The Guidebook for Villainesses

The cool wind blew as it heralded the beginning of dawn.

It looked like it’s going to rain again soon. Lara breathed in the damp early morning air while leaning against a window. Even though the wound on her body recovered quickly, it did not mean she would not get hurt at all. When she jumped out of the burning window, Lara thought that she would break at least a leg.

But, Demian appeared right at that time, his flustered voice was clear in her ears.

It was a thunder-like shout. It must have been unbearably painful to fall with Lara in his arms, but he did not even groan. Even at that moment, Demian was worried about Lara, not himself.

The man who fought for her in both her first and second life

Her heart kept beating anxiously. When she thought of Demian, she felt deep guilt and an unavoidable thrill altogether. When he asked her why she hated him so much, why couldn’t she say that she did not hate him?

It was not even difficult, all she had to say was one word.

“Because I meant it…”

She was a good liar, but, like a fool, she couldn’t say anything when she wanted to tell the truth.

She did not hate Demian.

She meant it. Not only did she not hate him, but she also admired him.

She liked him.

The tale of his heroism had always been an object of envy to her. Whenever Demian took victory on the battlefield, her heart was full and she did not know what to do. She even waited when he would come back. How nice it would be if she had told him all about her feelings honestly.

She would rather Demian take advantage of herself and throw her away.

She did not know what he was trying to achieve, but since Lara had decided to be his sponsor, she would rather Demian took advantage of her and left her coldly.

At least then, they would have broke even, even if it was just a little bit.

In the distance, she could see the annex building in darkness. As Konny said, Valentine seemed to be having a sleepless night. Only his window glowed with lights.

But the lights soon faded too.

Valentine seemed to have finally decided to lie in bed.

I should go to bed too.

The air in the hot and humid room was now quite cool. Lara moved to close the window.

But another light could be seen on the first floor of the annex building.

Valentine was on the third floor, so it must be someone else. And the lit-up room was the room that Lara had prepared for Demian.

“Demian?”

Lara left the window she was about to close, wore a gown on her pajamas, and went outside. Passing the long corridor that connected the main building to the annex, there was a wide-open door, emitting dim light.

Lara walked in front of the room.

“Lara?”

It was Demian.

He dropped his heavy luggage in the middle of the room, holding a lamp in one hand.

He was still dressed in his outdoor outfit as he just arrived.

“W-where have you been? I went to the arena early, but you weren’t there. So…”

Suddenly she felt a heavy sense of shame.

She didn’t say anything different, but her face turned red.

It was because of the thought she had while waiting for him.

“The Princess bestowed the sword of the royal family. I wanted to give that to you.”

Demian stood in the middle of the dim room and gazed at Lara, who was still standing at the door.

“Lara.”

“Yes?”

“What’s wrong?”

He asked.

She was speechless again. The room was cool thanks to the early morning air a little while ago, but now sweat came out of her forehead.

“Why did you save me?”

Lara, who barely managed to find something to say, asked carefully. It was a random question, but she was curious.

Demian replied as usual.

“Because I’m your escort guard.”

“Then, what about the first time we met? Why did you kiss me? Why did you choose me to be your Master Lady?”

“You want to know about that?”

“Yes. I want to know. You promised me you would tell me about it when you could explain it.”

“Okay.”

Demian put the lamp he was holding on the table.

The curtains, furniture, and decorations that Lara worked hard to pick for him were revealed little by little every time the lights moved.

“Come in.”

He reached out his hand.

Lara hesitated.

She had a feeling that if she went inside, somehow, it could not be undone anymore.

If she took a step forward, a lot would be changed. She used to be so terribly entangled with this man in her past life that she thought they were an ill-fated relationship, but now she was approaching him herself.

What will happen to us in the future?

Her heart, which had been pounding to the point of pain, throbbed. It was the pain that bothered Lara every time she kissed him. She was fluttered and scared.

But all that hesitation vanished into thin air as soon as she caught Demian’s eyes that were looking at her.

Blue with darkness.

Lara was sucked into it.

∘₊✧──────✧₊∘

Lara, who was standing in the dark hallway, slowly stepped into the room.

Demian’s gaze moved along her silhouette, which became clear due to the dim lamp.

She was nervous enough that her skin felt like it was pricked. She felt like all the hairs on her body stood on end. A cold breeze came through the open door, riding through her forearms, making her get the chills.

“Come here.”

Demian reached out to her.

Lara took his hand and sat on the edge of the bed as he led her.

“You promised me before.”

Demian let Lara sit on the bed and slightly stepped back. Then, he started talking while leaning against the window.

“If I dispose of that black sorcerer for you, you will answer my question honestly.”

Lara remembered.

On the day he attacked Valentine’s master, he gave a condition for Lara to absolutely answer one question. She did not know what he was going to ask that made her this nervous, but she promised the same thing this time.

“I will answer your question honestly.”

Even though it was late, Lara wanted to say thank you for saving her, but she did not think it was the right time to bring it up.

Demian looked down at Lara, who was being nervous, with a facial expression that was hard to read. He stared at her scarlet eyes for so long that he seemed persistent.

Then, he asked Lara all of a sudden.

“How did you know about me?”

“…Pardon?”

“You recognized me from the beginning. I don’t have any memories of someone like you, but you were the only one who knew me.”

Lara could not answer his question.

“I wasn’t mistaken. I have become more certain by spending time with you. Originally, I was going to stick around for six months and then ask you about it before leaving, but now, you have promised me to be honest.”

“Demian.”

“Answer me, Lara.”

What should I answer?

Her mind went blank.

How did he know?

Was my behavior that suspicious? I should have approached him more carefully.

All kinds of thoughts ran through her mind back to back.

The question Demian asked Lara was his suspicion about her.

“Answer me.”

He said again.

“The black sorcerer who tried to assassinate the princess, Valentine’s master… And even the incident regarding Marquess of Bailey. At first, I thought you had the power to foresee, but I don’t think that’s the case.”

Lara barely managed to nod.

“It’s not like that.”

“You have promised me.”

He was right.

She clearly made the promise—to be honest, and not to answer with silence.

After rubbing her stiff eyes with one hand, Lara barely opened her mouth.

“Is that…your question?”

“Yeah.”

“How did I know you?”

“Yeah.”

“If I tell you the truth, are you going to believe everything?”

This time, he nodded without saying anything.

Demian meant it.

No matter how shocking or weird whatever Lara said, he might be determined to believe everything.

But how can I explain that I have turned back time from 10 years in the future?

Moreover, I have made you suffer, alienated you, and made you live a miserable life.

‘Can you forgive me?’

That was what Lara actually wanted to ask.

She wanted to tell him everything she had done. She was desperate for his forgiveness. Because she still hadn’t forgiven herself.

But she thought that was not right. It was shameless of her to ask for forgiveness even before confessing to her mistakes.

She was determined again.

“Demian.”

After a breathtaking silence, Lara opened her mouth.

“Your name is Demian Rhode Drake.”

Demian did not answer her.

He tried not to interrupt her so she could speak comfortably. He might look blunt and impudent, but he was a good man.

“And this is my second life.”