Saving You, Villain - Side Story Part 12: Behind the Scenes (Completed)

Heavy footsteps echoed across the glossy black floor. Rainer, unable to hide his excitement, made his way to Celiana’s office.

“Celiana! Look what I’ve brought!”

Celiana, who had been reclining deeply in her chair, raised an eyebrow.

“Camian has made a contract with me. He signed it in blood, offering me his soul after death!”

Rainer puffed out his chest proudly, grinning from ear to ear, as he handed the contract over to Celiana. He looked like a dog eagerly awaiting praise.

“Oh dear.”

A regretful sigh escaped from between Celiana’s red lips. She stood up and cupped Rainer’s cheek, her short, sharp bob swaying slightly.

“My foolish, silly Rainer.”

Celiana burned the contract that Rainer was holding. Rainer, in shock, frantically waved his hand, trying to extinguish the flames, but the contract quickly turned to black ash, scattering onto the floor.

“C-Celiana. What are you…?”

“You’ve been fooled by that clever Camian again, Rainer.”

Rainer stared helplessly at the pile of ashes beneath him.

“What?”

“Offering his soul after death… It’s a sweet enough deal to tempt my clueless Rainer.”

Celiana leaned against the table, gently stroking the underside of Rainer’s chin.

“But, can you be so sure that you’ll live longer than Camian?”

“…Huh?”

“To claim Camian’s soul after death, you’d have to outlive that cunning son of his. Do you really think that’s possible?”

“…”

Rainer was at a loss for words, his mouth opening and closing silently. The next emotion to rise within him was fury. That wretched brat! He had been utterly deceived. While he thought Camian was completely obsessed with restoring Liv’s sight, it turned out he had been scheming something far darker all along!

“No matter how estranged you are from your son, you don’t know him at all. That’s why you’re always falling for his tricks.”

Rainer clenched his fists, his body trembling with betrayal. Celiana, on the other hand, laughed, finding his reaction endearing.

“It’s alright, Rainer. You’re not the first, nor will you be the last, to be fooled by Camian. That woman of his should also know how vile and cruel he truly is.”

Celiana’s thoughts wandered to that poor soul, Luke Florence, whose body had been beaten to a pulp. Liv believed Luke had merely been stripped of his professorship and banished from the village, but the truth was that he had met a far more gruesome fate at Camian’s hands.

There was no way Camian would let Luke, who had once caused Liv such distress, walk away freely. Camian had pummeled him until his flesh split, ripped bones from his back, and stomped on his writhing body without mercy. Even as Luke’s organs were crushed, his flesh torn to pieces like butchered meat, Camian’s rage remained unsated.

Celiana was well aware of Camian’s underlying violent nature. Though he lacked familial affection and was not her biological son, the fact remained that he carried her blood. In many ways, Camian resembled her—his thrill for bloodshed, his desire to dominate the world with his overwhelming power, and his utter lack of sympathy or mercy.

Yet, the way he acted like a meek lamb in front of Liv was laughable.

“Disgusting.”

Just thinking about Camian’s two-faced nature sent a shiver down her spine. Celiana clicked her tongue in distaste. As she pondered Camian’s duplicitous behavior, her hand suddenly felt wet. Rainer was standing there, his eyes welling with tears, until he finally broke down, sobbing pitifully.

“Oh, my love.”

Celiana lifted the hand that had been caressing Rainer’s cheek and wiped away his tears.

There was one more trait that Camian had inherited from Celiana: when it came to love, they were both utterly weak.

Celiana smirked to herself at the realization. Watching Rainer, consumed by anger and tears, made her feel a pang of tenderness in her heart.

“Come here, Rainer.”

She embraced him gently. Though she usually felt an urge to rip apart the faces of men who cried, Rainer was different. He was dear to her, stirring feelings of love and affection. In that moment, she couldn’t help but recognize that she wasn’t in any position to criticize Camian for his weaknesses.