Chapter 2: The Villainess Contract
* * *
“Oh, Lyra. Lyra Norris.”
Sabrina hadn’t known about the commotion until she heard that the banquet had suddenly been canceled.
Then, when Dora came running breathlessly with the news just moments ago, she nearly collapsed, clutching the back of her neck.
“That damn girl.”
‘How dare she stab me in the back?’
She still couldn’t believe it. How could that stupid thing, who couldn’t even think for herself, decide to run away?
“I should never have let my guard down.”
Sabrina bit her nails. She didn’t even notice the small marks appearing on her usually perfectly manicured nails.
“I must see the Count.”
After muttering and chewing on her anger, she finally came to her senses.
Yes. First, she needed to handle this situation. It would be disastrous if the Count were to change his mind.
Far from repaying the money they’d borrowed in anticipation of this day, the Norris family’s fate would only spiral downward faster.
She shuddered as she imagined the rapidly growing sum in her head.
“That absolutely cannot happen.”
The situation that made cold sweat break out seemed to keep replaying before her eyes.
Just as Sabrina had composed herself and was about to move, a maid came to deliver Count Almar’s orders.
“The Count says the banquet will resume. I’m here to escort you, Madam.”
Though the words were polite, the subtly overbearing attitude made Sabrina’s eyebrow twitch. To think she’d be looked down upon even by such an insignificant maid. Her wounded pride went without saying. As a result, her clenched fists trembled.
Sabrina forcefully suppressed her desire to slap that impudent maid’s face, instead glaring daggers at the back of the woman’s head as she followed.
* * *
Sitting in an old wooden chair with his chin propped up, Kaylon observed the woman with a gaze that seemed casual yet persistent.
She looked quite a sight under the light, as if she’d been rolling around somewhere.
Her hair was disheveled, most of her makeup had worn off, and the lace and ruffles on her dress were torn and hanging loose in various places. A smirk formed at her appearance—she looked as if she’d been through a war zone alone.
What should he do with such a woman? She was clearly fragile beyond measure. Whatever her previous life had been like, she appeared to be nothing more than a hothouse flower that would wither at the slightest trial.
A useless existence, nothing more or less than an ornamental flower planted purely for show—one that could never survive without someone’s protection.
Far from provoking the Count, this might only serve to reveal his own identity. Should he send her back now?
“…”
His languid gaze swept over her again.
‘It would be a waste.’
Contemplation flickered in his narrowed golden eyes.
The downcast eyelids lacking confidence, lips thoroughly chewed and bitten, faint scars that hinted at abuse.
Even without the investigated reports, signs of her circumstances were visible everywhere, enough to understand her situation at a glance.
Yet why couldn’t he simply discard her? His gaze lingered on her reddened lips for a long moment. And at that moment, his usually straight eyebrows twitched of their own accord.
He dropped his propped hand and examined her features closely.
So that’s why she’d caught his eye strangely.
“Unbelievable.”
He muttered barely audibly while gently rubbing his forehead.
Though he didn’t want to admit it, the woman was close to his taste. Similar enough to the appearance that woman had once wanted to imitate.
A small, oval face, slightly upturned eyes, thin reddish lips, and overall cat-like features, yet with mysteriously touching, dewy eyes that stirred something in one’s heart.
If there was one difference, perhaps it was her personality that seemed utterly devoid of self-esteem.
But that very quality made her more valuable for his purposes. His lips loosened as he found his answer.
‘A noble poisonous flower.’
He grew quite curious about what kind of butterfly effect her existence might create.
Moreover, if she could provoke the Count and strip away that mask…
Nothing would be better than hunting two rabbits with one weapon.
His mood suddenly lightened as he spoke.
“Are you ready?”
“Pardon?”
“I’d like to have a conversation now, if that’s alright?”
“Ah, yes…”
“You seemed quite startled earlier, but I’m glad you’re better now.”
Kaylon smiled slightly and asked about her situation, watching her face tense up.
“Why did you run away from the Count’s mansion?”
In truth, what she had seen or heard there wasn’t important. If she had fled from the Count, the circumstances were obvious.
Nevertheless, he waited leisurely for her answer, partly out of genuine curiosity. Who knows? She might let slip some unknown information.
Then her hesitant lips opened carefully.
“That’s…”
When their eyes met, her overly cautious green eyes subtly shifted downward. A flash of fear seemed to cross her face.
A faint smirk arose and quickly disappeared at her attitude of assuming the worst of the worst.
‘Did I choose the wrong question?’
Looking at it this way, he must seem quite the villain. Even though he hadn’t intended to threaten or interrogate her.
In that case, a quick resolution would be better. Since proper conversation seemed impossible at present, it would be better to coax her and obtain what he wanted.
“Do you have somewhere to go?”
“…No.”
“Then let’s do this. Make a deal with me.”
“A deal…?”
Her eyes wavered.
“I’d like you to do me a favor.”
“…”
“Nothing too difficult.”
“B-but… if it’s a deal…”
Shadows fell across her downcast eyes. It was obvious what she was thinking.
Watching those eyes that so transparently revealed her despair about her situation, he lowered his hand to his crossed leg. His posture became more relaxed, and the subtle sense of discomfort he’d been emanating disappeared completely.
So that she might trust him more, so that no impurity of doubt would enter her judgment.
“What would you do if you had a chance to change yourself?”
He cast the bait.
“Don’t you want to start a new life?”
She raised her head.
“I’ll give you that chance.”
“…”
“I promise you all the benefits of nobility, so you can enjoy better things than you do now.”
His serious gaze watched for her reaction.
“Not only will I provide you with a place to stay, but I’ll also guarantee your safety from those who threaten you.”
“…”
“For instance, from people like your parents or Count Almar.”
Her long, full eyelashes trembled slightly. Kaylon smiled softly as he watched her eyes betray her emotion.
“All you have to do is give me everything you have.”
For a woman whose life was at rock bottom, this offer would be more than a desperate wish. Even if she had to stake everything she had.
“What do you think? How about becoming a villainess for me?”
The man’s words were difficult to comprehend. Wealth, honor, luxury—such things were utterly useless to Lyra.
Having lived as she had, she didn’t know how to use money even when she had it, nor how to command others even with status. She believed her most suitable life was simply serving under others, doing what she was told.
Yet this man she’d just met today proposed a deal, saying he wanted her. He would give her a chance at a new life in exchange for everything she had.
