How a Villain Defies Destiny Chapter 119

Indeed, from Yves Leblanc’s perspective, who knew the full story of what had happened, Selene must have seemed far from trustworthy.

 

‘Last night, through the screen, I caught a glimpse of Selene’s hidden circumstances. While I could roughly understand the emotions that drove her to do such a thing…’

 

Selene’s attempt to send me to the guillotine this time was closer to a simple experiment.

 

It must have been an attempt to meet Xenon Achelide again based on her past life and create a new ending.

 

Moreover, she likely thought it didn’t matter even if she failed—she could just turn back time again.

 

For her, endlessly repeating regression, death was a matter lighter than a feather.

 

Of course, that didn’t excuse Selene’s wrongdoing, and it was perfectly understandable that Yves opposed her and stepped forward.

 

‘He must have been worried I’d fall victim to Selene again.’

 

So, first, I spoke to Yves in a soothing tone.

 

“I understand your feelings, Yves. But there’s something I need to discuss with Selene.”

 

“Can’t you do it here?”

 

“No. Since it involves the gods who have granted us their blessings… it would be difficult to talk about it in front of everyone.”

 

When I implied that I wanted to speak privately with another saint candidate, the others readily stepped back.

 

Except for Yves.

 

“Not even me?”

 

“Huh?”

 

“Is it something you have to keep secret from me too?”

 

“Well…”

 

I trailed off.

 

It occurred to me that since Endymion already knew, maybe there was no need to hide it from Yves either.

 

‘The current Yves would probably believe me no matter how far-fetched my explanation might be.’

 

In fact, I had been waiting for the right moment to explain everything to Yves anyway, so I was about to seize this opportunity and lay it all out—when Selene cut in.

 

“W-wait a minute. I’d like to speak with Laura alone.”

 

The moment she refused, Yves’ gaze sharpened instantly.

 

“What are you scheming?”

 

“…There’s no ulterior motive. I just don’t want others to know about the matter I need to discuss with Laura.”

 

She still seemed determined to keep the truth about the regression hidden.

 

“But does Endymion know that he’s regained his memories from before the regression?”

 

Unintentionally, my gaze drifted toward Endymion, and at the same moment, he happened to be looking at me, our eyes meeting in midair.

 

He didn’t give any special signal or reveal anything through his expression, but I could instinctively tell.

 

True to the ‘regretful male lead’ trope attached to him, Endymion hadn’t disclosed his secret to Selene.

 

People really don’t change that easily, do they?

 

Even after regaining his memories, it seemed he still found it difficult to confess his true feelings to the woman he loved.

 

As I silently clicked my tongue at him, his brow furrowed ever so slightly.

 

Did he read my expression?

 

Is he upset because I called him pathetic?

 

I flinched guiltily, like someone caught talking behind another’s back, but then Endymion shook his head faintly.

 

At first, I was puzzled by his reaction, but I quickly understood.

 

Ah, he’s telling me not to let Selene know.

 

It was just a thought in my head, but surprisingly, Endymion blinked slowly, as if confirming my guess.

 

Well, his perception is as sharp as ever. Though I suppose my expressions are easy to read too.

 

I let out a quiet sigh, impressed by Endymion’s uncanny ability to read people, when Yves’ voice reached me.

 

“Laura?”

 

“Hmm, don’t worry too much. Selene won’t harm me here.”

 

“You shouldn’t jump to conclusions.”

 

I blurted out the first thing that came to mind, afraid he might have noticed my silent exchange with Endymion. 

 

Thankfully, he didn’t seem to catch on.

 

“She’s only staying quiet because she’s at a disadvantage right now. The moment you two are alone, she might turn on you and start scheming.”

 

His attention seemed entirely fixed on Selene.

 

But the deep suspicion in his silver eyes made me pause.

 

The distrust radiating from him felt too intense to be explained solely by what had happened at the Laurus estate.

 

“What’s this? Was there something between Selene and Yves that I didn’t know about?”

 

Shaking off my stray thoughts about Endymion, I focused on the conversation with Yves and cautiously spoke up.

 

“That shouldn’t be the case. Selene has no reason to frame me in the first place, right?”

 

“That almost sounds like you’re implying there was a special reason last time when she pinned false charges on Laura.”

 

Though I had casually brushed it off to reassure him, Yves immediately picked up on the underlying meaning.

 

‘No wonder they’re siblings.’

 

His insight was sharp enough to make me click my tongue in admiration. Though sometimes, his intelligence and overthinking led him to spiral into baseless assumptions.

 

Either way, realizing I had unintentionally poured oil on the fire, I changed my approach.

 

Rather than making flimsy excuses, I decided to tackle it head-on.

 

“I’ll explain that part later. For now, just know Selene holds no ill will toward me.”

 

I added that the scenario he was worried about wouldn’t happen.

 

Still, Yves didn’t seem easily convinced. Frowning, he pressed further in a doubtful tone.

 

“As far as I know, you’ve had little contact with the Saintess since the trial. Why do you trust her so much?”

 

As he said, after arriving in the Holy Kingdom, I hadn’t met Selene at all—and since I’d mostly been with Yves, there was no room for fabrication.

 

So, I simply laid out my honest thoughts.

 

“Because the Selene I see just seems like that kind of person.”

 

Even if her actions had caused me harm, I knew it wasn’t her intention.

 

‘To be precise, aside from ending the regression, she likely doesn’t care what happens to anyone.’

 

Just like how she kept dying to save Laura, who hated her.

 

For her, nothing mattered now except satisfying Nanna and ending the regression. There was no room left in her heart for malice or goodwill toward others.

 

Lost in thought, Yves Leblanc, his brows drooping, muttered in a lowered voice,

 

“Laura, you’re far too unguarded.”

 

Did she seem like a child left unattended by the water’s edge?

 

Normally, she would have heeded Yves’ words, not wanting to cause unnecessary worry. But this might be her only chance to have an honest conversation with Selene—if not now, perhaps never. So she couldn’t back down.

 

Instead of saying what Yves wanted to hear, she offered words that might soothe him.

 

“Hmm… Maybe it’s because I know that if anything happens, you’ll help me like last time.”

 

“Very well. I’ll wait nearby.”

 

Realizing she wouldn’t relent, Yves finally conceded.

 

Then, Enheduane, who had been watching their exchange with keen interest, chimed in.

 

“Since you’ve mostly reached an agreement, let me suggest a place for your private talk.”

 

In her lively voice, she mentioned that the personal prayer rooms had excellent soundproofing, easing the tension in the air.

 

“For the record, I’ll accompany Miss Laura as the representative of the high priests. The two of you, please report the situation to His Holiness and High Priest Agni.”

 

“Understood.”

 

After parting ways with the other high priests, they headed to a personal prayer room in the Temple of Astarte.

 

As they arrived at the door, Endymion, who had been silent until now, stopped her.

 

“Here, borrow this.”

 

What he handed her was the same magical tool they had used during their conversation in the library.

 

“It only lets those in contact hear each other’s voices, right?”

 

It must have been for Selene, who wouldn’t want their conversation overheard by others.

 

I couldn’t understand why it was given to me instead of Selene, but since I had no reason to refuse, I simply accepted it.

 

Meanwhile, Enheduane opened the door to the private prayer room and spoke.

 

“Then, we’ll wait here. If anything happens, please call us.”

 

“Thank you.”

 

With those words, the door closed, and before beginning the conversation in earnest, I took a moment to look around the private prayer room.

 

It was a space not yet accessible to apprentice priests, so I was curious.

 

‘It’s more modest than I expected.’

 

The room had only a small round window, a podium, and a statue of the goddess Astarte beneath it. After confirming this, I turned to Selene and broke the ice first.

 

“I’ll be direct. I have a vague idea about what you’re going through. That it’s related to Lady Nanna, too.”

 

“…!”

 

She seemed unprepared for such a pointed question right away, as shock flashed across Selene’s face.

 

I pressed on without missing a beat.

 

“What do you think Lady Nanna’s goal is?”

 

After a brief silence, she responded slowly.

 

“…That’s what I want to know.”

 

Then, large teardrops began to fall from Selene’s wide eyes.