Chapter 6 What are you doing here, Villain?
The alley stank of rust and stale ale. I straightened my posture and walked toward them like I owned the ground beneath my boots.
Super cool look activated. I-don't-give-a-d*mn mode: ON.
The two men burst into laughter. Low. Filthy. Mocking. They stepped toward me.
Behind them, the Princess trembled dramatically. Poor soul.
...Just kidding.
What the f*ck. I actually felt my stomach flip.
She looked at me with wide, sparkling eyes. So delicate and fragile.
Ah yes. Time for my heroic entrance.
Cue internal theme music.
In my mind, I leapt forward like a warrior goddess, sweeping her into my arms bridal-style while the crowd applauded.
The fat thug roared. My fantasy shattered like glass.
I hurled the stones I had secretly gathered earlier.
One.
Two.
Three.
Direct hit.
The fat man clutched his eyebrow as blood trickled down.
The big one grabbed a rusted metal pipe from a pile of trash and charged. The sound of the pipe slicing through air made my spine stiffen. He swung at my head.
I ducked to avoid the hit. Too slow, idiot. He swung again. I pivoted to the side and kicked him hard in the ribs. He crashed to the ground, the pipe clattering away. The thin one lunged for it.
So did I.
I was faster—
—or so I thought.
Pain exploded across my scalp. He yanked my hair violently. F*ck it hurts! Tears burned in my eyes.
No. Not now.
I twisted my body and kicked him straight in his little Jr. He shrieked and let go, hopping in agony. I staggered—
—and froze.
The fat thug stood behind me. Pipe raised. Ready to swing. This is it.
But— He disappeared.
Not fell. Not ran but vanished.
The air distorted. Magic surged like a silent storm.
And there— Walking toward me— Time slowed.
Shadows bent. The alley darkened as if the sun itself retreated.
He looked cruel, powerful, and terrifying. Why is this man so handsome?
His eyes blazed—not with rage alone—
But fear.
Oh. That tone. That low, dangerous tone.
Vladimir de Russ. The Tower Master. The villain. The man who was not supposed to be here.
The thugs? Gone. Not unconscious, but gone.
Did he—
No.
Don't think about it.
He was suddenly in front of me. Hands gripping my arms. Scanning. Checking for injuries. His fingers trembled ever so slightly.
His face was too close. Way too close.
Why am I stuttering?! and what am I talking about!? So embarrassing!
Saved by Ollie! I rushed into her arms just to escape Vladimir's overwhelming presence.
So she found him first. Ollie, you are the culprit, ha. Wait. The Princess.
Where— I glanced back.
The Princess stood a few steps away, eyes gleaming.
Calm. Composed. Too composed, what?
Here it comes.
Love at first sight.
Villain meets heroine.
Romance begins. Right?
Vladimir didn't even look at her.
He walked past her.
Ignored.
He freaking ignored her. What the? For real!?
Where is the L.O.V.E.?! Did someone delete the romantic background music?!
Before I could process it— A firm hand wrapped around my waist. The world distorted, and the alley dissolved. The next second—
We stood inside the Tower. He teleported me.
Just like that.
I ran outside—
—and gasped.
The garden. The sunflowers are golden and healthy, blooming. Radiant against the dark stone of the Tower. They weren't supposed to bloom. The magic barrier once blocked sunlight.
But now— They stood tall.
Alive.
I turned— But he caught my arm. Pulled me back.
No.
I can't tell you. I can't tell you I die at twenty-one. I can't tell you the novel makes you fall for someone else, as well as that dream of mine. I think my future with you is a disaster.
He released me.
Silence stretched.
His gaze darkened.
I whipped around.
He was serious.
He lifted my hand and kissed it.
My brain went blank, my heart is racing, and my cheeks are burning.
Is this—
Is this a confession?!
He released me and snapped his fingers.
The world shifted—
And I was back in my room.
blushing
OH MY GOODNESSSSSS!
----------
Heh.
That damn Tower Master.
Vladimir de Russ.
Ignoring me?
The most beautiful woman in all of Ghradeus?
Presumptuous.
I prepared everything.
Timed everything.
Staged everything.
And he looked at her instead.
Her.
The Marquess' daughter.
The irritating sunflower girl.
A porcelain teacup shattered against the floor.
Thunder roared.
A slow smile curled on her lips.
Lightning flashed across the balcony.
Her silhouette stood against the storm.
evil laugh
This was no longer a simple love triangle.
This was war.