Is It So Wrong that I Like Seeing the Villain Suffer? - Chapter 15

“Arkle, you say…?”

Naran’s gaze turned cold.

“Have you been with him all this time?”

His low voice carried a tense atmosphere.

Just a moment ago, he seemed in a great mood, and now he’s changed so quickly.

‘…What’s going on?’

I knew Naran didn’t particularly like Arkle, but was it to this extent?

I nodded for now.

“I had some business with Arkle.”

“Lize.”

Naran spoke firmly, looking straight into my eyes.

“I’ll give you a piece of advice. It’s best to stay away from that wretched guy.”

Naran was more serious than ever.

“Arkle Cayenne is much more ruthless than you think, Lize.”

Even Naran thinks he’s cruel…?

The Arkle I knew had a chilly side, but not to that extent.

He seemed to understand my feelings and even awkwardly apologized.

Above all, he was aware of his own shortcomings.

In that regard, he seemed quite cautious when dealing with others.

‘Truly cruel people wouldn’t act like that.’

But there must be a reason why Naran, who has known Arkle longer than I have, says such things.

I suddenly became curious about what had happened between them.

‘Come to think of it, the original story never really delved into the past of the Cayenne family.’

I only inferred from dialogue that Naran felt inferior to his brother and sister.

“Naran, did something happen with Arkle?”

In times like this, it’s best to ask directly.

Naran was silent for a while at my question.

After some hesitation, he finally spoke.

“Just remember this. Arkle Cayenne is a nauseatingly disgusting guy. And….”

Naran, who had been speaking with a cold air, suddenly gave me a bright smile.

The cold atmosphere instantly turned cheerful with his refreshing grin.

“I can be more helpful to you than Arkle can.”

I was amazed at how quickly he could change the atmosphere.

Naran could switch between being a lunatic torturer and a baby cat in an instant.

“So, don’t play with Arkle anymore, play with me.”

Seeing Naran pretending to be sulky, I nodded as if enchanted.

“What do you want to play?”

I was about to ask if he wanted to show me his ‘workshop’ again.

“…Going to my workshop is not allowed.”

Naran, stroking his chin in thought, spoke firmly.

“I can’t show Lize such heinous things, can I? Of course not. If anyone did, they’d be a real bad guy.”

Excuse me?

Until a few days ago, you were that bad guy….

“…Oh! How about breakfast together tomorrow?”

Naran exclaimed like he had a good idea.

He had a pretty smile that seemed full of anticipation.

“What kind of food do you like, Lize? I’ll have the maids prepare your favorite menu. Then you’ll know I’m more useful than Arkle, right? Hurry, tell me, what do you want to eat?”

“I want to eat whatever Naran likes.”

Honestly, it was because I didn’t know much about the food here.

But Naran seemed to think I was being considerate.

“Oh, you don’t have to adjust for me…. Lize, you’re so kind.”

It was just a misunderstanding, but I didn’t bother to correct him and smiled warmly.

“No, I’m curious about what you like to eat, Naran.”

“You’re curious about what I like…?”

Naran murmured and chuckled softly, as if he found it fascinating.

“You’re the first person to be curious about that.”

He looked down, lost in thought, and continued casually.

“Until now, no one wanted to have a meal with me. Well, I know why, but….”

“Naran.”

Sensing he might belittle himself again, I cut him off firmly.

“I’ll eat with you for the rest of my life.”

Naran, who had been staring blankly at me, burst into laughter.

I was serious.

I’ve noticed for a while that Naran’s self-esteem is much lower than I thought.

His self-assessment is overly harsh.

‘I need to shower him with compliments.’

He’s such a cute and nice(?) kid.

How nice would it be if I could show him the Naran I see?

“Naran, those who haven’t eaten with you have missed out on half their life.”

“What?”

“The greatest asset of the Cayenne family is having you, Naran. I get to see you every day.”

Naran looked at me with disbelief, then burst into laughter.

It was a refreshing and cheerful laugh.

“Lize, you’re really strange… I can’t understand you.”

“I know.”

“But that’s why I like you.”

“Thanks for liking me.”

I smiled back at him.

“See you tomorrow, Lize. I’ll send a maid up.”

“Okay.”

I nodded and entered my room.

Naran waved at me through the door crack, then turned away, and I closed the door.

‘I’ll have to keep complimenting him from now on.’

I suddenly wondered if Naran’s particularly low self-esteem was related to his dislike for Arkle.

I knew he felt inferior to Martha and Arkle, but….

‘He doesn’t seem to dislike Martha that much, though?’

I became more curious about the past that shaped the Cayenne siblings this way.

❖ ❖ ❖

Early the next morning.

“Miss Lize, I’ve been sent by the third young master.”

As Naran said, a maid was waiting for me outside my room.

Following her to the breakfast room, Naran greeted me with a bright smile.

“Lize.”

An incredible array of food was laid out on the table.

A huge steak, salmon salad, steaming stew, and glossy pudding….

Naran, with his hands clasped under his chin, gave a cute and confident smile.

“I didn’t know what you’d like, so I prepared everything.”

Naran was always beautiful, but at this moment, he seemed to radiate an actual halo.

‘Wow… How much does this meal cost?’

It was filled with delicacies I had never even imagined existed in this world.

The maid standing beside him, who was wearing an apron, spoke proudly.

“Dessert is also ready, Miss Lize.”

The maid next to her quickly added,

“If there’s anything you need, please let us know! We’ve made plenty, so eat as much as you want.”

‘I feel like I’ll burst just from this….’

As I sat across from Naran and began to fill my plate, the maids’ eyes sparkled as they watched me.

What is this overwhelming gaze?

Even as I pierced a piece of steak with my fork and brought it to my mouth, their intense gaze didn’t waver.

Om nom nom.

“Ahh— Miss Lize, even the way you eat is holy.”

“Do you see anything? All I see is light….”

I nearly choked on the steak but managed to swallow it down.

Naran, who had been quietly watching me eat, asked,

“How is it, Lize?”

The maids also looked at me with tense faces. Everyone held their breath, waiting for my response.

“…It’s delicious!”

I smiled brightly after taking a sip of water.

It truly was incredibly delicious.

Having spent almost my entire life eating tasteless hospital food, I thought I’d only taste such dishes in my next life.

Oh, am I eating them in my next life now? Well, anyway.

‘This is what it means for food to melt in your mouth….’

The maids rejoiced as if they had received divine grace at my answer.

“Oh… I’m so relieved you find it delicious…. Thank you, God!”

“Please eat more, Miss Lize! There’s more here!”

“Miss Lize, please try what I made…!”

“This was the most effort I put into cooking since working at Cayenne… Oh, it was worth it.”

Is it okay to say that with your master sitting across from you?

But Naran seemed oblivious to the maid’s words.

He sighed softly in relief when I said it was delicious.

Then he gave me a bright-eyed smile.

“I’m glad. I’m happy that you enjoyed it, Lize.”

“I’m happy too, having a meal with you, Naran.”

“Really? I’m more helpful than Arkle, right? You must remember who treats you best in the Cayenne family, okay?”

Naran, excitedly speaking, paused before continuing.

“But it’s a bit of a shame. The chefs at Cayenne are among the best in the empire, but, well, there’s only so much you can eat in a day. So, I mean, wouldn’t you like to try other dishes too? Of course, it’s all for your sake, Lize….”

His words were long-winded, but the point was that he wanted to have another meal together.

“If it’s alright, let’s have another meal tomorrow.”

When I readily agreed, Naran looked at me for a moment and then smiled broadly.

Seeing his unadorned bright smile, I couldn’t help but feel happy too.

“—Miss Lize, this is the dish I made! Please try it…!”

“Move! You should try this first—!”

“Everyone, stop. It’s noisy while you’re eating. For your information, this is my dish, Miss Lize.”

It wasn’t long before things got chaotic again.

‘Next time, I’ll suggest eating in my room.’

I thought, chewing my food in peace, paying no mind to the apparent skirmish among the maids.

❖ ❖ ❖

After finishing the meal, I chatted with Naran while having dessert.

Once dessert was over, the maids eagerly asked which dish I liked best, but I simply smiled silently and stood up.

Naran stood up to follow me.

“I’ll walk you to your room, Lize.”

The maids, who seemed on the verge of another skirmish, bid me farewell in a calm voice as I left the dining room.

“Miss Lize, let us know if there’s anything else you’d like!”

“I can cook for you anytime, Miss Lize.”

“She said she liked mine better!”

It wasn’t long before things got chaotic again.

‘Still, I ate really well.’

Naran, who was sticking close to me, also looked pleased.

As we climbed the stairs, Naran spoke,

“Oh, by the way. How about moving your room, Lize?”

“Huh? Why?”

“The place you’re staying in now is too old. I had an unused room cleaned up. Once it’s ready, you can stay there.”

“Can I decorate the room myself?”

I quickly asked, remembering the frilly lace from the previous employees.

“Of course. Whatever makes you comfortable, Lize.”

Naran said with an angelic smile.

“The new room I have in mind is a guest room on the second floor. It’s been empty for a while, but it’s big and clean. And it’s right next to my room. That way, I can help you whenever you need….”

Naran, who had been speaking excitedly, suddenly froze.

“What?”

“……”

He glared coldly at the person blocking our path.

“…Where did you say Lize Allenheim will be staying?”

A voice that seemed sharp and tense.

It was Arkle.