I Became the Master of the Villain

Due to Foundation Day, the capital was overflowing with liveliness. The sound of people laughing and chattering boisterously could be heard beyond the windows of the Imperial Palace. Alexis leaned against the window and looked out at the scenery. That day ten years ago had been just like today.
he inside and outside of the castle had been noisy in anticipation of the Foundation Festival, and young Alexis had been excited. He had been looking forward to watching the grand fireworks that embroidered the night sky together with the people inside the castle. However, the Foundation Festival that summer had been postponed indefinitely. Because someone had accused him of heresy.

Though ten years had passed, the cold eyes like those of a stern judge and the reproachful voice still remained vivid.
—How could you, with the status of a prince, associate with heresy?
—I have not, Your Majesty. I have never committed such a crime.

—Then what are all these items that came from your room?
That was what he had wanted to ask instead. How did apocryphal texts and books of doctrine that only heretics would possess come from his room? He argued that he had never read such things and did not know anything about them. But the emperor’s response had been cold.
—If your words are true, then prove your innocence at the trial.

Thus, with the emperor’s approval, a heresy trial was held. The inquisitors, composed of the highest-ranking priests well-versed in doctrine, interrogated Alexis. They asked cleverly worded questions, trying to find leeway to interpret his answers as heretical. No matter how clever a twelve-year-old boy may be, he could not stand against seasoned inquisitors. With the addition of the evidence found in his room and the statements he made during interrogation, he was sentenced for heresy.
He learned only later that it had all been a scheme devised by his brother Harrison. It was during the time when, branded as a heretic, he fought battles on the northern frontier, risking life and limb every day. Harrison had come to find him. His face showed not a hint of guilt over falsely accusing his own brother. Alexis, coldly containing the rage that boiled in his heart, asked,
—Brother, why did you frame me as a heretic?

—Even knowing that, you still call me brother?
Harrison gave a short sneer and said,
—I wanted you to be a foolish and incompetent little brother. If you had been that way, I would have cherished you all the more.

From the beginning, his brother had not seen him as family, but as an obstacle. It wasn’t even a surprising fact, so Alexis wasn’t shocked anymore. It was just bitter. Alexis said,
—Now that I’ve disappeared from your sight, are you satisfied?
—What’s the point in saying more?

After laughing as if he were truly enjoying himself, Harrison lightly tapped his shoulder and said,
—Foolish little brother. If there’s something you want, seize it by any means necessary. Didn’t our father teach us that?
Since childhood, he and his brother had been different. There was something fundamental—something they treated as a principle of life. It wasn’t just his brother. Alexis had always thought differently from his family. That to achieve one's goal, one must use any means and methods. Even if innocent people were harmed in the process. They believed that was right. But Alexis could never agree with that way.

He swept back the bangs that had fallen into his eyes without care. Suddenly, a chamberlain's voice was heard.
“Your Highness, the Margrave of Lindgren requests an audience.”
When Alexis gave his permission to enter, a tall middle-aged man close to two meters with a robust build came in. Due to the large and small scars remaining on his face, it suited him better to be called a warrior rather than a noble. Alexis warmly welcomed the comrade who had shared joys and sorrows with him in the North.
“Sir Lindgren. Why are you so late?”

“Well, Your Highness… I was watching the festival, and before I knew it, time flew by!”
Sir Lindgren burst out in hearty laughter.
Though he said that, in truth, his purpose wasn’t to watch the festival. For Foundation Day, provincial nobles were coming up to the capital one after another. Lindgren had naturally joined that flow. It was to meet with Alexis without drawing suspicion.

“Sit down.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
With Lindgren’s weight, the sofa sank down heavily. He picked up a teacup that was still steaming. In his large hands, the teacup looked like a toy. Especially since it had a floral pattern, it suited him even less. Alexis suppressed the laugh that nearly slipped out from the mismatch.

Sir Lindgren opened his mouth.
“Attending the prayer ceremony was a wise decision.”
Alexis savored the scent of the black tea and said,

“I couldn’t let things go just as my brother wishes.”
It had been none other than the Crown Prince who had proposed the reading of the prayer. And Alexis had no intention of repeating what happened ten years ago. Lindgren nodded in agreement.
“Indeed. Now there must be no more reason for Your Highness to return to the North.”

“Aren’t you disappointed that I’m gone?”
“Of course I am. If I had it my way, I’d love to return to the snowfields of the North with Your Highness and wager on who can crush more monster skulls!”
At the mention of battles, Sir Lindgren's muscles swelled with excitement. As he passionately argued that he was this close to winning the bet, Alexis finally couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

“Can’t we have a rematch next time?”
“Well, that’s true. And since I’ve heard Your Highness is hunting something else now instead of monsters, I have no final complaints.”
At the mention of hunting, the smile lingering in Lindgren’s eyes suddenly sharpened. He hardened his expression and said in a serious tone,

“Lion hunting won’t be easy. The more weapons you can use, the better, don’t you think?”
“A weapon not familiar to the hand can end up wounding the body.”
“Still, isn’t that better than not having enough weapons at all?”

“I know what you're worried about. But we can't just involve anyone in this.”
Lindgren knew well of Alexis’s cautious nature. He gave a heavy nod, indicating understanding. The conversation ended there, and Lindgren rose from his seat. As he left Alexis’s room, he said,
“Don’t worry about the North. We’re always ready to answer Your Highness’s call.”

Eyes filled with unwavering loyalty. Facing them gave Alexis both strength and the weight of responsibility. But he had no intention of being crushed by that weight. Alexis gazed at the tapestry at the end of his line of sight. Embroidered on the red velvet were two golden lions, rearing up and roaring.
***
After the fireworks ended and I returned home, I was overwhelmed by a dazed feeling, as if I’d just woken from a dream. I cupped my cheeks with both hands. The heat that had risen to my face wasn’t calming down easily. As if retracing the emotion I had just come to realize, I tried to recall the moment.

At first, I had been drawn to Kian's beautiful appearance, but before I knew it, I had come to like every part of him. The feeling that had started as a small sprout had already grown this large. Even though we had just parted moments ago, the fact that I already wanted to see him again made it clear.
'I’ve really fallen hard for Kian…'
I hadn’t made any plans to meet with him tomorrow. After realizing I liked him, I became so conscious of it that I couldn’t talk to him like I usually did. Just seeing his face made my heart pound and my mind go blank… In the end, all I could manage was to tell him to get home safe before parting ways.

After changing into a comfortable dress, I collapsed onto my bed. Even though I was tired, I couldn’t fall asleep. When I closed my eyes, all I could think about was Kian. I wanted to know the heart behind the sweet smile he gave me whenever he looked at me. I remembered the moments when I had faintly glimpsed his feelings through his gaze, his expressions, and every little gesture. My heart, which had been beating softly, started racing again.
The excitement didn’t subside the entire night.
***

The next morning at breakfast, Father suddenly spoke.
“Olivia. Would you like to go see °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° the festival together?”
“Cough, cough!”

I was so surprised by the unexpected proposal that I choked on my water. Father looked at me and laughed awkwardly.
“I don’t think I’ve watched a festival with you since you were a child.”
“Th-That’s true.”

I couldn’t remember how many years it had been since the Duke of Ashford and Olivia had become distant. Maybe that’s why mending the awkward relationship with Father had always felt like homework ever since I transmigrated. I thought I should be the one to take the first step, but it always felt too awkward to do so.
But I never imagined he would take the first step…
I was grateful that he had found the courage first. Maybe I had been waiting for a moment like this all along—a small chance to grow closer to the father who had once felt so distant.

When I finished getting ready and went downstairs, the carriage was waiting in front of the entrance. I was amazed at how dashing Father looked, all dressed up. He puffed out his chest with pride and said,
“Your mother said she fell in love with this face at first sight.”
“Really?”

“Of course. It’s not a lie. Isn’t that right, Albert?”
Albert, who stood quietly by Father’s side, smiled.
“The Duchess was indeed fond of His Grace’s appearance.”

It was the first time I’d heard that. Father gave me a ‘See?’ kind of look. I couldn’t help but laugh at this new, unexpectedly cute side of him.
“Are you feeling well enough?”
“Walking for long is tiring, but for a short while it’s fine. Don’t worry.”

Seeing how much he wanted to spend even a little time with me touched my heart. The carriage rolled slowly through the streets, filled with the festive atmosphere. While looking out at the scenery, Father suddenly spoke.
“Are you not meeting young Kian today?”
“Cough, cough!”

This time, I hadn’t even been drinking anything, but I still choked. Yesterday, I’d told the butler I was going out to see the festival with a friend. I hadn’t mentioned Kian by name at all… I asked in confusion,
“How did you know? That I met Kian yesterday?”
“Hmm? I was just guessing.”

He added casually, as if it were nothing.
“Isn’t there always a fireworks show on the first night of the Foundation Festival? I just assumed you’d watch it with young Kian.”
A suspicion flashed quickly through my mind. I cautiously watched Father’s reaction and opened my mouth carefully.

“Did you know? That I… like Kian…”
“You mean that you’re in love with him?”
A direct hit.

As I stood there speechless from surprise, Father smiled softly and said,
“I’m your father. How could I not know the heart of my only daughter?”