How a Villain Defies Destiny Chapter 77

‘He’ll tell me to stop talking nonsense with a frown.’

 

I imagined the look on Yves’ face and what he would say.

 

Since I was still in his arms, all I could see were the tiny branches and the blue sky.

 

‘I wish I could see his face.’

 

It’s funny how the human mind works.

 

Just a few minutes ago, I’d been thankful I wasn’t facing him, but now I was feeling the opposite.

 

‘Or maybe the truth is out there, and he’s just not sure what to do…’

 

In fact, this was the first time I had ever asked someone a question like this in my entire life, past or present.

 

So I deliberately relaxed by thinking about various things, and to my surprise, Yves’ answer came quickly.

 

“Did you think I still didn’t like you?”

 

An outright confession?

 

Stunned by the unexpected answer, I’m at a loss for words for a moment.

 

“How much I owed you, Miss Laura.”

 

Yves rambles on, strangely off-topic.

 

“I mean, how long you have kept my secret, and how my arrival in the Divine Realm in the first place was a return of grace…”

 

“No.”

 

I interrupted him, realizing this was going in a strange direction.

 

Then I elaborated to help him understand.

 

“I’m asking if you sensibly like me.”

 

“Sen…sible…?”

 

Yves, who had been speaking so smoothly just a moment ago, stuttered.

 

“Yeah.”

 

“Well, I don’t know.”

 

“What? You really don’t know?”

 

I retorted offhandedly, but I had a point.

 

The pounding of his heart in my ears was as loud now as it had been earlier, if not louder.

 

“What about when you look at me, does something, um, make you feel good, happy, or whatever, just by looking at me?”

 

Feeling extremely embarrassed to say it out loud, but knowing that no matter what I asked, I would be met with a blank stare, unless I could give a detailed example, I braved the humiliation and asked directly.

 

“Sometimes…”

 

Then, Yves mumbled something that sounded like an answer, but then trailed off.

 

Somehow, even as he spoke, he sounded unsure.

 

‘Do you have a crush and don’t realize it?’ 

 

My feelings, on the other hand, were starting to rise. The answer to the question I’d been struggling with was looming.

 

Hoping that maybe I wasn’t alone, I asked again in excitement, but Yves adamantly denied it.

 

“Do you ever have those thoughts?”

 

“No.”

 

The words were almost harsh.

 

‘Are you teasing me?’ 

 

For a moment, I was almost offended, but then I concluded that he might just be being disingenuous.

 

People who are new to the emotion of love usually take a while to even admit that they like someone.

 

So I’m trying to be generous in my approach to the conversation, when Yves drops a bombshell without warning.

 

“I think about that often, no, almost every day.”

 

Seriously, sincerely, never in my wildest dreams had I ever thought of saying that.

 

A statement so coolly admitted that it almost threw me off. But having answered the previous question incorrectly, I didn’t take it personally.

 

“Um, what specifically do you think about?”

 

“I enjoy being with Miss Laura.”

 

This was also a bit vague as evidence of a romantic interest.

 

It was enough for friends to feel that way.

 

“And?”

 

Pressing for the answer I wanted, Yves asked in a questioning voice.

 

“What do you want to know?”

 

“Like, are those the only things you ever feel or think about me?”

 

He was being persistent, and I could see it, but I realized that if it wasn’t today, it would be forever before I could get some clarity on the matter, so I seized the opportunity and asked the question.

 

“There are others, of course, but I can’t think of any off the top of my head, so maybe Miss Laura can give me an example, and I’ll answer.”

 

Fortunately, Yves didn’t seem bothered.

 

Of course, I couldn’t be one hundred percent sure because I couldn’t see his expression.

 

In any case, relieved by his response, I took a moment to organize my thoughts in my head and came up with a suitable example.

 

“Um… when you look at me, do you feel some kind of strong desire to hold my hand or hug me or something?”

 

“…”

 

Even as I said it, I realized I was being a little explicit, and Yves seemed surprised.

 

Judging by the way his arm twitched around my waist.

 

‘But isn’t this what love is supposed to be like?’

 

I spit it out, feeling embarrassed and rationalizing furiously.

 

“Was that a reference to the current situation?”

 

“What?”

 

“Wasn’t that a reference to me… hugging you?”

 

I had completely forgotten to focus on the conversation. To realize that we were currently in a position that was technically a back hug.

 

I immediately shook my head as I realized how I had gotten stuck in this position.

 

“No. It’s not a sensible attraction. You said it was an efficient way to raise our body temperature.”

 

“…”

 

The words were spoken casually, but for some reason, there was no response from Yves.

 

Sensing a subtle shift in the air, I questioned him for the first time.

 

“Was there some other reason?”

 

“…”

 

“If you’re not going to answer, at least release me from your arms.”

 

Thinking that if I could see his face, I would be able to resolve the question, I struggled harder than before, but his arms still didn’t budge.

 

“Lord Yves, if you continue to ignore me, I won’t be able to stand still either. I’ll ask Enheduane to change my guardian knight…”

 

“No.”

 

After being silent for a long time, Yves answered without a moment’s delay.

 

“Then either answer the question or release me.”

 

“…”

 

“You know I’m a do-it-yourself kind of girl, right?”

 

“But promise me you won’t get disappointed in me.”

 

“I promise, and if you don’t believe me, I can swear on God’s oath.”

 

After repeated threats, Yves finally spoke, “That’s what I’ve always thought.”

 

“Would you care to elaborate and explain?”

 

“I’ve always wanted to hold Miss Laura’s hand, or hug you, or… something like that.”

 

That took me by surprise. I hadn’t sensed any hint of desperation in his behavior.

 

“Actually, I lied about having a cold because I wanted to stay right where I was.”

 

“What?”

 

“…Are you disappointed?”

 

“No, of course not, I was just a little taken aback because it was unexpected.”

 

He was sincere. I was astonished because I couldn’t believe that Yves, the most pious and sincere person I’d ever met, would tell a lie like this to fulfill a selfish desire.

 

‘But why did he admit to everything else, but when asked if he liked me in a sensible way, he said he didn’t know?’ 

 

This didn’t make sense to me, but I decided that I needed to make sure that I understood exactly how Yves felt about me first, so I asked the repeated question again.

 

“So you’re saying you like me in a sensible way?”

 

“Does that mean I’m in love with Miss Laura?”

 

Why was he asking me for the final conclusion when he’d just admitted everything himself? I was puzzled, but I gave my personal opinion.

 

“In my subjective opinion, yes, I think so, but do you think differently, Lord Yves?”

 

“…I think it’s too selfish to be called love.”

 

“Which part?”

 

“Isn’t love supposed to be about being able to sacrifice even your life for the other person, just like my brother did?”

 

It seemed to me that he was mistaken, even if he was wrong.

 

A centuries-old love like Endymion and Selene’s was a rare thing indeed.

 

I calmly opened my mouth to correct his misconception.

 

“That’s not true, because love has many stages and shapes.”

 

Like Endymion, I explained that there are loves that are heavy enough to sacrifice everything for, and then there are loves that are gentle enough to be good but not life-sacrificing, that you don’t mind not being together.

 

“Can that be called love?”

 

“Well, there are plenty of people in the world who value their lives more than their lovers.”

 

Moreover, in a relationship where feelings are slowly developing, it is difficult to give up something for the other person.

 

Small infatuations could fade away for the most insignificant of reasons.

 

Anyway, after correcting Yves’ misconceptions about love, a new curiosity was sparked.

 

It was a question that stemmed from his misunderstanding.

 

“But can’t you die for me?” I asked him.

 

It was a question with an obvious answer, but I wanted to know the details.

 

“Oh, it’s just a personal curiosity, you don’t have to tell me if it makes you uncomfortable.”

 

“I think Miss Laura would be disappointed to hear it.”