I Slept with the Villain Holding My Hand – Chapter 151 – The Villain’s Ending

Author: Nikss

Perhaps, even while wandering outside the imperial palace, she had always anticipated such an ending.

This was neither the time nor the place for the two to reconcile warmly, nor did they have the heart to do so.

Thus, Altheon was left to speculate on his own.

“I will summon the high priest immediately. Once the covenant is sworn, I shall release you.”

The longest conversation between the brothers ended just like that.

Time passed swiftly.

During that period, the empire underwent many changes.

First and foremost, a new emperor—Altheon Walter Tristan—ascended to the throne.

The moment he grasped the imperial crown, he drew his sword before all in attendance.

With a fierce gaze, as if to sweep away even the seeds of rebellion, he delivered a speech about the empire he would lead.

In the end, the bloody storm Merria had predicted did not rage as violently.

Altheon was a far more astute candidate for emperor.

A true leader must not only excel personally but also know how to place the right people in the right positions to guide them.

After all, an emperor is but one body, capable of hearing and reading only so much, and like all others, must live each day as it comes.

In that regard, Altheon showed no hesitation in cutting away the rotten roots.

At the same time, he nurtured the branches that could still thrive, feeding them with rich nourishment.

As a result, the empire quickly regained stability.

Once the imperial system was restored and the regime stabilized, Altheon announced that he would take Karina as his consort—not as a betrothal, but as a direct marriage.

The elders once again protested, insisting it could not be done.

According to imperial law, members of the royal family were to undergo a betrothal first, and only after confirming the absence of any flaws in their partner could they proceed to marriage.

Yet Altheon became the first emperor to forgo the betrothal, citing the empire’s recent upheaval and the people’s unrest as justification.

Karina, who had once been the prospective crown princess, became the empress in an instant. Her long-cherished wish—to create dresses for her friends—was led mainly by Lilith and Miolo.

Though they claimed to have only slightly modified Karina’s designs, the revealing and extravagant dresses were undeniably stunning to anyone who saw them.

On the wedding day, Karina was overjoyed when she saw Lilith and Merria.

Because of this, Altheon, who had been pushed out of Karina’s attention, shot them a sharp glare from behind—something Lilith and Merria decided to keep between themselves.

On a day without a single cloud in the sky, Karina became a happy bride and the empire’s empress, celebrated by all.

A month later…

The air had grown cold enough for their breaths to turn visible.

Merria was now inside a carriage heading toward the grand duke’s residence.

Today was the day she and Reukis would depart for their trip, timed with his leave. Though it felt like he had an unusually generous amount of vacation for his rank, Merria gladly agreed to his plans.

“Reukis!”

As Merria stepped out of the carriage, Reukis, who had come to greet her, smiled softly.

“You’ve arrived.”

“Yes. Shall we leave right away?”

Their destination was a seaside villa at the edge of the grand duchy’s territory.

Since the journey would take a while, they sent their luggage ahead by carriage while they teleported separately.

Their pre-packed belongings were expected to arrive by evening, so they planned to head to the villa accordingly.

Reukis nodded and held out his hand.

In the blink of an eye, the scenery before her completely changed.

Instead of the grand duke’s entrance, an endless expanse of sea welcomed her.

“Wow…”

The waves, shattered by the midday sun, glittered like jewels.

Even the cold sea breeze and the stinging spray felt romantic.

Merria’s lips curled into a wide grin at the sight, so different from the capital’s scenery.

“It’s truly beautiful.”

She let out a dazed sigh of admiration.

“Do you like it?”

“Of course. It’s so beautiful I’d love to capture it in a painting.”

Reukis, thinking he should hire the most famous painter in the area, led her along.

“Do you come here often?”

“It’s been a long time since I last visited, since I was a child.”

“Has anything changed? The sea always seems the same, doesn’t it?”

“It does seem that way.”

Merria nodded contentedly at Reukis’s answer.

“Then I suppose I’ve glimpsed one of your memories today.”

The more time they spent together, the more memories they shared. Reukis cherished simply being with her, even if they did nothing special.

If work kept him away from Merria for too long, he would submit a written report to Altheon as soon as he returned.

Naturally, he would also send a request for leave in retaliation.

Spending so much time with Reukis made Merria regret the days she had let slip by in the past.

If only they had met a little sooner. She might have seen Reukis when he was barely half her height.

That wistful longing led her to develop a recent hobby—listening to stories of Reukis’s childhood.

She didn’t care who told them—whether it was Reukis himself, Harriet, or the head maid.

Thanks to that, Merria learned that Reukis had been a child afraid of heights, that his favorite baby food was sweet pumpkin, and that his first word was “Mom.”

At first, Reukis seemed embarrassed, but later, he became eager to share more himself. He realized this, too, was an extension of Merria’s affection.

Understanding what Merria meant, Reukis shook his head.

“People usually come here in summer, so this is my first time seeing its winter.”

“Then it’s even better. Sharing a new moment with you.”

“I’m very happy too.”

Reukis mirrored her smile, his eyes crinkling at the corners.

Walking slowly along the shore, Merria kept letting out delighted exclamations.

“The wind smells salty.”

Merria burst into laughter and took a deep breath.

Reukis gently tucked her windblown hair behind her ear and asked, “Are you cold?”

“Hmm, maybe a little?”

“How about we see the sea later and have a meal first?”

“Sounds good.”

Merria nodded cheerfully.

Just as she was about to turn away—

“Huh? What’s that?”

At the edge of Merria’s vision stood a small building that looked like a house.

Reukis rolled his eyes discreetly before shrugging.

“I… don’t know.”

“I see.”

Normally, she might have noticed his delayed reaction, but Merria, still excited from seeing the ocean, seemed oblivious to the hesitation in his voice.

Reukis barely managed to divert her gaze, and the two returned to the villa.

The butler and servants in charge of the villa’s upkeep came out to greet them.

This place was also called the ‘Azure Villa,’ and now that she was here, she understood why.

The villa’s exterior had a roof as blue as the sea. Though not as grand as the mansion in the capital, its details were stunning—doorknobs and lamps inlaid with crushed seashells were scattered throughout.

“Do they often use paint mixed with seashells here?”

“Yes. Ah, it’s also famous for its pearls.”

“Let’s go sightseeing in the downtown area tomorrow.”

Merria swung Reukis’ hand as she spoke.

This time, his vacation lasted a full two weeks. Thanks to that, they could relax and explore to their heart’s content.

Reukis nodded and asked for the meal to be served.

After eating, the two passed the time with books and puzzles. Though they hadn’t arrived too late, the days were short this time of year.

Merria gazed out the large window in her bedroom, taking in the sunset over the ocean.

“Beautiful…”

“Merria.”

Reukis, who had just finished speaking with the butler, called her name.

When Merria turned her head toward the door, she saw Reukis picking up the coat he had taken off earlier.

“Where are you going?”

“There’s a matter I need to settle. If you don’t mind, I’ll step out for a bit.”

Since it had been a while since they last visited the villa, there were likely documents that required Reukis’ approval.

Normally, the butler would handle such matters independently or send official letters to the capital.

But with Reukis here, it seemed he intended to review them directly rather than go through the hassle of formal procedures.

“Of course.”

Merria answered with a soft smile.

Reukis left the room, saying he would return before nightfall.

Once the door closed, the smile faded from Merria’s face. Her eyes narrowed slightly, as if deep in thought.

She had felt something similar earlier but dismissed it as a passing mood.

However, their recent conversation confirmed her suspicions.

“Why is he lying?”

She didn’t know the reason, but Reukis was clearly trying to deceive her now. Her reasoning was simple.

Reukis had always been open with her, holding nothing back.

For him to lie so blatantly was rare.

The only times he ever did were when he pretended not to hear Merria telling him to stop while on the bed—Or when her attention drifted toward someone else.

Even then, it was always obvious, and she would let it slide out of amusement.

But this time, there was no such reason.

“Hmm.”

Had she been slightly more tired, she might have chosen to just sleep it off.

After all, if she asked Reukis tomorrow, he would have no choice but to confess the truth.

But right now, Merria was still buzzing with the excitement of being on a trip. She abruptly got up, grabbed her coat, and headed out.

💫

Merria strolled along the shoreline with a bright smile.

The territory was exceptionally peaceful, and this beach was private land accessible only to the ducal family.

Moreover, on her finger was the mana stone ring Reukis had meticulously enhanced for her.

Using the bitter memories of the past as fertilizer, he had made sure that even the slightest irregularity in Merria’s safety would alert him.

The precise tracking function was an added bonus.

They had agreed to use this feature only in uncertain situations, such as when her whereabouts were unclear.

If her location were constantly exposed, wouldn’t that bother her too?

For instance, she wouldn’t have been able to do something like this otherwise.

Merria walked with confident strides, as if she had been here many times before. Her destination was already set.

Though she didn’t know why, she had a feeling that going there would lead her to Reukis.

Still, she walked slowly, as if casually strolling, not wanting to seem too eager by following him directly.

As she walked, she finally arrived in front of a pristine white house.

It was the same building she had asked him about earlier. Merria turned her head this way and that, trying to peer inside.

But all she could see was the reflection of the sea behind her.

Lost in thought about whether to enter or not, she failed to notice someone approaching—until a hand grasped her waist from behind.

“Did you come looking for me?”

At the sound of his amused voice, Merria relaxed the tension in her shoulders. She lifted her head with a bright expression.

Reukis gazed at her with a pleased look.

And when he smiled—it was unfairly charming.

“Let’s just say I was out for a walk,” Merria grumbled, lightly thumping his chest with her forehead in mock annoyance.

If she knew that Reukis only saw this sulky behavior as an affectionate gesture, she would’ve undoubtedly scowled in frustration.

He readily agreed to her words without hesitation.

“Understood.”

Reukis, with a faint smile, gently straightened her posture.

“There’s something I’d like to show you.”

“My, how intriguing.”

Merria still seemed to hold some resentment toward the one who had ruined her adventure.

Ironically, the person in question was so delighted by even her complaints that he remained entirely unfazed.

Reukis took Merria’s hand and led her inside.

The building, which had appeared to be a house, turned out to be a greenhouse.

Why would there be a greenhouse near the sea? But expecting a reason from a noble whose life revolved around money and whims was a luxury.

What surprised Merria even more were the delicate, charming flowers blooming throughout the greenhouse.

“Ah…”

Merria parted her lips slightly, taking in the sight before her. She had experienced something similar when she woke up a week ago.

Back then, Reukis had been lying amidst pale pink flowers in the grand duke’s greenhouse.

But this time, every direction except where she stood was filled with sea thrift flowers. She turned her head, absorbing the breathtaking view.

Reukis plucked the most vibrant bloom among them and stood before her.

Seeing his slightly nervous expression, Merria recalled a forgotten memory.

‘It’s not just this—there are things even lovers find hard to say. When that happens, give me a signal first.’

Handing her a single sea thrift flower—that was their promise.

“Is this the signal?”

Just as Merria was about to accept the flower from his hand, Reukis knelt on one knee and asked,

“Merria.”

“Yes?”

“You love me exactly as I am.”

She was the one who had embraced him, even when he loathed himself.

Reukis had been saved by her touch. And once he had learned what warmth felt like, he knew she could never let it go for the rest of his life.

“That’s why I want to become a better person.”

Whenever Merria’s lovely eyes gazed at me, my chest tightened with emotion.

Because of that, the only thing Reukis could do was win her affection with pretty words and a sincere heart.

“Just having you by my side is more than enough for me. There was a time when I told myself that if I could spend each day with you like this, it would be sufficient.”

“…”

“I know you seek a peaceful and tranquil life. But… I desire and love you so much that even putting it into words feels overwhelming.”

He was the Grand Duke of the Empire.

Far removed from the ordinary peace Merria often spoke of.

Everything else could be shaped to her liking—except the name he was born with.

That was why this was his first and last selfish wish. The words stuck in his throat, too difficult to voice.

Reukis clenched his eyes shut, his flushed eyelids trembling with suppressed emotion.

Then, with all his sincerity, he finally spoke, “Merria, will you marry me?”

A simple yet deeply earnest proposal settled heavily in her heart.

Merria stared at Reukis for a long moment, as if memorizing every detail of him.

No matter how long she lived, this moment would remain vivid in her memory forever.

The longer her silence stretched, the more Reukis’ face stiffened with tension.