The Villainess is Tired of Everything-Chapter 63

He had believed they were finally becoming true lovers, but instead, their relationship seemed more lost than ever.

Where did things go wrong? He genuinely didn’t know.

It was clear that continuing the conversation at this point was impossible.

"…It seems you have a lot on your mind as well, so let’s end our conversation here today."

He had no idea what else Leshuan might say, nor what kind of thoughts his already overwhelmed mind might conjure.

As Ryan stood to leave, he noticed a familiar figure approaching.

"Kaesen."

The sight of him walking through the servants was more familiar than expected. Leshuan naturally greeted him.

Ryan let out a bitter laugh.

‘…Ha, what is this?’

There was no way he could suppress his anger.

Ryan muttered in a low voice.

"Is it because of Kaesen that you’re pushing me away?"

"No, Your Highness. I know that both of you care for me, but my meetings with the captain have no such meaning."

"Then what is it?"

"Captain Kaesen has been helping me with my exercise routine lately. He suggested it because I seemed unwell, and it turned out to be a good idea."

Leshuan responded calmly and rationally. There was nothing wrong with her words.

The anger he had just displayed stemmed from his own petty jealousy.

It was a side of himself he didn’t want Leshuan to see. The realization that his perfect image had been shattered made his face flush with shame. He turned away from her, pressing his lips together.

"I’ll come back another time."

After parting with Leshuan, Ryan pondered her words.

She had told him to confront his feelings. Would he be able to love sincerely if he listened to her advice?

He tried to sort out his thoughts about Marceau.

He didn’t want to believe that Marceau didn’t love him.

‘…Or do I just not want to believe it?’

Why was he so obsessed with Marceau’s feelings? No matter how much he thought about it, he couldn’t understand.

‘I don’t even know what I feel for you.’

What were once clear emotions had now shattered into pieces.

The person who once pursued him had abandoned him, and now all he could think about was Marceau, whom he had never accepted.

To him, Marceau’s affection had been like a gift received long ago.

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It took Ryan a very long time to accept one simple fact.

"It’s because you believe I don’t love you, isn’t it?"

He recalled the face Marceau had made when she said those words. It irritated him to no end.

He wanted that affection to return, even if he didn’t reciprocate it.

Marceau Etwar’s love had always been a given in his life.

‘I’ll go to her, talk to her a few times, give her gifts, and she’ll come back.’

It had always been that way. Even when she seemed hurt and distant, she would snap back to him the moment he reached out.

In the past year, her drastic change had been so unsettling that he couldn’t help but torment her more.

You should stay right where you are.

His selfishness finally took root.

After all, hadn’t Leshuan advised him to confront his feelings?

Besides, he needed to use Marceau.

He needed to make her fall in love with him again… It was an order from the emperor for the sake of the future.

This wasn’t just about him. It was also part of a plan to push Darcy aside and reclaim his rightful place as the true prince.

The start wasn’t bad. Ryan recalled the words he had said to Marceau.

"I told you that I believed you wouldn’t torment Leshuan anymore."

He had even acknowledged that Marceau had changed. Any lingering resentment she had must have eased somewhat.

Now, the only thing left for him to do was…

‘I’ll make you love me again.’

All that remained was to put everything back in its proper place.

His relationship with Leshuan, and his relationship with Marceau.

‘Why is Ryan here?’

He couldn’t possibly be unaware that this tea party was filled only with those who supported… no, followed Darcy.

The fact that he chose today of all days to visit was what annoyed me the most.

"You’ve accepted my visit."

Ryan walked in with a smug expression, greeting the young ladies. I sighed deeply.

"…It seems we were mistaken about the visitor."

Lady Wernar whispered to me. It was a moment when we felt a rare sense of camaraderie as rivals who had once been at each other’s throats. I couldn’t help but agree with her.

"Once again, I must commend your discerning eye, Lady Wernar."

"I just have a penchant for beauty."

"Prince Ryan certainly knows a thing or two about beauty."

I subtly tried to push Ryan in her direction.

"I prefer long hair. It’s rare to find a man who can pull it off."

Unfortunately, this didn’t work.

…If only Darcy were a bit prettier. With this somewhat pitiful thought, I stood up.

It was time to deal with this unwelcome guest. For some reason, Ryan had fallen silent. It seemed he had finally realized something was amiss.

"You know it wouldn’t be polite to send the prince away after he’s come all this way."

Ryan tried to assert himself.

"A prince in enemy territory sure has a silver tongue."

"Enemy territory? Darcy and I are brothers by blood, so you could say we’re on the same side. As his elder brother, it’s only natural for me to welcome him."

His statement was absurd, but I couldn’t simply throw him out.

‘And to call himself the elder brother…’

I hadn’t expected Ryan to be so shameless….

Just as I was thinking of how to get rid of him, an idea struck me.

Ryan’s reason for being here was clear. He was trying to shake me up and pull me away from Darcy.

But what if I could turn this situation to my advantage?

Ryan knew how close Darcy and I were. To separate us, he would need to sow discord between us.

Which meant he would have to reveal the information he had.

Of course, I didn’t like being around Ryan.

But for the sake of obtaining information that could help Darcy, I could at least share a cup of tea with him. It was the best I could offer.

Ryan, with his impeccable timing, seemed to have planned for this encounter to extend beyond the tea party. In the end, I decided to grant him an audience in the parlor. But not until all the other young ladies had been sent off.

As Lady Wernar was the last to board her carriage, she looked at me and offered a casual farewell.

"I’ll write to you later. I’ll send the best letter for Prince Darcy, so look forward to it."

"…I’ll be looking forward to it."

Ryan, as expected, paid no attention to her. He was the same as ever. After bidding her farewell, I headed to the parlor.

‘I had planned to organize the magical devices with Ethan after the tea party…’

All I could do was hope that this conversation would end quickly.

I sat down, keeping my mouth firmly shut. There was no reason for me to speak first.

Ryan was the one who was desperate, not me.

Ryan sat silently, gauging the atmosphere. The role reversal was almost laughable. Since when did he become someone who could maintain such a dignified presence before me?

"…If I apologize for my past actions, will you acknowledge my sincerity?"

So this is why he came—to spout nonsense again.

"An apology doesn’t erase what you did to me, Your Highness. And isn’t it unreasonable to expect someone to acknowledge your sincerity when you’re the one apologizing?"

I sighed and thought of Darcy. Yes, I should humor Ryan and try to extract some information from him.

Though I wasn’t sure if it would work.

Ryan didn’t like Marceau, and trying to win my favor now was likely just part of his strategy.

"…But if Your Highness truly shows sincerity, I might consider it."

I forced a smile as I said something I didn’t believe.

After a year of working hard to smile and hide my true feelings in order to please those around me, I had become skilled at forcing a smile. It didn’t feel awkward anymore.

Ryan stared at me, his expression almost indifferent.

Seeing him watch me so calmly made my insides churn. What was he planning to say?

As expected, Ryan soon broke the silence.

"It’s been a long time since I’ve seen you smile."

"…Excuse me?"

But what he said caught me off guard.

‘I heard he hasn’t seen Leshuan much lately… Could it be that he’s really lost his mind?’

After our conversation, Leshuan had truly changed her mind. She had nearly vanished from social circles, living in near seclusion.

‘Not that it’s any of my concern.’

I sighed, but as I glanced out the window behind Ryan, I spotted Ethan.

A chill ran down my spine.