I Became the Master of the Villain

It was amusing to see how flustered she got the moment I touched her weak spot.
“S-So what? Once the ships carrying goods from the Eastern Continent return, we’ll be back in the black in no time, so it’s not a problem!”
“Well. To get from the Eastern Continent to the Empire, they have to pass through the Kent Strait. And around this time of year, krakens always show up in the Kent Strait. You didn’t happen to be unaware of that basic fact, did you?”

“…”
Rachel’s face turned pale. No way. I knew she was dumb, but she really didn’t know?
I held back a laugh and said,

“Our family doesn’t rely solely on trade, so it doesn’t matter much to us. But your family’s main business is trade… so the blow will be significant.”
I deliberately feigned concern and sympathy. Rachel’s face twisted even more hideously. Desperately trying to come up with a retort, she shouted:
“It doesn’t matter! His Highness the Crown Prince isn’t interested in my family—he’s interested in me! Do you know how many times he’s asked me to dance at balls?!”

Rachel was beautiful enough that the Crown Prince had shown interest in her. She must have truly believed he was going to propose. I decided it was time to show her some cold reality.
“His Highness wants a daughter from a powerful and wealthy house to support his bid for the throne. I wonder if your family is up to par in his eyes.”
I gave a brief laugh and said,

“Either way, His Highness has no intention of making you his fiancée. Why don’t you give up now, while you still can?”
Rachel’s eyes burned with rage, and her trembling hand clenched her dress tightly. But I didn’t feel the slightest bit guilty. It was my belief that if you mess with the wrong person, you pay the price.
“If you’ve got nothing else to say, I’ll be going.”

That was the end of entertaining her childish argument. ◆ Nоvеlіgһt ◆ (Only on Nоvеlіgһt) Having made up my mind, I stood up from the parlor sofa.
“Where do you think you’re going? I’m not finished talking!”
Rachel screeched furiously.

“Like I said, I’m busy. If you have business with me, submit a proper request for an audience.”
“No! What if you don’t meet me next time?!”
Rachel threw a tantrum like a spoiled child. I was about to summon the knights to escort this ridiculous girl out of the house when someone knocked on the parlor door.
“Pardon the interruption, young ladies.”

As soon as permission was given, Albert the butler appeared. For him to step in like this meant something important had happened.
“What is it, Albert?”
“The Duke wishes to see you, my lady.”

“Father?”
Duke Ashford had suffered a sudden stroke two years ago and retired from active duty. Knowing that his health wouldn’t recover, he appointed me as acting head of the house.
Since then, all documents requiring the Duke’s signature had been flooding to me. Thankfully, Olivia had received heir education from a young age. With her knowledge, handling administrative duties wasn’t difficult. Accurate decision-making, and future predictions using information from the original novel—Duke Ashford had given me a passing grade. But sadly, his condition didn’t improve, and he remained bedridden. He only summoned the butler to report on affairs when he was feeling well enough.

I already knew the butler had recently visited my father. Which meant he now knew everything about my recent actions. No reason to panic—I’d told the butler from the start to be transparent.
The Duke had risen from his bed for the first time in a while and was neatly groomed. As he read through a document with his glasses on, he sensed my presence and looked up. Setting down what he was reading, he spoke.
“Albert told me everything.”

His voice clearly conveyed disappointment.
“Spending one hundred billion gallons to purchase a slave… Olivia, did I misjudge you all this time?”
Duke Ashford was a strict father and firmly distinguished public from private matters. If he decided I was unfit to inherit the house, he would not hesitate to pass the title on to someone else.

That would be a huge problem. I needed the Ashford family’s power to protect Kian.
I calmly began to recite what I had prepared.
“Four years ago, when I said we should purchase land in eastern Centriol, you strongly opposed me. Because Centriol was a wasteland full of monsters. But what did we discover after clearing those monsters out? The largest gold mine in history.”

After transmigrating into The Rebellious Mage, the very first thing I did was use the novel’s information to increase our family’s wealth. It was to solidify my position as heir and push away the relatives who were after it.
“And the following winter, do you remember my prediction that fur shawls would become the next fashion in high society? Just as I said, it came true. Since we had stocked up on furs while the price was still low, our company made a massive profit.”
Hidden gold mines. Predicting trends. If I listed everything I’d done for the family, I’d be talking all day. But apparently, all that had been forgotten. It’s true what they say: even a hundred successes are overshadowed by a single mistake.

“What should I do? Should I go on?”
“That’s enough.”
After listening silently, Duke Ashford adjusted his slipping glasses and asked,

“So… this time, is it another prophetic dream?”
Like the butler, the Duke believed I had prophetic dreams. I nodded in affirmation.
“You’re telling me that slave—Kian—is worth the investment?”

“Yes. A year from now, Kian will awaken as a mage.”
“Impossible. Aren’t mages born with their powers already manifest?”
Kian had simply had his powers sealed for twenty years for specific reasons. He had been born a mage, just like any other. But if I started explaining the entire novel’s setting, it would get too complicated. I stuck to the line I had prepared.

“Kian is a unique case. And because of that, he has immense potential. Once he awakens, he’ll be the most powerful mage not just in the Empire, but across the entire continent.”
Deep wrinkles formed around the Duke’s eyes. That was his usual expression when making an important decision.
“Please trust me, Father. Just like you’ve always done.”

After long contemplation, he finally spoke.
“…Very well. I’ll trust you one more time.”
I beamed brightly at my wise father and said,

“You won’t regret today’s decision.”
***
“Olivia, what are you doing?”

“…I’m coming now.”
I let out a small sigh as I boarded the carriage with my father. It was one thing to have successfully persuaded him. But what came next was the real problem.
Since he didn’t know when he might collapse again, he said he wanted to take this opportunity to personally inspect the state of the family’s businesses.

—Go ahead and take the trip, Father.
—What are you saying? You’re coming with me, of course.
—…What?

—Won’t it look good for us to go on inspection together, father and daughter?
Use what you can while it’s still useful—that calculating nature was just like him. But in the end, I couldn’t argue with his reasoning.
—I guess we’ll have to go on our picnic another time.

—Please don’t worry about me, Master. Just go.
Kind-hearted Kian understood my situation. With lingering regret, I left the mansion.
We began our inspections with the Ashford family’s trading company. We checked the workplace atmosphere, listened to employees’ complaints and needs. After visiting several business sites like that, the sun was already setting.

It was late at night when I finally returned to the mansion.
The butler greeted me at the door and said,
“While you were away, my lady, a package was delivered.”

From inside his coat, he pulled out a small container of ointment—said to be highly effective for scar treatment.
Eager to get it to Kian, I quickly climbed the stairs.
“Kian, it’s me. Can I come in?”

The door opened, and Kian appeared in his pajamas. His room, as seen past his shoulder, was dimly lit with just a single lamp on the desk.
Had I come too late? Feeling awkward, I gave him a sheepish smile.
“Did I interrupt something?”

Kian stepped back from the doorway and said,
“Not at all. Please, come in, Master.”
“Weren’t you getting ready for bed?”

“I was… but I couldn’t sleep and was just tossing and turning.”
What had he been thinking about? I was curious, but asking would’ve felt like overstepping. I quietly took the ointment out of my pocket.
Ever since I’d seen the scars on Kian’s back, they had weighed on my mind. If possible, I wanted to heal his wounds completely. They were old scars, so erasing them entirely might not be possible. But this ointment had been specially commissioned from a mage for a high fee—it had to have some effect.

To avoid any misunderstandings like last time, I explained carefully. I wanted to apply the ointment to the scars on his back—if that was alright with him.
Kian nodded in response. As he pulled up his shirt, smooth pale skin lined with lean muscle came into view. His body, free of excess fat and perfectly shaped, made my face flush for some reason.
“Would you sit here?”

I tried to sound as casual as possible as I gestured to the chair. Kian obediently turned his back to me and sat down.
I opened the container and gently applied the ointment to his back. Each time my fingers touched his skin, Kian flinched slightly.
The label did mention that the treated area might sting. That must’ve been it. I paused my hand.

“Does it hurt? I can stop.”
“It just stings a little. Please continue.”
“Then… I’ll just put on a little more.”

The scars from the whipping crisscrossed across his back like a net. Seeing those terrible marks made my chest ache like I’d been stabbed with a needle. I couldn’t even begin to imagine the extent of pain he had endured.
With a lump in my throat, I said nothing and continued applying the ointment.
There were too many scars—doing it all at once would probably hurt. I said I’d apply it over several days, but Kian shook his head.

“That would be too troublesome for you. I’ll do it myself from now on.”
“It’s hard to reach on your own. And I want to do it.”
Before he could object again, I quickly closed the lid on the container. Then I pulled the bell cord and instructed a maid to bring tea.

Soon after, the maid placed a teacup in front of Kian and quietly withdrew.
“It’s lavender tea. I heard it helps you sleep better.”
Kian stared silently at the fragrant cup and said,

“You really don’t have to go out of your way for a worthless slave like me…”
Worthless? Nothing could be further from the truth.
“Kian, you are the most special person in the world.”

I knew how strange that must sound. He didn’t know he was the protagonist of the novel. Still, I had to say it. I didn’t want him putting himself down like that.
You are the true protagonist of this world.
Should I tell him the truth, even if he thinks I’ve lost my mind? I even considered it, as I stared at Kian.

And then, I saw his eyes shimmer like waves. His widened pupils looked straight at me.
In those watery, sky-blue eyes, I was reflected perfectly. His gaze softened into a gentle curve, and a faint smile spread across his lips.
“You’re the first person… who’s ever said that to me.”

When I heard those words, I felt like I’d been struck by lightning.
Because that line—it was the very thing Kian had once said to the only woman he ever loved in the original novel.