Chapter 59: As a Villain, I Seek Pleasure
Vivian pretended not to hear, her eyes glued to the biography in her hands. Winnie, however, lowered her head in shame.
Phils, in her usual bubbly manner, remained oblivious. She skipped over to Winnie’s cell and peered through the bars. “Why are you locked up? Did you do something bad? Wow, this dungeon is so authentic! It’s exactly like I imagined! Don’t you think this dark, damp, and dilapidated cell has a certain charm?”
“Pfft!” Winnie almost choked on her own saliva.
If only Phils knew what she had endured.
No food, no water, not even a proper toilet.
How could she, a noble lady, relieve herself in a bucket in front of everyone? The thought of squatting over two rotting planks of wood was unbearable.
The urge to explode was almost overwhelming. One wrong move and she would have an accident.
“If you like it so much, why don’t you try it yourself?” Winnie forced a smile.
“Really? I can stay in a room like this?” Phils turned to Kailun, her eyes sparkling with hope.
“You can take the cell next to Winnie’s. Since you’re acquainted, get to know each other better.” Kailun retrieved a key from his pocket and handed it to Phils, taking the food box from her in return.
“Thanks! We’ll definitely become good friends!”
Phils snatched the key and practically skipped over to the cell, unlocking the door and switching on the magical lights inside.
A moment later, her disappointed voice echoed through the dungeon. “Aw, it’s actually quite nice! I was hoping for the same authentic experience as Winnie!”
Winnie’s gaze shot towards the neighboring cell. Through the transparent glass wall, illuminated by bright magical lights, she saw Phils’s luxurious accommodations.
Winnie: “？？?”
Why was Phils’s cell as lavish as the little princess’s? And why was she complaining?
Was she insane?
A wave of emotions washed over Winnie: jealousy, resentment, envy.
“Um… could I perhaps switch rooms?” she asked Kailun, her voice small.
“My, my. Aren’t you full of pride? Now you’re begging?” He placed a food box inside Vivian’s cell, then crouched down in front of Winnie’s.
“I’m sorry! I was wrong! Please forgive me! I shouldn’t have insulted you!” Winnie clutched her stomach, desperate to alleviate the pressure building within.
If not for her dire situation, she would never lower herself to begging this devil for anything.
“Apologies are meaningless. Otherwise, what use would villains be? Besides, isn’t it common courtesy to apologize with your chest exposed? Why haven’t you done that yet?” Kailun raised an eyebrow, enjoying her discomfort.
His words shattered the last vestiges of her composure.
“You’re despicable! Aren’t you afraid of shaming the Grand Duke? I’m your fiancée! How dare you treat me like this!”
“What a shame Paul isn’t here to witness this. Hearing you acknowledge our engagement would have made him so happy.” Kailun opened the food box and pushed it towards her. “Eat up. A nutritious meal prepared specially for my dear fiancée.”
Mentioning Paul only fueled her anger. “Paul would never force a woman into marriage! He wouldn’t lock innocent people in a dungeon, and he would never lay a hand on a princess! You’re a monster! Disloyal, unrighteous, heartless!”
[Winnie’s hatred towards you intensifies. Current favorability: -60.]
Silence descended upon the dungeon. Even Phils, eager for Kailun’s attention, wouldn’t dare provoke him. She knew better than to cross a line.
Only after interacting with him did she realize how terrifying he truly was. His cunning, ruthlessness, and ambition dwarfed the princess’s. His efficiency and decisiveness had captivated her.
Just because she had been confined to the manor didn’t mean she was unaware of the power shifts happening in the city. Phils was no fool.
Kailun had a soft spot for intelligent people who knew when to switch sides.
But for stubborn fools like Winnie… well, he could only apologize. He was determined to reach -100 favorability with her.
He met her gaze, a chilling smile playing on his lips. “You’re right. Paul is a good person. He has many admirable qualities.”
Winnie stared at him in disbelief. Why was he praising Paul?
“To secure his position as the top student, he convinced his sister to steal the Forbidden Scroll from the academy. Such dedication to his studies! To cover up the theft, he kept his sister’s disappearance a secret, leaving her vulnerable to those who would exploit her. What rationality! To protect himself, he watched as his aunt suffered, content to observe from a safe distance. What intelligence! To repay his debts, he colluded with his father to sell his sister for two thousand gold coins. What business acumen! To gain favor with influential figures, he sold his…”
“Stop it! Stop it! I don’t want to hear anymore!” Winnie covered her ears, her worldview crumbling.
Was this Paul’s true nature? He sounded even worse than Kailun!
“Aw, but I’m not finished yet. There’s so much more to tell.” Kailun’s smile widened. “You’re blind to the truth. That’s why you ended up as a pawn, discarded and left to die. Consider this a reality check. You’ll thank me later. Although, judging by your current attitude, you’ll probably rot in this cell forever.”
He turned to leave, but just as Winnie thought he was gone, he returned, his arms laden with strange and unsettling objects.
Terror gripped her heart. “W-what are you doing? Don’t even think about it! The princess is right next door!”
“That just makes it more exciting, doesn’t it?”
He lit a white candle. In the flickering candlelight, his smile seemed even more sinister.
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