I Am a Villain, So What?-Chapter 141: It’s a long story

The silence in the study was absolute, save for the rhythmic ticking of the clock and the soft, steady breathing beside me.

The heavy leather sofa, usually reserved for brooding over tactical maps or reading ancient grimories, had become a makeshift bed.

"Lucien..."

Ariana stirred in my arms, her head resting on my chest. Her ivory hair was a tangled mess, fanned out like a halo of silk. Her glasses lay forgotten on the desk, reflecting the moonlight filtering through the curtains.

"Are you awake?" I whispered, running my hand down her bare back. Her skin was cool now, the feverish heat of our union having settled into a comfortable warmth.

"Mmm." She snuggled closer, wrapping her leg over mine. "I don’t want to move. My legs... they feel like jelly."

I chuckled, kissing the top of her head.

"I told you I wouldn’t stop."

Ariana hid her face in the crook of my neck. I could feel her smile against my skin.

"You’re a beast, Lucien. A complete beast."

She shifted slightly, wincing.

"Does it hurt?" I asked, my voice dropping with concern.

"A little," she admitted, looking up at me with those unguarded violet eyes. "But... it’s a good hurt. It proves that... you’re really mine now."

She reached up, her fingers tracing the line of my jaw. The shyness from before was gone, replaced by a soft, satiated glow. The "Genius Alchemist" looked like a normal girl in love.

[System Notification] [Hidden Achievement Unlocked: The Alchemist’s Bond] [You have established a deep physical and spiritual connection with a Key Character: Ariana Solmere.] [New Passive Skill: Mana Resonance (Rank F)]

Effect: When near Ariana Solmere, mana regeneration increases by 50%.Synergy: Alchemical potions brewed by Ariana have a 20% increased effect on you.

I smirked at the blue window floating in the air. Even in bed, this damn system was calculating stats.

"What are you smiling at?" Ariana asked, squinting without her glasses.

"Just thinking," I said, pulling the throw blanket over us. "That your potions are going to be even more effective now."

"Stupid," she muttered, closing her eyes. "Let’s sleep. Just for an hour. If I go back to the dorms like this... walking like a newborn deer... rumors will spread."

"Let them spread," I said, tightening my hold on her. "Let everyone know."

*****

[The Next Morning - Ashborne Dining Room]

The morning sun streamed through the windows, far too bright for the tension in the room.

Breakfast was served.

"Here is your coffee, Master."

Alicia placed the cup down with a clack. Her face was a mask of professional indifference, but her crimson eyes were darting toward the guest at the table.

Ariana sat to my right. She was wearing one of my spare white shirts—rolled up at the sleeves because it was too big—and her academy skirt. Her hair was still damp from the shower.

She looked... radiant.

There was a calmness about her that hadn’t been there yesterday. The nervous twitching, the constant adjusting of her glasses—it was gone. She buttered her toast with the elegance of a Duchess.

"Good morning, Alicia," Ariana said, taking a sip of tea. "The tea is excellent today."

Alicia paused. She looked at Ariana, sensing the shift in her aura. It wasn’t just confidence; it was the satisfied aura of a woman who had staked her claim and won.

Alicia’s eyes narrowed slightly, sniffing the air. The faint, lingering scent of my musk on Ariana was unmistakable to someone with heightened senses like a former assassin.

"...I am glad it suits your palate, Lady Solmere," Alicia replied stiffly. "Did you sleep well? The sofa in the study can be... firm."

Ariana froze mid-sip.

’She knows.’

Of course, she knew. Alicia cleaned the house. She probably heard us.

"It was... very comfortable," Ariana replied smoothly, a faint blush dusting her cheeks. "Lucien made sure I was warm."

Crack.

The handle of the silver teapot in Alicia’s hand bent slightly.

"I see," Alicia said, her voice dropping a degree. "Master is indeed... thorough."

I cleared my throat loudly.

"Lily! How are the eggs?"

"Coming right up, Master!" Lily chirped from the kitchen, blissfully unaware of the cold war happening in the dining room.

I quickly finished my coffee.

"We need to get to the Academy. The mid-term evaluations are coming up."

I stood up. Ariana followed suit, grabbing her bag.

As we headed to the door, Alicia stepped in front of me to hand me my coat. She leaned in close to adjust my collar.

"Master," she whispered, her voice low enough that only I could hear. "Next time... please use a soundproofing barrier. The walls are thin."

I stiffened.

She stepped back, smiling innocently.

"Have a safe trip."

I walked out the door, my face burning.

*****

[Imperial Academy - Main Courtyard]

Walking into the Academy today felt different.

Usually, I walked alone, surrounded by whispers of "Trash." Yesterday, I walked with Clara, surrounded by shock.

Today, I walked hand-in-hand with Ariana Solmere.

We didn’t cling to each other like I had with Clara. We simply walked side-by-side, our fingers interlaced naturally.

The reaction was immediate.

"No way..." "Is that the Solmere?"

"She looks... different."

"Did she get taller? Or is she just standing straighter?"

Ariana ignored them all. She walked with her head high, her glasses reflecting the sunlight. She didn’t hide behind her hair anymore.

"Lucien!"

A cheerful voice cut through the murmurs.

Clara von Marigold came skipping toward us, waving a bag of cookies.

"Good morning! I baked cookies! Want some?"

She stopped in front of us, her smile faltering slightly as her gaze dropped to our joined hands.

For a second, a shadow passed over her face—that same dark, possessive look I had seen in the cafeteria. But she blinked, and it was gone, replaced by her idol persona.

"Oh! You two are really... sticking together, huh?" Clara laughed, though it sounded a bit forced.

"Good morning, Clara," Ariana said.

Ariana didn’t glare this time. She didn’t radiate killing intent. She simply smiled—a benevolent, confident smile of a victor.

"We are," Ariana said, squeezing my hand. "Would you like to walk with us to class?"

Clara blinked, surprised by the lack of hostility.

"Uh... sure!"

So, the strange trio was formed. The Villain, the Genius, and the Idol.

As we walked, I noticed Kael and the others watching from a distance.

"He’s gathering quite a party," Elisha muttered, crossing her arms. "First the Ariana, now the Marigold heiress..."

"He’s dangerous," Kael agreed, his hand resting on his sword hilt. "But... he doesn’t feel evil anymore. Just... overwhelming."

****

[After classes]

"I’ll see you later, Lucien."

Ariana stopped at the intersection of the hallway.

"Where are you going?" I asked. "We have lunch next."

"I can’t," she sighed, a rare look of dread crossing her face. "I didn’t return to the dorm last night. I didn’t even send a message."

She shuddered.

"Lena is waiting for me in the Alchemy Lab. And if you know Lena... she’s less of a maid and more of a terminator sent by my father."

I winced. Lena, the Solmere family’s head maid and bodyguard. She was the only person Ariana actually feared.

"Good luck," I said.

"I’ll need it. Don’t do anything stupid while I’m being interrogated."

Ariana stood on her tiptoes, kissed my cheek swiftly in front of everyone, and marched off to her doom.

I watched her go, feeling a strange sense of emptiness.

"So..."

A chirpy voice popped up right beside my ear.

"She’s gone?"

I flinched.

Clara von Marigold was standing there, smiling like a cat that just saw the dog leave the house.

Before I could react, she latched onto my arm, pressing her soft curves against my bicep with zero hesitation.

"Hey, hello again! Should we continue where we stopped yesterday? You know, before your girlfriend interrupted our bonding time?"

"Lady Clara," I groaned, trying to pry her off. "What do you mean ’continue’? There was nothing to continue. And please unhand me."

"Nope!"

She made her grip stronger. Her pink twin-tails tickled my shoulder.

"You saved my life, Lucien. In the novels, this is when the heroine pledges her body and soul to the dark knight."

"This isn’t a novel," I said, looking around at the horrified stares of the passing cadets. "And I have a girlfriend. You just saw her. She creates explosions for a living."

"Ahm." I cleared my throat loudly. "Unnecessary rumors may arise, Lady Clara. Please maintain your dignity as a Marquis’s daughter."

"Dignity is boring," Clara whispered, leaning in closer until I could smell her strawberry shampoo. "And besides... you have two hands, don’t you? One for her, one for me."

My head began to throb.

****

While Lucien was fighting a losing battle against the pink-haired koala attached to his arm, the Protagonist Party watched from a corner table.

"Can anyone explain..."

A calm, regal voice broke the silence.

Princess Celestia, the second Imperial Princess, sat with her legs crossed elegantly. She had been absent from the Academy since the Imperial Hunting Tournament due to royal duties, so she was blissfully unaware of the chaos that had ensued.

"...what exactly is going on over there?" Celestia pointed a fork at Lucien. "Why is the Marigold Heiress trying to fuse with Cadet Ashborne?"

Kael sighed, rubbing his face.

"It’s a long story, Your Highness."