For You, I Would Even Be A Villain

Chapter 4

The day before the departure ceremony?

Unfortunately, Lilith didn’t have much interest in men. There was no way she would remember such trivial conversations.

As if daring him to try, Lilith arrogantly lifted her chin. Xenon calmly continued speaking.

“You said that if I came back alive, you would grant me any wish.”

Did she? It seemed like she had promised something like that.

But she never had any intention of keeping that promise. After all, she had wished for the man to die there.

“…Right. I did say that.”

Lilith slowly acknowledged it.

“So, are you going to state your wish now?”

Xenon silently stared at her face for a moment.

His unwavering gaze held a deep intensity directed solely at Lilith. Receiving that heated stare, Lilith pondered.

Why was he bringing this up now? Was he really planning to marry Rosalin?

It was a headache, but at the same time, she thought, So it has finally come to this.

So, was the rumor about his engagement to Princess Elaine false after all? Considering that most gossip in high society was untrue, it wasn’t too surprising.

She weighed the two possibilities—if he married Rosalin or if he married the princess.

Both were bad outcomes for Lilith, so the question was, which one was the worst?

“Interesting. I’m really looking forward to hearing what wish you’ll make.”

Lilith spoke with a completely emotionless expression.

Then, seeing Xenon still keeping his lips tightly sealed without any sign of speaking, she said:

“But it doesn’t seem like you’re ready to share your wish right now. I’ll be going, so if you ever feel like telling me, come find me later.”

Of course, what she truly meant was: Don’t ever come looking for me.

Lilith completely turned around and left the balcony.

This time, Xenon didn’t stop her.

** *

“Oh, Lilith. Are you okay now?”

As she quenched her thirst, Lilith felt her mind slowly returning to clarity. The raging anger inside her also began to subside.

Calm once more, Lilith closed her eyes and murmured,

“I met that man.”

“What?”

“I talked to Xenon Meyer.”

Carl’s eyes widened in surprise.

“How did that happen?”

Lilith briefly explained the situation. After hearing the whole story, Carl muttered to himself.

“I can’t believe you made such a promise.”

Lilith took another sip of wine before calmly setting down her glass.

Xenon Meyer. Once her brother’s slave, now a hero.

Their reunion after four years had been just as unpleasant as she had expected. His face surfaced in her mind involuntarily, and the moment their eyes met in her imagination, she realized she still harbored unresolved anger.

How dare he say such things to me.

Everything about him was overstepping his place, but what had offended her the most was his final remark. She couldn’t believe he had dared to push her to the sidelines. Without realizing it, Lilith clenched her teeth.

“So, what do you plan to do now?”

As expected of a man who saw even his friend’s pain as a mere source of amusement, Carl showed interest.

Lilith shot him an annoyed glance before falling into thought.

She wanted to ignore everything about the wish. She had no intention of honoring a promise she couldn’t even remember making.

But if Xenon made the same wish to the emperor, that would be a different story.

If the emperor had made the promise in his name, the wish would undoubtedly come true—because the emperor would ensure it did, no matter what.

So, did she really have a choice in the matter? Lilith doubted it.

Xenon Meyer’s wish was likely to be granted, whether she liked it or not.

Having sorted through her thoughts, Lilith gave a short answer.

“I’ll wait and see for now.”

Carl pouted in disappointment and shrugged his shoulders. Lilith ignored him, unwilling to humor him.

By now, the banquet was in full swing.

At first, people had been too busy sneaking glances at Lilith and mocking her, but now they were simply enjoying themselves, laughing and chatting. Amid the lively atmosphere, Lilith quietly stood in a corner, observing her surroundings.

Before she knew it, her gaze had naturally settled on Rosalin.

Xenon Meyer stood beside Rosalin. Facing him with a radiant smile, Rosalin looked more lovely than anyone else in the banquet hall.

In a way, the two of them were the true protagonists of this gathering. Everyone watched them converse affectionately with warm expressions.

Is Xenon’s wish about Rosalin after all?

If so, it was time to coldly weigh the pros and cons.

Until now, Lilith had believed that Xenon was unworthy of Rosalin. His lowly status and the fact that his only redeeming quality was his face had always displeased her.

But that was a judgment clouded by personal feelings.

The Xenon who had returned from the battlefield was no longer a slave. He was soon to receive a noble title, and as a reward for his victories, he would possess wealth that left nothing to be desired.

On top of that, he was a national hero who had saved the empire from crisis—an honor even the emperor coveted.

Could she still say that Rosalyn was “too good” for him under these circumstances?

Lilith loved her sister, but she wasn’t a fool.

Now, she had no justification to oppose this marriage.

If that was the case, it would be wiser to calculate what benefits could be gained from Xenon marrying Rosalin.

Lilith took a deep breath, calming herself. With her mind cooled, her thoughts became more rational.

“His Majesty, the Emperor, is entering!”

A call from the entrance made Lilith instinctively turn her head.

It was an entrance befitting a ruler of a nation—grand and ostentatious.

Everyone in the banquet hall immediately bowed to the emperor. Lilith followed suit, paying her respects.

“Enough.”

With a wave of his hand, the emperor signaled them to rise.

The silver-haired emperor smiled warmly as he spoke.

“What a wonderful night, isn’t it?”

People laughed and nodded in agreement.

With a pleased expression, the emperor continued,

“As you all know, tonight is a gathering to celebrate our empire’s great victory.”

At his words, the attendees glanced at the members of the expedition force scattered throughout the hall.

Surveying the room with a smile, the emperor raised his glass.

“First, let us toast to our heroes, who have endured a long and arduous journey.”

Receiving a goblet from his attendant, he lifted it high.

“To our great heroes!”

The toast was followed by a ceremonial speech.

Lilith crossed her arms, making no effort to hide her boredom as she listened.

This era’s emperor, Calix Opalis, was known for being unpretentious and not overly authoritative.

If she had to admit it, Lilith rather liked him.

But not enough to patiently endure such a tedious speech.

After the long-winded speech finally ended, the emperor spoke.

“Now then, where is the man of the hour?”

At that, everyone’s gaze turned in unison to a single spot.

Naturally, all eyes were on Xenon Meyer.

Unfazed by the intense stares, Xenon calmly stepped forward toward the emperor.

“It is an honor to stand before Your Majesty.”

Kneeling on one knee, he respectfully bowed.

The emperor looked down at Xenon with a pleased smile.

“Ah, Sir Xenon. Yes, seeing you dressed so finely, you truly cut a striking figure. Haha.”

He chuckled heartily, giving Xenon a firm pat on the shoulder.

It was clear at a glance that the emperor was quite fond of him. The rumors that he wished to make Xenon his son-in-law didn’t seem so far-fetched.

Noticing this, the crowd subtly glanced toward Princess Elaine.

Elaine, who had already been in a sour mood after witnessing Xenon and Rosalin’s affectionate interaction, now wore a clearly displeased expression.

“A truly outstanding knight, isn’t he?”

The emperor let out another hearty laugh.

After showering Xenon with praise for some time, the emperor finally redirected the focus of the event.

“I once made a promise to the expedition force—whoever beheaded the dragon would be granted any wish they desired.”

Lilith instinctively furrowed her brows.

The word “wish” reminded her of their earlier conversation. Without realizing it, she stole a glance at Xenon.

As always, his expression was unreadable. He merely kept his gaze lowered, staring silently at the floor.

“Now, it is time for me to fulfill that promise.”

The emperor’s voice carried a commanding weight.

“So, tell me, Sir Xenon. What is it that you desire?”

At those words, Xenon lifted his head slightly.

“I….”

He hesitated for a moment, lost in thought.

Everyone in the banquet hall held their breath, waiting for his response.

Would it be about Rosalin, just as they all expected? Or did he harbor some other ambition?

Whatever it was, the emperor would surely grant it.

Some watched Xenon with envy, while others glared at him with jealousy and resentment.

Lilith, too, fixed her gaze on him.

Unlike before, she was now much calmer. No matter what words left his mouth—even if he uttered Rosalin’s name—she was confident she could maintain her composure.

But Xenon’s next words rendered all of her preparations meaningless.

A moment later, his steady voice resonated through the hall.

“I wish to marry Lilith Blaine.”