The Obsession of a Fallen Paladin

11. I Will Become a True Villain for You (2)

As he approached, he could clearly see his sleek face.

“You’re a bit late, aren’t you? Did you dress up because I came? Well, I’m pleased.”

Simon, speaking as if coaxing a child with his oily compliment, was actually a bit surprised.

‘What’s with those eyes?’

Kasha’s deep crimson eyes, which stared straight at him today, were chilling to the point of irritation.

She didn’t blush as usual when looking at him.

‘Moreover… why does she look so fine?’

Her hair was meticulously brushed down and shiny. The curves of her body seemed slightly fuller, her shoulders straight and firm.

‘She looks like a different person.’

Kasha used to appear quickly when he visited, like a cat that heard the footsteps of someone bringing food. But she always hesitated when approaching him.

Her hair was messy, her face pale. Her figure was so skinny that it was unsightly.

She was a woman without a single attractive point.

‘But suddenly, why has the atmosphere changed? Surely… those rumors can’t be true?’

Simon furrowed his eyebrows slightly.

The ball held a week ago by the Duke of Tyrot was a major event attended by most of the nobles in the capital.

If he hadn’t been afraid of his relationship with Kasha being exposed, he would have naturally attended too.

But the rumors that followed the ball were bizarre to the point of absurdity.

There were whispers that Leon the Grand Duke and Lady Katiana Ruschino seemed unusually close.

He had laughed off the rumors.

No matter what collective delusion they were under, it was utterly ridiculous. The Katiana Ruschino he knew, that clumsy and naive woman, involved with Leon the Grand Duke?

Nonsense, not even worth a second thought.

‘…It should be nonsense.’

Thunk.

The woman sitting opposite him on the sofa, placing a teacup down, felt unfamiliar.

Even the air surrounding her was different.

Simon leaned back on the sofa leisurely to hide his unease. Kasha, who had been watching him, finally spoke.

“Is there something you need?”

“……”

It was strange. She was usually so shy she couldn’t even speak until he opened his mouth.

Slurp.

Kasha picked up her teacup and savored the taste slowly. Then she asked again.

“I asked if there was something you needed. Didn’t you hear me, Sir Blancsh?”

“…What did you just say?”

Simon thought he might have misheard.

Sir Blancsh? Setting aside the fact she was speaking down to him like a subordinate, where was the woman who used to shyly call him ‘Sir Simon’?

“Why. You, a mere third son of a Baron, dare to speak down to me, the second child of the Ruschino family, who are the Emperor’s shield? Why is it surprising that I would speak down to you?”

“……”

Simon was so shocked he was momentarily speechless.

What had happened in the past few days?

Katiana Ruschino, who had always matched his pace like a fool, was acting as if her soul had been replaced.

‘Is it because I didn’t attend the ball with her?’

Surely. Kasha had implicitly shown she wanted him to escort her to the ball.

After being humiliated at her debutante, it was understandable.

But he had never dreamed of standing beside her and presenting themselves publicly.

Besides, the more thoroughly she was trampled in society, the more she would depend on him, making her easier to handle.

He had it all planned out.

‘So this is like a worm squirming when stepped on.’

Hmph. Simon snorted inwardly.

Handling Katiana Ruschino was a piece of cake for Simon Blancsh.

“Ah, Kasha. It seems you were very upset about not going to the ball together. Well, that’s understandable. You are a woman, after all.”

Simon muttered as he got up from the sofa.

He knew when Kasha was most flustered.

When he held her hand, or brushed her hair, or had any physical contact.

Whether it was because she was bad at relationships, or because her feelings for him were too strong, she always reacted like a broken doll to even the slightest touch.

He intended to handle this situation as he always had.

He walked around the table to the sofa where Kasha was sitting.

Then, believing himself to be manly, he plopped down next to her. Without hesitation, he put his hand on her shoulder.

“Kasha. If it weren’t for that terrible cold, I would have surely gone to the ball holding your hand. Do you know how much I called your name that night, feverish and all?”

Sweet lies that Kasha would easily fall for.

Simon admired his smooth-talking skills once again.

“……”

‘By the way, what has she been eating these days? Her skin feels much better. Smooth and fitting perfectly in my hand.’

Simon thought as he brazenly stroked Kasha’s shoulder.

It was then.

Kasha grabbed Simon’s hand.

No, to be precise, she pinched the end of his suit sleeve with her thumb and forefinger, lifting his arm off her shoulder.

As if reluctantly touching dirty trash.

Simon raised his voice exaggeratedly to hide his embarrassment.

“…Kasha? Are you serious? Are you this selfish? I told you I was sick. Are you saying I should have gone to the ball with you despite being sick and risked getting even sicker?”

Yes. If other attempts at appeasement didn’t work, inducing guilt was the best strategy. It had never failed with her low self-esteem.

As he thought that and casually tried to cup her face with his hand,

Splash.

“Ouch!”

Simon jumped up on the spot.

“Are you crazy, Kasha?”

Drip. Drip.

His hand, which was flailing, turned red.

Kasha had poured the tea she was holding onto his hand.

If it hadn’t cooled a bit after being poured into the cup, he might have gotten seriously burned.

Kasha spoke to him, glaring with wide eyes and a flushed face.

“Ah, my mistake.”

“W-what?”

“I thought there was a bug on you. I was startled.”

Kasha spoke while staring straight into his eyes.

For a moment, Simon flinched.

Had those crimson eyes, which he always thought looked naive and stupid, always burned with such intensity?

“Sena, bring some ice here.”

Kasha gestured to the maid who was nervously looking their way. Then she adjusted her posture, not even glancing at Simon’s reddening hand. She seemed oddly more at ease.

Simon, wrapped in confusion, forgot to be angry. Kasha suddenly smiled sweetly at his gaping face.

“Alright. So now, shall we discuss the real matter at hand?”

“…What matter?”

“You came to check how much the offensive magic tool has been completed, didn’t you?”

Simon was shocked once again.

Of course, what she said was true. But Kasha had never brought up such topics directly. Moreover, the way she spoke as if she could see right through him was unnerving.

Simon felt himself getting tense in front of Kasha for the first time.

“W-what are you talking about, Kasha? I was just worried about you-”

“Oh. By the way, there was something I wanted to check with you.”

“Check? What?”

“The offensive magic tool. You’d need a design for mass production separately, wouldn’t you? Are you okay with that?”

“What? Mass production? What kind of nonsense is that?”

Simon frowned as he retorted. Even while doing so, he didn’t forget to act pitiful, holding the ice cloth that Sena had brought to his hand.

“Nonsense?”

Kasha slowly repeated.

“Yes. You must have gotten some silly idea on your own, but stop with the useless thoughts and just bring me the completed design. I’ll check if it’s done properly.”

While Kasha was lost in thought, Simon had already regained his composure and was speaking shamelessly.

Kasha looked at Simon, saying nothing.

‘He doesn’t even know that the offensive magic tool is planned for mass production.’

Judging by his attitude, he wasn’t lying.

‘Then there’s no need to confirm any further.’

As expected, Simon was just a puppet of the mastermind, a mere pawn without any significant information.

Simon wouldn’t easily reveal the identity of the mastermind, so there was no useful information to extract from him. There was no need to endure the disgust and anger to deal with him any longer.

‘Fortunately. If he stayed any longer, I might have tested the offensive magic tool on him.’

Ignoring Simon’s continued blabbering, Kasha slowly stood up.

“…Where are you going all of a sudden?”

A bewildered Simon asked. Kasha replied, as kindly as she could manage.

“Don’t come back, Simon Blancsh.”

“W-what?”

“Every time I see your face, I get so angry… I feel like I’ll spill the tea all over again.”

Simon, still clutching the ice cloth, was about to explode in anger but closed his mouth when he saw the look in Kasha’s eyes.

“Get out. I’ll call a healer… you can get treated before you go.”

She added coldly.

“Unlike some people, I still have a shred of sympathy.”

Kasha turned away without hesitation.

‘I will return every single one of the evil deeds you have committed. Just wait, I will be the real villainess to you.’

As she thought this, she began to walk away.

“K-Kasha! If you leave like this, you’ll regret it.”

Simon’s voice, trembling with anger, echoed behind her.