The Life of a Villain Healer

*At the basement of Hearthstone Cottage*

Leon's POV

I wasn't expecting much when I came over to Rodan's house today. It was supposed to be a normal hangout, just the two of us. Rodan was always so cheerful, so full of energy, and I kind of admired that about him.

I was more reserved, keeping my thoughts to myself, especially when it came to things like my dad or the empty space he left. So, when Rodan invited me to play games with him, I agreed, thinking it would be a good distraction.

We went down to the basement, where the game room was set up. It was a cozy little place, filled with the soft glow of the screen and the hum of the gaming consoles.

Rodan was already there, his energy infectious as usual. His enthusiasm was one of the things that made him so easy to like. His smile alone could make anyone feel welcome.

I sat down beside him, grabbing a controller. We were in the middle of a particularly intense game when the door to the basement creaked open, and someone stepped in.

It was Cecilia, one of Rodan's tutors. I'd only met her briefly at lunch, and to be honest, I didn't think much of her. She was just one of the adults in Rodan's life, someone who probably spent more time with him than I ever did.

"Rodan," she said, her voice calm yet warm as she came down the stairs, "Your mom asked me to look after you two for a while."

Rodan's face lit up the second he saw her. It was like a switch had been flipped. He was always happy, but there was something in his smile now that was brighter, more sincere. "Thanks, Cecilia! You're the best!" he said, his voice full of gratitude.

I watched them for a moment, and I couldn't help but feel a little envious. The way Rodan reacted to her—like she was someone who cared about him, who made sure he was okay—it was a nice thing to see.

I knew she was one of the few people who could make him smile like that, even though I'd just met her.

I hadn't really known Cecilia for long, but I could tell she was someone I could trust. There was something about the way she moved, how she didn't need to ask questions to understand the vibe of the room.

Rodan trusted her, and I could see that. And in some strange way, that made me trust her too, even though we hadn't spent much time together.

I think it was because she didn't feel like an adult who was just doing her job. She felt like someone who genuinely cared.

She smiled at us both, clearly enjoying the scene. "I'll keep an eye on you two while you play," she said, settling onto the couch. "I can't let you get too wild."

Rodan laughed, "We're fine, Cecilia. But you can join in, too!"

Without missing a beat, Cecilia took the invitation. "Alright, alright. Show me what you've got." She leaned over and grabbed a controller.

The game went on, but this time it felt different. Cecilia wasn't just there watching us; she was part of the game, part of the group. And she wasn't just focused on winning.

She was making jokes, teasing us, and laughing with us like she was one of us, like we were all just friends hanging out together.

At one point, I got frustrated with the game. I had been trying to level up on this one part for what felt like forever, and I just couldn't get it right.

Cecilia noticed, of course. She leaned over, pointing at the screen with a smirk. "You're holding the controller like it's a potato," she said with a laugh. "Let me show you a trick."

I blinked, surprised by how casual she was. But as she explained the trick, I followed her advice, and to my surprise, I actually got past the level. Cecilia cheered, giving me a high-five. "See? I told you it works."

Rodan was already laughing, enjoying the moment. But as I sat there, catching my breath, something hit me.

For the first time in a while, I felt like I wasn't alone in this. I didn't need to rely just on my mom, who had always been there for me.

I didn't need a father figure or a stepfather to make everything right. It was like a weight I didn't realize I had been carrying was slowly starting to lift.

I just needed someone who could be there, who could stay with me and my mom. That's all I really needed.

I hadn't realized until now how much I'd longed for someone like Cecilia, someone who could offer a kind of care that wasn't tied to blood or traditional family roles.

She wasn't just helping us with the game. She was making us feel like we belonged, like we weren't alone in this house full of empty spaces.

But then, a thought hit me, and I quickly shook it off. It was too soon. I had just met her, and I couldn't let myself get caught up in that.

She was nice, sure, but I had no right to start imagining a future where she was always around, where she stayed by our side. It wasn't fair to her, and it wasn't fair to me.

But as I glanced over at her, I realized I couldn't help the way I felt.

She was different. It wasn't just about her being kind or funny or helpful. It was the way she made everything feel easier.

The way she made me feel like maybe, just maybe, things could get better. I didn't need a man to make everything right anymore.

Cecilia seemed to notice I was deep in thought. "Hey, Leon, you okay?" she asked, her voice soft but genuine, her eyes warm and concerned.

I snapped out of it, giving her a small, almost embarrassed smile. "Yeah, just thinking," I muttered, not sure how to explain what was going on in my head.

Rodan, of course, noticed too. He grinned at me. "You sure? You're not losing to me again, are you?" he teased, nudging me playfully.

I couldn't help but laugh, despite myself. "Not at all," I said, trying to focus on the game again. "Just... focused."

But as I sat there, playing, the part of me that had been so lonely for so long began to heal just a little. Slowly, surely. I wasn't sure what would come of this new feeling, but for the first time in a long while, I felt like things might just be okay.

And I think, maybe, Cecilia had something to do with that.

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Brianna's POV

The day had been long, but I welcomed the shade of the large oak tree as I leaned back against its trunk. The air was calm now, the earlier hum of activity quieting as the builders packed up their tools and left.

My gaze lingered on the newly built cottage, a small sense of pride welling up. Valerie and I had just discussed the final touches—it was almost ready.

The main cottage wasn't far, and from here, I could see the faint movement of Serena through the window, likely busy with Crissy.

Rodan and Leon were probably playing, their laughter earlier during lunch still fresh in my mind. It was one of those rare, perfect days where everything seemed to fit just right.

But my thoughts kept wandering elsewhere. Specifically, back to Cecilia Aurora.

I sighed, tilting my head back to look up at the tree canopy. The dappled sunlight filtering through the leaves reminded me of her green eyes. It was ridiculous, really. I barely knew her, but for some reason, she was still on my mind.

I had heard about Cecilia before today. Everyone had. She was a top hunter, a skilled archer, and her name carried a certain reverence.

People spoke about her like she was some untouchable legend, as cold and aloof as she was talented. But the woman I saw today didn't match those descriptions at all.

I had expected someone distant, maybe even arrogant. Instead, I saw someone warm and lively, someone who seemed genuinely happy to be part of the little picnic we had earlier.

And then there was the way she interacted with the kids.

I closed my eyes, letting the memory replay. Leon had been sitting quietly, too shy to take more food for himself.

Cecilia had noticed—she didn't make a big deal of it, didn't call attention to him. She simply added more food to his plate with a soft smile and a quiet comment I couldn't quite hear.

It wasn't just the act itself; it was the way she did it. Thoughtful, gentle, like she truly cared.

A warm feeling bloomed in my chest, one that I hadn't felt in years.

"No," I muttered under my breath, sitting up straighter as if that would help shake the thought away.

This wasn't love. It couldn't be.

I barely knew her. We had only just met. And I'm not even—no, I've never thought of myself as… I paused, my thoughts tripping over themselves.

I frowned, crossing my arms defensively. "This isn't happening," I whispered, as if saying it out loud would make it true.

But even as I tried to push the thought away, my mind betrayed me, pulling up images of Cecilia—her short black hair framing her beautiful face, the way her green eyes sparkled when she laughed, her soft voice as she spoke to the kids.

It wasn't just admiration, was it?

I groaned, leaning forward to rest my elbows on my knees, my head in my hands.

This reminded me of something, a feeling I thought I'd buried long ago. The last time I felt this way, it had been about my ex—the person I thought I'd spend my life with. But that love had ended in heartbreak.

He had left me when I was pregnant, disappearing without a trace. He never once showed up for Leon, never once asked about him.

I had sworn I'd never let myself feel that way again.

"This is just admiration," I told myself firmly. "That's all it is."

But I couldn't deny how Cecilia had made me feel. The warmth, the comfort, the strange sense of safety I felt just watching her. It was confusing, unsettling even.

"I don't even know her," I muttered. "And I'm not…" My voice trailed off, the words catching in my throat.

The truth was, I didn't know what this was. All I knew was that it scared me.

I stood abruptly, brushing the dirt off my pants as if I could shake off the feelings clinging to me. "This will fade," I said firmly, my voice steadier this time. "It has to."

But as I glanced back toward the main cottage, my heart betrayed me, skipping a beat at the thought of seeing Cecilia again.

I clenched my fists, determined to bury these feelings before they could grow into something I wasn't ready to face. I had Leon to think about. I couldn't let myself get swept up in something so uncertain.

Even so, I couldn't help but wonder—what if?