Chapter 29: I’m Not a Villainess, I’m a Saintess

I thought he was teasing me again, but Xavier looked unusually serious. His deep green eyes swayed gently with each jolt of the carriage.  

I must have been staring at him with a flushed face. He was too handsome, and he was acting far too kind. It was strange how his actions caused ripples in my heart.  

“Please don’t do this without warning. You and I aren’t even in that kind of relationship, Duke.”  

“You were the one who kissed me first. You stole the Duke’s lips, and now you won’t take responsibility?”  

“That was just a kiss to a cat! Are you really going to hold that against me?”  

“But now you know that cat was me.”  

Ugh, what kind of absurd logic is this?  

“Since we kissed, I believe it’s my duty to take responsibility for you. That’s why I proposed, Yuria.”  

Ugh, there he goes again with my name. I must not falter.  

“Now that I’ve become a saintess, I’ll find a way to cure your curse. There has to be another solution besides marriage.”  

“Are you saying you don’t know?”  

“Don’t know what?”  

“A Saintess can only share her holy power through physical contact.”  

“What? Since when?”  

“Since ancient times.”  

My last hope was completely shattered.  

“This can’t be.”  

Xavier paused, as if carefully choosing his words, then looked straight into my eyes with a determined expression.  

“Everything I’ve done with you has been a first for me.”  

“What?”  

“Kissing, spending time with a woman, showing my bare body to a woman—all of it is a first.”  

“……”  

“And you’re also the first woman I’ve ever cared about, the first who could break my curse.”  

Oh my God. What has this man been doing all his life with that face?  

“And this is the first and last time I’ll ever confess like this.”  

His gaze was so sweet that I couldn’t bring myself to argue.  

“Yuria, marry me.”  

“Ah…”  

My face burned as if it were on fire. This man said such embarrassing things with a straight face, without even blinking.  

“I’m the type who never gives up once I’ve made up my mind. I hope your answer is a yes.”  

I know that all too well, which is exactly the problem!  

It’s becoming clear that he’s starting to obsess over me. But I’m not even the female lead, so why is he fixating on me?  

‘Your Grace, your destined partner is someone else. I just want to live a quiet life with my parents, enjoying my days in peace!’  

I steeled my resolve and opened my mouth.  

“It’s been five days, so I’ll give you my answer to your proposal now.”  

“If you refuse, I’ll chase you to the ends of the earth.”  

“……”  

“And if you try to run away knowing I can turn into a cat, what do you think will happen?”  

Xavier traced his long, elegant fingers across his neck in a mock throat-slitting gesture.  

I’m doomed.  

“I won’t run away. Of course not. Let’s solve this problem with a sense of humanity, shall we?”  

“That’s an excellent suggestion.”  

I looked at Xavier, who was smiling with his eyes, and forced a laugh.  

‘Oh no, he’s completely hooked.’  

If I try to escape, I’ll probably end up dead in a ditch somewhere.  

Before I knew it, the carriage arrived in the capital. As we approached the palace, I could hear faint music and the sound of laughter spilling out from the banquet hall. It felt like the world was mocking my predicament.  

At this point, I was questioning my life choices and teetering on the edge of despair.  

When I entered the banquet hall with Xavier escorting me, hundreds of nobles turned to stare, their mouths agape at the sight.  

‘Yes, yes. I’m that little villainess, and the man beside me is the esteemed Duke.’  

Xavier was quickly surrounded by people, giving me the chance to slip away unnoticed. I managed to escape to the terrace, where I watched the nobles dancing inside.  

From where I stood, I could see Mother sipping champagne among a group of noblewomen.  

‘Oh, Yuria! I heard the Duke not only proposed but also requested you as his partner!’  

She had been so thrilled.  

If I married Xavier, what would happen? At the very least, my parents wouldn’t be harmed because of Rosetta, as they were in the original story. Surely he wouldn’t lay a hand on his in-laws, would he?  

“What a crazy thought.”  

What was I even thinking? I gulped down my wine.  

“Yuria.”  

I turned to see Xavier stepping onto the terrace.  

“You look cold.”  

He removed his coat and draped it over my shoulders.  

“Thank you.”  

“Why are you out here?”  

“I just needed some air.”  

“You seem to have a lot on your mind.”  

It’s because of you. Your face is too handsome for your own good.  

“What’s that paper bag?”  

Xavier gestured with his chin toward the bag at my feet.  

“Oh, that’s the Crown Prince’s jacket.”  

Oh no. I clapped a hand over my mouth, but it was too late.  

“The Crown Prince?”  

One of his eyebrows shot up dramatically.  

“He lent it to me when he saved me from the beastmen. I was planning to return it.”  

I took a sip of wine, trying to play it cool.  

“I’ll return it for you.”  

Xavier reached out with his long arm to grab the bag.  

“No, I’ll do it. Why should you trouble yourself over something I owe him?”  

“The Crown Prince is a cunning man.”  

“He seemed kind and straightforward to me.”  

“Are you seriously complimenting another man in front of your suitor?”  

Ugh, my stupid mouth. I lightly smacked my own lips and forced a smile.  

“Haha, Your Grace, you’re so funny! Did I compliment him? I don’t think so. And whose coat is on my shoulders right now?”  

“Mine.”  

“Well then, isn’t that enough?”  

Xavier’s lips curved into a soft smile.  

Damn it, why does returning a coat feel like such a big deal?  

“In that case, I’ll accompany you when you return it.”  

“Suit yourself.”  

Fine, do whatever you want.  

“Let’s head back inside. The Crown Prince will be making his entrance soon.”  

“Yes.”  

I returned to the banquet hall with Xavier. Hundreds of eyes followed us, their gazes brushing over me like whispers.  

“Is it true? I thought I was seeing things when Duke Auguste entered holding Lady Graham’s hand.”  

“I nearly fainted from shock!”  

“Could it be that Lady Graham’s pursuit has finally paid off?”  

“I heard she shamelessly followed him to the battlefield.”  

“Goodness, how audacious. Who does she think she is, targeting a high-ranking noble?”  

“She doesn’t know her place, clearly.”  

The chatter of the gossiping noblewomen was as noisy as sparrows chirping. It was obvious they weren’t saying anything good. Don’t they have better things to do?  

Xavier leaned in and whispered to me.  

“Don’t pay them any mind.”  

“I’m not.”  

I’ve lived through enough ups and downs in my previous life to let something like this bother me.  

Compared to what I experienced in South Korea, this was nothing.  

“You’re becoming more and more appealing.”  

“……”  

Damn it. I should sew my mouth shut.  

“His Highness Crown Prince Arthur de Fabian has arrived!”  

The announcement rang out, followed by a fanfare. The Imperial Guard formed a tunnel on either side of the hall, and the grand white doors opened to reveal the Crown Prince.  

“May you live long and prosper.”  

All the nobles in the hall bowed deeply in unison. Only Duke Xavier Auguste gave a slight nod.  

Crown Prince Arthur walked past the bowing nobles and headed straight for us. The Duke’s cool teal eyes clashed with the Crown Prince’s icy golden gaze in midair.  

“Xavier, are you enjoying the victory banquet held in your honor?”  

“Yes, it’s quite enjoyable.”  

“I’m glad to hear that. Since you usually avoid such events, I made an effort to ensure this one would be to your liking.”  

“I didn’t expect someone as busy as Your Highness, who didn’t even show his face on the battlefield, to care so much about a victory banquet.”  

“Well, it’s a banquet to honor the hero of the Brillante Empire and the Saintess. How could I not take an interest?”  

Their words were polite, but the tension between them was palpable.  

‘Ugh, if I stay between these two any longer, I’ll be the first to drop dead.’  

The hall fell silent as the two men conversed. Even the music stopped, and all eyes were fixed on us. No one dared to break the tension, holding their breaths instead.  

It was Crown Prince Arthur who finally broke the silence.  

“It’s good to see you again. I suppose I should address you as ‘Your Eminence’ now?”  

The Crown Prince smiled warmly as he addressed me.  

“It’s an honor to meet the Empire’s little sun.”  

“Lady Graham, thank you for coming.”  

“I’m honored, Your Highness. And thank you for your help the other night.”  

“I only did what was necessary.”  

The male lead smiled at me like an angel. With his silver hair cascading to his waist and his golden eyes, he looked like a celestial being descended from the heavens.  

‘Wow, the author’s taste is exactly my taste. Now that I think about it, the male lead is totally my type.’  

“You look radiant and beautiful, like spring itself.”  

“Thank you, Your Highness.”  

As the tension eased, soft sighs of relief spread throughout the hall, and the music resumed. The lively waltz filled the room, and the hall buzzed once more with laughter and conversation.  

Suddenly, Xavier leaned in close and murmured in my ear.  

“Do you enjoy being complimented?”  

‘Why? Yes, I do.’  

I gave him a look that said as much, and he responded with his eyes.  

‘Are you serious?’  

“Of course.”  

“……”  

Xavier’s lips tightened, and he turned to the Crown Prince.  

“Well then, we’ll take our leave.”  

“Duke Auguste, I still have matters to discuss with the Saintess. The announcement hasn’t been made yet, as you know.”  

At the Crown Prince’s signal, another fanfare sounded.  

“His Holiness, Joshua Melvin Grave, has arrived!”  

The hall erupted into murmurs as the fanfare played and the doors opened once more.  

A man with short gray hair entered, wearing a pristine white suit and robe. His smiling gray eyes reminded me of someone.  

It hit me then—the priest I had met at the Duke’s residence.  

‘That church brother was the Pope?’  

At least he wasn’t just some trivial extra.  

In the original story, the Pope was someone who occasionally opposed the Imperial family. In the end, he abdicated his position to support the fallen Beast Kingdom.  

The fact that the Pope had been sneaking in and out of the Duke’s residence was a huge scandal waiting to happen.  

“Who is His Holiness bringing with him?”  

“I heard there’s an important announcement to be made today.”  

The nobles’ murmurs grew louder. My gaze shifted to the figure walking behind the Pope.  

‘Huh?’  

A beautiful woman with rosy cheeks, as if she were a freshly bloomed red rose, walked gracefully behind him.  

I recognized her instantly. It was Rosetta.  

‘But wasn’t Rosetta supposed to be at the Rexton estate?’  

I glanced up at Xavier beside me.  

“Oh, she’s currently staying at the temple.”  

“It would’ve been nice if you’d told me earlier.”  

“Is she that important? She’s just a commoner.”  

“I thought you’d at least let me know where she was staying.”  

After all, she’s the female lead of the original novel.  

“My apologies. I didn’t think she was significant. I trusted Melvin to take good care of her.”  

“It’s fine. I’m just glad she’s doing well.”  

And she truly seemed to be. Rosetta, with her jet-black hair and star-like sparkling eyes, scanned the banquet hall. Wearing a white dress that complemented her pale skin, she looked more like a saintess than I did.