Isn’t the wannabe Villain too cute?

"Luna, I said I am sorry. There wasn't any option, and if I had delayed even seconds, she would have died."

Austin asked for forgiveness the seventh time after returning to the dorms. Sicily was safe but not to the point where she could regain consciousness, so Austin deposited her in the infirmary and returned to his room, only to see the upset Luna.

She wasn't enraged; she was just....silent.

And that made Austin more worried since she wasn't speaking at all. It was fortunate that she didn't disappear and was willing to hear him out. That's why she waited for him in the room.

But looking at her, sitting while facing the window without any intention to speak, made Austin's heart clench as he knelt in front of her.

Taking her hand, which felt extremely cold for some reason, he spoke gently.

"At least say something. If you want to get angry with me, then it's okay. It's okay to slap or shout at me, but don't just stay silent, Luna. I want to hear what's going on in your mind."

Austin spoke earnestly since he wanted her to let go of this grief that arose from him. He thought if she yelled at him or cried her emotions out, then he could coax her until she didn't forgive him. But...

Luna steadily directed her gaze, which carried no peculiar emotion, toward Austin as she voiced her thought in a mild tone.

"Imagine our roles are reversed. You are returning from a long trip to see me after such a long time, and when you do see me, I am 'helping' a man in the way you did to Sicily. How would you react?"

It didn't take him to register her word as a syllable leaked out reflexively.

"I..."

Austin wanted to say something, but when he indeed thought of such a scene where Luna was in such contact with another man, his heart throbbed with a strange sensation building inside of him.

Clenching his fist, he dropped back with his legs folded without any intention to speak any further because he did not know what to say anymore.

Leaning his face down, Austin saw Luna getting up from the bed as she spoke in the tone which generally used for others but not him.

"When you find the answer, then only come to me, Austin."

Luna walked some steps when she felt her hand still being held by Austin, albeit nimbly.

Luna waited for some more seconds, but Austin didn't move nor spoke any word, which brought a frown on her brows as she finally snatched her hand away and walked out of the room.

In the dark room where Austin generally enjoys his private time with Luna, he sat all alone while contemplating various things.

But after a long time, what made him feel so nostalgic was the silence and darkness that greeted him.

He nearly forgot this sensation, but unlike before, he just couldn't sigh and let it go. This time this loneliness was weighing on him.

Unlike in the past, when he did not have anyone, he might have lived in such darkness without complaint, but now he had someone he dearly loves. There is someone whom he could not afford to lose. Someone, he cannot think of living apart from.

Rising on his feet after what seemed like a minute, Austin clenched his fist as he cursed himself for not taking this step before.

'Fuck! What a sore loser I am! "

____________

"So you failed again? "

In a terrace balcony built inside the Gram palace sat an adorable young lady with shiny blond hair as she sipped on her milk tea.

The person she asked the query whose answer she already knew about just bowed his head slightly in shame.

The man was in his early twenties with similar hair and eye color as the girl who bit his lips in frustration.

The girl who spoke in such a soft tone even though she was pissed more than her brother was none other than the eldest princess Tiara.

"First, you failed to get that Red-haired bitch, and now Sicily also slipped out from the labyrinth. What a wasted bastard in the name of brother I have. "

Tiara's venomous words, along with a gentle smile, made her look terrifying, and looking at the prince's face, it seemed he knew what happens when Tiara gets in the mood.

"I-I am sorry, Tia. "

Seeing her brother's dejected expression, Tiara sighed as she held his hand after putting the cup on the table.

"Brother, you want Luna or not?"

Hearing the name of the person whom the man has been yearning to hold, he nodded without hesitation.

"Unlike Brother Mikhail, you aren't recognized as a competitor to the throne despite being the eldest. Do you know why?"

The firstborn of the Emperor thought for a second before shaking his head in denial.

"It's because you don't give you 100% to anything you do. Whether it's showing your worth or erasing some obstacle from the path, you can't seem to strengthen your resolve. "

The blond man registered his sister's words carefully and indeed agreed that there was a single hesitation restricting him from doing his all to gain what he desired.

"Listen, brother. If you don't let go of that restraint, then the Luna you always dream about and want to make your own would never look at you. And eventually,y in some years, she would leave this nation. Do you think you can misuse your power in other countries too? Do you think if she leaves you will get together with her? Do you think she would ever love you if that happens? "

Tiara's eyes were fixated on her brother's profile as she whispered the thoughts she carried and found enough to enrage the sleeping beast inside the first prince.

And she succeeded in her provocation.

Clenching his fist, the man got up and muttered under his breath with determination flaming his eyes and aura being shrouded with a strong resolve.

"Nothing can stop me now from making Luna mine. Thanks, Tiara, for pushing me. Now you will see what your brother is capable of. "

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A/N: - They will make up in next chapter and yes the Red-haired B*tch Tiara mentioned is Venessa.

Anyway, drop a comment if you are hyped for next one~