WHAT!?
Why she… here?
The moment his eyes landed on the person standing beside the child, a violent chill ran down Lucas's spine. His body stiffened as if an invisible hand had gripped his heart.
What the hell are you doing here… Arcelia? he thought, panic flashing across his mind.
The girl stepped forward.
She looked about seventeen. Long silver hair flowed down her back like liquid moonlight, strands shimmering softly under the pale daylight. Her hair framed a face so flawless it almost felt unreal—cold, elegant, and distant.
Her eyes…
Deep blue, clear and sharp, like a frozen ocean under the night sky. Within them burned a faint star-like brilliance that made it feel as if she could see through everything.
She wore a noble outfit of white and deep blue—an elegant dress layered with refined embroidery, silver trims glimmering along the fabric. A dark cloak rested over her shoulders, fastened with a crest shaped like a crescent moon. Every detail about her presence radiated authority and untouchable nobility.
Beautiful.
Terrifying.
Cold.
Even the air around her felt heavier.
"What is all this commotion?" she asked calmly, her voice soft yet carrying an icy authority.
The front cavalryman immediately dropped to one knee.
"My deepest apologies for the disturbance, my lady."
He lowered his head respectfully.
"We were attacked by goblins earlier. We managed to eliminate them at first, but then high goblins appeared and—"
"I am not asking about your unimportant matters," she said flatly.
The words cut through the air like a blade.
A cold wave of fear passed through the cavalryman. His body stiffened as sweat formed on his forehead.
"My… my apologies, my lady."
Arcelia's blue eyes shifted slowly.
They landed on Lucas.
"I am asking," she continued calmly, "who this intruder is… blocking our way."
Lucas almost choked internally.
WHAT!?
After working my ass off protecting this damn carriage, I'm an intruder now!?
He wanted to shout it.
But he held himself back.
Because he knew one thing very clearly.
I can't do anything here… I am completely powerless against the Crimson Blue Moon — Arcelia Frostvale.
Lucas swallowed.
In the novel, she was one of the first-grade villainesses.
And among them… one of the most ruthless.
Her title described her perfectly.
Crimson — the color of blood. A name earned from her merciless brutality. She killed without hesitation, without emotion, without even a flicker of guilt.
Blue — the color of her eyes, as cold and deep as the endless sea. It symbolized both her beauty and the chilling calmness of her personality… as well as her affinity with powerful ice magic.
And Moon — the symbol of the noble house she belonged to. A prestigious lineage marked by the silver hair shining like moonlight.
Lucas thought flatly, his face showing nothing but a dull expression.
Unlike me… a third-grade, worthless villain who is apparently too kind to even hurt someone. Just a toy to get beaten up in the story for entertainment, a filler character for the plot.
He remembered it clearly.
Even third-grade supporting characters beat Lucas to a pulp in the novel.
Pathetic.
But his thoughts soon shifted.
But why is she here?
Does that mean… she is the one guiding this young noble fellow?
Lucas's eyes moved briefly toward the child standing beside her.
Now I understand how only the two of them survived even when all the cavalry were annihilated.
Of course… she must have killed those goblins mercilessly.
A chill ran down his spine.
I don't know why… but I kinda feel sorry for those poor fellows.
Arcelia's cold voice cut through his thoughts.
"Didn't you hear what I asked?"
The cavalryman immediately panicked and bowed even lower.
"My apologies again, my lady!"
He pointed toward Lucas.
"He is the brave hero who saved us, my lady!" he said, bowing so low his forehead nearly touched the ground.
Arcelia shifted her gaze toward Lucas.
"I see," she said calmly.
Lucas felt extremely uncomfortable under her stare.
Now what!?
His mind raced quickly.
My plan was simple… save the cavalry, receive a reward from their captain, and that reward will be to secure my admission into the academy.
She shouldn't be any problem in my way.
Even though she is a first-grade villainess, she probably won't have any interest in someone like me.
Right…?
Beside her, the young boy clutched her clothes tightly.
After seeing the battlefield filled with corpses, he squeezed closer to her, eyes shut as if trying to block out the terrifying scene.
Arcelia glanced down at him.
Then she spoke calmly.
"We should return to the carriage."
They both got inside the carriage.
Lucas thought, You could have at least thanked me, looking toward the lady inside.
The cavalry captain spoke again.
"Sir Hero, please allow us to repay you for saving us."
Lucas shook his head.
"No, no, there is no need. I only did what I needed to do as a human."
Just fall for it… fall for it…
The cavalry captain insisted.
"No sir, I cannot let you go without paying you any reward. At the very least you must—"
Here comes the best part, Lucas thought greedily.
But the cavalry captain was interrupted mid-sentence.
"There will be no need for that."
The voice came from inside the carriage.
Lucas froze.
What the fuc—
What about my reward? My admission? My dreams?!
Shouldn't you be stopping the protagonist, not me?!
He thought anxiously.
If I don't get the reward from their captain, the only way left will be—
A terrified chill ran down his entire body.
Fuck! No! I am NOT going to do that at any cost.
She continued calmly,
"The young man will be rewarded by the House Everhart, Counts of Valenridge."
Lucas blinked in confusion.
Just what…?
Then realization struck.
Wait…
Who made you the villainess? You should be the female heroine! No— you should be the goddess herself!
He almost cried from happiness.
"Come inside."
Lucas immediately responded.
"On my way, my lady."
And he quickly hopped inside the carriage.
---
Then we can talk properly, Arcelia said.
Lucas blinked.
What is there to talk about…? he thaught.
She looked at him calmly, those cold blue eyes resting on him like quiet blades.
"Isn't it improper to not introduce yourself first?"
Ah.
Right.
Lucas straightened slightly and gave a small respectful bow.
"Pardon my rude behaviour, my lady. I am merely a commoner, so I ask my lady to ignore my rudeness. From now on I shall properly show my respect."
A faint polite smile rested on his face.
Inside his mind however—
Just babble the crap. Just say the crap. he thaught.
Honestly, he had no idea how people in these noble eras actually spoke.
But after rereading the novel countless times—so many times it almost felt like he had memorized every single word just to justify the money he spent on it—he had at least learned one thing.
The way nobles spoke here was surprisingly simple.
Just babble nonsense in the most polite tone possible.
That's literally it.
He almost laughed.
Heheheh…
"My name is Lucas… Lucas cranveil."
He lowered his head slightly after saying it, maintaining the appearance of proper etiquette.
The small boy beside her peeked at him curiously while still clutching her sleeve tightly, his tiny fingers gripping the elegant fabric as if afraid the world might swallow him whole.
Lucas noticed.
Yep.
There he is.
My golden entry pass to the academy.
A small victorious grin almost appeared on his face, but he suppressed it.
However—
The moment his gaze shifted back to the sitting across from him—
A cold chill ran down his spine.
She was staring directly at him.
Those eyes.
Clear.
Blue.
Cold.
Her silver hair fell around her shoulders like threads of moonlight, shimmering softly under the faint light entering through the carriage window. Each strand reflected a pale glow, giving her an almost unreal presence.
Lucas suddenly felt the pressure in the air grow heavier.
Seriously… he thaught.
Why does she giving me those looks with her eyes.
Then—
"Lucas Cranviel…"
She repeated his name slowly.
Her voice was calm.
Too calm.
"A commoner, you say."
Lucas kept his polite smile.
"Yes, my lady. Just an ordinary commoner who happened to pass by and help."
Inside his mind however—
Yeah right 'passing by'.
I literally spent every single coin I had just to reach this place at this exact moment.
I am so broke right now it hurts.
Her gaze did not move.
Not even slightly.
Lucas's smile began to stiffen.
Why is she looking at me like that…?
Did I say something wrong already?
A terrible thought suddenly appeared in his mind.
Please don't tell me she can read minds.
That would be extremely unfair.
She slowly let out a quiet breath.
"You can be as ease. I will not inquire any further," she said calmly.
Lucas felt some of the tension leave his shoulders.
"But—"
Her voice suddenly turned colder.
"If you harbor any malicious intent against our family… then I swear upon the name of my house, I will personally deal with you."
Her silver hair shimmered faintly in the dim carriage light, like moonlight resting upon frost. Those cold blue eyes stared directly at him—sharp, dominant, and utterly merciless. It was the kind of gaze that could make even seasoned warriors lower their heads in fear.
As she spoke, a faint chill spread through the carriage, and a thin shard of ice slowly formed in the air beside her hand.
Lucas quietly exhaled.
"Whatever," he said with a casual shrug. "If you ever find me harboring malicious intent… you can kill me however you want."
Inside, however—
Like hell I'll ever let you do that.
She thought, that's not the reaction I expected.
"Anyway, as I said before, you can be at ease," she said calmly.
The thin shard of ice floating beside her hand slowly dissolved into mist, vanishing into the cold air.
---
The carriage slowed before finally coming to a stop.
"We have reached our destination," the cavalryman announced from outside.
The young boy immediately jumped down from the carriage with a cheerful smile.
"Looks like we arrived!"
Lucas and she stepped out shortly after.
But the moment Lucas lifted his head and looked forward—
His entire body froze.
His eyes widened.
What the holy fuck… he thought.
This is—