How a Villain Defies Destiny Chapter 66

‘Let’s focus on the conversation first.’ 

 

Shaking off the thoughts that popped into my head, I offered him comfort.

 

“I don’t think you’re being weak, I think you’re being sweet.”

 

“…”

 

For a moment, Yves stares at me as if he’s just heard something ridiculous.

 

Although he didn’t say anything in response, I could tell that he was wondering, ‘What is she talking about?’

 

‘Well, it’s better than being killed.’ 

 

Sensing that Yves’s somber mood had lightened, I added a follow-up.

 

“You forgave Endymion because you were sweet, Yves.”

 

“I forgave him?”

 

Yves repeated, his brow furrowed in confusion.

 

As if the word forgiveness hadn’t even crossed his mind.

 

Looking straight at him, I calmly continued my explanation.

 

“You could have hated and resented Endymion all you wanted, Yves, because he hurt you in childhood.”

 

The resolve with which he left the palace must have been an instinctive defense mechanism to avoid being hurt again.

 

“But you didn’t, probably because Endymion was more important to you than your resolve.”

 

Judging by the way Yves’s silver eyes fluttered, the point was made.

 

“…I don’t think it had anything to do with being sweet.”

 

“It does. When you met Endymion in Dilbat, you accepted him even before he apologized.”

 

Although I had to admit, I did encourage him a little.

 

If I hadn’t wanted to, I would have ignored everything that was said, no matter what.

 

“To be taken back despite being hurt means that you are willing to risk your pain for the sake of someone you care about and cherish so much.”

 

“…”

 

“That’s something only a truly loving person can do.”

 

Suddenly, it seemed to me that Yves was the one who best fit the description of pure love or noble sacrifice.

 

The original character, who would go out of his way to help someone he cared about without expecting anything in return, and the current version of Yves, who remains as dedicated as ever.

 

“So don’t be too hard on yourself.”

 

“…”

 

His lips parted slightly, but he didn’t say anything, just shook his head.

 

‘He’s embarrassed.’ 

 

Although I couldn’t see his face, it was easy to infer his state of mind from his reddened earlobes.

 

The way he looked embarrassed by the unfamiliar compliment was cute, and I chuckled to myself, but the silence made me uncomfortable, and Yves coughed unexpectedly and quickly changed the subject.

 

“Ahem, I got distracted… explaining my relationship with my brother… but what I wanted to ask was your opinion, Miss Laura.”

 

Somehow, in his pause, he seemed to have left out the word ‘blame’.

 

‘I’ve been sensing since last time that he has low self-esteem.’

 

It was clear that he blamed himself a lot.

 

While I was thinking about this, Yves was rambling on about how Endymion was obsessed with being crowned king and how he was willing to throw away everything but that.

 

In addition, he explained that he was skilled in dealing with nobles and that his actions were calculated.

 

“I didn’t tell Miss Laura the details, but at the end of the trial, the situation was more serious than I thought.”

 

For now, Endymion said, the curse was completely gone thanks to Selene, and he was fine as a Crown Prince, but the little blemish of ‘once being cursed’ was a problem.

 

It was a very good excuse for the powers that be to try to bring him down.

 

“They began to slander him, spreading ridiculous rumors that a curse was proof that he was hated by God.”

 

The false rumors were plausible enough that they gradually changed and turned against him. 

 

The opposition to Endymion’s ascension to the throne of the Euphrates, whose founding myth was that he was a descendant of the gods, grew.

 

“But I still believed that if I disappeared, my brother would pick up the pieces.”

 

Now that he was gone, Endymion’s opponents would be deterred, and the situation would stabilize as he built up his inner circle.

 

‘But instead, as expected, Endymion was here.’ 

 

Yves had every right to be angry.

 

“To my eyes, he was nothing more than a fire moth, paralyzed by reason.”

 

The anger that had subsided had returned, and his voice grew thicker.

 

“So at first I thought I had to stop him, but I didn’t think there was any way to talk to him…”

 

But then his voice trailed off, and he muttered to himself.

 

“My brother was more rational and wise than anyone I knew…”

 

Certainly, from his perspective, Eve was the ‘fire moth paralyzed by reason’ he had just described.

 

Blinded by love in vain, walking to his own destruction.

 

But I knew Endymion from the game, so I couldn’t deny it.

 

As I was thinking about it, Yves asked for my opinion.

 

“What does Miss Laura think?”

 

Honestly, I could understand the current Endymion.

 

‘But how do I subtly say this?’

 

My contact with Endymion had been minimal, except for our meeting at the trial.

 

The only reason Yves had told me so much about his past was because he assumed I didn’t know anything about Endymion.

 

“Well…”

 

I trailed off, lost in thought.

 

‘There’s a lot I want to say.’

 

Unlike the other targets, who only had three endings, Endymion had five.

 

As such, it was inevitable that I had a high level of understanding of the character.

 

‘Maybe even better than Yves…’

 

The game was played from Selene’s point of view, but Endymion’s inner thoughts were often revealed through narration in between.

 

“I don’t know Endymion well enough to say, but I don’t think this is a bad change.”

 

“Why?”

 

“Well, for one thing, he said he has no regrets about his choices.”

 

“Well, maybe not right now, but I’m sure he’ll regret it when he comes to his senses.”

 

He was very firm.

 

‘It’s hard to argue with that.’ 

 

Because everything seems fine when the passion burns, but the moment it cools, it becomes a problem.

 

“Hmm… ah, I thought I heard Endymion say earlier that being king wasn’t what he wanted, so if nothing else, I don’t think he’ll regret giving up the Crown Prince position!”

 

“Well, I think that idea might just be an illusion on your part.”

 

“…”

 

I hate to say this, but…

 

‘The real Yves is just as stubborn.’ 

 

No wonder Endymion was so frustrated earlier.

 

I was troubled by Yves’ reluctance to acknowledge Endymion’s change.

 

However, I wasn’t sure how to convince him otherwise.

 

‘I can’t point to the original as proof.’

 

Not knowing what to say, I remained silent, but Yves, who had been staring at me sheepishly, spoke first.

 

“…And I’m also worried that maybe you’re being played.”

 

“What?”

 

“Like I told you before, it seems like despite hanging out with high-status guys, she’s not getting enough of them, and constantly flirting with them.”

 

Though it was only vaguely felt, Yves truly did seem to have a poor perception of Selene.

 

“Maybe she’s in cahoots with the dissident nobles and wants to dethrone my brother.”

 

That was a leap of faith.

 

Selene had nothing to gain by working with the Opposition nobles, and if Yves’ theory was correct, she wouldn’t have been surprised when Endymion revealed the secret of the curse at the Court.

 

Besides, there was a bigger reason.

 

“Endymion doesn’t seem like the kind of person who would fall for that. 

 

The answer was simple, Endymion’s character would never fall for such a trick.

 

‘Well, I suppose you could argue that this is another case of falling in love and becoming stupid.’

 

But in the original story, Endymion doesn’t relinquish his position in any of the endings.

 

No matter how madly in love with Selene.

 

‘Except in the bad ending where his assistant Mouflon dies and Selene ends up imprisoned, and in the bad ending where his greed leads to the destruction of the Euphrates Kingdom.’

 

In any case, the idea of Endymion being tricked by Selene into giving up the throne didn’t make sense, even objectively.

 

“That… I see.”

 

Even if it was a bit much, Yves seemed to agree.

 

‘I should be thankful. No, I shouldn’t.’ 

 

Although I was able to get rid of the weird conspiracy theories about Selene, the distrust of her still seemed to be there.

 

Eventually, I gave up trying to convince him.

 

“Anyway, I can see that Yves truly cares about Endymion.”

 

Not knowing Endymion well enough to speak for him, I was limited in my ability to defend him.

 

Furthermore, there was nothing I could do to convince him, right then and there, unless I used the game as an example, so I gave up.

 

“However, I think it’s time to wait and see, as I’m not sure if Endymion’s love has blinded him to reason or if he’s truly changed.”