The Novel’s Antagonist: I walk the path of a Villain - Chapter 80

Chapter 80: Shelly… Fuck are you really ploting?!

“Really? Thanks,” said Liliana, her cheeks flushing a deep red.

“It’s… no problem,” Lucas stammered, hurriedly averting his gaze, visibly flustered and overwhelmed by her charm.

“Enough of this. Eat up so we can head out hunting. There’s still time left,” Eloisa chimed in, her tone curt and indifferent, clearly uninterested in the exchange.

“Oh~ Do I sense jealousy?” Liliana teased, a mischievous grin spreading across her face as she leaned toward Eloisa, clearly trying to provoke her.

“Don’t even bother. It won’t work on me,” Eloisa replied coolly, rolling her eyes. She glanced toward a figure approaching from the distance. For a fleeting moment, an eerie grin tugged at her lips—a grin so subtle and insidious that it vanished before anyone could notice. Her expression returned to neutrality so quickly it was as if it had never been there.

“Eloisa! What is the meaning of this?”

A sharp voice broke through the chatter. A young man with silver-grey hair and piercing maroon eyes strode toward them, his expression twisted in fury. Behind him stood another man, Eric, his face neutral and unreadable.

“Allen… What do you mean by that?” Eloisa asked, her tone far too casual for the obvious tension in the air. “Or can’t I have a meal with some friends?”

“Friends? These commoners? This filth?” Allen spat, his voice dripping with disdain as he glared at Lucas and Liliana.

Hmm.

I leaned back slightly, observing what was quickly turning into a scene.

This feels familiar… a lot like the original novel. Except the roles are reversed.

In the book, it should have been Eric going after the protagonist following his engagement to Ariana. A decision orchestrated by the Emperor, pleased with the Linnaeus household’s loyalty.

But now, it’s Eloisa.

Interesting.

It’s obvious my deviation from the original plot has something to do with this, but something still doesn’t add up. Eloisa seems… different. Off.

What could she be planning?

…Not that I really care, as long as it doesn’t involve me.

That idiot as well as Liliana can play heroines all they want. Whatever happens next, I’m not wasting my time with it.

With that, I turned my attention away from the unfolding mess. I already knew how this would end anyway.

Allen would challenge Lucas, only to get his ass handed to him on a silver platter. Eloisa would fall for Lucas after his heroic display, and blah blah blah. Predictable.

Culture.

“Hey, STOP THAT!”

A sharp, annoyed voice snapped me out of my thoughts. I turned to see Shelly glaring at me, seated just a little too close. Her small hands were wrapped tightly around mine, which had apparently been patting her head.

When did I start doing that?

“I don’t want to accidentally kill you, so stop annoying me,” she grumbled, narrowing her eyes as if debating whether to throw me across the room.

Despite her irritation, she looked surprisingly… cute.

I didn’t know why I’d done it. Or why, even now, I still wanted to do it.

“Alright,” I said, smirking. “Cute girls tend to lose their charm when they get grumpy.” My hands moved to pat her head again.

She wasn’t small, okay? She was about the same height as Selena. But something about her demeanor—her expressions, her mannerisms—made her look like an adorable kid. The kind you’d instinctively want to protect.

Okay, that thought felt… weird for some reason.

“…Fine,” she finally muttered, “but on one condition.”

“What condition?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.

“A hug,” she said, glancing away as a faint blush crept up her cheeks.

“What? Why?”

She pouted. “I was really scared when I found out what happened to you after the test. So when I heard you woke up, I felt so relieved,” she admitted, her voice dropping to a softer tone. “But as much of an idiot as you are, you didn’t even bother to come find me or give me a hug.”

Her expression shifted, and her cheeks darkened further.

Before I could respond…

BAM!

“ARGH—” I doubled over, clutching my stomach. “FUCK YOU SHELLY! FUCK YOU!”

“That’s for being a thoughtless jerk,” she said, glaring at me.

“Argh,” I groaned.

What is it with the villainesses in this world and using me as their personal punching bag?! Do I look like a venting machine to these psychos?!

“Shut up and enjoy this privilege,” she huffed, “It’s not everyday someone like me hugs, especially not idiots like you,”

Before I could process what was happening, her arms wrapped around my head, pulling me into a surprisingly tight hug.

And then…

Wait.

Did I just hear her mutter, ‘Why does beating him up feel so good?’

…I’m praying I just misheard that. Seriously.

And what the hell is wrong with this girl? Why is she suddenly acting so bold?

“What is the meaning of this?”

That cold, familiar voice froze me in place. A wave of déjà vu slammed into me.

Fuck.

I’d completely forgotten about Selena.

Shelly instantly pulled away, and when I looked at her face, I saw something that made me reconsider my stance on her being a nervous, childish girl.

She was grinning.

It was subtle—barely there—but I knew a grin when I saw one.

“Hi! My name’s Shelly,” she chirped, extending her hand toward Selena with an air of innocence that was anything but genuine.

Wait.

Could she have done this on purpose?

The timing was suspicious as hell. She must’ve seen Selena walking toward us, but she still kept the hug going just long enough to block my line of sight.

And me? I was too distracted by how weirdly soft she felt and how nice her scent was to remember that Selena had come with me.

Was she awakening her inner villainess early? This wasn’t supposed to happen yet!

“I don’t need to know your name, bitch,” Selena said, her voice icy and sharp. “Stay away from my boyfriend.”

With that, she placed the food she was carrying on the table, walked over, shoved Shelly aside, and grabbed me by the collar.

At this point, I felt less like a person and more like a toy these women could toss around whenever they pleased.

I swear, once I’m stronger than them, I will make them pay for this humiliation. I’ll chain one of these idiots up and fuck them senseless against their will!

Hmm? breaking them mentally, into mindless horny slaves doesn’t sound so bad for some reason.

Wait.

Did I just think that?

Fuck.

This stupid blessing is really starting to mess with my head.

For some reason, I’m beginning to want to be the villain.