When the Villainess is in Love

Chapter 8

I gasped and held my breath. Standing in front of me was the most handsome man I’d ever seen. It was hard to believe that he wasn’t a perfect statue but a real person.

The handsome man then said, “Greetings, Your Highness.”

Oh. He had paused upon seeing me before greeting me with his customer service voice. Despite his obviously annoyed yet slightly curious reaction, I simply stared at him in awe. Oh my god. I let out a dreamy sigh.

I remembered how the novel had praised his good looks, but the description didn’t do him justice. He had silver hair and matching silver irises. Sunlight played in the bright silver of his eyes and hair, but that wasn’t all. His facial features were perfect, as if they had been drawn by a prize-winning artist. He exuded class. Though his demeanor was stoic, his scarlet, beautifully shaped lips added to his charm, and I struggled to tear my eyes away.

No wonder he’s a heartbreaker. The description in the novel had made me cringe, but I had to admit that it made sense now.

Firstly, I needed to greet him warmly.

“Hello, Sir Volton.”

“Hello. What brings you here, Your Highness?”

He looked at me warily, but I simply smiled softly. I’m so glad I came to see him. This is great. Handsome men are the best! I took a step closer, ignoring how he flinched slightly as though from a jump scare. Then I carefully pinched the cuffs of his sleeves between my fingers—after all, taking him by the hands would be too shameless.

His stunning face folded into a grimace as he shuddered visibly. “Wh-what are you doing?”

“I’m just so thankful,” I said.

“Pardon?”

Thankful for your good looks, you stud. Ah, yes. I’ve made my decision. I was going to dedicate these next three months to fangirling. Though I had intended to do so anyway, my plans faded into the background. The flame of passion had been ignited within me. I wondered if Eugene had any idea that his good looks alone now provided the lion’s share of my motivation to keep living. Beauty really is everything. Hehe.

“What on earth for?”

He appeared simultaneously confused and irritated, but even that expression was a work of art on that face.

I looked at him wistfully as I replied, “That you are here by my side, of course.”

“Pardon?”

Please don’t look at me like I’ve lost my mind, you beautiful creature. I’m being sincere. But in order to make a good impression, I simply giggled as if it had been a joke and changed the subject.

“Never mind. More importantly, do you have some time to spare today?”

The pretty face now shifted to an expression of bewilderment at the sudden change of topic. I slipped my hands from his sleeves as I continued.

“There is somewhere I would like to go, and I thought it would be best to have someone by my side to protect me.”

That was why I’d come today. I intended to talk with him and spend as much time with him as I could until the kindness I showed him didn’t seem so foreign to him anymore. The palace grounds were vast, and there must have been numerous scenic spots to visit, so if I brought him along and we spent time together, I was sure to make some nice memories.

Eugene looked slightly surprised as he tilted his head in question. “You could simply order me to accompany you rather than asking whether I have time.”

His tone was a bit frosty. Despite being one of her knights, he really didn’t hide his disdain for the princess. But he’s basically forced to be here as a free knight.

A free knight nicknamed the “Silver Knight.” He was known as a Sword Master, skilled enough to avoid the gallows for treating a member of the imperial family so rudely. And I knew that his ability actually surpassed the rumors surrounding him. Besides, he had a specific reason for behaving this way. He wanted to be dismissed and sent away by the princess he despised so much.

“Of course I could command you,” I agreed, nodding. “But Sir Volton, I know that you dislike me. You wouldn’t appreciate it if I ordered you around.”

I tried to sound kind but firm. He froze for a moment as if I had rendered him speechless. The firm line of his lips had noticeably lost its haughtiness. His blindingly silver hair shone brightly in the sunlight. He’s so pretty. As I basked in the beautiful sight, I concluded my little speech with a small smile.

“And I do not wish to offend you, sincerely. So this is a request, not an order. Would you lend me some of your time, Sir Volton?”

He stared at me wordlessly for a moment, but now, the annoyance and boredom in his silver eyes had been replaced by mild confusion. His gaze had turned sharper, his demeanor was cold, and his posture had straightened, which accentuated his long limbs.

I couldn’t help but stare. Yikes, I nearly started drooling. Checking to make sure I hadn’t actually started to salivate, I looked up at him pleadingly. Come on, say yes! I know you can’t say no when people ask nicely! Let’s take a walk and get to know each other, you handsome man!

After a moment of eyeing me warily, he let out an exasperated huff of laughter. I smiled awkwardly, feeling a little like he had seen through my facade and caught me red-handed fangirling over him. He watched me smile like that for another moment before challenging me with another question.

“What if your request offends even me? What will you do then?”

“In that case, I suppose I’ll have to go alone.”

Does he hate me that much? I felt a little downtrodden. Just then, Eugene spoke again.

“There are other knights who could accompany you, you know.”

“But I like you.” Especially your good looks! No wonder the novel kept harping on about how handsome he was. “You’re the only one I want.”

Eugene faltered at my slightly dejected tone. His elegant eyes narrowed. He seemed to consider me for a moment before he smiled. “Your Highness, did you not just say that I disliked you?”

“I did…”

He continued with a biting comment, sounding amused at my dazed reply, “But now you’re saying that I’m the only person you want for this outing? And that you like me? This is… Well, what a heart-wrenching confession.”

I stopped myself from clutching my chest as I watched his silver eyes crinkle into a sly smile. It honestly seemed as if he was attempting to humiliate me. But watching his expression turn so devious felt like more of a seduction than anything else. Is this why he’s described as a heartbreaker?

I simply smiled. He raised his eyebrows at my reaction. He didn’t seem pleased. After another brief moment of contemplation, he finally said, “I can’t turn down such a confession, so I suppose I have no choice.”

The strangely mocking twinkle in his eye was gone as he blinked at me slowly. His cold gaze now just glimmered in the sunlight. I stared at him, not wanting to miss a single moment of this spectacular view. After he had eyed me wordlessly for a while, his lips curled into a smirk.

“All right, then. Where shall I escort you, my beautiful princess?” he whispered.

Woohoo! I knew it. He really was weak to earnest pleas. Hiding my exhilaration, I smiled brightly and responded, “Thank you, Sir Volton. Then why don’t you enjoy breakfast first and meet me here in two hours?”

I probably needed to decide on where to go ahead of time, so I determined that we should meet later. I’ll ask Linny and Irene where to go. Then again, Emma might know more about nice, quiet spots.

“You’re… thanking me? Oh no, Your Highness. I shall come to you.” He seemed flustered in his reply.

I shook my head. “You graciously agreed to my request, so I will come to meet you here. See you later.”

Thanking him again, I turned away from the knight, who looked even more conflicted than before. He stared down at the cuffs of his sleeves where I had touched him earlier and belatedly bid me farewell. I nodded lightly and left.

* * *

Her platinum blonde hair shimmered behind her as she walked away. Eugene watched her leave with an inscrutable look in his eyes, his fists clenching in pulses. Finally, he turned away. Since the moment they’d met, he had found it difficult to view the princess favorably. They were worlds apart, as he tended to be more carefree.

If it wasn’t for my wish to challenge Duke Eirik to a duel, I never would have stayed here. Eugene had no interest in the many benefits the empire offered to free knights like him. His life’s goal was to locate his next opponent in order to improve his skills. And serving under the cruel and disdainful Princess Libertia only made his life at the palace more stifling. He had been anticipating the day he’d be dismissed from her service, but…

But there was something different about her today. Her attitude, so frosty that she seemed liable to freeze anything with the touch of her hand, was gone. The breeze had gently flowed through her blonde hair, somehow making it appear softer than usual, and her small, angular face had glowed gently with a strange warmth. He had never expected her eyes to shine so brightly. He had to admit that the princess was beautiful. And she had spoken so frankly.

His elegant silver eyebrows furrowed slightly. His scarlet lips parted, and a few confused words escaped.

“‘I know that you dislike me,’ huh?”

So she was aware. His eyes began to glint with mild curiosity.

“I don’t know why she’s acting like this, but I suppose I’ll play along for now,” he muttered, chuckling sarcastically.