I Became the Master of the Villain

Five years ago, Nicholas nearly died from a sudden slump.

He had even used the slump as an excuse to leave the Emperor’s portrait unfinished.
Furious, the Emperor threatened to cut off his hands if he didn’t complete the painting immediately. But Nicholas replied, “I’d rather lose my hands than produce a disgraceful work.”
Enraged, the Emperor tried to have him executed. But the ministers, unwilling to lose a once-in-a-generation genius, pleaded with the Emperor and barely managed to spare his life.

That’s how severe Nicholas’s creative drought had been. And now, that very man had picked up his brush again—because he had been captivated by Kian’s beauty.
Given that backstory, I could understand why he wanted to see Kian again.
“You really mean it? You’ll grant my request?”

Nicholas asked, humming a tune from across the carriage. Leaning back into the plush seat, I replied,
“If Kian agrees. If he says no, you’ll have to give up and leave.”
“Understood. So his name is Kian, is it...?”

Nicholas sighed like a man lovesick, his face dreamy.
“Ha… What a beautiful name, just like his looks.”
“…”

Was I really doing the right thing, letting this man meet Kian? I felt a flicker of unease.
But it was too late. The carriage had already passed through the gates of the duchy.
***

Due to Nicholas’s polished appearance, Kian didn’t recognize him right away.
I was about to explain that the beggar they’d met before was actually this man, but Nicholas got ahead of me.
“Kian, I’ve missed you so much.”

With a look of awe-struck joy, Nicholas clasped Kian’s hand.
Kian, startled by a stranger suddenly grabbing his hand, gently pulled away and asked,
“Excuse me, but… who are you?”
Anyone watching would think he’d just reunited with a long-lost lover.

I quickly stepped in and separated the excited Nicholas from Kian.
“I get how you feel, but could you back off a bit? Kian looks uncomfortable.”
“Oh dear, I suppose I went a little too far.”

Nicholas took a step back, acknowledging his mistake. For a brief moment, I thought he might actually behave like a normal person now.
But I was wrong.
Nicholas removed his hat, cradled it in his arms, and dropped to one knee. Gazing up at Kian with earnest eyes, he said,

“May I dare to ask… will you be my muse?”
“…”
Kian stood frozen like a stone—clearly overwhelmed by the intensity of that gaze.

***
Muse.
They’re beings who inspire artists. Sometimes lovers, sometimes disciples, sometimes artistic soulmates...

No, this wasn’t the time to be explaining definitions.
Now seated in the drawing room, arms folded, I interrogated Nicholas.
“You’re not harboring any indecent intentions toward Kian, are you?”

Nicholas protested,
“I swear I’m not.”
“Then why did you kneel?”

“To show the sincerity of my heart.”
“And you didn’t consider that doing something like that to a stranger might make them uncomfortable enough to say no?”
“Sorry, but… I’ve never been rejected before. I don’t even consider rejection a meaningful concept.”

He had found success as a painter from a young age. I knew his pride was sky-high, but I didn’t realize it was this bad…
“Wow. You’re insufferable.”
I meant to think it quietly, but it slipped out aloud. Nicholas flared up.

“What did you just say?”
It was Kian who stepped in to stop our bickering.
“I understand your situation, Sir Nicholas. You’re asking me to be your model, correct?”

“Yes. As you know, I suffered for a long time in a creative slump. If you turn me down, I fear I’ll fall into despair again.”
Nicholas spoke like a man on the verge of tears. I bit back the urge to snap at him for trying to fish for sympathy.
After a moment’s thought, Kian sighed, as if resigned.

“If you truly need my help, I’ll assist you.”
Overcome with emotion, Nicholas leapt up.
“Thank you, Kian! You’re a savior for life!”

Unlike the overjoyed Nicholas, my face contorted with annoyance.
Kian gave a faint, awkward smile and said,
“Sir Nicholas seemed desperate… I couldn’t bring myself to turn him away.”

Leaning close, I whispered to Kian,
“I know. You agreed because you felt sorry for him, right?”
Kian looked surprised—as if wondering how I knew.

Of course.
Nicholas’s sympathy card had worked perfectly.
Nicholas gave me a smug look. My fists trembled. As much as I hated it, I had no choice but to admit defeat.

***
“This is your studio?”
Nicholas glanced over the easel, canvas, brushes, palettes, and neatly arranged pigments.

“Not bad at all.”
Ugh. That arrogant attitude really seemed hardwired into him.
I didn’t feel safe sending Kian to Nicholas’s house, so I had arranged for a studio here in the duchy. I wasn’t sure if it had been the right choice.

From that day on, Nicholas shut himself in the studio nearly all day—aside from meal and sleep times—just to paint Kian.
I didn’t care what happened to Nicholas’s health. But Kian—if he got sick, that would be a problem.
“If it’s too hard, you can stop anytime.”

Late at night, I handed Kian a warm cup of tea after he returned to his room. He blinked his gentle eyes and sipped quietly.
“It’s fine. I agreed to it, so I intend to see it through.”
He smiled, clearly trying to reassure me.

Our dear protagonist… You’re too kind for your own good. How do you expect to survive in such a harsh world? A little selfishness can make life much easier.
I hoped that a year from now, when he awakens to his incredible power, he’ll be ready.
But if he stays this gentle, what if someone evil takes advantage of him?

Maybe it’s better if he blackens a little? Not completely—just halfway.
A ridiculous thought, but one that crossed my mind late that night.
***

It had been days since Nicholas became a guest at the duchy. He had been producing artwork with impressive zeal.
One of those pieces now hung in his studio.
It depicted a scene from the founding myth of the Kingdom of Genoa—a warrior’s glorious battle against an army of demons, rendered across a massive canvas.

The warrior’s face was strikingly beautiful. But it looked oddly familiar.
I rubbed my eyes.
Oh, come on. Again?

Silver hair, blue eyes, delicate features—no matter how you looked at it, it was Kian.
This wasn’t even the first time Nicholas had used Kian’s face in his paintings.
At this point, I couldn’t tell whether he was doing his job or just obsessing over Kian. Nicholas, of course, remained nonchalant.

“What’s wrong with projecting my muse into my work?” he said.
It was a majestic masterpiece—but also fan devotion on another level.
If only I had golden hands, I could obsess like that too...

I was still sulking about that when the butler appeared to announce a ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) guest.
“My lady, a distinguished visitor from the Kingdom of Genoa is on her way.”
Right—I almost forgot. Today, the Princess of Genoa was due to visit.

This was her way of repaying me for helping secure a painting from Nicholas.
The Queen of Genoa had once been rejected by Nicholas when she commissioned a painting. This time, with my mediation, he accepted.
Convincing Nicholas had been easy—just mentioning Kian’s name was enough to bend him.

I stepped out of the studio and descended to the first floor.
A procession of carriages approached the mansion’s gates. They carried the Queen’s gifts to me.
In the center rode a carriage adorned with the royal crest of Genoa.

Shortly after, the ornate royal carriage came to a stop before the duchy.
A young girl stepped out with a knight’s escort. With a bright smile on her cute, lovely face, she greeted me.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Lady Olivia.”

She was Princess Mariel, sent by the Queen herself to deliver the gift.
“It’s an honor to meet you, Your Highness.”
I returned her greeting with a welcoming smile.

Soon after, we sat face to face on the drawing room sofa. A maid brought freshly baked cookies and tea. Offering them, I began the conversation.
“The journey must have been tiring. Are you feeling alright?”
The princess raised her teacup gracefully and smiled brightly.

“Not at all. I chose to come here myself.”
She volunteered? I had assumed the Queen ordered her to come.
Why would she offer to handle such a troublesome task?

But I didn’t have to wonder long. The princess suddenly changed the subject.
“About your slave, Kian…”
With innocent-looking eyes, she said,

“Could I see him? Could you call him here, please?”
Her large eyes looked utterly pure—unstained.
Which made it hard to tell. Was she hiding something? Or was she genuinely innocent?

What if she turned out like Countess Lawrence and tried to buy him?
Staring into the clear tea, I pondered.
It would be hard to say no to royalty…

Looking a little downcast, the princess spoke up.
“Was that too much to ask?”
“Ah, well…”

I thought for a moment, then said,
“Can you promise not to make Kian uncomfortable?”
“Of course. On my honor—no, on the honor of the Kingdom of Genoa—I swear.”

She didn’t hesitate.
With a declaration like that, surely she wasn’t plotting anything… right?
I decided to take a leap of faith.

“I greet Your Highness.”
Following the maid into the drawing room, Kian bowed politely to the princess.
He stepped back, intending to remain standing behind me.

A slave couldn’t sit without permission from a superior, after all. He was simply following protocol.
“Please, come sit.”
With a gentle tone, the princess patted the seat beside her.

That she would be considerate of Kian—truly unexpected.
I felt a bit relieved by her kindness.
“Thank you for your thoughtfulness, Your Highness.”

“Oh, not at all. This is exactly the kind of moment I’d hoped for.”
“…Pardon?”
I didn’t understand what she meant. As I blinked in confusion, the princess shyly revealed her thoughts.

“Not long ago, I heard a certain rumor. About a noble lady who rejected the Crown Prince’s advances and chose to stay with her lowborn lover.”
Wait. That sounds like… me?
Still puzzled, I asked. She nodded.

Then, with emotion in her voice, she said,
“It must’ve been hard, especially as a noblewoman! That’s why I was so touched by your brave choice.”
Her big eyes sparkled.

“I support your love. Love that transcends status—it’s so romantic!”
“…”
I was speechless.

Where the hell did this ridiculous rumor come from…?
They say gossip spreads faster than the wind—clearly, it had reached even the Kingdom of Genoa.
I took a deep breath and composed my face.

Mariel was seventeen this year, wasn’t she?
I suppose I too enjoyed stories of love across social classes at that age.
Not wanting the atmosphere to turn awkward, I decided to play along.

“I’m drawn to romantic stories too, Your Highness.”
“Really?”
“Of course.”

Honestly, I couldn’t help but find the princess’s girlish charm a bit endearing.
Then, from her dress, she pulled something and placed it on the table.
Two small glass vials, each the size of a finger. One filled with red liquid, the other with blue.

“I brought these as a gift to support your love. One is for you, Lady Olivia, and the other is for Kian.”
It was a kind gesture, so I accepted them—but what exactly were they for?
When I asked, the princess flushed and answered shyly.

And what she said completely shattered the limits of my imagination.
“I prepared them for your… enjoyable night together. Do you like my gift?”