For You, I Would Even Be A Villain

Chapter 2

“That woman has arrived.”

A voice pierced Lilith’s ears.

“My goodness. How shameless.”

“What nerve does she have to show up here?”

“If it were me, I wouldn’t have dared to step foot in this place.”

Laughter rippled through the crowd.

“This will be entertaining to watch later.”

Malicious gazes burned into her back, but Lilith paid them no mind. She was already used to it.

Today was the night of the victory banquet.

Lilith had no desire to attend a celebration for his victory, but she had no choice. First, the banquet was held by imperial decree. Second, she was the heir of the Duke of Blairean. Personal feelings had no place in official duties.

They’re staring even more than usual.

Unbothered, Lilith carried out her tasks as if nothing was wrong. It wasn’t the first time she’d been on the receiving end of such looks, so there was no point in dwelling on it.

Even before the latest rumors, Lilith’s reputation in high society had never been good. People here had a tendency to label any strong-willed woman as a villainess. And Lilith, who bowed to no one, made for the perfect target.

Now, with a scandalous rumor spreading like wildfire, it was even worse.

Lilith straightened her back, refusing to give them any openings.

“Lilith.”

Hearing her name, she turned around. The moment she recognized the voice, her brows furrowed slightly.

“Carl.”

“What’s with that look? Aren’t you being a bit harsh to a friend?”

Carl grinned and walked toward her.

After parting ways yesterday, he had returned to the Count’s estate. From what she’d heard, his mother, Countess Reimer, had wept upon seeing her son for the first time in five years…

Yet, looking at his still immature face, Lilith found herself momentarily speechless.

She let out a sigh and said, “You really haven’t changed at all since our academy days.”

Carl, seemingly taking it as a compliment, beamed.

“You flatter me.”

Lilith found Carl’s shameless demeanor so tiresome that she deemed any further conversation meaningless. Ignoring him halfway, she drifted into her own thoughts.

This banquet is truly unbearable. If it weren’t for her social position, she would never have attended.

Lilith had never been fond of these boisterous gatherings. If she had been someone like Rosalin, she would have made up every excuse imaginable to avoid it.

But she was not Rosalin. She had responsibilities—several, in fact.

This was simply something she had to endure. She had accepted that long ago.

Suddenly, a familiar headache began to throb in her temples—the same persistent migraine she had suffered since that day, four years ago.

At that moment, Carl leaned in and whispered in her ear.

“You know, the rumors about you are quite something.”

It was hardly news to her. Lilith replied nonchalantly.

“Didn’t you already know?”

“Well, yes, but…”

Carl glanced around before lowering his voice further.

“It’s worse than I expected. Are you okay?”

Lilith lifted her chin and looked straight ahead, unwavering.

She could feel the gazes upon her—some scrutinizing, others filled with amusement. Malice hung in the air, palpable against her skin.

They wanted to see the villainess fall.

It wasn’t surprising. The social scene had always been full of people eager to see her downfall. The only difference was that now, their numbers had grown.

But why were they so desperate to tear her apart? Was it because she refused to be meek and agreeable? If so, how laughable.

Lilith calmly surveyed the banquet hall before turning back to Carl.

“Do I seem like someone who would falter over something so trivial?”

Carl  burst into laughter.

“No, absolutely not.”

That’s right. Lilith was too strong to be wounded by mere words.

She had too much to protect.

With a graceful motion, she swept her dark hair behind her shoulder, as if to prove how unaffected she was.

Carl watched her for a moment before speaking again.

“By the way, I heard another interesting rumor.”

Lilith raised an eyebrow.

“What rumor this time?”

Carl glanced around to make sure no one was nearby before lowering his voice.

“You know Princess Elaine, right?”

Lilith nodded. Elaine Opalis. The seventh princess. They were the same age and had attended the academy at the same time. But they had never been on good terms—if anything, Elaine was more of an enemy.

To be precise, it was a one-sided hostility. Elaine had always disliked Lilith.

“Why do you ask?”

When Lilith questioned him, Carl leaned in and whispered.

“Word is that His Majesty is arranging a marriage for her.”

“With whom?”

“Who else? The ‘Hero of the Nation.’”

“What?”

Lilith was at a loss for words.

Xenon Meyer and Princess Elaine?

It was a combination she had never even considered. The idea was so unexpected that it left her momentarily stunned.

She had heard rumors that the emperor wanted Xenon as his son-in-law, but she hadn’t thought there was any truth to them. Was this actually happening? Her mind was a whirlwind of thoughts.

But as she regained her composure, she realized—it wasn’t such a bad thing.

Most importantly, if Xenon married Elaine, it would mean he would never end up with Rosalin.

For Lilith, that wasn’t bad news at all.

She shifted her gaze, scanning the hall until she found Elaine.

As always, the princess was the center of attention, dressed in an extravagant gown, surrounded by young noblewomen.

Sensing Lilith’s gaze, Elaine turned her head.

When their eyes met, a sly smile appeared on Elaine’s lips. She leaned toward the person beside her, whispering something. Given the mocking glint in her eyes, it wasn’t hard to guess what she was saying—no doubt, gossip about Lilith.

Let her talk all she wants. After all, they had been discussing her just moments ago. It was only fair.

“Are you two still not getting along?”

At Carl’s question, Lilith responded indifferently.

“There’s no ‘getting along’ or not. She’s the one who insists on treating me as an enemy.”

And Lilith was far too busy to waste her time on such petty malice.

Ignoring Elaine’s derisive gaze as if it were second nature, she turned her attention elsewhere.

At that moment—

“He’s here.”

A murmured voice set off a wave of hushed whispers.

All eyes simultaneously turned toward the entrance. Some observed with a scrutinizing gaze, while others, slightly flustered, began chattering excitedly.

Ah.

Finally, a man stepped through the crowd and entered the banquet hall.

Lilith recognized him instantly.

Xenon Meyer.

It had been four years since she last saw him, and the man before her now exuded a completely different aura.

His tall, well-built frame, the hardened features of his face—everything about him had changed.

If the Xenon of the past had been a mere fledgling, the man standing before them now was undeniably a formidable presence.

Clearly, others thought the same. A stir rippled through the banquet hall, an odd mix of excitement and anticipation filling the air.

But amidst the murmurs and restless energy, the man himself remained calm, unmoved.

Among the countless attendees, he stood out without effort.

Carl let out a low whistle.

“So that’s him? Gotta admit, he looks impressive.”

His carefree remark made Lilith frown slightly.

As the subject of the rumors had arrived, people once again cast sidelong glances at her. Though she maintained an indifferent expression, she couldn’t say it left her entirely unaffected.

So, you’ve finally graced us with your presence.

Her thoughts dripped with sarcasm.

And why wouldn’t they?

After all, Lilith had once tried to kill him.

Seeing him again was far from pleasant.

She doubted he was any more thrilled to see her. Running into him like this was nothing short of unfortunate.

Lilith gazed at Xenon, already bracing herself for the inevitable headache. This one, she suspected, would linger for quite some time.

Just then, he turned his head.

His gaze moved slowly, as if searching for something.

And then—

It stopped.

For a fleeting moment, Lilith thought she had imagined it.

Or had she?

No.

She quickly realized the truth.

Xenon was looking directly at her.