I Became the Master of the Villain

The men's faces turned pale.

“Did you hear that…?”
“She said she crushed someone’s head…”
Watching their misunderstanding deepen, I had to fight back laughter.

Meanwhile, Anna returned, greeted by applause from the onlookers.
I held up a thumbs-up toward her.
“You were amazing, Anna. That was just like your old self.”

“You still remember that incident?”
She must’ve thought I was referring to the event at the Ashford textile factory—her smile was a little sheepish.
Then she turned to the now-frozen men and said,

“It’s your turn. Are you not going?”
The men, glancing nervously at Anna, began to slowly back away.
“N-No, we just remembered we had something urgent to do… We’ll be on our way now.”

The same men who had been speaking rudely in informal speech just moments ago were now using formal honorifics.
Anna tilted her head in confusion at their sudden change in attitude.
“How strange.”

“Exactly.”
Suppressing my giggles, I nudged her.
“Let’s move on.”

***
While browsing a stall lined with all sorts of accessories, Anna spoke up as she examined the items closely.
“My lady, may I pick one out for you?”
“I’d appreciate that.”

The hair ornament Anna chose suited my taste perfectly.
We spent a while shopping, recommending items to one another.
After some time wandering around, we sat on a bench in the central plaza to rest for a bit.

Deng, deng—
The clear sound of a bell echoed through the sky from afar.
It signaled the beginning of the prayer ceremony.

The prayer ceremony was one of the official Founding Festival events, hosted by the Imperial Family.
Its purpose was to offer prayers to the gods for the endless prosperity of the Empire, and it was customary for the imperial nobility to attend.
Unless one had an exceptional excuse, attendance was mandatory.

Anna said,
“You should probably head out now.”
“Yeah, looks like it. I wish I could’ve spent more time with you.”

As it was, our plans diverged in the afternoon.
Anna was meeting up with her colleagues from the boutique, while I had plans to meet Kian.
She saw me off with a smile as I boarded the carriage.

“Enjoy the rest of the festival, my lady.”
“You too, Anna.”
Leaving behind my regret, I headed toward the Imperial Palace.

The carriage passed through the palace gates and came to a stop in front of the temple where the prayer ceremony would take place.
Carriages bearing noble house crests were lined up outside the grand temple, carved from pure white marble.
‘Who's reading the prayer this year?’

Since it was an event hosted by the Imperial Family, one of the royals took on the task each year.
Last year it was the Crown Prince, so I figured it would be someone else this time.
I got off the carriage with that vague thought in mind.

‘Wait, isn’t that…?’
As I entered the temple and took a few steps inside, I came face-to-face with a familiar face.
***

In the prince’s chambers, attendants helped Alexis change clothes.
As the attendants busied themselves, Alexis was deep in thought.
A few days ago, the chief attendant had visited him with a message.

—His Majesty the Emperor has ordered that Your Highness deliver the prayer at the ceremony.
He, who had once been exiled to the north for ten years for the "sin" of not believing in the gods. And now they expected him to read a prayer?
He let out a hollow laugh.

Still, if he were to refuse, he could easily imagine how the Crown Prince’s faction would react.
‘They’d use it as a pretext to send me back to the north.’
Alexis had no intention of playing into their hands.

There was nothing he couldn’t endure about reciting a prayer.
Dressed in a new white ceremonial robe embroidered with golden threads, with a long white cloak trailing behind him, Alexis headed for the temple.
There, at the entrance, he ran into a familiar face.

“Your Highness… that outfit…”
Olivia looked a bit surprised by his attire.
Alexis offered a faint, awkward smile.

“I’ll explain as we walk.”
They strolled down the colonnaded hallway of the grand temple.
Olivia asked,

“So, Your Highness is delivering the prayer this year?”
“It turned out that way.”
“I doubt it was your choice. Was it His Majesty’s command?”

He nodded.
“I don’t want to, but I’ll comply.”
“You made the right decision.”

“Running away from unpleasant things isn’t always the answer.”
“You’re very mature.”
“And you’re not?”

“Oh, I’m more the type to dodge things I don’t like.”
“That’s unexpected. I thought the young lady was more grown-up than that.”
Alexis joked lightly and chuckled.

Strangely enough, being with her put him at ease. He even found himself making jokes, which he rarely did.
Olivia grumbled, telling him not to tease her.
With a slightly furrowed brow, she looked adorably flustered.

While they chatted, they reached the temple interior.
It was filled with nobles representing each house.
Alexis walked forward, checking who was in attendance.

Then, someone abruptly stepped into his path.
“Your Highness.”
The man bowed slightly in greeting.

Alexis recognized him—Count Lualto, one of the Crown Prince’s supporters.
What was his business here?
As Alexis wondered, the count said,

“Your Highness, you don’t look well. Are you feeling unwell?”
“I appreciate your concern, but I’m fine.”
“Is that so…? Still, it seems to me Your Highness isn’t entirely pleased about being tasked with the prayer.”

Given that he was already branded a heretic, this remark was clearly meant to provoke.
A mere noble picking a fight with a prince—normally unthinkable.
But Alexis was the prince who had fallen out of the Emperor’s favor.

The son cast aside to die ten years ago.
That was why Count Lualto could act so boldly.
And clearly, his real aim was to gain favor with the Crown Prince by stirring up trouble.

Understanding all this, Alexis had to suppress a sigh.
He had no {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} intention of playing along with such petty provocation.
“If it appeared that way, it was your misperception.”

But the count didn’t seem ready to back down.
“Well, Your Highness doesn’t believe in the gods, after all. Of course praying would be uncomfortable.”
A ripple of murmuring spread through the temple.

He had openly stated something everyone knew but didn’t say out loud.
“To force yourself into something you dislike… You must really hate the thought of going back north.”
Light chuckles rippled among the nobles.

The count’s voice was laced with sneering amusement as he continued.
“Surely, this duty is too much for Your Highness to handle…”
Laughter spread like waves again.

But Alexis remained unbothered.
He had grown used to veiled scorn and ridicule ever since being labeled a heretic.
This kind of insult was nothing.

As always, ignoring it was the wisest choice.
So he turned, intending to head toward the platform.
But then, a voice cut in.

“Count Lualto. On what grounds are you making that claim?”
It was Olivia, sharply confronting the count.
Her heels clicked smartly as she strode to stand before him.

“You’re claiming His Highness is reluctant to deliver the prayer—what proof do you have?”
The count raised his eyebrows in irritation at her interruption.
“Did I not just explain? His Highness does not believe in the gods. Naturally—”

“That’s not valid evidence. Wasn’t His Highness pardoned directly by His Majesty regarding the charge of heresy?”
It was true. That pardon was why he had been allowed back into the palace.
Cornered, the count’s expression faltered. Olivia continued.

“His Highness is here following His Majesty’s command. That’s a fact. But your claims? They’re speculation—no, slander. Are you accusing a royal of something baseless?”
“Slander? That’s absurd—!”
“Then go ahead. Prove it. Prove that Prince Alexis is reluctant to pray to the gods.”

“I—I…”
The count trailed off.
How could he prove what someone felt in their heart?

You can’t see feelings. You can only see actions.
And Alexis had shown through action—at least for now—that he had no intention of disobeying the Emperor.
The tide had turned.

Count Lualto looked around desperately, searching for support.
“Ahem…”
But the nobles aligned with the Crown Prince avoided his gaze.

Whatever their private thoughts, Alexis was here carrying out the Emperor’s will.
There was no benefit to attacking that fact.
In place of the silent nobles, Olivia spoke.

“Apologize to His Highness for your baseless accusations.”
“Hah… And why should I do that?”
“You should take responsibility for your words. Otherwise, you’re no better than a common street thug. Do you have no honor as a noble?”

Laughter rang out from somewhere.
Count Lualto’s face twisted.
Cornered, he turned his hostility toward Olivia.

“You shouldn’t say such things, young lady!”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Have you forgotten that I invested in the Ashford Duchy’s food and beverage business? Keep this up, and I may pull out my investment!”

“Feel free.”
She answered coolly.
“But you’ll have to accept the consequences.”

“What do you mean?”
“I, too, can cancel my plans to invest in the Lualto estate’s ventures.”
“…!”

That investment plan had been established between the late Count Lualto and the previous Duke of Ashford.
Remembering that too late, the count’s face went ashen.
Alexis chuckled quietly at the sight.

‘What a fool—trying to threaten her with money.’
Unable to risk his business just to protect his pride, the count bowed his head and apologized to Alexis.
Having disgraced himself, he retreated to his seat and kept quiet.

Alexis turned his gaze to Olivia.
He felt… strange.
Someone had stood up for him.

Had gotten angry for his sake.
It was unfamiliar.
He hesitated a moment, then asked,

“Why do you always step in to help me?”
Her reply was immediate.
“Because there’s no reason you should have to hear things like that.”

A response he hadn’t expected.
All his life, he’d been scorned and dismissed.
The label of heretic had made all mistreatment feel justified.

But she had just said he didn’t deserve that treatment.
‘Right… from the start, she…’
She had treated him without prejudice, even knowing his past.

As if she knew he was innocent.
Maybe that’s why… she felt special to him.
Alexis stared at her and said,

“I hope you’ll keep meddling in my life.”
Olivia chuckled as if he were joking.
Her smile was bright, like spring sunshine, and it warmed his chest.

Not knowing how he felt, she said,
“Was that your way of saying you want us to get along?”
“Who knows? What do you think?”

She raised an eyebrow.
“What’s with that vague answer?”
He didn’t want to brush it off too lightly, but the ceremony was beginning—priests and high clergy appeared on the platform.

“Oh, looks like it’s starting.”
Before taking her seat, Olivia told him,
“Do your best!”

It was probably just a polite gesture, but the encouragement gave him strength.
Alexis smiled softly, then climbed the platform.