A World Where You All Are The Villains - Chapter 12.1
At the sound of that low voice ringing in my ear, I quietly opened my eyes.
And there was Ethan, gazing at me with a somewhat unreadable expression.
‘…Ugh, look at me, flinching without even realizing.’
I’d tensed up, expecting to get hit for no reason.
Remembering how jumpy I’d just been, I bit my lip hard.
Trying to play it cool, I hurriedly looked away… then belatedly noticed the hand he’d extended in front of me.
Ethan’s immaculate white gloves, a sign of his fastidious nature.
On them, there was a single tiny, bright yellow petal lying there.
“This is…”
It was clearly something he’d just removed from my hair.
For a moment, my mind went blank.
‘So he wasn’t about to hit me… he was just picking this off?’
Well, of course. With all these eyes around, there’s no way Ethan would hit me unless he’d lost his mind.
Still, I felt so pathetic for shrinking away so instinctively.
‘Habits really are terrifying.’
I clicked my tongue inwardly, swallowing a sigh that threatened to escape.
Staring down at the petal sitting on his glove, I was hit with a belated realization.
Ethan had just done something… unexpectedly considerate.
‘Why, all of a sudden…?’
Finally, I looked up and met his eyes, confusion written on my face.
There wasn’t a trace of emotion on his face, armored in coldness as always.
But I knew well enough that someone who’d only ever picked fights with me wasn’t removing petals out of kindness.
‘What is this supposed to mean? That I’m as much of a nuisance as this petal? Or is he just making a point about how sloppy I am? Or maybe he’s testing if I really lost my memories again?’
Imagining all the sorts of things he might be thinking, I murmured, almost as a sigh,
“…Thank you.”
And at that, Ethan said something completely unexpected.
“Who brought flowers into the house?”
With a face even colder than usual, he swept his gaze over the gathered staff.
Then, in a low, threatening tone, he addressed the butler.
“Butler. After all this time, do the servants still not know their master’s particular needs?”
“Y-Young Master, that’s not it at all…!”
The butler turned as pale as a sheet.
Stunned by Ethan’s abrupt outburst, I quickly jumped in, not wanting any innocent person to take the blame.
“It’s not the staff’s fault.”
“Then what, did you go rolling around in the flower beds yourself? Even though you can hardly breathe?”
“No, that’s not it…”
Why is he so worked up?
This is supposed to be the same Ethan who didn’t care whether Edith lived or died…
I looked at him with an odd expression and said,
“It couldn’t be helped. Young Marquis Leandro suddenly scattered petals everywhere with his ability.”
“Vincent Leandro… used his ability in front of you?”
“Yes, though I don’t know why, either… A, ah, achoo—!”
Just then, a tickle hit my nose, and I sneezed violently before I could stop it.
“……”
I turned my head as quickly as I could, but unfortunately, I might’ve sprayed a little by accident. Ethan’s face twisted in visible distaste.
His eyes closed tightly, and embarrassment washed over me.
With my face burning, I blurted out,
“Um…! I’m sorry, but could I go upstairs first? I’m really not feeling well.”
“…Go ahead.”
No sooner had he given permission than I hurried past him and rushed up the stairs.
‘Ugh… Why did I have to sneeze at that exact moment? How humiliating!’
Sure, we were like enemies, but still, he was one of the male leads.
To end up spitting on his face like a spray bottle…!
I’d done something outrageous to Ethan, whether I meant to or not.
But as I reached the second floor, my embarrassment began to fade.
“Hah, hah… Serves him right, honestly.”
I glanced down at the distant stairs and muttered.
When I thought about it again, it wasn’t even that big a deal.
He’d been the one to stand by and do nothing until Edith died.
Compared to that, a few drops of spit on his face was nothing. Almost cute, really.
And then—
Suddenly, I felt someone’s stare prickling the side of my face.
When I reflexively turned my head, I saw Vincent had stepped out into the lobby.
“……!”
Even from a distance, our eyes met directly.
How long had he been there?
He stood there, head tilted up, staring right at me on the second floor.
‘Ugh!’
I shuddered and quickly turned away, pretending not to notice.
— Hurry up and go find that Llewellyn of yours to get purified. Or just go back home and put yourself in quarantine. Don’t cause trouble here
— So annoying.
In any case, Vincent had just been insulted by me.
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