For You, I Would Even Be A Villain

Chapter 6

Lilith paused, her hand halting midair as she reached for her teacup. Slowly, she set it back down and spoke.

“…I didn’t expect you to bring that up.”

In an instant, the atmosphere grew heavy. The emperor’s expression turned somber.

“Yes. It’s a topic I’ve deliberately avoided until now.”

Lilith did not respond. No—she couldn’t.

Calyx Opalis.

Her long-time friend, and once, her fiancé.

In her memories, he was always smiling—radiant and carefree. But every time she thought of him, an indescribable storm of emotions surged within her. To the arrogant and fearless Lilith, he had been the only true weakness.

The emperor silently observed her, noting the stark paleness of her face. He regarded her with a look of quiet sympathy before speaking gently.

“This year marks five years since he disappeared.”

Lilith clenched her hands together in her lap. Her fingers dug into her palms, trembling from the pressure. Seeing this, the emperor spoke again in a calm, measured voice.

“I understand your feelings. I remember what you two meant to each other. But…”

There was sorrow in his tone.

“Perhaps it’s time to let go.”

Lilith bit down on her lip, unable to contain herself.

Five years ago, her fiancé had vanished—without a trace.

No one knew where he had gone.

The sudden disappearance of a direct imperial descendant fueled countless conspiracy theories. At first, people assumed it was merely a reckless prince running away from responsibility. But as time passed, other rumors spread.

Some whispered that he had eloped with a maid. Others speculated that he had abandoned his royal title in pursuit of freedom. There were even those who believed he had disguised himself as a commoner to escape the struggle for the throne.

Absurd theories, yet all strangely plausible. Calyx had always been unpredictable—wild, untamed. If he had truly cast aside his royal obligations to seek a new life, few would be surprised.

But.

“…Even so, my engagement is still valid.”

Lilith’s voice was tight, as if an invisible hand was wrapped around her throat. She carefully chose her next words.

“I want to honor my vow. So please… don’t say such things.”

The emperor pondered for a moment before speaking.

“Even if I permit the annulment?”

“Your Majesty.”

“I regret it as well, but how much longer can you remain bound to an engagement with no partner?”

The emperor quietly observed Lilith’s face.

“Be honest with me. I have given up on him.”

Lilith was momentarily speechless. Seeing her reaction, the emperor gave a faint smile and continued.

“As a father, it pains me. But as an emperor, I must make a decision.”

His expression was composed, as if he had come to terms with this long ago.

“Soon, I will select my heir. There will be a series of trials, and the most suitable candidate will become the crown prince.”

His calm voice declared,

“I will no longer wait for him. That is my decision.”

Lilith’s mind swirled with thoughts. She stared silently at her teacup before carefully responding.

“…I understand, Your Majesty.”

The emperor let out a bitter chuckle.

“I appreciate that.”

“Yes. Five years is not a short time. I understand that this is inevitable. However, regarding Xenon…”

Lilith hesitated over how to address him.

“…Sir Xenon’s proposal is a separate matter. It has nothing to do with Calyx.”

“Oh?”

The emperor’s interest was piqued.

“Then, you consider it a different issue… Does that mean you do not favor him?”

Lilith took a sip of tea to moisten her throat before replying.

“How could I possibly dislike the nation’s hero?”

“And yet?”

“There must be a better match for him.”

“You could be that match.”

“No. I am unworthy.”

“Is that so?”

The emperor let out a hearty laugh.

“You are quite firm in your stance. Well then, I suppose there’s nothing more to be said.”

A peculiar silence filled the drawing room. Amid the quiet, Lilith calmly waited for the emperor’s next words.

After a long moment of contemplation, the emperor finally spoke.

“I see… In any case, I now understand your wishes well. I completely understand. A matter as significant as marriage cannot be decided so easily.”

He gave a sly smile.

“You may go now. I enjoyed our conversation today.”

At those words, Lilith felt a sense of relief.

Just before she stepped out of the drawing room, the emperor asked,

“Let me ask you one thing. Do you truly believe that boy will return?”

Lilith did not answer.

She merely bowed her head in a silent farewell and then left the room completely.

Calyx Opalis was a man who shone as brilliantly as the sun.

Bright, confident, arrogant—but just as charming.

She had not loved him, but there had been trust between them. Marrying him would have brought her great benefits, making it a deal worth considering.

At one point, Lilith had taken a life with him for granted. In every version of her imagined future, Calyx was always by her side. Not just her, but the entire world believed it to be inevitable.

Even Xenon Meyer had thought so.

Lilith walked through the imperial palace corridors, lost in thought.

She suddenly recalled a time when Xenon had come to find her while she was with Calyx. If she remembered correctly, it was at Rosalyn’s command. Rosalyn often used Xenon that way.

At that time, she and Calyx had been in a somewhat romantic relationship. She hadn’t loved him in the way lovers typically did, but she hadn’t disliked him enough to refuse playing the part, either.

That day, when Xenon arrived, Calyx had deliberately kissed her in full view.

What had Xenon’s expression been like back then…?

It was such an old memory now that she couldn’t quite recall.

A dull headache began to throb in her temples. Lillith frowned and pressed her fingers to her forehead.

Sensing a presence nearby, she instinctively lifted her head.

And the moment she saw who it was, her expression hardened.

Xenon.

The sight of that brazen face rekindled the fury she had momentarily forgotten.

How dare he…

Lilith strode toward Xenon. Standing right in front of him, she met his eyes squarely and spoke.

“Xenon.”

With an expressionless face, Lilith pointed to the ground.

“Sit.”

Xenon stared at her silently for a moment, then calmly knelt before her.

And then—

Lilith struck Xenon’s cheek.

Smack!

A sharp sound echoed as his head snapped to the side.

Even though he could have easily avoided or endured it, Xenon did neither. He simply accepted Lilith’s fury in silence. But that only fueled her anger even more.

She gazed down at him with cold eyes before letting out a bitter laugh.

“Do you think I’m a fool?”

Her voice, tinged with fury, grew more intense.

“Are you trying to take revenge on me? Is that it?”

Her final words came out almost as a shout. Yet Xenon remained unresponsive, still looking downward.

That damn expressionless face.

Lilith clenched her teeth. To others, his face might have seemed submissive, but she wasn’t deceived. That man was always scheming behind that impassive mask.

To her, he was nothing but infuriating.

Mocking him, she scoffed.

“Congratulations. If revenge was what you wanted, you’ve succeeded. Thanks to you, I’m in a very difficult position now. Are you satisfied?”

Her voice dropped to an icy tone.

“If you have anything to say, say it now. I’ll at least pretend to listen.”

At last, Xenon lifted his head and met her gaze.

Lilith stared straight into his eyes.

Those ashen-gray irises. That deep, unreadable gaze—she hated it.

She always had.

Even four years ago, no, even before that, Xenon had always looked at her with that same gaze, filled with an almost burning desire.

It made her uncomfortable. It disgusted her.

Ah, seriously…

I hate this man.

For a moment, Lilith felt as if she had been transported back to four years ago. Or perhaps even further.