I Became the Master of the Villain

‘No way...’

A ridiculous thought surfaced in my mind. But I quickly shook my head to banish it.
Thinking that far was absurd.
‘She’ had to be alive somewhere in this world.

I could tell that today’s events had made him open up to me a little. But this couldn’t be romantic interest. At best, it was a human fondness for a kind master.
Kian’s first love—‘her’—had been a significant supporting character. She played a key role in his awakening.
By contrast, I was just an extra who only showed up for a few lines in the original novel.

It struck me anew that this world was a novel, and each person had a role suited to them.
So I shouldn’t read too much into things.
“Master?”

When I didn’t answer, Kian tilted his head slightly. He looked at my face and asked,
“Is something troubling you?”
I quickly shook my head.

“No, it’s nothing.”
As I gave that reply, the hoot of an owl echoed from the distant forest.
Night had fallen deep.

Would the servants gossip about me visiting Kian’s room so late?
That thought unsettled me, and as I glanced at the time, I spotted something unexpected.
A book lay beside the table clock.

Was it the one Kian had been reading?
I pulled the worn book toward me. Its spine had grown smooth from age.
Bound in leather, the thick book bore the title Theory of Magic.
I had placed many books in his room to stave off his boredom.

Seeing him interested in a book about magic, I thought—he really did suit his role as the future awakened mage.
“Have you read this book?”
Kian hesitated, then lowered his gaze and nodded.

I slowly flipped through the faded pages of the thick, old volume.
The book was filled with incomprehensible diagrams and lines that made no sense, even after several re-readings.
“Is it readable?”

This time, his answer came immediately.
“Yes. It explains magical theory in simple terms, so I found it quite engaging.”
Simple, huh? Which part...?

I widened my eyes again. Complicated formulas and elaborate magic circles leapt off the page.
…What the hell is this even saying.
I gave up trying to understand.

Forget it. Normal people could bang their heads against this book for days and still not get it.
Kian could read it easily because he was a once-in-a-century magical genius.
Closing Theory of Magic without regret, I said,

“Want to try another book? There are a lot more magic-related ones in the library.”
“Am I allowed to?”
Kian asked again as if he couldn’t believe it.

Of course he was. If left alone, they’d just gather dust.
“You can read as much as you want. I’ll make sure the librarians know to lend them to you under my name.”
“Master…”

His pale blue eyes, like clear lakes, sparkled with emotion.
He was genuinely delighted by such a small act of kindness. It made me feel a little awkward.
‘Mild Kian is so harmless, it’s almost endearing.’

Could a man this gentle really blacken...?
That sudden thought made me quietly stare at him.
Noticing my gaze, Kian lowered his eyes.

He ran his fingers across the cover of Theory of Magic and said,
“I don’t have any mana, so reading books like this is probably useless...”
Kian was born a mage, so of course he had mana.

But I couldn’t tell him that.
‘Saying so would mean revealing I’m someone from outside the book.’
I ended up offering a wry smile.

“There are people who aren’t mages but still take an interest in magic.”
“Is that so?”
That seemed to console him a bit, and he gave a faint smile.

A man who had lived twenty years as a slave, not knowing who he truly was.
That was his backstory.
A cliché common to fantasy novels.

One so overused, most readers would scoff and hit the back button.
But for this man, it was reality.
And there was someone responsible for his misfortune.

The real villain of the original story. The one who had created Kian’s suffering.
Like most classic villains, he sacrificed innocent lives to gain power.
While Kian lived in torment, that bastard was probably living comfortably.

It was infuriating, but I couldn’t just punch the villain into oblivion…
‘For now, I’ll focus on preventing Kian’s blackening.’
With that conclusion, I turned my head toward the window.

The night sky was filled with stars.
I still felt guilty for not keeping my promise to go on a picnic with Kian.
As I left his room, I thought,

I hope tomorrow is sunny too.
***
From early morning, the maids bustled around preparing various foods.

It was a clear day without a single cloud in the sky.
Perfect weather for taking Kian out for fresh air.
The maids who were coming with us for the picnic were visibly excited.

The picnic was to be held in a forest just outside the capital, part of the Ashford Duchy’s private lands.
Since outsiders were barred from entering, it was an ideal place to relax and enjoy the scenery.
I threw open the window of the carriage.

The sky outside was bright and the breeze on my cheek was soft.
“Let’s eat lunch as soon as we arrive.”
“Yes, Master.”

Kian’s expression was cheerful as he answered.
His face had definitely softened compared to when I first brought him to the mansion.
I suddenly recalled that moment.

—Did Master… buy me to serve her at night?
Back then, his face had been lifeless, like someone who had given up on everything.
Was my plan to stop his blackening going well?

‘I really hope so.’
Ever since the day John locked Kian in the wine cellar, nothing had happened.
If things continued to stay peaceful like this, maybe preventing his villain arc wasn’t just a dream.

The thought eased my tension a little.
I gazed out the window, enjoying the fresh breeze.
As we traveled, the bustling streets gave way to forest paths.

After quite a bit more jostling over bumpy dirt roads, we finally arrived.
When I stepped down from the carriage, we were greeted by a lush forest and a blue lake.
“Young Lady! Kian! Over here!”

The maids who had arrived earlier waved to us.
Beneath the shade of a large zelkova tree bursting with green, the maids had laid out a huge cloth and were unpacking food from baskets.
Grilled sausages, tarts, sandwiches, cakes, fruits—all looked deliciously prepared.

Everyone picked up something to eat.
Kian munched on a sandwich like a gentle herbivore. I found him so cute that I stared at him.
Noticing my gaze, Kian asked,

“Is there something on my face?”
Yeah. Handsomeness.
I must have nodded unknowingly while thinking that, because Kian touched his mouth and asked,

“Here?”
His pale, elegant fingers searched in the wrong place. I barely held back a laugh and said,
“No, a bit lower…”

“…?”
After groping around his mouth for a while and finding nothing, Kian tilted his head.
I felt guilty for teasing him and confessed honestly in the end.

“Sorry, it was a joke.”
Realizing he’d been tricked, Kian looked like he’d just been smacked on the head.
“…You’re mean.”

His cheeks puffed slightly in annoyance, and it was so cute I couldn’t help but laugh.
***
Midday sunlight glittered across the lake.

As my boots sank into the soft earth, tall grass rustled at my feet.
Red berries hung from tall trees rooted by the water’s edge.
They looked tasty, so I tried to pick one, but the branch was too high.

Just as I stretched up on tiptoe, straining, Kian reached over my head.
Moments later, he held out a ripe berry in his hand.
“Here.”

“Thanks.”
“It’s nothing.”
His long eyes curved slightly as he smiled, and his silver hair fluttered softly across his smooth forehead.

He already had a beautiful face, but when he smiled, it was as if he were glowing.
Thank goodness I was wearing a wide-brimmed hat. My flushed face was mostly hidden.
I took a bite of the berry Kian handed me. Sweetness spread across my tongue.

Like the juicy fruit in my mouth, my time with Kian was sweet.
“Kian, want to try that?”
I pointed toward a boat tied at the edge of the lake.

I boarded first, escorted by Kian. Then he got on and began rowing slowly.
The boat glided across the ❖ Nоvеl𝚒ght ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеl𝚒ght) large lake, its surface reflecting the vivid blue sky, making it feel like we were floating through the heavens.
On the way back, I took a turn rowing for fun. Kian spoke with concern.

“Perhaps you should stop after all?”
“No. I’ve always wanted to try this.”
But it was harder than I expected. My arms and brain weren’t in sync, and the boat just spun in circles.

Kian, unable to bear it any longer, said,
“…Please let me do it. I beg you.”
I used to think I wasn’t bad with coordination, but maybe I was wrong.

Or maybe this had nothing to do with coordination?
While I pondered seriously, the boat reached the dock. Kian got off first and tied it firmly to a wooden post to keep it steady.
“Take my hand, Master.”

Thanks to him, I stepped off the boat with ease.
As my feet touched solid ground, I suddenly sensed someone nearby.
A flash of light flickered through the bushes, followed by the sound of a camera shutter.

I instinctively turned toward the sound.
And made eye contact with someone hiding in the foliage.