How a Villain Defies Destiny – Chapter 7

Author: Nikss

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The young lady’s family was too poor to make her debut in the capital’s social society, so she must either marry or work.

Viscount Oannes realizes her plight and invites her to a party, promising to help her find a good job.

For noble ladies, the debut in the capital society was like a title itself.

Giving them a better chance of getting a letter of introduction to a maid or tutor in a better family than those who haven’t had a debutante.

‘Of course, thanks to her awakening as a saint there, Selene has a rosy future where she doesn’t have to worry about money.’

On the other hand, if I don’t attend the party, then naturally Yves won’t go either, which leads to a chain reaction that prevents Selene from becoming a saint.

This was especially true since most of the target characters are crown princes.

‘Well, there’s nothing we can do about it because the curse itself comes from the power of god.’

There are a total of five targets.

There were many countries in the continent that had the founding myth of god’s descendants because it was a worldview where god’s power played a large role.

As it turns out, the founding myths of each country are not just legends, but real, and the curses are a side effect of the power of the gods, which was too strong for humans to handle.

This was why all the targets were the crown princes of each kingdom, except for the hidden character who was not cursed.

Yves, now Count Leblanc, was also the second prince of the Euphrates kingdom, and would never have attended a party hosted by a rising noble had it not been for Laura’s deterrence.

Realistically, the chances of a crown prince and a poor viscount meeting by chance were close to zero.

Even Selene couldn’t afford it.

If she missed this opportunity, she would never have another chance to meet her targets.

‘No. But if that’s the case, wouldn’t it be more efficient to create another event so that Selene and the male leads can meet without me, rather than regressing every time?’

What a shitty fate!

“Whew…”

I breathed a deep sigh and shook off the worries that filled my head.

“Forget it, let’s just focus on improving my relationship with Yves for now.”

I had to prepare myself for what to do after I revealed to him that I wasn’t a saint.

Unless I attend Viscount Oannes’s party, time will continue to turn back.

Even if Yves killed me, there was plenty of room to return to.

Anyhow, I just wanted to live in peace, free of the original, and avoid that terrible regression.

If I do a good job of playing the role of ‘coincidence’ that brings Selene and Yves together, and then run away from the Baron, I’ll be able to live quietly without being executed, unlike the game’s plot.

‘If it goes like this, it’ll be the best scenario!’

I thought to myself, satisfied with my plan, but then it occurred to me that it would be a shame that this luxury would end.

A life where I could lie in a bed bigger than my dorm room all day, no one would nag me, and I could get what I wanted at the lift of a finger.

Except for the bad reputation and future, it was a very satisfying environment for me as a homebody.

Rolling around to the left.

Rolling over to the right.

I rolled around the bed to my heart’s content, stopped in the middle, and spread my arms wide.

‘This is the best!’

Someone might say that I was just rolling around in bed, but I was happy at that moment.

In my previous life, I had been content with a small but steady corporate paycheck that was smaller than my will to succeed.

And while I didn’t have a lover to ignite my passion after work, I was the kind of person who found small joys in light hobbies.

I liked my daily life, which could be said to be boring for someone, sometimes meeting my friends, venting my anger, and eating delicious food.

‘Although it ended in vain due to a car accident.’

Therefore, I wanted to live a normal life even in this life.

If it’s possible, make it safe and peaceful.

⚝

“Lady, Count Leblanc has arrived.”

I opened my eyes at the sound of Charlotte’s voice.

As I suspected, it was the third regression.

“Okay. Will you call the other maids and help me dress as quickly as possible?”

“What? Ah yes, Miss.”

I dragged my aching body to meet Yves again, today.

Immediately after, I was soon greeted by Eve, who sent a chill down my spine.

‘I’m used to it now.’

Not the sore muscles, but for his beauty.

“I apologize for keeping you waiting.”

“To hear an apology from the heart of Lady Laurus. What an honor!” said Yves.

Hearing his unwavering sarcasm somehow relaxed me.

With a lighter step, I sat down across from him and tightened my grip on the fan.

“I have something to tell you today, Yves.”

“… Go ahead and tell me.”

Even though Yves permitted by slightly nodding his chin, he leaned back with arms crossed, he didn’t seem inclined to talk to me at all.

Nevertheless, I bowed my head regardless.

“I apologize for lying to you about being a saint!”

Would he be angry?

He’s not going to hit me, won’t he?

I’m assuming all kinds of worst situations.

Surprisingly Yves only snorted, “Are you going to ignore me?”

“What?”

All of a sudden?

Yves sneered at me as I formed an expression of confusion, not understanding what he meant.

“I am the leader of the Astarte Holy Knights.”

“I know that,” answered Laura.

“But did you think you wouldn’t feel your divine power?”

“I have divine power?” Laura asked back.

The more I listened, the more question marks appeared in my mind.

‘What the hell is going on?’

After one possession and three regressions, this was still new to me.

“I’ve felt it since yesterday, but your acting has improved a lot. I would have been tricked if it were me before.”

Because I’m not actually acting!

But before I could retort, Yves continued,

“In the first place, a divine mark appeared in front of my eyes, and there’s no way I can’t recognize it.”

Out of his mouth came something even more unbelievable.

The divine mark was a sign of divine favor and proof of a saint.

‘I have a divine mark? That’s impossible, I’ve never seen one before…’

The disbelief in my mind must have shown on my face.

“You’re not planning to deny it until the end are you?”

“I’m not denying it, I just can’t believe it. If I were a real saint, w I wouldn’t be apologizing like this, but wouldn’t I try to use Yves more?”

“…”

Yves seemed speechless and could not refute anything.

I took advantage of his momentary embarrassment to offer my prepared excuse.

“When I stumbled upon your secret, Yves, I thought I would get more attention if I were a saint who could lift the curse.”

“…”

“But I told you to sign a contract because it’s a lie that will be found out soon.”

All of it was true.

Because I could know both her inner feelings and thoughts through the golden memories of Laura.

“Purely, without the slightest hint of lie! I only asked because I didn’t know if there was a divine mark.”

“Can you swear on the name of Astarte?” asked Yves.

“Of course!”

I said reverently, raising my right hand to my left chest as if saluting the flag.

“I, Laura Laurus, swear in the name of Astarte that everything I just said was true.”

Normally, swearing falsely in the name of a god would result in an immediate branding on the forehead.

It is also called the ‘Stigma of the Sinners’ or the ‘Mark of Death’, and it was said that the person would die within a year.

But of course, no stigma appeared on me, and Yves’ brow, which had been furrowed in displeasure the whole time, softened a little, and his stiff sitting posture straightened up.

The exuding momentum was still cold, but it seemed that he finally believed me.

‘If I’d known it would work so well, I would have sworn to it as soon as we reached the room.’

I didn’t regret not doing it the first time, because I wasn’t sure that I wouldn’t be stigmatized.

It was unclear whether god would see me and Laura as the same person or as different beings, and if my thoughts were different from hers, it could be judged as false in god’s eyes.

‘So I tried it before I regressed.’

However, since stigma was also a force of god, I experimented very carefully, just in case it remained even if I went back in time.

Mostly things I would say in front of Eve.

Anyway, assuming that the oath would give me a tiny bit of credibility, I seized the opportunity to apologize.

“I know I’ve done something terrible to you, Yves. Taking advantage of your weakness and forcing you into a contract you didn’t want. I am truly remorseful for lying about being a saint and for forcing you into a contract. I’m truly sorry.”

Laura bowed her head so low that the top of her head was visible again, took a breath for a while, and then uttered the last word.

“…”

Yves was silent.

She couldn’t see his expression because her head was bowing down, so the longer the silence, the greater the anxiety she felt.

‘Is this not working either?’

I was hoping that if I were honest about how I feel now, it would be delivered to Yves, but sadly, it must have been a vain hope.

‘Maybe Yves and Laura’s relationship is already irreparable…’

I sit in the heavy silence of the room, not daring to look up.

“Tsk.”

‘Tsk? Did he just click his tongue?’

“Why are you doing this all of a sudden?” asked Yves.

“What?”