Saving You, Villain - Side Story Part 11

I thought Camian’s anger would subside in a day or two at most, but I was wrong. The more he maintained his cold attitude, the more my anxiety grew. For a week now, I had been falling asleep watching his back. I was also worried that things might get worse, like him moving back to his own room or even leaving the house entirely.

I stretched out on the table, staring endlessly at the door. Just then, the door, which had been still for so long, opened, and Camian entered. His bangs and thick neck were damp with sweat. I quickly rushed to stand by his side.

“It was really hot today, wasn’t it? You should’ve let me take care of the farm work today and just rested.”

“…”

Camian walked right past me and headed straight for the kitchen. I stood there, staring at his back as he moved away. My heart tightened, and I felt a wave of sadness rising, but I forced myself to act like nothing was wrong and followed close behind him again.

The water from the glass he held rushed into his mouth without hesitation. Watching his prominent Adam’s apple bob up and down, I couldn’t hide my anxiety and fiddled with my hands.

“Camian, isn’t it time to wash your clothes? Let me handle it. I can do yours while I’m washing mine…”

“I’ll do it. Don’t bother.”

“I can do it just fine too.”

“Don’t make me say it twice.”

And just like that, without another word, he stormed out again. Left alone in the house, I stood blankly, staring at the closed door. Only the empty glass he had used remained beside me.

“Oh… what am I going to do?”

He must really be mad this time. Normally, when I acted this submissive, Camian would just tease me playfully. As the jokes piled up, the tension between us would melt away like snow.

But this time, it wasn’t a matter that could be resolved by simply lowering my stance.

“I must’ve lost my mind. Why did I say something like that… Ugh, I’m an idiot!”

I slapped my lips and tugged at my hair, but no matter how much I regretted it, I couldn’t take back the words I had already said.

***

It had been ten days of watching Camian’s back as I slept. I couldn’t take it anymore. Sure, I made a mistake, but sleeping with his back turned to me for ten days straight? That’s just too much. Seriously, what kind of man acts so petty? If he’s mad, he should just talk it out, accept my apology, and move on! Why act so cold?

Bam! I slammed my fist on the table.

“Whoa!”

The wine bottle I had brought in a moment of boldness wobbled dangerously, and I quickly grabbed it with both hands to steady it.

“That was close.”

I almost ended up offering the floor the whole bottle without even getting a sip. I calmed my nerves and poured myself a drink. The red wine splashed heavily into the glass. Taking a deep breath, I gulped down the alcohol, hoping it would give me the courage I needed.

Even though I was frustrated with Camian’s icy behavior, I hadn’t lost enough of my decency to completely forget my mistake.

Right. That lingering bit of conscience—this was the problem. Because I felt guilty, instead of getting angry when Camian ignored me, I felt deflated. So, I couldn’t speak my mind and ended up just sulking inwardly.

But now, it was time to make a decision. I couldn’t wait forever for Camian to calm down. I’d use the power of alcohol to say everything I needed to say to him. Then, I’d confidently apologize, and just like always, we’d end up wrapped in each other’s arms, falling asleep together. That was my goal.

“Just wait, Camian.”

I took a deep swig straight from the bottle.

***

“I-I said… sniff I said I was sorry… sob”

Even though my eyes were open, I couldn’t see clearly. The world spun around me, and tears kept blurring my vision. I rubbed my eyes roughly with the back of my hand and grabbed onto the fabric in front of me with both hands.

“Why, why won’t you accept my apology? Hurry up and accept it!”

“Aren’t you supposed to apologize to Camian, not me?”

I squeezed my eyes shut and then opened them again. Slowly, my blurry vision cleared, and I saw Jax looking down at me with a troubled expression, sweating nervously.

“Why are you here, Jax?”

I wasn’t looking for Jax—I was looking for Camian. I squinted at him, glaring, and Jax gently pried my hands off his clothes as he spoke.

“I just woke you up because you were sleeping awkwardly at the table.”

“Hm… Where’s Camian?”

“Camian?”

My body wobbled unsteadily, swaying as if I were dancing. My foot finally missed the floor, and I felt my weight shift backward. Jax’s eyes widened as he reached out toward me. But before his hand could catch me, a firm embrace supported my back.

“Sorry for the trouble, Jax. You can go rest now. I’ll take her from here.”

A deep, resonant voice sounded from above. As I relaxed into the secure arms around me, I wondered who this familiar voice belonged to. Ah, it’s Camian.

The hands on my shoulders and the warmth pressing against my back—it was all Camian. As soon as I realized it was him, the sorrow I had been holding back welled up, threatening to spill out.

“You’re mean, you’re so mean…!”

Camian swiftly turned me around and gently lifted me into his arms. I buried my face into his shoulder, letting my tears fall freely.

“It looks like Liv was really upset. Take good care of her.”

“Yes.”

Take care of me? Ha. Does he think I’m sulking like a child? I’m not some petty person who gets upset just because Camian turned his back on me for ten days.

“You are petty and sulking.”

“No, I’m not!”

I yelled out. Camian closed the door carefully and gave me a light tap on my bottom with his large hand.

“Do you want to wake up the whole village? Drunks should keep their mouths shut and just go to sleep.”

“Wait, wait… why did you suddenly say I was petty and sulking?”

I thought I only said that in my head.

“You’ll figure it out once the alcohol wears off.”

Camian laid me down on the bed. Instinctively, I grabbed the blanket and hugged it close to my chest, seeking comfort. He sat at the head of the bed and gently smoothed my hair.

“I can’t fall asleep like this.”

His soothing touch as he caressed my hair and face made sleep fall over me like a torrential rain, drenching me before I could resist.

“Is it because you don’t like it when I sleep with my back to you?”

“That’s part of it…”

Tears trickled out as I recalled the cold treatment of the past ten days. Camian wiped away the tears gathering at the corners of my eyes with his thumb.

“I really… sniff… I really am sorry.”

My throat was so choked with sobs that my voice couldn’t come out right. I gasped for air, looking at Camian. A soft smile curved on his lips.

“I know.”

“Sniff…”

“How did it feel, being so anxious because of me?”

“I felt hurt, frustrated… and scared that maybe you wouldn’t love me anymore.”

Camian’s smile slowly faded. He stared at my face with deep, heavy eyes for a long moment, then pulled me into a tight embrace, as if he couldn’t bear it anymore.

“Now do you realize how much I mean to you?”

“Sniff…”

“Liv, stop being proud and answer me.”

“…Yeah. Sniff… I know. I get it.”

Satisfied, Camian nodded and pressed a kiss to my eyelids. As his deep voice flowed out, I felt his soft lips brush against my skin with each word.

“From now on, even as a joke…”

“… ”

“Don’t ever say you’ll leave me. I can endure anything else, but not that.”

His lips, which had been resting on my eyes, slowly moved down to my forehead, nose bridge, and cheeks, delivering soft, tender kisses as though handling something precious. The warmth from his lips transferred to my face, creating a gentle heat of affection.

From the way he caressed my back and the loving gaze he directed at me, I could feel his affection overflowing. Contrary to my worries, Camian’s feelings hadn’t cooled at all.

As relief settled deep in my heart, a sense of unfairness welled up. I never said I was going to abandon him. How could his mind twist the suggestion of living separately for just a month into being abandoned? What was going on in his brain?

But now wasn’t the time to argue about that. I was too happy to be back in his arms after ten days. I wanted to nuzzle my cheek against his warm chest, inhale his scent, and offer my face to receive a shower of kisses from him.

“I won’t leave you. I can’t.”

“Make sure you keep that promise.”

Camian whispered in a low voice, his words stirring a sense of déjà vu. There had been a time before when I was swept up and made a similar promise to him, but my alcohol-softened brain couldn’t quite recall the details.

Still, it didn’t matter. If it meant I could keep Camian, who was filling my arms so completely, I’d make any promise. I lifted my head and looked up at him. He pressed a light kiss to my nose and smiled slowly.

I stared at Camian’s face for a long time, feeling a quiet happiness just from looking at him. As I gently closed my eyes, I felt his breath get closer until his lips met mine. The soft smile playing on his lips was palpable as he kissed me deeply.

Our heartbeats blended together, thumping rapidly in unison. Savoring the lovely sound with my ears and skin, I finally fell into a peaceful sleep after ten long days.