Saving You, Villain - Chapter 94

Even on days when I was burning with fever, I would still take Camian’s hand and go to see the cherry blossoms in spring. If a sudden shower hit us while walking, we didn’t seek shelter, instead letting the rain drench us as we breathed in its fresh scent. Although it often left me bedridden the next day, I never regretted it. Camian, however, seemed deeply unsettled by how fragile my body was.

Through me, Camian learned to feel emotions. He learned to smile, albeit awkwardly at first, and experienced the confusion of dealing with me when I fainted—something he had never encountered before. Watching his expression grow more vibrant and diverse, like wildflowers blooming in spring, made my heart swell with joy.

Every moment with him was delightful. Even though my weak body often confined me indoors, it didn’t matter. Just sitting beside him, chatting softly and seeing the icy mask on his face melt into warmth, made me so happy that I lost track of time.

One day, I couldn’t endure the pain any longer, and my consciousness slipped into the realm of unconsciousness. I awoke to a heavy pressure squeezing my entire body. Blinking groggily, a familiar figure slowly came into focus. Camian, his tear-streaked face flushed with emotion, was crying.

“Camian?”

His red, tear-filled eyes grew wide when he saw I was awake. Then, like a soft creature seeking affection from its master, he nuzzled his face against my neck.

“When you stopped looking at me… I started to feel strange.”

His deep voice trembled slightly. Dazed, I reached up and stroked the back of his head.

“I can’t shake the feeling that I’m falling from a great height. It’s dizzying, never-ending, and terrifying. My breath catches in my throat, and it feels like someone is squeezing my heart. What is this feeling, Liv? What is it…?”

Camian had learned fear and sadness because of me. As he quietly sobbed in my arms, something stirred inside me too. I regretted teaching him things he didn’t need to know. I had wanted him to experience only the good when he was with me.

“You were really scared, huh? I’m sorry.”

“Next time I call you, answer me immediately. Don’t close your eyes, just keep looking at me.”

His pleading voice shook me to my core. But it wasn’t that I didn’t want to respond when Camian called. I could only manage a bittersweet smile, unable to give him the reassurance he wanted.

“Camian, I’m heavy.”

At that, Camian quickly lifted himself off me. I rubbed my chest, which had grown warm from being pressed against him for so long. As I slowly sat up, I noticed something strange. I was definitely lying on our sofa, yet I could see the outdoors clearly. I rubbed my eyes, but nothing changed.

“What is going on…?”

“Liv.”

A familiar voice called from behind me. Turning toward it, I saw Debra standing at a distance, nervously wringing her hands.

“Debra? Ah!”

Suddenly, Camian scooped me into his arms. Boom! A deafening explosion followed by panicked screams echoed around us. Everything except the area around the sofa where I had been lying was in ruins. The ceiling and walls had collapsed, and the ground was charred in a perfect circle. The villagers stood far beyond the boundary, watching us cautiously.

“Camian!”

I called his name in shock, but he just looked at me with tearful eyes, unaware of what he had done wrong.

“What on earth did you do?”

“They were trying to touch you.”

“……”

“…I didn’t kill them. You said I can’t kill things weaker than me.”

Seeing his innocent expression, I couldn’t bring myself to get angry. What good would anger do now? I sighed deeply, pressing my forehead into my hand.

“They were just trying to take care of me, Camian.”

“Take care?”

“When I faint because I’m sick… they were trying to help me get better. That’s why they were touching me. So don’t ever do this again.”

“……”

Camian fell silent, lost in thought. When I called his name, “Camian?” he nodded, albeit a little late.

From that day on, Camian stopped threatening the villagers. However, he closely observed anyone who took care of me, standing by with an intense gaze that made the villagers sweat nervously. But as this pattern continued for over a year, they gradually adapted to his presence.

At some point, Camian began taking care of me directly. He would cool my fever with ice packs, give me massages, and even make medicine to feed me. If my bedding was soaked with sweat or blood, he would change it with ease.

“Cough, cough… Camian.”

“Yes, I’m here.”

As Camian became accustomed to nursing me, I, too, began relying on his care. Every day, my body carried the scent of death. My ribs became more prominent, and I could barely keep anything down except porridge. More often than not, Camian had to change bloodstained sheets rather than those merely damp with sweat.

I spent most of my time in a fog of darkness. Occasionally, when my mind returned to the surface, Camian was always there, sometimes pressing gentle kisses to my face as hot tears streamed down his cheeks.

On a cold winter morning, Camian pulled me close, protecting me from the chill in the air. Resting my forehead against his firm chest, I spoke quietly.

“Camian, we made a contract, right?”

“……”

“You won’t leave me until the contract is over, will you?”

His large hand stroked my frail back.

“There’s no place for me but by your side. Even if you scream for me to leave, I couldn’t. That’s how it is now.”

I could feel his heart pounding against my forehead. It was a comforting rhythm. Wanting to feel it even more, I gently tugged at his clothing, and Camian drew even closer.

“You filled the empty shell of my world. You dragged me out of the darkness where monsters lurked, so now you have to take responsibility until the end.”

I couldn’t help but laugh softly at his words.

“Responsibility sounds a bit heavy.”

“If you didn’t plan on taking responsibility, why did you show me the four seasons? Why teach me how to smile and feel happiness? If you were just going to leave me behind, you shouldn’t have embraced me so warmly. You should have left me in the darkness.”

“……”

“All that I see and feel—you taught me everything. My world is entirely you. How could I ever leave you?”

Heat flushed through my ears. It was a warmth unlike the fever I often felt when I was sick—this was a different kind of heat, one that made me feel bashful and embarrassed.

“So… does that mean you like me?”

“Yeah.”

“And… do you love me?”

“What’s the difference between the two?”

“Well, um… loving someone is when… you might want to, you know, kiss them.”

In the blink of an eye, Camian was on top of me. His lips pressed against mine, soft and without weight. The suddenness of the kiss left me frozen, my eyes wide open as I just let him take my lips.

“And if I want to do more than just this?”

His low voice seeped into the darkness around us. I blinked slowly, my gaze locked with his. His crimson eyes, filled with desire, bound me in place. I swallowed dryly.

“Is this love?”

“……”

“I want to hold you beneath me, to make you cry. I want to leave red marks on your pale skin, and have those pretty lips of yours call only my name. If that’s what love is, then yes—I love you.”

Camian’s voice dripped with sweetness, and I felt myself mesmerized, my arms gently wrapping around his neck.

“I love you too.”

I didn’t shy away from his overwhelming desire. Instead, I faced it head-on. Camian’s breath hitched, and he kissed me harder, more forcefully. That cold winter night, we became entwined, consumed by our shared passion. It was impulsive, but I had no regrets.

The knowledge that we felt the same made my chest ache with happiness. In this vast world, how had it come to be that you, of all people, stood before me and fell in love with me? It was a mystery, but a beautiful one.

In a life that wasn’t about living, but about slowly dying, Camian’s presence was like sunlight. When he kissed my frail wrist, once nothing but skin and bone, I began to see it as precious. Even though my voice had grown hoarse from constant coughing, when Camian smiled brightly whenever I called his name, I felt grateful just to have a voice at all.

We began our first romance together, both of us new to the experience. I was a bit nervous—no, actually, I was very nervous.

“Ca-Camian.”

“Hm?”

“Being in a relationship… it’s different from being friends. There’s a lot more to be careful about, but it also means you’re closer than just friends. And… unlike friends, you can only have one lover.”

“I only need one friend and one lover—you.”

“Oh, well… yeah, that’s not a bad thing.”

I sat on the bed, fidgeting with my hands, too embarrassed to look directly at him. The fact that the person sitting next to me was my boyfriend still felt unreal. I had spent my whole life thinking I’d never get the chance to be in a relationship. I never thought it possible, not with my body in this condition.

Camian tilted his head slightly, watching me with curiosity.

“Is there something else I need to learn?”

“Um, well…”

I had taught Camian many things, but when it came to romance… I had no idea what to do. I had never been in a relationship either.

“This is my first time, too.”

I muttered quietly. For a moment, something sparkled in Camian’s eyes, and his face lit up like the sun in spring. I was confused—why was he so happy? He cupped my cheeks and peppered kisses all over my face.

“Then this time, I’ll teach you.”

“Teach me… how to be in a relationship?”

“Yeah.”

Camian looked elated, as if the mere thought of teaching me something made him deeply happy. But how exactly was he going to teach me about relationships? I had so many questions, but seeing him so eager, I didn’t have the heart to dampen his spirits.

Camian’s chosen method of learning about romance? Reading. And not just any reading—he dove into cheesy romance novels.