Living As the Villainess Queen

Pered’s expression shifted, as if a sudden recollection had sparked within him. “If you could relay a message to the chief of the wanderers we encountered yesterday… No, if it’s not too much trouble, could you spare a moment? It’s a brief story.”

Kasser graciously led Pered out of the reception room to meet Aldrit. Left alone, Eugene sat in a daze, unable to gather herself to depart.

Her sentiments toward the Dark King were less than favorable. An encounter at a high-class club with Dana had unveiled Anika, coincidentally encountered in the restroom, as the Queen of the Dicus Kingdom. Though Eugene hadn’t divulged the incident to anyone, Anika’s demeanor left an indelibly negative impression.

A nagging suspicion crept into Eugene’s thoughts, suggesting it might be Anika’s husband driving her to such extremes. While physical violence was unimaginable, Eugene pondered the possibility of psychological abuse.

Rumors of the Dark King’s gambling addiction only deepened Eugene’s disdain. She mused bitterly, realizing their clandestine meeting merely unveiled the couple’s widespread unpopularity.

Exhaling heavily, Eugene buried her face in her hands, chastising herself for baseless judgments and unwarranted expectations.

Despite Pered’s demeanor not painting him as a doting husband, Eugene hesitated to assume violence in their relationship. The intricacies of marital dynamics remain known only to the involved parties.

Perhaps, Eugene speculated, the Dark King’s demeanor would have been different had past events unfolded differently, much like the disparity between the Kasser she glimpsed in future readings and the present one.

Tears, long suppressed, finally broke free from Eugene’s eyes, cascading down her cheeks in an unstoppable torrent. She found herself unable to pinpoint the exact trigger for her overwhelming emotions—whether it was sorrow, anger, or the merciless hand of fate at play.

A soft towel appeared before her face, and as Eugene accepted it, she raised her gaze to find Kasser standing there, a hint of embarrassment coloring his expression. “You hadn’t emerged, so I thought I’d check on you,” he explained softly.

With the towel in hand, Eugene wiped away her tears, her voice quavering with sobs as she spoke. “Is… the Dark King gone?”

Kasser settled beside her, wrapping a comforting arm around her shoulders. “The Dark King granted Aldrit safe passage. He mentioned for us to visit the kingdom at our leisure. It seems Taon from the wanderers was familiar with Aldrit.”

Realization dawned on Eugene—yes, the Dark King had indeed met Aldrit yesterday. She nodded silently, then, after a moment of contemplation, she turned to Kasser with a resolute expression. “Kasser, we must definitely deal with that damn Sang-je. Don’t give him a peaceful death.”

Her gaze, initially firm, wavered as tears continued to flow unchecked. “But… it shouldn’t be you risking yourself in dangerous situations. If you were to get hurt…”

Eugene’s voice trailed off, choked by tears, resembling that of a distraught child. Kasser was momentarily taken aback, then gently reclaimed the towel from her trembling hands, tenderly dabbing away the tracks of her sorrow. “I understand. I’ll exercise caution, utmost caution. Please, stop crying.”

Despite Eugene’s valiant effort to stifle her tears, her shoulders continued to tremble with the aftershocks of her emotions. When she heard laughter escaping, she raised her gaze, shooting daggers at him with all the intensity she could muster. How could he find amusement in such a dire situation?

As their eyes locked, Kasser’s laughter gradually faded, replaced by a heated intensity that left Eugene bewildered. He chuckled softly before speaking, his voice low and laden with desire. “I can’t resist any longer.”

With a swift movement, Kasser captured Eugene’s chin in his hand, drawing her into a deep, passionate kiss. His tongue danced with hers, exploring the depths of her being, igniting a fervor within her that she couldn’t deny. Despite her initial resistance, Eugene found herself yielding, her arms wrapping around his neck in a fervent embrace.

***

On the eve of Kasser’s departure, the couple sat side by side on the couch, poring over their spell notes. In addition to the shared notes from the six kings, Eugene and Kasser had crafted their own method of communication.

While Kasser utilized Praz as conduits for his spells, Eugene employed Ramita. Testing the limits of their connection, she discovered that Ramita could indeed serve as a medium for their communication. With this newfound ability, Eugene felt a sense of security, knowing they could remain in constant contact regardless of distance.

“Only use it in emergencies. Silence will be our signal of safety,” Eugene cautioned.

“Likewise. Save it for when you truly need it,” Kasser agreed.

They made a pact to reserve the use of their spell notes for critical situations, wary of the potential drain on their energy reserves. Eugene fretted over the toll it might take on Kasser, juggling communication with the kings alongside their personal exchanges. Similarly, Kasser worried for Eugene’s well-being, mindful of the strain on her body as she carried their unborn child.

“Please wake me when you depart in the morning. I want to bid you farewell,” Eugene requested softly.

“Just rest peacefully. Save your tears for when you’re alone,” Kasser replied, his tone tender yet firm.

Eugene brushed off his concern with a nonchalant shrug, stealing a sidelong glance at him. “I won’t shed a tear.”

Kasser’s expression softened as he observed her. “You can’t always control your emotions. Lately, it seems… well, they’ve become more pronounced.”