Secret Love Affair between a Former Saint and a Dark Hero - Chapter 89 - Who is the Villainess?

“What’s this now?”

“What do you mean, what’s this? Did you already forget the mess you made yesterday? Come on, sign it quickly. We have to turn this in by the end of the day…”

Before he could even finish, Vigros scribbled his signature and shot Lake a look full of annoyance.

“Whatever. I’ve finally found something fun.”

“…Excuse me? My lord, what are you talking about…?”

Something fun? Lake’s face turned pale.

The lord he served was capable — extremely so. His abilities were second to none. Of course, a terrifying reputation clung to him so tightly it was nearly impossible for any human to keep up, but Lake didn’t care about that.

The real problem? His lord had a terrible personality. He was fickle. Impatient. Like a brat with no sense of responsibility!

And whenever Vigros said he’d found something fun…

“I’m going to fall in love.”

“…”

It was nonsense. Absolute madness.

Lake was sure of it the moment he thought it — then instinctively took a step back to avoid the sudden crash of bricks tumbling down from above.

Thunk! Crack!

The brutal sound of stone shattering against the floor rang out.

“What the hell are you talking about? What do you mean, fall in love? Who on earth would date you, my lord?!”

“I’m telling you, it’s a real romance. I even got proposed to today. Got flowers and everything. Wanna see?”

“Which lunatic young lady would give you flowers…”

Vigros gave the bouquet of roses a proud little shake. Lake’s eyes narrowed to slits, sharp as needles.

Completely skipping over the fact that it was a fake romance contract, Vigros declared shamelessly:

“I was drawn in by her beautiful voice. Followed it right to her. And then with this giant rose, she made me an offer. Said I’d grant her a wish. I couldn’t just walk away from that, now, could I? That boldness, that confidence — it was mesmerizing. Next thing I knew, I was offering to help her. And I’m a man of my word, so I fully intend to see this promise through. To the very end.”

He clapped his hands together. “So, Lake, what should a devoted lover do first, hmm? Should I write her a letter?”

Lake screamed in horror, threw his hands in the air, and let loose in rapid fire.

“What in all the hells are you talking about?! Were you dreaming with your eyes open? Let’s go over this step by step. A rose? Right. The ladies run in the opposite direction at the mere mention of your name! And you, my lord, have always said promises are meant to be broken! And now you’re telling me you granted a wish and promised to help someone?! That you helped her?! Not killed her?!”

For a moment, irritation flickered across Vigros’s face. Then, with a smile that chilled the air, he muttered darkly.

“Yes. Me.”

“My lord, you’re not exactly the type to promise to help anyone.”

“……”

Vigros didn’t blame Lake for being appalled. He’d been just as shocked himself when he first heard those words leave his own mouth.

A cool smile ghosted across his lips as he rubbed at them. He could still feel the phantom sensation of her touch — faint, but lingering.

“That’s what makes it so funny.”

His blue eyes curved into a sharp crescent.

“Because I don’t remember doing it.”

A heavy silence settled between them.

Oh, gods. Damn it all.

Lake scrubbed a hand down his face, rough with disbelief.

So he must really like her then.

There was no stopping his lord once he was set in motion. All Lake could do now was try to help untangle the mess before it got worse. Staring into the face of a woman he feared was a dream, Lake whimpered in frustration.

“So who is this crazy young lady…”

The bold one, no less, who dared to gift that monster a rose!

* * *

When she woke up that morning, the first thing she saw was a trembling chick. Or rather, a girl who looked like one.

Iora blinked groggily, her eyes still cloudy with sleep.

‘Shana, wasn’t it? And… she came back. Right. She’s back.’

The girl’s enormous black eyes were brimming with tears, so clear and wide that they looked ready to spill over at the slightest nudge.

And that… made Iora feel mildly awkward.

She could guess what was going on. In this world, she had quite the reputation as a villainess.

But just how terrible were the rumors for the girl to react like this? Was she scared she’d be hit or something?

Suppressing a sigh, Iora sat up. Shana flinched violently, but she pretended not to notice.

‘I never laid a hand on the maids in any of the other timelines either.’

Damn that <The Saint’s Flower> book.

Grinding her teeth inwardly, she tried her best to smile sweetly.

“Good morning, Shana.”

“Ah—ah, g-good morning, my lady! Did you… sleep well?”

Iora took a slow breath at the sound of that timid voice. Her fingers practically itched from how cute the girl sounded. She noticed it yesterday too. Shana was just too adorable.

‘And, she’s proof that I’m not what I used to be.’

Before her return to the past, someone named Shana hadn’t existed. She must have been living somewhere, at some point, sure, but Iora had never crossed paths with her. Maybe that’s why this young, awkward maid tugged at her heart so much.

Though the girl’s posture was stiff with tension, Iora leaned in and whispered gently.

“Will you help me get ready to go out, Shana?”