I Abandoned the Male Lead Who Cheated with the Villainess - Chapter 209

Everyone had worshipped and revered her like a god, but no one had ever loved her for who she truly was.

In truth, who would dare to love a god like her?

‘How bittersweet.’

Had she lived as Ivonne and experienced human emotions, perhaps she would have been able to empathize with them more naturally, in a way she never could when she had only learned about emotions from Aiden as knowledge.

Just as she was about to click her tongue, a voice suddenly crossed Ivonne’s mind.

‘No, there was someone.’

— Goddess, Goddess. The only animal that serves you is me. I love you, Goddess.

A purple fox. That tiny fox had dared to whisper love to the creator god of this world, and in doing so, it had seen Novnie as ‘Novnie’. That was an undeniable truth.

‘Later, it confused love with possessiveness and became distorted, but…’

— I am the king of all these animals. Therefore, I am equivalent to a god. Only I can stand by Novnie’s side.

The moment the fox betrayed her was still vivid in Ivonne’s mind. She couldn’t hold back the bitterness that surged within her. Oh, how regrettable.

‘They say fate always comes full circle.’

At this rate, it felt like when Herix had loved her and when Aiden had been consumed by possessiveness.

‘If that’s the case, will Herix eventually change like Aiden?’

The thought sent a chill through her. At the same time, she was startled by the fact that she was frightened by this very thought.

‘I’ve already come this far…’

No, perhaps it wasn’t yet that far.

Ivonne tilted her body slightly and looked at Herix’s back, who was in the kitchen.

He was wearing an apron over a robe similar to the one she wore, and it suited him so perfectly. She wasn’t unaware of his notorious reputation. Herix seemed to be enjoying himself thoroughly.

And, as if reflecting his happiness, Ivonne’s lower abdomen filled with a warm, contented sensation.

“…Ivonne?”

She rushed silently and hugged his back. Surprised, Herix called her name, but Ivonne didn’t respond. She simply buried her face in his broad back, quietly wiping away the tears that had silently gathered.

Despite saying it was dangerous in front of the fire, Herix didn’t let go of her. After a moment, Ivonne whispered softly.

“Don’t change.”

“….”

“Herix… you must never change.”

Promise me. It was a whisper full of sadness.

⚜ ⚜ ⚜

Several more days passed.

In that time, Ivonne was expelled from the Ulfest estate, and Herix was caught by Arnold for breaking the curse that had turned him into a fox, but despite all that, their hearts remained peaceful.

‘Of course, I never expected the Emperor to fear Herix this much…’

After all, the child he had once called a monster had grown strong in his own hands. How could he not be afraid?

According to what Herix told her, Arnold had gone mad with fear, unable to eat or sleep, holed up in the imperial chapel.

Herix’s face, as he spoke, looked both clear and heart-wrenching, and in that moment, Ivonne felt deeply how kind he truly was.

‘He thought it was all his own fault.’

Ivonne felt that she had become somewhat callous. It wasn’t entirely wrong to think so. After all, people tend to be self-serving. Or maybe, the only thing that truly mattered to them, the only thing that could influence them deeply, was each other.

At this moment, Ivonne made her decision.

“I want you to kill me.”

At those words, Herix, who had been bringing tea and snacks, dropped the tray.

Crash—!

The sharp sound was almost maddening, but Herix’s expression was blank.

He seemed to be processing what he had just heard, as if wondering whether he had really heard those words, if they were some sort of hallucination, or if Ivonne had truly said them.

When Herix showed no response, Ivonne spoke again.

“Kill me.”

“……”

Herix remained silent for a long time. His gaze toward Ivonne was so blank that it was impossible to tell whether he was looking at her or just staring into empty space.

After a long pause, Herix slowly bent down.

“The cookies… they’re all broken. I’ll clean up and… bring some new ones.”

He acted as if he hadn’t heard Ivonne’s words at all. He picked up the broken teacup and swept the shattered cookies onto the tray with his hands.

“These cookies… Ivonne likes these… Come to think of it, you had them with milk last time…”

Herix babbled as if he was desperately trying to run away from the words Ivonne had spoken. The sight of him was pitiful, but Ivonne didn’t show him any mercy.

“Stop avoiding the subject. I told you before.”

It was a sharp voice.

“There must be a way to undo all this. A way to fix it. I’ll find it, and once I find it, I’ll do whatever it takes, no matter the cost.”

Every word she spoke pierced through Herix’s heart like a knife.

“We promised, remember?”

There was no lie in the promise they shared while caressing each other’s bare skin. That was real.

Herix had sworn that he would do anything to fix his wrongs. Even if that meant his death, he would willingly close his eyes if Ivonne was the one to deliver it.

“Kill me. I have to die for this to be resolved.”

Ivonne said. The fragments of the broken teapot reflected in the tea, and the red color began to bleed into the tea.