Is It So Wrong that I Like Seeing the Villain Suffer? - Chapter 8

I displayed an angelic smile.

“I just hope you stay healthy.”

“Thank you.”

Fortunately, he didn’t seem to be suspicious.

After finishing tidying himself up, Arkle walked toward the desk at one side of the room.

“Are you experiencing any discomfort?”

He asked without looking back at me.

That’s quite a kind question for a kidnapper.

Discomfort….

‘None at all.’

Having such maniacal tastes, I’m thoroughly enjoying the atmosphere of the Cayenne family.

From Naran’s ‘workshop’ to the human pens at the farm.

While I’m not completely fearless… it’s still better than living like a breathing corpse before the possession, even with the risk of death.

Besides, I just found something I really want to accomplish here.

‘Arkle Cayenne, I will make you cry.’

I must see your crying face.

Just imagining it is so beautiful it’s driving me mad.

Feeling hot breath coming out of my nose, I covered my mouth and smiled softly.

My expression probably looks quite perverted right now.

Good thing Arkle has his back turned.

‘But… what is he doing?’

Seated at the desk, Arkle was writing something with a quill pen.

The constantly moving quill suddenly stopped.

Arkle tapped the desk lightly with the pen tip — tap, tap. Whatever he was writing, he seemed to be stuck.

I quietly approached behind him and asked,

“What are you doing?”

“……”

Glancing back at me, Arkle muttered to himself.

“…Where is Juan.”

Juan — that must be the name of the bespectacled man from the farm earlier.

So he must be the aide Arkle mentioned.

“Are you trying to get rid of me quickly?”

“Yes.”

Though I asked playfully, Arkle answered without any hesitation.

‘What happened to “just a little longer” while holding my hand.’

I grumbled internally but maintained my bright smile outwardly.

“What are you writing?”

I asked casually, undeterred.

After looking at me for a moment, Arkle spoke.

“An invitation.”

“What kind of invitation?”

Strange, I thought the Cayenne family was known to be very reclusive with almost no interaction with other houses.

“We’ll be holding a dinner party soon. I’m inviting the heir of House Moril.”

I’ve heard of House Moril.

A family that has dealt in magic stones for generations.

And their heir….

‘Gillian Moril.’

Jean Allenheim’s academy classmate and Lize’s ardent suitor.

In the original story, Gillian Moril was also the first to discover Lize’s whereabouts after she disappeared.

The Cayenne family had been eyeing Moril’s magic stone mines for a while.

They’re inviting Gillian Moril to the dinner party to negotiate a deal, but Gillian overhears servants talking and realizes that Lize is being held captive by the Cayennes.

Right after that, Gillian informs Jean about this fact.

‘So this is that dinner party.’

“Usually, my sister handles these things herself… but she’s in the capital.”

A short sigh escaped Arkle’s lips as he looked at the paper and quill on the desk.

He rubbed his temple gently.

So he was struggling to write the invitation.

But from what I saw earlier, he seemed to have written quite a bit.

The pen was moving so fluidly, wasn’t it?

Suddenly, I became curious about what he had written.

“May I take a look?”

“……”

When I asked kindly, Arkle handed me the paper after a moment.

There were only four words written on it.

[Invitation. To Gillian Moril.]

“……”

‘He got stuck right after writing the name?’

I couldn’t even offer empty words of encouragement.

Arkle turned his gaze away and muttered softly.

“If only I had written something like this before….”

Well, I guess he’s probably never written even a single letter in his life, let alone an invitation.

“It’s not that difficult. You can start by talking about the weather….”

“The weather… It’s as gloomy as the sky over Moril territory.”

“No. Couldn’t you say something a bit nicer…?”

“I hope the gloomy weather in Moril territory clears up like it is here.”

“Should I just write it for you?”

Arkle’s eyes wavered at my words.

His expression was as if he had found a ray of light.

After hesitating, he opened his mouth.

“…May I ask you to?”

“Give it to me.”

I readily took the paper and quill from him and began writing without hesitation.

I do have some writing skills honed through composing overly enthusiastic comments, after all.

Starting with polite greetings, I concisely stated the main point Arkle had told me, and ended with respectful wishes for House Moril’s prosperity.

After reading what I had written, Arkle muttered softly.

“Oh….”

It was a single word filled with many meanings.

I smiled proudly.

“If you say this much, he’ll definitely come.”

“Yes. It would be good if we could close the deal too.”

Ah, the deal….

That’s right, the real reason Gillian Moril accepted the Cayenne family’s proposal was actually….

‘To deceive them.’

I quietly looked at Arkle.

Hmm. Should I help?

‘It’s troublesome, should I just let it go?’

As I was pondering, a brilliant idea came to mind.

I grinned at Arkle.

“Arkle. Want to make a deal with me?”

He looked at me with puzzled eyes.

“A deal?”

“Yes. Just you and me, like this.”

“What kind of deal are you proposing?”

I just smiled gently without saying anything.

“You just need to grant me one simple favor. In return, I’ll make your deal with House Moril successful.”

Arkle raised one eyebrow slightly.

“How could you possibly….”

“Everyone knows the Cayenne family has their eyes on the Moril mines. Promise that if I make the deal successful, you’ll grant my request.”

“……”

“It’s not a losing proposition for you, is it? Even if I fail, you have nothing to lose.”

After silently looking at me, Arkle answered in a low voice.

“I can’t grant any difficult favors.”

“That’s fine. It’s very simple.”

I can’t tell you what it is now.

If you knew, you’d absolutely refuse to do it.

‘I’m so excited….’

I barely managed to hold back a wide grin.

I gently extended my pinky finger to Arkle.

“What are you doing?”

“A promise. Hook your pinky with mine.”

Hesitating, Arkle slowly hooked his pinky with mine.

With this, our deal was sealed.

As we looked at each other with our fingers linked, there was a knock on the door.

“It’s Juan–.”

It seems the aide who came to escort me has arrived.

When Arkle opened the door, the bespectacled man I saw at the farm was indeed standing there.

“Is everything settled?”

“Yes, all the employees have been disciplined, and a new head maid has been appointed.”

“Good.”

Standing at the doorway, Arkle turned to look at me.

“It’s time for you to return, Saintess.”

I could feel Arkle’s gaze following me as I walked out the door.

“I enjoyed it.”

He said, looking at me.

Unlike his words, his eyes were impassive, showing no emotion.

Still, I was surprised that he, who rarely expresses emotions, said such a thing, so I smiled at him.

“Don’t forget our deal, okay?”

“I won’t forget.”

He answered softly.

“Please follow me.”

Juan started walking, and I began to follow him down the corridor.

Somehow, I felt like Arkle was watching my back the entire time until I turned the corner and started down the stairs.

❖ ❖ ❖

“Are you alright?”

Juan asked me after walking for a while.

He seemed to be referring to what happened at the farm.

“I apologize on behalf of the employees for their disgraceful behavior. They’ve all been severely disciplined, so they won’t dare to do such a thing to you again, Miss.”

“I’m fine.”

It’s interesting how polite they are after kidnapping me. While living here, I’m finding many amusing aspects of the Cayennes that I didn’t know before.

“…Ah, Sylvia Rill asked me to pass on a message to you. She said she owes you her life.”

Sylvia… that must be the red-haired head maid.

“What happened to Sylvia?”

“Thanks to you saving her, she avoided a terrible fate. We were going to send her away from the mansion, but she begged to stay. She said she’d do any job, but she wanted to repay her debt here.”

“Debt?”

“Yes. It seems she wants to repay you, Miss. This is a secret from the master, but….”

Juan turned around, checked that no one was around, and whispered softly.

“She said she must protect Miss Allenheim in this brutal place. She called you a fragile angel.”

“……”

Is she really talking about me?

I’ve been called a depraved, lustful demon before… but a fragile angel?

Somehow, since coming here, I keep getting titles that are far from who I am.

“Um… Miss.”

Juan hesitated, then pushed up his glasses and spoke.

“It might sound ridiculous to say this in the current situation… but they’re not as evil as the rumors say.”

“Pardon?”

“I mean the master, the head of the family, and young master Naran.”

Ah, he’s talking about the three Cayenne siblings.

I nodded slowly.

‘Naran is cute, and Arkle doesn’t seem completely cold either.’

Though I haven’t met Martha yet.

“The master ordered me to ensure you’re not uncomfortable during your stay here. If you need anything from now on, please let me know.”

Juan pushed up his glasses once more.

“I’ll do whatever I can within my power.”

Juan looked quite reliable as he said this.

‘I did need someone on my side.’

“In that case, Juan….”

“—Aafter I finish my remaining work, that is.”

Juan’s words weren’t finished yet.

“I just need to write a report on this incident, finish preparations for the dinner party, review the documents for land reclamation, and complete a few other tasks the Marquis assigned.”

Juan’s complexion darkened rapidly.

…That doesn’t sound like just a little bit of work left.

No wonder there were shadows under his eyes….

I started to feel sorry for him.

After that, Juan became quiet, perhaps because he suddenly felt very tired, and I didn’t try to make him talk either.

We walked silently until we finally reached my room, and Juan told me to find him anytime if I needed anything before turning to leave.

Not forgetting to add that he would help me after finishing the ‘little’ work left.

‘If that’s a little work left, how much work does he usually have…?’

I stopped imagining as it gave me goosebumps.

‘Before I start preparing to make the deal successful… I should rest a bit first.’

I opened the door while yawning slowly.

And the moment I saw inside the room, I froze in place.