Since When Were You The Villain?

Chapter 90.   

   

“Really?!”   

Sophia once again covered her mouth in shock.   

Killian silently gazed at her.   

It seemed excessive to reveal that Estelle was the secret child.   

There were certain conditions that fit a secret child, and it might be better not to disclose Estelle’s true identity to Sophia.   

Although Sophia could be trusted, sometimes it was better not to know certain things.   

However.  

“Could that child be Estelle Niore” (T/L: Lmao, she is smart.)  

Sophia’s quick deduction left Killian with widened eyes. It was as if he were asking, “How did you know?”   

But Sophia had been aware since Killian mentioned the existence of the emperor’s secret child, a ‘special being.’   

‘She’s the original novel’s heroine, after all.’ (She is thinking about Estelle here.)  

So it was worth having this kind of background.   

‘Furthermore, if Estelle is that child, Killian’s actions in the original work are understandable.’  

In the original novel, “The Withered Flower Blooms Again,” Killian’s inexplicable obsession with Estelle makes more sense now.   

Without any apparent reason, he had become infatuated with her at first sight, clinging to her as if he were insane. 

Killian had a pathological aversion to Estelle being with Mikhail. (T/L: Lmao, the reason is soo funny. He was trying to help Mikhail, but he lost it. 😂)  

He had tried to separate them, especially when they were in the presence of the Empress, and he openly pressured her to break up with Mikhail.   

His excessive obsession seemed truly bizarre.   

Furthermore, his actions were far from displaying any form of ‘love.’ The description of his behaviour didn’t convey any sense of love, making it all the more peculiar.   

His actions, watching her every move and issuing ultimatums for her to part ways with Mikhail, seemed more characteristic of a stalker.  

This obsession made him appear unattractive to people, as they perceived it as a dry and unromantic portrayal of a character.   

People even joked that it seemed like he was in a relationship with a robot and that the depiction was accurate.   

However, it wasn’t an inaccurate portrayal.   

From the beginning, Killian had never truly loved Estelle.   

He simply wanted to protect her from the Imperial Family.   

He hoped she wouldn’t get involved with Mikhail and would find happiness in a safe place away from him.   

He wanted her to find happiness elsewhere before the Imperial Family discovered her true identity and could harm her.   

In the original story, there was only one instance where he confessed his love to Estelle, and it was in front of Mikhail.   

It was part of his strategy to separate Estelle from Mikhail.   

‘Come to think of it, I don’t recall him ever forcing any kind of physical intimacy on Estelle.’   

Compared to the intensity of his obsession, Killian never displayed any actions of love, leading people to criticize the author for creating a forced obsession character.   

He was a failed character who could not be an attractive sub-male lead or an attractive villain.    

However, he was not a sub-male lead who liked the female lead in the first place, nor was he a villain who committed murder at will, so it was natural for readers who expected such a character to feel like a ‘failure’.  

‘Then the reason Killian put Estelle in danger…?’ 

‘Didn’t I ask you to leave with me?’  

At that time, she thought it was a line from an obsessed, dark villain putting his loved ones in danger and forcing them to follow him.  

But that wasn’t it. He just wanted to save Estelle from danger.   

And the one who really put Estelle in danger.  

‘Soon the imperial family will find out about Estelle’s existence, right?’  

Sophia looked at Killian.  

“Then, is Lady Estelle in danger?”  

“Not immediately, but she could be in the future. And… I can’t just stand by and allow the person my father sacrificed his life to protect to be endangered.”   

This was essentially a declaration that he would move forward to protect Estelle.   

Sophia could understand it.   

Estelle represented the very purpose Killian’s father had sacrificed his life for.   

If Estelle were to fall into the hands of the royal family, the reason behind the sacrifice of the previous Grand Duke would be in vain.   

“Even if this happens, won’t you break off the engagement?,” Killian asked Sophia, staring at her.   

His pupils had become calm, as if he would accept any response she gave him.   

Sophia looked into his steady eyes and asked, “Do you love me, Killian?”   

Sophia stared at Killian, hoping for his answer.   

In response, Killian gently pulled her close, wrapping his arms around her.   

Her head nestled into his chest.   

“Can you hear it?” he asked.   

Underneath his soft, white shirt, she could hear the thumping of his heart.   

It was a heartbeat more truthful than words.   

Sophia’s own heart began to beat in sync with his, gradually matching the rapid rhythm.   

“Today, I’ve given you my heart.” (Killian)    

Whether the heart started beating or stopped was all in her hands. Because of her, his heart raced like this.   

One is that she can stop him by stabbing him in the heart with the secret he has been hiding.   

He was prepared to endure even if she betrayed his trust and revealed the whole truth to the Empress.   

Even if it was a foolish and blind choice, he won’t regret showing her everything about him.   

“So… I don’t want to lose you,” he said.   

Killian’s arms, which were holding Sophia, gradually lost strength.  

The sound of Killian’s heartbeat grew fainter.   

“That’s why I dare to ask.”   

‘Breaking off my engagement with you.’   

He let go of Sophia; his arms that had been holding her were weakening.    

If we don’t part ways, I might lean on you again. It’s late, but I have to let you go now.   

‘Selfish’, as Sophia had described him, it was still the best decision he could make.   

But Sophia held onto his hand as he tried to release her.   

“You’re really foolish, Killian,” she said.   

Sophia looked up at him.   

The face that raised her chin to make eye contact with him was frowning as if she were somewhat angry.   

“Ordinary people usually propose when they’re in love, not break up.”   

“But I’m not an ordinary person.” 

“You might be different. But I’m just an ordinary person.”   

She had no extraordinary abilities like the novel’s main characters, and she had lived a life as an extra even before the possession.   

The ‘me’ who is infinitely ordinary—no, perhaps even less than ordinary— 

Upon hearing this, Killian let out a sigh.   

“Sophia, I’ll tell you something, you’re never an ordinary person. I’ve never seen anyone as special as you.”   

Killian’s rebuttal was earnest, and Sophia had to suppress a laugh.   

‘Special.’  

Sophia pondered his words.   

Someone telling an ordinary me that I’m special 

Sophia realized why she could be the main protagonist. 

It wasn’t because the novel or the world designated her as the protagonist. It was because there was someone who saw her, an infinitely ordinary person, as the protagonist, making her feel extraordinary.   

Someone who considered her not an extra but the main character of his life. 

And she has decided.   

To live as the real protagonist, not an extra.   

“Killian, what I want is already decided.”   

Sophia looked up at him.   

“But don’t you know it’s dangerous? Aren’t you scared?”   

“There are other things that are scary.”   

Sophia held him tightly again.   

“That you might get hurt, experience dangerous situations, and I won’t be able to do anything.”   

In his embrace, closer than before, they could hear each other’s heartbeat, now louder and more intense.   

“That the person I love might die without me even knowing, that I won’t even be able to try to protect you.”    

Sophia lifted her head and looked at him.    

They were so close that they could feel each other’s breath.   

“You also know how scary that is.” 

“Sophia…”   

Killian couldn’t deny it. 

He had been planning to break off the engagement because he was afraid of that.   

“I don’t want to passively lose the person I love, spend my life regretting, and resenting myself.”   

“I feel the same way.”   

“So, let’s stay close and protect each other. If I break off my engagement with you, will I be safe for the rest of my life? Just in case. I might get stabbed somewhere else… ” (T/L: I really love her character.)  

“Sophia…!”   

As if to say, don’t even think about saying such things, Killian’s arms around Sophia tightened. 

In response, Sophia looked at him and chuckled softly.   

“Right? You want to protect me up close, don’t you?”   

“Ah, you’re really…” 

“Don’t think too deeply, Killian. Even if this path isn’t necessarily a bed of roses, I have a feeling that if we walk it together, it will eventually lead to a happy ending.”   

The protagonists of this novel are no longer Mikhail and Estelle, but you and me. Protagonists can overcome any hardship, after all.   

Killian looked at Sophia in response to her whisper.   

“Sophie, do you know what?”  

“What?”    

“You are often unbelievably quirky.”   

“It’s a compliment, right?”  

“It is. Because I fell for that side of you.”   

Killian leaned down and kissed Sophia’s forehead, where his lips touched the warmth gently spread, warming her body.   

“I love you, Killian, really.” 

At Sophia’s whisper, a smile spread across Killian’s lips.  

It seems impossible to break off the engagement with this lovely fiancée.  

‘Why do I feel so relieved about the fact that I proposed to break off the engagement and was rejected?’  

Like snow melting in the sunlight, a corner of his heart melted and sparkled.   

He gazed at the precious presence that made his heartbeat louder and then turned his eyes to the distant sound of carriage wheels outside.   

Sophia also turned her head at the sound.   

“It looks like they’re coming back from the ball.”   

Originally, the Count and Countess would have stayed at the ball until morning, but due to the Black Moon, they decided to leave the ball early and return home.   

“I should go now.”   

“But there might still be people outside!”   

“Now is actually the best time, don’t you think?”   

Suddenly, with the early return of the Count and Countess, all the household staff were completely focused on that side. 

The butler and the servants all quickly got up and rushed out through the main gate.   

Taking advantage of the moment, it was better to slip away.   

“Items stained with blood are best burned in the fireplace or stove.”   

Killian explained to Sophia how to dispose of the things he had arranged while opening the window.   

As expected, everyone had run to the main gate, so there was not a single shadow in sight.   

“Killian.”   

Sophia briefly stopped him from leaving.   

“Don’t push yourself too hard.”   

Sophia’s gaze pointed at his legs.   

In response, Killian smiled gently, reassuring her, and nodded his head.   

And just as before, like a gust of wind, he disappeared through the window.   

(T/L: Oh my, this chapter was so sweet and cute 🥰. The sweetest chapter up till now.) 

 

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TRANSLATOR:

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