Living As the Villainess Queen (Web Novel KR)-Chapter 431.2

Even within the ruined palace, where the ground had cracked and the walls had crumbled, some areas remained intact. Eugene carefully selected a suitable spot and began drawing the ritual formation.

The large-scale teleportation spell she had set up in the desert required a much more complex arrival formation. Since she had already completed that advanced stage, drawing the simpler departure formation was an easy task. She placed Sven at the center of the first completed formation.

“I’ll follow right behind you.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Sven lowered his head respectfully. When he looked up again, he was startled to see the figures before him blur. He reflexively shut his eyes, and when he reopened them, the scene had changed. He found himself surrounded by darkness, as if it were the dead of night. Glancing around, he spotted a sliver of light seeping through a door in the distance and let out a sigh.

As he stepped outside, he was met with the familiar sight of the desert landscape and fortress walls.

I was just in the capital…

Even as he experienced it firsthand, he still found it hard to believe. The power of magic was truly astounding.

Eugene finished drawing the formation for her own departure. Before leaving, she embraced Kasser, sharing a final conversation.

“When are you leaving?”

“By tomorrow at the latest. That way, I can reach the capital before the active period begins.”

I wish you were coming with me now.

She swallowed the words, afraid of burdening him with her feelings. Perhaps it would have been easier if she had never come to the capital. Seeing him again after so long had made it impossible to suppress the flood of emotions. The thought of spending more time alone until his return felt unbearably bleak.

But the soldiers who had fought alongside him in battle would be deeply disappointed if their king did not personally lead them home.

“This teleportation spell… it’s completely safe for you, right?”

“Of course. Just to be sure, I consulted the elder, and he assured me it was fine.”

Kasser exhaled quietly. Their time together had been far too brief. It wasn’t enough to ease the longing that had built up in her absence. Now that everything was settled, all that remained was the journey back—but the road ahead felt endless.

“When you return, do nothing but rest.”

Eugene, her head resting against his chest, nodded.

“Leave everything to them. Don’t worry about a thing.”

“I will.”

“…I’m worried the baby might be born before I get there.”

“You’re overthinking it. There’s still plenty of time before my due date.”

People who saw her swollen belly often assumed she was further along than she actually was. It seemed to run in the family—Dana had often recounted how people mistook her for carrying twins when she was pregnant with her sons.

“When I was expecting you, my belly was smaller, so I thought you might be a girl,” she had once told Eugene with a laugh.

“Kasser.”

“Hmm?”

“I should go.”

“Yeah.” He responded, but his arms remained firmly wrapped around her. Eugene, too, made no move to pull away. Neither of them wanted to be the first to let go.

A soft meow broke the silence.

Eugene turned toward the sound. When her eyes met Abu’s, the beast let out another plaintive cry. Beside him, the little one sat perfectly still, both of them gazing at her with identical expressions. It was as if they were asking, How much longer do we have to wait? Look at me too.

Eugene burst into laughter and finally pulled away from Kasser. Bending down, she stroked the two spirit beasts.

“Abu, Little One… We barely had time together, and now I have to leave again. I’ll be waiting for you at the palace.”

Kasser shot an unimpressed glance at the two creatures vying for Eugene’s attention. He had told them to stay at the royal estate, but they had stubbornly followed him here. Discover more novels at NoveI-Fire.ɴet

The large, wolf-sized Abu nuzzled into Eugene’s hand, purring like a kitten. But then, he suddenly tensed and lifted his head. His sharp gaze locked onto something, and without warning, he dashed forward.

“Put me down this instant!”

Eugene’s eyes widened as she scanned the area. Abu returned moments later and plopped down right in front of her, something squirming in his mouth.

“…Mara?”

“Tell this fool to let go of me at once!”

“Abu, put it down.”

Abu obediently released his grip. A small, short-haired creature with a pointed snout let out an indignant huff.

“I have never been subjected to such humiliation!”

Eugene and Kasser exchanged glances, their expressions unreadable. The tiny mole’s nearly vestigial eyes gleamed with a faint red hue.

“Mara, is this a spirit possession?”

“That’s right.”

“The elder must have cast the spell for you. I thought it would take longer,” Eugene said.

“SHe’s quite the skilled sorcerer. It’s much easier to inhabit an animal’s body now.”

There was a note of satisfaction in Mara’s voice, and Eugene smiled.

“The elders are doing well, then? No issues with the barrier spell?”

Mara’s enormous true form had coiled around the ritual site, its body forming an impenetrable wall and roof. The elders and Alber were effectively trapped inside. Alber had planned to install a teleportation spell to allow travel in and out, with the Muen family assisting in the process.

However, setting up that spell would take several days, which meant Eugene hadn’t been able to say her farewells in person.

“The spell was a success,” Mara confirmed.

“Did the elder leave any message for me?”Eugene asked.

“No.”

“Then why are you here?”

The mole turned its head, almost as if avoiding the question.

“…I caught the scent of an Anika nearby.”

“You came to see me off, didn’t you?”

Mara remained silent. Eugene chuckled. Her expression softened, turning serious as she asked, “Mara, you once said that an awakened lark’s greatest wish is to return to their original world. But now that you can’t go back, do you have any regrets?”

A long silence followed. She wondered if the question had been too difficult—perhaps Mara would simply vanish without answering.

But then, the mole lifted its gaze to meet hers.

“One day, I realized I needed to go somewhere. I thought that was my true home, the place I truly belonged. I believed that was the reason for my existence. But now… I don’t know. I don’t know where I should go, whether that place was really meant for me, or how to even get there. Even that old fool, who lived far longer than I have, never figured it out.”

There was a calmness in Mara’s voice. A sense of relief, even.

“Rather than chasing an illusion, I’d rather live in the present.”

Eugene felt as if Mara had left something unsaid. I’d rather live in the present—with the people I care about.

This strange, affectionate creature was becoming truly dear to her.

“Tell the elders not to worry about the tribe members still in hiding.”

“I will.”

“I probably won’t return to the capital for a while. But someday, I’ll bring my child to meet you.”

“How horrifying. As if one royal wasn’t enough, you want to bring the king’s offspring too?” Mara huffed and turned away. The little mole scurried off, then hesitated before adding one last remark.

“Take care.”

Eugene thought she could hear the words left unspoken. See you next time.