I Became the Master of the Villain

I hadn’t expected to run into Kian here. Surprised and glad, I walked over to him.

“Kian. What brings you here?”
Kian smiled gently, his eyes curving softly.
“I was thinking of you, Lady Olivia, and wondered if I might see you for a moment.”

He briefly explained how he’d found his way here while searching for me.
Afterward, he turned his gaze to Alexis.
“I didn’t expect to see Your Highness here as well.”

“I could say the same.”
“What brings you and Lady Olivia together?”
Kian asked with a smile.

But it was the kind of smile he used at palace banquets when dealing with nobles—beautiful, yet reminiscent of a rose with thorns.
“You always seem to take great interest in the Lady’s affairs.”
“You haven’t answered my question.”

For some reason, the atmosphere between them felt strange.
Did something happen between them?
Had they run into each other at the palace and exchanged sharp words?

Either way, I didn’t want things to escalate between them.
I quickly stepped in between the two.
“Kian, I’m on my way to deliver donations to the orphanage. His Highness offered to help me.”

Only then did Kian’s expression soften.
“I see. Do you not need my assistance?”
“If you’d help, I’d be grateful.”
“Then just say the word. What would you like me to do?”

I had been wondering how to transport the bread to the orphanage.
If Kian helped, the freshly baked bread could reach the children while still warm.
I pointed to the carriages lined up outside the bakery.

“Can you move those carts to the Selton Orphanage?”
Kian spoke lightly, as if such a thing were no trouble at all.
“Of course.”

The moment he finished speaking, he vanished before my eyes.
The line of carts disappeared along with him.
Moments later, Kian reappeared. In the blink of an eye, he had finished the task and now extended his hand to me.

“Shall we go, Lady Olivia?”
I nodded and took his hand.
He gave a soft smile, then turned to look at Alexis.

“With me here, I believe Your Highness may return.”
At that, Alexis took hold of my left hand.
“What are you saying? The more hands we have, the better. Don’t you think so, My Lady?”

Their eyes met midair. Though both were smiling, there was an unmistakable tension between them.
I looked between the two, flustered.
Kian clearly didn’t welcome Alexis’s presence, while Alexis seemed completely unwilling to yield.

I didn’t know why Kian disliked Alexis accompanying us, but since Alexis was the one who had initially agreed to come to the orphanage, I decided to persuade Kian.
“His Highness is right. With his help, things will be easier.”
When I looked up at Kian and said that, he opened his mouth a few times, then eventually nodded reluctantly.

“…If you say so, then alright. But before that—”
Just as I was about to respond with a brightened face, Kian smiled and reached out.
“Please let go of that.”

Then he pried Alexis’s hand off mine.
***
We used Kian’s teleportation magic to get to the orphanage.

As the swirling scenery settled, a gray stone building stood tall before us.
A bronze plaque by the entrance bore the engraved words “Selton Orphanage.”
From inside, I could hear the loud, high-pitched laughter and chatter of children.

“Then we’ll go in first.”
Kian took my hand and led the way.
Alexis let out a faint, dry laugh, then quickly walked to my other side.

Squeezed awkwardly between them, I passed through the orphanage’s iron gate. A large courtyard opened up, leading to the main building.
There were swings and slides set up for the kids, as well as a basketball hoop for older children.
It wasn’t quite as impressive as the orphanage run by my family, but it seemed well-maintained nonetheless.

As we passed the building’s entrance, I spoke.
“We should probably speak with the headmistress first.”
Both men agreed.

We asked for directions and arrived at the headmistress’s office. After knocking, we heard a voice say, “Come in.”
Inside, behind a large desk, sat a young woman.
She had light brown hair tied up in a neat bun and a calm, graceful demeanor.

She smiled as she greeted us.
“Welcome. I’m Carolyn, the head of this orphanage.”
“Nice to meet you. I’m Olivia Ashford.”

She slightly parted her lips in surprise upon hearing [N O V E L I G H T] my name.
As she gestured for us to sit, she asked,
“What brings you here today, My Lady?”

“We brought some bread and toys for the children.”
“I see. I’m sure the children will be delighted.”
She added that the children were probably getting hungry, so now was the perfect time to hand out the bread.

Soon after, the orphanage teachers lined the children up in rows.
“Alright, no pushing. One by one, now.”
Alexis and Kian helped the teachers hand out the bread. Naturally, I joined them.

“Enjoy, sweetie.”
“Thank you!”
The children gave big belly bows as they accepted their bread. They were so adorable, I couldn’t help but smile.

I turned my head slightly to see how the two men were doing.
“Wow! He’s so handsome!”
“His hair sparkles! Can I touch it?”

…
Even little kids could recognize a good-looking person—Kian was instantly a hit.
Though he seemed a bit flustered, not quite used to dealing with children.

When our eyes met, I mouthed “You’ve got this!” and he nodded gently in response.
Wishing Kian luck, I looked around for Alexis.
I wonder if His Highness is doing alright with them.

We had decided not to reveal his identity, just in case the kids felt intimidated.
I’d thought his sharp features might scare the children, but surprisingly, Alexis was popular too.
The kids, wide-eyed with curiosity, fiddled with his arms.

“Wow, his arm is all bumpy!”
“It’s super hard!”
As a swordsman, Alexis had a body honed through training, and the children seemed amazed by his muscular arms.

He patted their heads with his large hands and said,
“Eat first. We’ll play after.”
His tone was gruff, but his face was full of warmth.

Once the children were full, we handed out the wooden carvings I’d bought from the boy on the street.
“Wow, these are so cool!”
Thankfully, the children loved the gifts.

They played marching games with the soldier figurines.
As promised, Alexis joined in their games.
He lifted the kids into the air, one after another, with ease.

“Who’s next?”
“Me! Me!”
“Alright, no pushing. Wait your turn.”

Watching Alexis play tirelessly with the children, I was genuinely impressed.
“Aren’t you tired?”
With four kids hanging from each of his arms, he replied,

“This isn’t tiring at all. It’s no different from my usual training.”
Come to think of it, he wasn’t even sweating. His breathing was steady too. Incredible.
I guess not just anyone can become a Sword Master.

Having just collapsed from a pretend tea party with the kids, I couldn’t help but admire Alexis’s stamina.
“I didn’t expect Your Highness to be so good with children.”
“I’ve always liked them. This was fun for me too.”

He added with a playful tone,
“Aren’t you glad I came?”
“Yes. If you hadn’t, I would’ve been in big trouble.”

Seeing how genuinely he enjoyed being with the children, a thought crossed my mind.
“I think Your Highness would make a great father.”
Alexis chuckled.

“A father…? I don’t even have a lover yet.”
That part hadn’t occurred to me, so I didn’t have a good reply.
Still, Alexis was a good man—and a royal. Surely he’d find someone before long.

While I was lost in thought, the children suddenly cried out, “Waaah!”
I turned toward the sound, wondering what had happened.
Blue magic was swirling like flame in Kian’s palm.

The children stared in awe.
“Wow, that’s amazing!”
“How did you do that?”

Kian smiled gently and replied,
“Using mana.”
“Then you’re a mage?”

“Yes.”
The children’s eyes widened, and they started jumping and shouting.
“Guys! He’s a mage!”

“A mage? Really?!”
“I wanna see too!”
Even the kids who had been clinging to Alexis ran over to Kian.

Their eyes sparkled with excitement as they looked up at him.
“Do a spell! Please!”
Kian nodded. The magic dancing in his palm shifted form, becoming a rabbit with long, twitching ears.

The children gaped in wonder.
The magical rabbit hopped around in Kian’s hand, then transformed into a tiny skylark.
The skylark flitted above their heads in a spin.

The children laughed and chased after it with glee.
After showing his magic, Kian had officially become the children’s star.
Watching him, I was surprised at how well he was getting along with them.

“Kian. You’re really good with kids.”
With his eyes slightly lowered, he replied,
“Did… my presence today help you, Lady Olivia?”

“Of course. I’m really grateful you came.”
“Then I’m glad.”
Kian smiled, then turned to Alexis with a triumphant gleam in his eye.

But just then, another wave of “Wooooah!” erupted from the children.
What now?
I turned toward the sound.

And I saw it.
Alexis, swinging a toy sword.
But the blade was cloaked in golden flames—burning, radiant.

My goodness…
That was aura—something only a Sword Master could manifest.