Since When Were You The Villain?

Chapter 67.

 

Sophia exhaled the breath she had been holding, ready to step out onto the path they came from.

At that moment, Killian grabbed her arm.

“There might still be people on that side, so let’s go out the opposite way.”

Killian began to walk in the opposite direction from the alley they had entered.

His steps were notably slower than usual.

Thanks to that, Sophia could catch her breath and keep up with him.

“Is it common for people to chase after you like this?”

Sophia asked, and Killian nodded his head.

“It’s not always like this.”

“I’ve heard stories that sometimes things like this happen.”

Killian didn’t deny Sophia’s words.

“Today, it was probably even more intense because His Highness the Crown Prince was with us. The festival atmosphere added to it.”

“Did His Highness return safely?”

“Nothing major happened. He had guards around him, so he should be fine.”

Ah, so Michael was right about the presence of guards.

Sophia couldn’t find them no matter how hard she looked, but Killian seemed to have immediately noticed.

“But… what about those skewers?”

“I dropped them all while running.”

Sophia shrugged her shoulders and spread her empty hands.

“Would you like to go back and buy more?”

“No, it’s fine. I’ve tasted the flavour and got the experience. It’s just a waste of the dropped skewers.”

Sophia nodded her head.

At that moment, a droplet of water fell onto the back of Sophia’s hand.

When Sophia looked up at the sky, grey clouds covered the area above her head.

“Rain…?”

The dusky sky seemed ominous.

Killian also glanced up at the sky, as if trying to figure out if he had been hit by raindrops.

Suddenly, raindrops began to fall in earnest, giving them no chance to react.

The raindrops pattered down, leaving grey spots on the white sheets that were hung around them.

“We don’t have an umbrella…!”

Just this morning, there were only a few clouds, and the weather seemed fine.

If they had known the forecast, they might have prepared in advance. But there was no such thing here.

While air pollution might not be a concern, getting a little wet from the rain was manageable.

At that moment, something fluttered and covered Sophia’s head and shoulders.

It was a black police uniform coat.

Sophia looked surprised and lifted her head.

“I’m fine. A little rain like this won’t hurt.”

“What if you catch a cold from getting soaked like this?”

Killian looked at his fiancée.

Even though it was spring, rain could lower the temperature, making it chilly for anyone. Given her delicate constitution, it was clear that she might catch a cold if she got wet in this rain.

“But, Your Excellency…”

“Let’s just avoid the rain for now.”

Killian led Sophia to a spot where they could take shelter from the rain.

As the raindrops grew heavier, his head and shoulders started to get wet.

His white shirt, which he had removed his coat to reveal, gradually became damp.

‘If we don’t find shelter from the rain soon, Sophia will…’

At that moment, a shadow fell over Killian’s head.

When Killian looked up, he saw that the coat he had draped over Sophia was now half covering his own head.

“Sophia?”

“I mean, it wouldn’t make sense for me to avoid the rain while you’re getting wet.”

When he turned his head, he saw Sophia holding the coat over him with her arms raised, looking quite uncomfortable and awkward in the process.

“I’m fine.”

“But I’m not. You’re the actual owner of this coat, and yet you’re getting wet. How can I be at ease?”

Sophia grumbled as she reluctantly extended her arms.

Killian chuckled softly.

He took the coat from her hands and extended it with his long arms, creating a makeshift shelter that could cover their heads and shoulders, albeit not very spaciously.

“Now, does that put your mind at ease?”

Sophia nodded without saying a word.

Under the narrow coat, their shoulders were pressed together as they briskly walked along the wet path, their footsteps resonating in rhythm.

Neither too fast nor too slow, they walked with an awareness of each other.

“We can take shelter from the rain over there.”

Killian pointed to a distant, secluded shop.

Long awnings extended down from the shop’s windows.

They both entered beneath the awnings, seeking refuge from the rain.

As they huddled under the awning, the raindrops grew heavier and more menacing.

“Still, it seems like the rain will stop soon. Let’s wait here for a little while.”

Killian brushed off the raindrops that had gathered on his coat and spoke.

Despite wearing the coat halfway through, his hair was slightly damp from the rain.

As a result, his neatly combed hair, which usually stayed in place, was now wet and unruly, dripping down.

He used his fingers to push aside the strands of hair that had fallen over his forehead and into his eyes, as if irritated by them.

His left arm and shoulder were thoroughly damp.

The wet white shirt clung to his biceps, revealing his skin and muscles underneath.

Sophia realized that Killian had done this for her.

While one of his shoulders was completely soaked, not a single drop touched Sophia.

He purposely tilted the coat more towards Sophia’s side.

‘Why would he go out of his way like this when he hasn’t even sent a single letter?’

Sophia found his consideration and kindness almost cruel.

‘Even though I haven’t seen him for almost a month, I thought my emotions had settled to some extent. Since we were physically apart, I believed my feelings would distance themselves too. After all, he’s a murderer, so it’s only natural for my affection to wane.’

But meeting him again after such a long time, her unchanged feelings resurfaced.

“Aren’t you cold?”

Killian asked, perhaps sensing or not knowing her inner thoughts.

It was spring, and the weather had turned warm, but he seemed concerned that she might feel cold due to the sudden rain.

“I’m not cold, so don’t worry.”

Sophia replied a bit curtly.

In response, Killian silently draped the wet coat over his arm and looked up at the awning, where raindrops were falling.

The sound of raindrops hitting the awning flowed through the quiet space between them.

The once festive crowd had sought shelter from the rain, leaving the surroundings silent.

Emerald leaves that had just sprouted and unfurled trembled in the thick raindrops, bowing their heads.

Sophia glanced at Killian from the corner of her eye.

‘As I thought, he seems even more handsome than before.’

His jawline appeared sharper.

‘Did he lose some weight?’

Yes, it certainly seemed that way.

His features seemed more distinct, which was likely due to the weight loss.

‘Has he been busy with work…?’

There was a tiredness in his eyes as he silently stared at the falling raindrops. It felt like an unspeakable weariness mixed with a hint of superiority.

She wanted to ask how he had been during their time apart.

Then, as she was lost in her thoughts, Killian, who had been quietly gazing at the rain, turned his head in her direction.

Feeling caught looking at him, Sophia quickly averted her gaze in the opposite direction.

“More importantly… is Fraus Family a suitable place for you to stay?”

Killian asked.

“Yes? Yes, of course.”

Sophia smiled gently and nodded her head.

“I’ve moved to a good place, and everyone is treating me well.”

She added that just in case Killian might ask her to return to the Grand Duchy.

In response, Killian silently nodded at her answer.

“Well, that’s good then.”

His previously tense expression relaxed into a softer one.

It was as if knowing that she hadn’t suffered in Fraus was enough for him.

His softened expression melted Sophia’s heart once again.

“How have you been, His Excellency?”, she asked.

“I’ve been busy, but I’ve been doing well.”

Various emotions were reflected on his face as he spoke.

He was gazing at the puddle formed by the rain shower.

“You must have been busy.”

“It’s what I should be doing.”

Killian spoke casually, as if Sophia didn’t need to worry about him.

Sophia glanced at him out of the corner of her eye and then spoke up.

“Do you remember the young lady you rescued earlier?”

“Are you referring to Estelle Nioré?”

Despite his supposed disinterest in women, he remembered Estelle’s name so easily.

“Oh, yes. Lady Estelle. She’s incredibly beautiful. I’ve never seen such a beautiful woman in my life.”

“… Is that so.”

Killian didn’t deny it.

His non-denial made Sophia’s lips twitch.

Looking at her like that, Killian narrowed his eyes and continued speaking.

“Especially her pink hair, which is quite impressive.”

Pink was considered a precious colour in the Empire.

From ancient times, it was hailed as the most beautiful colour in nature, symbolizing life, vitality, and the beauty of the natural world as seen in flowers that bloom with life and the colours of the sunset sky.

The symbol of life, liveliness, and natural beauty.

Especially since pink hair was uncommon, the people of the Empire regarded it as a standard of beauty.

“Perhaps even the thugs recognized her beauty and were taken aback.”

As Killian praised Estelle, Sophia felt a strange sensation.

While she wished the best for both of them, there was a heavy feeling in her chest.

She felt like a restless child participating in a marshmallow experiment, wanting to eat the marshmallow in front of her despite knowing that she would suffer later.

Even though you shouldn’t eat that marshmallow.

It’s not just any marshmallow, it’s a poisoned marshmallow.

‘No matter how many times you think about it in your head, emotions do not listen to reason.’

Is this all because of clichés?

Is that why the romance that has already been decided binds emotions and won’t let go?

“Moreover, usually young ladies seem to have a deep understanding of unfamiliar things like swords and techniques. It’s intriguing.”

“I-Is that so?”

Sophia’s lips awkwardly curved upward.

At that moment, Killian’s crimson eyes turned towards her.

“But what’s most interesting is…” (T/L: Gasp*, what.)

 

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TRANSLATOR:

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