Blessed to be the Villain

As Lara opened the door, still pondering the mystery of her changing eye color, she caught sight of Ethan staring blankly into the air.

Noticing her presence, he turned his head, locking eyes with her.

Both of them blinked in silence.

She narrowed her golden eyes. Why is he staring at me like that?

"…Why are you looking at me?" she asked, suspicion creeping into her tone.

Ethan, still lost in thought, swallowed and answered instinctively, "You're just too beautiful… I can't help it."

Lara's eyes widened in surprise before narrowing into a glare. This bastard. What does he want now?

Realizing what he had just blurted out, Ethan snapped out of his daze. "Ahem… I mean—you're done?" he quickly corrected, trying to salvage the situation.

Lara kept glaring. "What do you think?"

"…Right. Got it," Ethan said hastily. "Then, I'll go take a bath."

Avoiding her gaze as much as possible, he hurried into the bathroom and shut the door behind him. Letting out a deep sigh, he muttered, "Seriously… what was I thinking?"

Just then, the system's voice chimed in his mind.

"She's really beautiful, isn't she, Host?"

Ethan's mind involuntarily replayed the image of Lara stepping out of the bathroom earlier—her slightly damp purple hair clinging to her skin, that pristine, striking face, and those dangerously alluring curves. He gulped.

"…Yeah."

"Mhm~ she's perfect for your harem."

"…Yeah—wait, what?!" Ethan's eyes snapped open in alarm. "What harem?"

"Your harem, obviously." The system's voice was oddly cheerful. "Who else's harem would it be? Mine? Pfft."

Ethan's brow twitched. "Why would I have a harem?"

"Because you're an MC with a system, duh." The system sounded completely convinced. "Every MC with a system has a harem! Think about it—if my host didn't have one, how could I show my face in the system world? They'd mock me! Point at me and say, 'Look, look! That system's host doesn't have a harem! Can you believe it?'"

Ethan rubbed his temple, exasperated. First this crazy world, now even my system is daydreaming like the author…

Shoving aside those ridiculous thoughts, he stepped in front of the mirror and glanced at his reflection—crimson eyes, silver-white hair, and sharp, handsome features. He clicked his tongue.

"…Man, no wonder those women fell for this guy," he muttered, somewhat grudgingly. This face is actually unfair.

As he continued inspecting himself, a faint, sweet fragrance reached his nose.

He stiffened.

Lara's lingering scent in the bathroom.

His cheeks warmed as his mind unwillingly drifted back to memories of the previous night. Shaking his head, he poured cold water over himself, letting the chill seep into his skin. Slowly, his mind started clearing.

After finishing his shower, Ethan stepped out of the bathroom and saw Lara standing in front of the mirror, staring at her own reflection intensely.

Noticing his presence, she glanced at him before looking away.

Walking toward the dressing table, Ethan opened a drawer and pulled out a fresh set of clothes—a pair of black pants, a white undershirt, and a blue overshirt. As he dressed, he heard Lara's voice.

"I want to go now."

"Yes," Ethan replied, buttoning his shirt. "But we need to be careful. If you leave hastily, people might suspect something. I'll escort you out and make sure no one grows suspicious."

Lara scoffed mockingly. "Or maybe you'll just hand me over to those knights outside and take your revenge?"

Ethan turned around, his fingers pausing at the last button of his shirt. His crimson eyes met hers, unreadable yet strangely soft.

"I can't do that," he said quietly. "We have a contract, remember? And besides…" He exhaled and spoke even softer. "I'm really sorry about what happened."

Lara scoffed again. "Hah! You think I'll believe that? You think I'm that stupid?" Her golden eyes burned with fury as she glared at him. "If you were really sorry, then why did you plan it in the first place? Don't make me laugh."

Her tone darkened, the weight of her hatred pressing down on the air between them.

"I will never forgive you."

Ethan sighed for what felt like the hundredth time. He already knew she wouldn't forgive him. He understood her reasons, maybe better than anyone else. So, he didn't argue.

He finished dressing and walked toward the door.

Lara watched him carefully. On the outside, she appeared indifferent, but inside, she was tense. What if he betrays me? The thought clawed at her mind. What if nobles have ways to bypass contracts that I don't know about?

Biting her lower lip, she unconsciously followed his movements with her eyes as he reached for the door.

Ethan poked his head out, scanning the hallway.

Finding no one, he sighed in relief. He had already given orders to keep everyone away from this wing, but still, there was always a chance someone could show up unexpectedly.

Turning back, he gestured silently to Lara. Come.

Hesitantly, she stepped forward, and together, they slipped out of the room, heading toward the mansion's back exit.

As they moved through a corridor, Lara whispered, "Where are we going?"

Ethan kept his voice low. "You can't leave through the front. Too many guards are monitoring it. The back door is less guarded."

Just as they neared the exit, a voice called out.

"Young master!"

Ethan froze.

His body stiffened as his breath hitched. Slowly, he turned his head toward the source of the voice.

A tall, imposing man walked toward them—Ralf, the caretaker and bodyguard assigned by Ethan's family to watch over him.

Lara instantly tensed. Though this wasn't one of the knights who had ambushed and captured her, she could feel the power radiating from him. He was far stronger than her. If he stops me now… I won't be able to fight back.

Ethan's mind raced. Ralf doesn't know about Lara. He wasn't involved in the kidnapping. If he finds out, I'm screwed. He's strict—too strict. He'd definitely report everything to my family.

Ralf frowned as he approached, his sharp gaze flickering between Ethan and Lara. "Where are you going?"

Ethan instinctively took a step back—only to bump into Lara behind him.

Her hands curled into fists, her nails digging into her palms. This is bad…

Ralf's expression darkened. He took another step forward.

Ethan's mind spun, scrambling for an excuse—think, think, think!

Then, an idea struck him.

He turned slightly, looking at Lara. His voice was soft but firm.

"Do you trust me?"

Without hesitation, she shot back.

"No."

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