I Reincarnated as a Villainous Noble, Nothing More Than the Hero’s Foil: Since the Hero Can Only Bring Misery to My Favorite Heroine, I’ll Use My Game Knowledge and Over-the-Top Effort to Rewrite the Scenario and Make Her Happy. - Chapter 6

Selvia’s Perspective

After the banquet, Brother Cain took me to the manor’s balcony, just the two of us.

The night sky was filled with countless stars, glittering as if to bless our reunion.

“Wow. It’s beautiful, Brother Cain!”

“…Do you remember? It was here, on this very balcony, that I told you I’d make you happy. It was like a proposal.”

“You remember that? That makes me so happy.”

That was a memory from eight years ago.

At the time, we’d been scolded by Lancelot, the butler, for playing on the balcony because it was dangerous.

That day remained a shining memory, forever etched in my heart.

From then on, Brother Cain had always promised to protect me.

“That memory gave me the strength to endure everything at the royal palace, no matter how difficult it was. The only person I love in this world is you, Brother Cain.”

“Whoa, hey now, Selvia. Hearing you say that so directly is overwhelming—I feel like I might die from happiness.”

Brother Cain’s face flushed bright red as he tried to hide his embarrassment.

“By the way, no one knows you’re the real Saint of the World Tree. I only realized it myself right before the banquet, and I panicked.”

“Right before? Then… you didn’t take me back as your fiancée because I’m a saint but because you’ve always loved me?”

Hearing that, my heart overflowed with warmth.

Brother Cain truly was my ideal man. He shone brighter than all the stars in the sky.

“Well, yeah… I mean, I’ve always liked you. I wanted to be the one to make you happy.”

He looked away, perhaps to hide his embarrassment, as he spoke.

“Saying it aloud feels so embarrassing now, even though it’s true.”

“Thank you. For you, Brother Cain, I’d like to use the power of the Saint of the World Tree to bring an abundant harvest to the Schwarz domain. Would that be alright?”

I suggested this enthusiastically, wanting to repay his kindness and help him in any way I could. I also wanted to show my gratitude to Ellis and Father, who had welcomed me so warmly.

“I appreciate it, but if it were revealed that you’re the Saint of the World Tree, Prince Leon might try to take you back. For now, let’s hold off.”

“For now?”

“The Schwarz domain is on the brink of great development with the discovery of the mithril mine. Once that’s underway, I’ll work to become the strongest. I won’t let anyone take you away from me again.”

“…”

The way he kept slipping in words of love so casually was almost unfair.

My cheeks burned with heat, my heart racing uncontrollably.

Brother Cain had always been handsome, but in the past year, he’d become almost impossibly more so.

“Once everything is stable, you can use your powers openly.”

“Thank you.”

“By the way, what exactly did you say to Prince Leon that made him so angry?”

“Well… he tried to force me to become his mistress, and when he pushed me down, I panicked and called out your name.”

“Pushed you down!? Are you okay? Did he hurt you?”

“Yes, I’m fine. He stormed off in anger without doing anything.”

Brother Cain frowned, his quiet anger palpable as he processed my words.

“So that’s it. He realized your heart still belonged to me and decided to use me to hurt you as revenge.”

“I’m sorry. I’ve caused so much trouble for you… I wish I could disappear.”

“No, it’s okay. Don’t say that. Honestly, it helps to hear the truth so I can plan how to counter him. Leon will likely continue to harass us, but don’t worry—I have a plan.”

When I began to slump in despair, Brother Cain gently patted my shoulder and encouraged me.

“Here’s the thing. In about a year, Prince Leon is going to host a martial arts tournament. The winner will be granted any request by the prince himself. I’m going to enter and aim to win.”

“What?”

Even I, who had lived at the royal palace, hadn’t heard of such a tournament.

How did Brother Cain, living in this distant frontier, have access to such information?

Once again, I was reminded of how incredible he was.

“Granted, someone dangerous like Abel the Hero might participate, but if I train as hard as I can, I’m confident I’ll win.”

He thumped his chest proudly, brimming with determination.

“And when I win, I’ll request that Prince Leon officiate our wedding and publicly pardon you of your so-called crimes. If he’s made a public promise to grant the winner’s request, he won’t be able to refuse.”

“That… makes sense.”

With that, even Prince Leon’s schemes would be rendered powerless.

If he wanted to harass us, he’d likely exploit my status as a “false saint.”

But if he publicly blessed our marriage and absolved me of any wrongdoing, he’d lose any leverage.

“But Brother Cain, can you really handle martial arts or magic? I don’t want you doing anything too dangerous.”

I knew he had a powerful unique skill, Dark Moon Blade, that imbued his sword with dark elemental power.

However, he’d always said, “I’m a genius with a unique skill, so I don’t need to bother with training,” and had avoided learning martial arts or magic.

“Don’t worry. I’ll become the strongest in a year. Have I ever broken a promise to you?”

“N-No, never.”

“Exactly. And if I win, even if your true identity as the saint is revealed, no one—not even Prince Leon—will be able to take you away.”

“Oh…”

Hearing him say that so earnestly, my face grew impossibly hot.

To be cherished this much by someone—it felt like a dream.

“Is this your second proposal, Brother Cain? I’m so happy. I’ll never leave your side again.”

But the warmth of his hand in mine reminded me this was no dream.

I clung tightly to his hand, silently praying that I’d never have to let go.