Saving You, Villain - Chapter 100

The nightmare of that day flooded my mind—Camian treated like livestock by Luke, the horror that swept through the lecture hall when everyone saw his true form, and me, standing there, helpless and pathetic, unable to do anything but watch.

A chill crept across my body as the sensation of the glass shard I once drove into my throat flickered through my skin. Goosebumps rose on my arms, and I rubbed them, trying to dispel the feeling. That’s when a large, warm hand enveloped mine, bringing a sense of comfort.

“Let’s make a promise,” Camian’s low, calm voice settled over my trembling body. I lifted my head to meet his gaze. As always, his face appeared calm and unshaken, despite knowing the danger looming ahead. His expression showed no hint of fear. Instead, his eyes, full of affection, traced my face, his fingers playing with my hair as a faint smile curled his lips.

“What kind of promise?”

“No matter what happens to me…” Camian paused, as if deep in thought, then suddenly leaned in and kissed me softly. I blinked in surprise, stunned, and raised my fingers to touch my lips. Now? A kiss, now? This didn’t seem like the moment for it. Before I could react further, my vision was filled with the deep red of his eyes. He gazed at me with half-lidded eyes and kissed me again, his lips warm and soft against mine, making the moment feel like a dream.

“Even if something happens to me, or to the people around you… even if they die… promise me you’ll stay by my side and live.”

The words that fell from the lips that had just kissed me were cold, void of emotion.

Even in the haze of the kiss, unease crept in. Why was Camian saying this? What was happening in this quiet village? His ominous words couldn’t be brushed aside. I blinked nervously and called out to him, “Kami—”

But before I could finish, his lips were on mine again. He kissed me deliberately, noisily, as if to drown out my questions. His kisses were overwhelming, and I couldn’t focus. The first few times, I simply gave in, but this wasn’t the time to indulge in the joy of reunion.

“Wait, Camian… stop, just—”

The more I tried to push him away, the more intense the kisses became. His once soft lips now moved with purpose, his tongue tracing the edges of my lips, his mouth pulling at them insistently.

The blatant sensuality of his kisses began to cloud my mind, melting my resolve.

“Ah… Camian…”

“Yes?” he responded, his voice low as his hand cradled my cheek. My trembling eyes fluttered open, and I saw his face up close.

Another soft kiss, followed by his steady gaze. He was watching me intently, as if waiting for my reaction. Every time I tried to think of something else, his lips would find mine again. His handsome face, his seductive smile, and his gentle voice calling my name—it was a deliberate tactic, a charming trap.

“Why do you keep kissing me?” I asked, feeling a bit irritated as I pushed against his shoulder.

His red eyes flashed with a fierce light, the intensity of his possessiveness and obsession glaringly apparent. The look in his eyes was frightening, and the warmth that had loosened my senses quickly faded. I snapped back to reality.

“Camian.”

“Just promise me, please. As long as you’re by my side, everything will be fine, right?”

“…….”

I almost nodded, almost let myself get swept up by the intensity of his presence. For a moment, I thought that as long as I had Camian, nothing else mattered. But when I saw the emotions swirling in his eyes, I realized that his love had become twisted. His devotion was spilling over, tainted with desperation.

Seeing that I wasn’t answering his plea, Camian played with my lips, his gaze locked on them. A faint sense of fear stirred within me. I turned my head away, slipping his hand from my face.

“Tell me what’s really happening. Why are you saying the people in the village are going to die? What’s going on?”

I hated the very idea of bringing up death, but I needed to know. We had been talking about Luke Florence, and now suddenly the villagers were involved. Why?

“Support from the Demon Realm is coming to capture Luke Florence. If Celiana manages to kill him before he notices, then everything will end without a problem. But if not…”

Camian seemed to be choosing his words carefully, trying to find a way to keep me from panicking. He was afraid that, like in our past timeline, I might be overwhelmed by guilt or the harsh reality and make a drastic choice again. His cautiousness was clear. But now, having regained all my memories, I wasn’t the same person. I had grown stronger. I wouldn’t live under Camian’s protection forever.

“He’ll try to use my blood to control you.”

“…Yes.”

“And you’ll become his puppet, fighting the Demon Realm.”

“Smart.”

Camian’s attempt to joke was meant to hide the fear spreading within him.

“You’re saying the villagers could get caught in the middle of the fight… that’s what you’re trying to say, right?”

“…….”

There was only one way to stop Luke. To break the contract—by taking my own life. If Camian hadn’t told me all of this, I might have made that foolish choice again, thinking I could save him and the villagers.

Anxiety slowly tightened around my heart, the familiar scent of death hovering close, suffocating me.

I glanced out the window at the peaceful scenery I had so longed for. The sky was bright, dotted with clouds like cotton candy, and the snow that had piled on the rooftops and trees was beginning to melt. The sun’s rays sparkled on the snowy ground, casting a soft, glowing light.

I couldn’t allow this peaceful village to be stained with blood. And I couldn’t let Camian be forced to harm the people here. I couldn’t let him destroy this simple life he had built, where he was a well-loved young man, the son of Debra and Jax, and my childhood friend. I couldn’t let him add more tragedy to his already difficult life.

I had to make a decision to protect him.

“Camian.”

I met his gaze directly.

“I have a favor to ask.”

I spoke to him with a deliberate smile, just like Camian had done to me a moment ago. Camian furrowed his brow.

“You have to promise me.”

“What…?”

“Refusal is not an option. If you refuse, I’ll never see you again. If you think you can live without seeing me, then go ahead and refuse.”

When I pushed him to the limit, his expression hardened with anger. After a long back-and-forth, I finally won. Camian reluctantly nodded, and I embraced him until his sobs softened.

Academy Classroom.

Suddenly, a nosebleed started. It was followed by a violent cough that sprayed blood. I had experienced this before, so it wasn’t shocking, but the pain, unfortunately, never became easier to bear. Camian held me close, gently stroking my back. I clung to him tightly, writhing from the searing pain in my throat and lungs. If I couldn’t feel his warmth, I thought I might truly die.

The only thing keeping my rapidly fading consciousness in check was the trembling of Camian’s arms. Even though this wasn’t the first time he had seen this, he trembled as if facing a fear he’d never known before. Still, he kept kissing my head and held me steadily, offering me a solid place to lean on.

Just then, the classroom door opened. Footsteps thudded ominously on the floor, sending chills down my spine.

“I was planning to capture you after stabilizing the kingdom’s affairs.”

Luke Florence had arrived.

Despite Luke’s entrance, Camian’s attention remained focused solely on me.

“Everyone, Camian is a vile demon who disrupts our peaceful human lives!” Luke shouted with contempt as he glared at Camian. The students started murmuring, and the room was instantly filled with noise.

“Our dear Liv Klein has been ensnared by this wicked demon and formed a contract with him. But I will save her, and every student in this room, from this demon Camian!”

From the distance, Tessa shouted, “Danger? What danger! Camian a demon? That’s absurd! We need to get Liv to a healer first….”

“I expected you’d all be brainwashed, too. In that case, I’ll let you see the truth with your own eyes.”

The moment had come. That humiliating moment when Camian would be forced to reveal his true form before everyone. Swallowing my sobs, I held him as tightly as I could.

“Take off your disgusting mask and reveal your true self!” Luke’s voice boomed through the room. He certainly carried himself like a knight of conviction. But rather than wield his sword in the name of justice, his narrow-minded belief was that demons were vermin that had to be exterminated. He learned swordsmanship, wrote books, and followed power wherever it led, like a bat flitting from place to place—all with the singular purpose of eradicating demons. It was practically a fanaticism.

Justice befitting knighthood didn’t matter to Luke. His eyes gleamed with madness. But then—

“……”

“Cough, cough…”

Despite Luke’s passionate declaration, an awkward silence fell over the room. Nothing happened.

The red light that had once bound Camian’s body didn’t appear. I reached out to touch his back, but no wings had sprouted. Tilting my head back, I looked up at Camian. His eyes were red, filled with tears. One by one, they fell onto my cheeks.