Chapter 0
I entered a contract marriage with the villain to escape my family and run away safely.
But even that ends today.
“I’m finally stepping out of the original story.”
As the hard days I endured flashed through my mind, I felt a wave of emotions rise up in my chest.
But I quickly pulled myself together.
I could enjoy the happiness once I reached the resort.
In Veliata, where I would build my new life!
“I need to leave before it’s too late.”
I picked up my luggage from the floor and headed toward the stairs.
Then, I noticed a faint figure near the railing.
It didn’t take long to recognize who it was.
“Reus?”
The person who stepped out from the shadows was none other than Reus Rochester—the villain of this novel and the man I had entered into a contract marriage with.
I hadn’t seen him all day, so I thought I might leave without saying goodbye.
But luckily, here he was.
“You must’ve finished late today.”
“I was dealing with something urgent, so I ran a bit late.”
Reus said that and then fixed his gaze on me—or more precisely, on the bags in my hands.
“Reus?”
He kept staring at the luggage until I called his name. Then he finally looked at me and gave a soft smile.
“They just looked a bit heavy.”
“Oh, these? They’re not as heavy as they look. I only packed light things.”
“Is that so?”
Money could be withdrawn from the bank, and anything I needed could be bought once I got to Veliata.
I smiled as if to say, don’t worry, and adjusted the bags in my hands.
Then, I looked at Reus for a moment, opening my mouth.
Since this might be the last time we met, I wanted to say thank you.
After thinking carefully about my words, I finally spoke simply but sincerely.
“Thank you… for everything.”
It was short for a farewell, but judging by his reaction, Reus seemed to understand my sincerity.
A brief silence followed between us.
I gave him a slightly awkward smile and walked past.
But then—
“You should put the luggage down and go get some sleep, Loelle.”
Because of what Reus said, I stopped after only a few steps.
What is he talking about all of a sudden…?
There’s no way he doesn’t know where I’m going.
I bought a new identity and planned to start a new life in the famous resort town of Veliata.
It was something I had talked about endlessly since the day we made our contract.
Did he forget? Well… it makes sense. We were only connected by a contract.
Thinking back to his usual reactions whenever I mentioned Veliata, it wasn’t impossible.
Reus would always look bored or even annoyed, as if he couldn’t care less.
Still, since this was the last time, I figured I should explain again.
So I turned back to him.
“Reus. I think you forgot, but today is the day. The day I always talked about—when I leave for Veliata.”
While I spoke, Reus walked up close and gently took the luggage from my hands.
“I know.”
“Yes, today is… Wait, what?”
I blinked in surprise at his unexpected response, and Reus added,
“There’s no need to bother. There won’t be any ships anyway.”
No ships…?
There’s no way I got the departure time wrong. I bought the ticket and checked it multiple times.
Then, a plausible idea came to mind.
“Oh…”
No wonder I felt uneasy. It had been windy all day—maybe the ship was canceled because of that.
I nodded a couple of times, understanding.
“Then… did they say when the next ship will leave?”
If he heard the cancellation, he probably also got info on the next available one.
But he didn’t answer.
Reus just smiled.
Why do I have such a bad feeling?
Every time Reus smiled like that, things never ended well.
He held my gaze firmly, then spoke.
“I told you already.”
“Told me what…?”
“There won’t be any ships, even if you go now.”
He sounded far too pleased for someone giving such news.
While I stood frozen, confused, Reus placed the luggage down to the side of the hallway.
Then, he gently placed both hands on my shoulders and turned me around to guide me forward.
“We should go back now, Loelle.”
Back—toward the bedroom we shared as a married couple.
I walked, but my eyes stayed fixed on him, silently demanding an explanation.
Still, he said nothing.
In the end, I had to stop walking first.
“Reus. I won’t go back unless you explain what’s going on.”
Seeing my firm attitude, Reus looked troubled. But he soon realized I wasn’t going to back down and opened his mouth.
“Like I said. There won’t be any ships.”
“Yes, you mean the ship was canceled. But if you heard that, then you must know when the next one will be—like the date or time…”
“There won’t be another ship anytime soon, so I can’t give you any details.”
He said he knew how important today was to me. Yet he seemed so calm—too calm.
A creeping sense of unease made me tense up.
“If not soon, then… eventually, right? What about after that?”
Reus’s face lit up even more—as if he’d been waiting for me to ask that.
“There won’t be one.”
“What?”
I blinked in disbelief. His expression practically told me that he was the one who made sure there wouldn’t be any ships to Veliata.
No. That can’t be right. There’s no reason for him to do that.
Reus wouldn’t. He said he truly wanted to help me.
Yeah… I’m probably just overreacting because the plan fell through. Reus would never do that to me…
Then, a large hand cupped my cheek. Reus gently lifted my face so I would look at him.
Meeting my eyes, he spoke softly.
“It was me.”
As if he had read my thoughts.
“Loelle. There won’t be any ships to Veliata anymore.”
“Ever.”
Reus touched my cheek again as he continued.
“Just in case you were holding onto any false hope.”
The face of the mad villain speaking those cruel words looked more radiant than I’d ever seen it before.
