s side for long, it was only natural that he would think of his family before her.

She understood that.

She really did.

And yet, even knowing all of that, Elena couldn’t completely erase the faint regret lingering in her chest.

It was small. Almost insignificant.

But it was there.

As an engagement partner, Elena could not decide whether she should feel pleased or displeased.

There was a faint sense of defeat lingering in her chest, the uncomfortable feeling of having been quietly pushed aside by his younger brother.

"Miss, how long are you planning to stay in bed?"

Hailey’s voice came from beside the bed, patient but clearly practiced.

"Hailey..." Elena muffled her voice beneath the blanket.

"I won’t move a muscle today. I’ve decided to live in my bed."

Although Elena had already experienced transcendence, she was still unable to free herself from emotions that belonged to humans.

After attending the Kraus family picnic, she had cycled through disappointment, fleeting happiness, and unbearable embarrassment.

Before she realized it, midday had already arrived, yet she remained exactly where she was, curled beneath the covers.

Hailey, her exclusive maid, looked down at the wriggling bundle on the bed.

The sight was oddly reminiscent of a sulking child refusing to wake up.

Still, Hailey reached out and attempted to pull the blanket aside.

Naturally, Elena resisted with all the determination she could muster.

Just as Hailey was about to lecture her again, she began quietly packing Elena’s belongings instead, showing no intention of leaving the room.

That finally drew a reaction.

Elena peeked out from beneath the blanket, only her eyes and nose visible.

"Hailey," she asked suspiciously, "why are you packing up my things?"

"Oh, this?" Hailey replied casually, folding a dress with care.

"The lady’s room is being moved today. You’ve been staying in a guest room, after all."

Elena blinked.

"...Moved?"

"Yes. You aren’t officially engaged yet, but after seeing the relationship between you and Lord Damian, the head of the family felt it was inappropriate to leave you in a guest room any longer."

"Huh?" Elena slowly sat up, the blanket slipping down to her shoulders.

"Then... where am I supposed to stay now?"

Hailey hesitated.

"Well, that is—"

Knock. Knock.

The sound interrupted her mid-sentence.

Hailey instinctively glanced at the bed, hoping the sudden noise might motivate her lady to get up properly.

Unfortunately, Elena only retreated back under the blanket, clearly prepared to ignore the world.

With a quiet sigh, Hailey approached the door and opened it just a fraction.

Through the narrow gap appeared Ken, Lord Damian’s exclusive butler.

By now, he was no longer a stranger to her.

"Mister Ken. Good morning."

"Good morning, Hailey." His eyes flicked briefly past her shoulder. "Where is the young lady?"

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Author Note:

Thanks for reading the Chapter.