I Became the Master of the Villain

A gift for a "pleasant night"…?
The moment I understood what the princess’s gift was, I was left utterly speechless. I had never received anything like it in my entire life—not even in my previous one.

But Princess Mariel, oblivious to my shock, continued explaining with perfect composure.
“If you drink this, you can maintain intimacy nonstop for seven days. The red potion relieves physical fatigue in women, and the blue one helps men keep their stamina from fading. In the Kingdom of Genoa, there’s a tradition of giving these to wish that lovers’ passion endures.”
Seven days of nonstop intimacy…

Kian’s face turned crimson at those words. Blushing all the way to the tips of his ears, he couldn’t even lift his head.
I too felt my face burning from sheer embarrassment.
Seriously… why does the Kingdom of Genoa have a tradition like this? I know the world is vast and cultures vary, but still—this was a bit much.

Our silence must have finally alerted the princess that something was off. She started fidgeting nervously, scanning our expressions.
“Does the Empire… not have this kind of custom?”
Of course not…

With a troubled expression, I forced a smile and nodded.
“Ah, yes… That’s right.”
The flustered princess let out a faint whimper.

“Oh…”
Her big eyes darted anxiously, and she hastily apologized, clearly distressed.
“I’m so sorry, I wasn’t thinking. I didn’t consider how different customs might be in each country…”

Still trying to smooth things over, I managed to smile.
“It’s alright. You couldn’t have known.”
“But if I had just been a little more careful, this wouldn’t have happened…”

Suddenly, the princess’s voice began to tremble. Her large eyes welled with tears. Caught off guard by her sudden tears, I was honestly a little shaken.
I kept my voice calm and tried to soothe her.
“Please don’t cry, Your Highness. I’ll accept the gift with gratitude.”
The princess, her face buried in a handkerchief, lifted her damp eyes.

“…You really will?”
“Of course.”
“Oh, thank goodness. I was so worried you might hate it.”

As if she had never cried, her expression instantly brightened.
She didn’t fake those tears… right?
In any case, it’s not like I’ll ever actually use the princess’s gift.

But I decided to keep that part secret—she’d be too disappointed otherwise.
***
A few days after Princess Mariel and her shocking gift had left, I had to travel to Trillian for business.

Trillian was a coastal city in the southern duchy territory. Its weather was mild year-round, and it was known for its beautiful beaches—an ideal vacation spot.
Because tourists visited constantly, its lodging and tourism industries were booming.
In fact, the hotel business was doing so well that our duchy had decided to build a new hotel there.

The purpose of my visit was to attend its completion ceremony.
Many of my relatives were also scheduled to attend.
Which meant—Uncle James would be there, too.

I wasn’t thrilled about running into the man who constantly tried to undermine me and seize my position.
At least, I consoled myself, once the ceremony was over, I wouldn’t have to see him again.
“You’re going to a resort, and you’re only going for work?”

It was 3 p.m., the kind of hour that makes you feel drowsy. Kian asked the question as he sat across from me, sipping tea.
I took a sip of fragrant rose tea and replied,
“Hm? Ah… yeah, that’s about right.”

“You said you had no other plans besides attending the ceremony, correct?”
“Mm-hmm.”
“Then why not take a few days to relax while you’re there?”

“Hmmm…”
It was a good idea.
But after what happened with John, I had developed a bit of a trauma. I found it hard to fully trust the staff again.

Was it really okay to leave Kian behind?
Just then, as if he had read my mind, Kian spoke.
“Is it… because of me?”

“Huh? No, not at all.”
“Please be honest.”
“I’m telling you, it’s fine.”

I waved my hands to dismiss the idea. Kian lowered his gaze, looking disheartened.
“If you don’t want to leave me alone… then please take me with you.”
The suggestion caught me off guard, and I didn’t answer immediately.

“Do you not want me to come?”
“It’s not that…”
“Then will you take me with you?”

“Uh, well…”
“Please take me with you, Master.”
He looked just like a big dog begging to go on a walk.

If I said no, it felt like he’d drop his shoulders and sulk instead of wagging a tail.
With that kind of expression, Kian looked at me and blinked his water-colored eyes.
“Is that not allowed?”

Saying /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ no to that face made me feel like a criminal.
Before I knew it, I nodded.
***

After getting off the train, the ride to the hotel took only a short carriage trip.
The hotel entrance was crowded with well-dressed nobles.
Most of them were relatives who had traveled from various regions for the ceremony.

“Olivia! It’s been too long!”
“Auntie, you’ve only grown more beautiful since I last saw you.”
As I exchanged greetings with various relatives, I met Uncle James’s gaze.

“Uncle, have you been well?”
I greeted him with a smile. He sneered slightly, curling his lips as he replied,
“Showing your face at a family event like this… You should be ashamed after what the papers said.”

He was referring to the gossip article that ran when I purchased Kian.
Ignoring his provocation, I responded with a graceful smile.
“I understand how you feel. I’m sure I don’t measure up in your eyes as the acting duchess. But with so many eyes watching… shouldn’t you be more careful with your words?”

Uncle’s expression soured as he spotted the reporters waiting near the hotel.
They had been invited by the family specifically to promote the new hotel.
He snapped tersely,

“If you know that much, behave properly.”
Then he turned on his heel and walked away, as if restraining himself from saying more.
He didn’t want to start a family dispute in public—he knew it would just end up in the papers.

“Ladies and gentlemen, thank you all for attending this occasion.”
Once the ceremony began, I took the podium set up in the hotel lobby and gave a brief congratulatory speech.
When I finished, a round of applause followed.

The event went smoothly.
After cutting the red ribbon and taking a few commemorative photos with Uncle James and several other relatives, the completion ceremony ended.
There was still a luncheon scheduled with the relatives, but I made a polite excuse and slipped away.

I boarded a carriage and headed to the seaside villa where Kian was waiting.
Kian, sitting by the window and watching the ocean, turned as he heard me approach.
“Did everything go well?”

I removed my hat and placed it on the table.
“Yeah. Did everything go alright while I was gone?”
Kian nodded.

“You haven’t eaten yet, right?”
“No.”
Both of us were hungry, so I called the cook and urged them to bring out food quickly.

Soon after, a table full of mouthwatering dishes was set before us.
Sharing a quiet lunch with Kian in a room overlooking the sea felt like a special occasion.
Seeing him eat so well made me want to give him even more.

I cut up some meat and placed it on his plate.
“Eat up.”
In return, Kian removed the meat from a lobster and placed it on mine.

With a gentle smile, he said,
“You eat plenty too, Master.”
As we enjoyed our peaceful time together—

“You can’t go in!”
“Out of the way!”
A commotion erupted just outside the door.

Suddenly, it burst open, and an uninvited guest stormed in.
“So this is where you’ve been, frolicking with a slave?”
The mocking voice belonged to none other than Uncle James.

“I’m sorry, my lady. I told him he couldn’t enter, but…”
The servant who had followed him in bowed awkwardly.
Where was Sir Hans when I needed him?

Ugh. Never around when he’s actually useful.
More importantly—how did Uncle know I was here?
I hadn’t told any of my relatives where I was going.

“Don’t tell me… you followed me?”
When I asked sharply, he answered shamelessly.
“Followed you? Please. I merely came to check on my beloved niece after hearing she was unwell.”

Lying through his teeth, he walked in and glanced at Kian and me dining together, his expression twisted with disgust.
“A disobedient slave, eating at the same table as his master? How disgraceful.”
“I gave him permission. This isn’t any of your concern, Uncle.”

But he didn’t listen to a word I said.
In fact, what he did next was absolutely outrageous.
Without warning, Uncle James picked up the plate in front of Kian and dumped its contents onto the floor.

“…!”
Vegetables and meat splattered everywhere. Red stains bled across the white tablecloth.
“What the hell are you doing?!”

I jumped to my feet, fury burning in my voice. I glared at him as if I would kill him, but he didn’t even flinch. He clicked his tongue and said,
“A slave who doesn’t know his place, eating beside his master? Get up! Sit on the floor and eat like a dog!”
“What I do is none of your business.”

I raised a hand to stop Kian as he started to rise. Seeing this, Uncle slammed his fist onto the table and roared.
“Did you not hear me? I said stand up!”
“It’s okay, Kian. Stay seated.”

Uncle gave a mocking laugh, as if he couldn’t believe what he was hearing.
Then he reached out and grabbed a handful of Kian’s hair.
His fine silver strands were twisted violently in Uncle’s grip.

“Urgh…”
Kian groaned, his head yanked back painfully. Uncle sneered.
“If you won’t get up on your own, I’ll force you.”

Kian squeezed his eyes shut, silently enduring the pain.
And seeing that—my mind went blank.
What do you think will happen when he blackens?

The knife I had used earlier to cut steak caught my eye.
Without hesitation, I grabbed it.
Uncle let out a scoff.

“What, you going to threaten me with that—”
I threw it.
The sharp steak knife sliced past Uncle’s ear and embedded itself in the pillar behind him with a loud thunk.

His head turned toward it, stiff and slow like a poorly oiled machine.
His face went pale.
Then he exploded.

“Olivia! Have you lost your mind over that slave?!”
“You said it.”
He stood there, mouth agape.

Today, he had picked the wrong person to provoke.
I picked up another knife from the table and pointed it at him.
“I’ll say this once—if you don’t want to get bitten by a mad dog, take your hands off him.”

“You—you wouldn’t actually—”
Before he could finish, the knife left my hand.
He’ll never understand.

If anyone touches Kian—
There are far crazier things I’m willing to do.