I am the Villainess

"Do I have to repeat myself?" Maximilian's voice was calm but sharp, the blade still resting against Daphne's neck. "Who are you?"

Daphne swallowed hard. I need to say something. If I don't, he might actually kill me right here. She slowly turned, revealing her hazel eyes, black hair, and pale skin.

"Hazel eyes," he murmured, studying her closely. "Only the heirs of the Borfot family have those." His lips curved into a smirk. "Ah, so you must be the infamous daughter of Duke Borfot. He came to me earlier today and introduced a mage from Theolia apparently brought here by you. Now that I know who you are, state your purpose."

"Um... I..." Daphne stammered, her voice trembling. This isn't a human being... he's the devil himself! Just put that sword away already!  "Could you please—"

"Right." Maximilian cut her off and slid the sword back into its sheath. "Now, tell me why you entered my personal garden."

His personal garden. His personal garden?! Since when did the emperor start growing flowers? That doesn't suit him at all especially with those terrifying crimson eyes.

Daphne couldn't help but imagine the emperor, Maximilian, kneeling in the garden, planting trees and murmuring prayers to coax the plants to grow faster. Yes, it was strange. Very strange. 

She had no words. 

How on earth had Cordelia even managed to deal with him?

And then there was the big secret that he had supposedly discovered about the heroine.

"Quick," he urged, impatience creeping into his voice.

What should I do? What should I do?!

"I..." Daphne's gaze dropped to the ground, then to their feet. "I love you!"

"Huh?" Maximilian froze, utterly dumbfounded, as if all his composure had vanished.

Wait a second. What did I just say? Did I really just confess that I loved him? I loved the villain?! I might as well have hit myself in the foot with a massive axe! Foolish! Utterly foolish!

Daphne couldn't stop berating herself for the words she had blurted out to the emperor. Maximilian, meanwhile, stood motionless, like a statue. After several minutes of deep thought, he finally said, "I see..."

Then he left.

Phew. At least I'm alive. Just imagining how my carefully laid plan could have completely collapsed because of one man made my head spin.

Once he was gone, Daphne let out a long sigh of relief. After the party ended, she decided to return home, unlike the other nobles who had chosen to stay in the capital. She quickly made up an excuse about not feeling well.

In the carriage, she turned to Sebastian. "Your Grace, the task I gave you about Sirius. Is it done?"

"Yes. The emperor has given his approval," Sebastian replied. After a brief pause, as if hesitating, he continued, "Right after the party, the emperor said he would do his best to promote Sirius and even make him the court magician."

"Okay, Your Grace..." Daphne murmured, sinking into silence.

I'm sure this is because of the mess I made. My plan of staying low, peacefully becoming duchess and giving Cordelia the life she wanted. It's completely flopped. And now... I've gained the villain's favour.