The Villainess Just Wants To Be Alone

Chapter 5

The Boy in the Forest

The peaceful atmosphere in the garden vanished the moment I heard footsteps approaching.

I slowly turned toward the entrance, already recognizing the owner before my eyes met his.

Maximilliam.

The morning sunlight reflected off the golden embroidery of his white military uniform, making him appear almost untouchable. Every maid who passed immediately lowered their heads, but I remained seated beside Lia, unwilling to offer him the reaction he seemed to expect.

His golden eyes settled on me.

For a brief moment, neither of us spoke.

"...May I speak with you?" he finally asked.

It was an unusual request.

The Maximilliam from the novel never asked. He commanded.

"I think we've already said everything we needed to say this morning," I replied evenly.

His expression tightened ever so slightly.

"This won't take long."

I glanced at Lia before standing from the bench. "Give us a moment."

She hesitated but eventually nodded.

"I'll wait nearby, Lady Theletyia."

As soon as Lia disappeared behind the flowering hedges, silence settled between us once more.

Maximilliam crossed his arms.

"...You've been acting strangely since yesterday."

I almost laughed.

Only yesterday?

If only he knew.

"I nearly died yesterday," I answered. "People tend to change after experiences like that."

"Not this much."

His gaze never left mine.

"The old you would've followed me around the moment I arrived."

"The old me sounds exhausting."

His brows knitted together.

"What?"

"I said she sounds exhausting."

A faint breeze stirred the blue strands of my hair as I looked toward the fountain instead of at him.

"I spent years chasing someone who never looked back. Doesn't that seem... pathetic?"

The words weren't entirely mine.

Somewhere deep inside this body, I could almost feel the lingering sorrow that had belonged to the original Theletyia.

Perhaps these emotions had never truly disappeared.

Perhaps they simply needed someone to acknowledge them.

"I've grown tired of it."

For the first time since our conversation began, Maximilliam had no response.

He simply stared at me as though trying to decide whether I was lying.

"I don't believe you," he finally said.

I smiled faintly.

"That's your choice."

Without waiting for another argument, I stepped around him.

"I'll be leaving now."

"Theletyia."

I stopped.

"...What?"

"If this is another one of your schemes..."

I glanced over my shoulder.

"It isn't."

His eyes narrowed.

"I'm done trying to earn your attention."

His expression froze.

"...Goodbye, Your Majesty."

I walked away before he could answer.

The moment I rounded the corner of the garden, I let out a long breath.

"That was more tiring than I expected."

Lia hurried over.

"Did His Majesty say anything?"

"Nothing important."

I offered her a reassuring smile.

"Let's head back."

---

The rest of the afternoon passed quietly.

After lunch, I dismissed the servants under the excuse that I wanted to rest alone. They seemed surprised but didn't question my decision.

The moment the door clicked shut, I walked straight toward the large window overlooking the forest beyond the estate.

According to the novel...

This was where everything truly began.

I changed into a simple dark cloak, tying my long blue hair into a loose braid to keep it from getting in the way. The clothes weren't exactly practical, but they were far less noticeable than the elaborate dresses expected of a noble lady.

"Forgive me, Lia," I murmured. "I'll only be gone for a little while."

Opening the window carefully, I climbed onto the wide stone ledge.

The drop looked intimidating.

"...No turning back now."

Taking a deep breath, I jumped.

Mana instinctively gathered beneath my feet, softening my landing on the grass below. I stumbled only slightly before regaining my balance.

"So this is what it feels like..."

Even without consciously controlling it, magic responded to this body's instincts.

Interesting.

Keeping low, I slipped through the estate's outer gardens before disappearing into the dense forest surrounding the Husernien territory.

The deeper I ventured, the quieter the world became.

Birdsong echoed between towering trees, while shafts of sunlight pierced through the thick canopy overhead. Unlike the carefully maintained gardens behind the mansion, this forest felt wild and alive.

No servants.

No nobles.

No expectations.

For the first time since awakening as Theletyia Husernien...

I felt free.

After walking for nearly half an hour, I finally reached a small clearing surrounded by ancient trees.

"This should be far enough."

I lowered myself onto the soft grass and crossed my legs.

According to the novel, Dark Magic wasn't activated through complicated spells.

It responded to mana...

And to one's will.

I slowly closed my eyes.

Breathe.

Feel the mana flowing through your body.

Don't force it.

Guide it.

At first, there was nothing.

Then...

A strange warmth spread from the center of my chest.

It traveled through every vein, every muscle, every corner of my body until I could almost hear it humming beneath my skin.

The air around me grew noticeably colder.

Leaves rustled although no wind was blowing.

Something...

was answering my call.

The pressure intensified.

Dark mist began gathering around me, swirling gently across the clearing like living shadows.

A deep voice echoed inside the silence.

"...So..."

The surrounding mana trembled.

"...you have finally awakened me."

My eyes snapped open.

Towering above me was an enormous black eagle with crimson eyes that glowed like burning embers.

Its wings stretched so wide they blocked the afternoon sunlight, casting the entire clearing into darkness.

Every instinct screamed at me to run.

Instead...

I forced myself to stand.

"So..."

I swallowed.

"...you're Leo."

The giant beast tilted his head.

For the first time in countless years...

Someone had spoken his name before he ever introduced himself.