Chapter 1: Villains Hollow.
Bang.
Bang.
I clenched my torso where the bullet had pierced through. Warm blood spilled out rapidly between my fingers.
…I really am a fool.
Why did I try to save her?
---
[Present Time]
The sound of glass clinking against glass echoed through the grand banquet hall.
Laughter followed shortly after.
It was bright.
Too bright.
Crystal chandeliers poured down light like mockery itself, reflecting off polished marble floors and golden pillars engraved with the crests of noble families. Silk dresses fluttered gracefully, expensive perfumes blended in the air, and nobles gathered in elegant circles, whispering behind gloved hands.
Yet none of that mattered.
All eyes were drawn to the center of the ballroom.
A red-haired youth was dancing with a blonde girl held gently in his arms.
The blonde girl was Lilia Hardy.
My fiancée.
And the man holding her was Leon St. Claire—humanity's so-called hero.
I stood still, rooted to the spot.
My black eyes stared at the two of them, unblinking, empty. No thoughts formed. No words came out.
Just silence.
Fifteen years.
Fifteen years since I reincarnated into this world.
And even here, I was loathed.
My own parents barely acknowledged my existence. No matter what I did, people only saw evil in me. Suspicion followed me like a shadow that never left.
Why?
Why did it hurt so much?
Lilia… was different.
She talked to me when no one else would. She played with me, laughed with me. We walked through the markets together, hands intertwined, sharing trivial dreams.
I believed she was different.
I was wrong.
So damn wrong.
Before I could stop myself, I moved.
I marched toward them and forcibly separated the two. My hand grabbed Leon by the collar of his formal attire.
"You asshole. How dar—"
Slap.
A sharp pain exploded across my right cheek.
I staggered back slightly, stunned by the burning sensation.
I had been slapped.
Slowly, I turned my head.
Lilia was glaring at me, fury written plainly on her face. She pushed Leon behind her, clinging to him protectively as she spoke in a cold, cutting voice.
"How dare you, Alden. Don't you dare touch Leon."
"But… Lilia?" My voice trembled. "Why are you dancing with him? I know I arrived late to your birthday celebration, but that doesn't mean— I'm your fiancé."
The answer came without hesitation.
"I don't need your permission to dance with Leon."
My breath caught.
"And as for being your fiancée," she continued flatly, "I'm breaking our engagement."
My eyes widened.
"I, Lilia Hardy, hereby declare that Alden and I have no relationship from this moment onward. The engagement between our families is annulled. Don't worry—my father has already approved my decision."
The world went silent.
I stood frozen, wishing I could disappear.
Leon looked at me as if I were dirt beneath his shoes.
His hand rested possessively on Lilia's wrist as she leaned into him. Around us, whispers erupted into laughter.
Mockery filled the hall.
"I can no longer bind myself to someone whose nature is so… corrupt," Lilia said, her voice ringing clearly. "I was blind before. But now, I see clearly."
Blind… before?
Someone laughed.
Someone clapped.
Someone even cheered.
That was the moment something inside me cracked.
I said nothing.
As etiquette demanded, I bowed once—deeply.
Then I turned.
And walked away.
No one stopped me.
Outside, the night air was cold.
I walked past the gates. Past the gardens. Past statues of forgotten heroes whose stone eyes stared down at me in judgment.
I didn't know where I was going.
My vision blurred.
Why…
My fists clenched until my nails dug into my palms.
Why does it always end like this?
In my past life, I was unloved.
In this life, I was hated.
No matter the world—
I was alone.
I tried. I really did.
But the villain's hollow reputation ruined everything. No matter what I did, everyone believed it was done with malicious intent.
…I don't care anymore.
My consciousness wavered. My sanity stood on the brink of collapse.
I sank down onto a wooden bench in the garden. Warm tears fell from my eyes, splashing onto the flowers below. My black hair fluttered gently in the cold night wind.
Then—
I felt a touch.
Soft.
Slender fingers brushed against my eyes, gently wiping away my tears.
"This tear doesn't suit you," a woman's voice whispered softly.
"My little villain."
Her arm wrapped around the back of my head, pulling me into her chest. My face was completely buried against her warmth. One hand stroked my hair slowly, soothingly, her fingers running through my black strands as if calming a frightened child.
"There, there…"
Her voice was calm. Gentle.
Yet dangerous.
"I am Yelena Morozov," she said quietly. "And you are?"
My eyes widened.
The woman holding me—comforting me—
Was none other than the main female lead of this world.
…Fuck.
Continue...
[Author: I know first chapter is very short. But I will try to make bigger chapter for sure.]