TOFP 10

Chapter 10 I’ll Be the Real Villain Only for You

Would others ever guess that such a noble and composed face could twist like that?

Kasha continued speaking calmly.

“I was researching lost magic and mana stones, and I… accidentally discovered this fact. I… have nothing to gain by cursing you.”

Even in the face of his murderous smile, Kasha’s gaze did not waver at all.

Their intense gazes clashed. Neither of them looked away first, and for dozens of seconds they simply stared at each other.

Trying to read what was hidden inside—truth, emotion, or confession.

Breaking the silence, Kasha spoke.

She had to say something more. Before he left.

“I….”

I just want to help you?

But in reality, she was using him to track down the one who had obtained the mana stones. She couldn’t bring herself to say it. Kasha bit her lip.

What are you hesitating for? You decided you’d live this life doing what you want.

Say it honestly.

“I….”

As if telling her to continue, he raised his platinum-colored eyebrows slightly.

“I want you to be happy.”

That was Kasha’s true feeling. Something she had never been able to convey to him in her previous life.

Would this sincerity reach him this time? Or would he once again reject her and walk a lonely path of his own?

Twitch.

His face spasmed as he heard her words, as if finding them ridiculous.

At that moment, the curtains rustled loudly.

“Kasha. I’m coming in.”

It was Daryl. Just as the curtains were about to open, Leon firmly held them back. Realizing he was being blocked, Daryl shouted angrily.

“What are you doing that I can’t come in?! She’s only nineteen!”

Ignoring him, Leon did not let go of the curtains. Then, with his other hand, he took something from his uniform pocket and handed it to Kasha.

A clean white handkerchief with a golden border. Embroidered with Leon’s initials.

“Cover your neck.”

“……”

Only then did Kasha touch her neck. There was still a burning sensation left. There would surely be a visible mark.

Without a word, she took the handkerchief and quickly wrapped it around her neck. Once she was done, she looked at him again and made a decision.

“Please, come find me.”

“……”

But Leon only looked down at her, as if mocking her. Finally, he muttered in a low voice.

“What you believe in, and what you intend to break. We’ll see.”

As soon as his murderous declaration ended, he let go of the curtain. And the moment it opened, Daryl appeared behind it.

“What is going on?! A man and woman alone together for so long…!”

“Excuse me.”

Leon had no intention of listening to Daryl’s scolding. He cut him off sharply and left the balcony without hesitation. He did not once look back at Kasha.

It was exactly the same back view as in her previous life, when he coldly left her behind.

“What the hell is wrong with that Leon guy? I thought he was decent since everyone respects him… And Kasha. What’s that handkerchief?”

Daryl, who had been grumbling at him, suddenly stopped when he turned to Kasha.

Kasha said nothing and only fiddled with Leon’s handkerchief wrapped around her neck.

There was something different from her previous life.

She didn’t know yet if it was a good change.

‘Still… I should believe there’s at least some hope.’

“Seriously… what did you two do in there…”

Daryl muttered, his voice growing more suspicious, imagining all kinds of things.

Ignoring him, Kasha left the balcony.

Swish.

As soon as she stepped out from behind the curtain, she felt all eyes in the hall turn toward her.

Especially toward the handkerchief around her neck.

“Wait. Isn’t that the handkerchief only given to the Holy Knight Order?”

“No way… Sir Leon?”

“But they were alone on the balcony just now…”

“What is going on?”

“I heard there’s a marriage arrangement between the Grand Duke’s family and the Tyrot Ducal House…”

Sharp, piercing stares. Tongues ready to tear her apart.

Odette’s gaze was likely among them as well.

Click. Click.

Leaving them behind, Kasha walked across the hall.

Enjoying their confused reactions.

Unlike before, she was not hurt, nor broken.

‘This is enough for the beginning.’

Looking up at the dazzling lights of the ducal residence, she murmured to herself.

“Still no letters from anywhere today?”

It had been more than a week since Lady Kasha attended the ducal ball.

And since that day, she had been asking the same thing every afternoon.

Whether any letters had arrived for her.

Each time, Sera had to shake her head nervously.

‘Poor lady… She must be waiting for invitations from other nobles.’

After her debut, at least a few families connected to the Luscino Count House had sent polite invitations. But this time, it was strangely silent, as if by agreement.

‘She looked quite beautiful that day too…’

Sera looked at her sympathetically.

But whether she knew or not, Kasha kept her head buried in papers on the desk.

‘Is she disappointed? Or… waiting for that man?’

Sera carefully approached.

“Lady, should I ask Chef Haxen to make pudding for a snack?”

“Mm.”

At least her appetite had improved recently.

Before, she would barely eat a salad and stop, but now she finished whatever was brought to her.

‘People say a sudden change in appetite means something serious…’

With an uneasy expression, Sera left the room—only to rush back shortly after.

“Already done with the pudding?”

Kasha looked up.

“No, that’s not it… Someone is here, my lady!”

Sera looked excited.

“Someone?”

Kasha turned her head, adjusting her glasses.

“The person you’ve been waiting for!”

He must have rushed up the stairs, because Sera was out of breath.

‘Could it be Leon?’

Kasha stood up immediately.

“Is it really him?”

“Yes! He’s waiting in the reception room. Shall we go down now?”

“Yes—wait.”

Kasha removed her glasses and looked at herself.

She had been up all night for days, buried in blueprints and research papers. She looked terrible.

She regretted refusing Sera’s offer to help her get ready.

Sera immediately understood the situation and declared firmly.

“Leave it to me, my lady!”

Sera is truly competent.

Kasha looked at her transformed appearance.

In such a short time—makeup, hair, outfit—all perfectly done. She almost felt guilty for how little she had appreciated Sera before.

‘Anyway… Leon came faster than expected.’

A week had passed. She wondered what answer he had brought.

Kasha steadied her expression, though her nerves were slightly tight.

‘We’ll see what you believe in, and what you plan to destroy.’

Just thinking of his burning, furious eyes made her chest feel cold.

And yet, she also found it slightly amusing that she was unconsciously imagining how brilliant he might look today.

Finally, she descended the stairs into the reception room.

A tall man sat on the sofa in the center, his figure silhouetted by sunlight from the window.

Thud.

For a moment, she remembered the burning hand that had traced her spine on the balcony that night, and her heart reacted.

‘Was I that shocked?’

She attributed it to fear and slowly steadied her breathing.

Then—

The man on the sofa turned around.

“Ah, Kasha. You’re here.”

It was a casual tone, as if he were the owner of the house and she the guest.

Arrogant, self-absorbed gestures.

Simon Blanche.

Not Leon.

Kasha stopped walking.

She turned her gaze to Sera behind her.

A silent question—what is this?

But Sera only blinked, confused.

‘…Right. In the past, I would’ve run to Simon barefoot.’

Kasha frowned slightly.

‘Come to think of it… today is that day.’

In her previous life, on this very day, Simon visited her after she suffered an irreversible wound at the ducal ball. She saw him as her only salvation.

And she cried like a child in front of him while he pretended to comfort her.

From that day on, their relationship tilted further and further.

She did everything Simon wanted, afraid he would abandon her too.

Only after being stabbed in the back did she realize the truth.

Simon Blanche was nothing more than a shameless, arrogant, and cunning villain.

Even now, she could vividly remember his boot pressing down on her before she was executed.

Anger surged.

Her fist clenched tightly, nails digging into her palm.

She wanted to give him the same pain.

If not that, she at least wanted to send him away immediately.

‘But our connection is already too deep. I can’t avoid Simon yet. Then I should at least extract clues about the mastermind.’

Kasha barely composed herself.