A Psychopath Reborn as a Third-rate Villain

Together, they stepped inside.

Seraphina’s sapphire eyes slowly swept across Andras’s room.

The chamber was spacious without feeling extravagant.

A high vaulted ceiling rested upon intricately carved stone pillars etched with the ancient crest of House Darkmoor. Warm golden light spilled from enchanted antique lamps, bathing the polished mahogany furniture in a gentle glow. Floor-to-ceiling bookshelves lined an entire wall, filled with countless volumes on magic, history, military strategy, philosophy, and literature collected over generations.

A large writing desk stood beside a crystal window overlooking the eastern gardens. Neatly arranged parchment, bottles of ink, and several finely crafted quills rested upon its surface. Opposite the desk sat a comfortable seating area surrounding a low oak table, while a black marble fireplace crackled softly, filling the room with a pleasant warmth.

The faint scent of aged parchment mingled with polished wood, and beyond the open window came the distant songs of birds and the rustling of leaves stirred by the afternoon breeze.

Everything was impeccably organized.

Nothing appeared excessive.

The room reflected its owner perfectly—calm, orderly, and quietly refined.

Seraphina observed the room for another moment before smiling faintly.

”It’s... surprisingly normal.”

Andras glanced at her.

”Of course it’s normal.”

A hint of amusement appeared in his violet eyes.

”What exactly were you expecting my room to look like?”

Seraphina placed a finger against her chin as though genuinely considering the question.

”To be honest...”

”I expected something far more extravagant.”

She hesitated for a moment before adding with slight embarrassment,

”Or perhaps...”

”...to discover something rather... indescribable.”

Andras blinked once.

Then let out a quiet laugh.

”What exactly is going on inside your head to come up with an idea like that?”

A faint blush appeared on Seraphina’s cheeks.

”When someone is surrounded by so many strange rumors...”

”...one’s imagination tends to wander.”

”I see.”

He walked toward the seating area.

”Come.”

”Let’s sit.”

The two of them settled into comfortable chairs opposite one another.

For a few moments, silence lingered naturally between them.

Then Andras spoke.

”So...”

”What do you usually do in your spare time?”

Seraphina smiled thoughtfully.

”I enjoy training.”

”Reading.”

”And painting.”

”You paint?”

A trace of curiosity appeared on Andras’s face.

”I didn’t expect that.”

She nodded.

”I find it relaxing.”

”It helps clear my thoughts after long days of studying or practicing magic.”

Andras gave a small nod.

”That sounds reasonable.”

She looked back at him with quiet curiosity.

”What about you?”

”What are your hobbies?”

He answered without hesitation.

”Training.”

”Sleeping.”

”And enjoying a good drink.”

Seraphina blinked.

”I understand training...”

”But sleeping and drinking?”

”You say that so naturally.”

Andras shrugged.

”A hobby is simply something a person enjoys doing during their free time.”

”When I have nothing important to accomplish...”

”I prefer sleeping.”

”And when the occasion calls for it, I appreciate a well-made glass of wine.”

”So yes.”

”I consider both hobbies.”

Seraphina couldn’t help smiling.

”I’ve never heard anyone describe sleeping as a hobby before.”

”There’s a first time for everything.”

A soft laugh escaped her lips.

The atmosphere between them became noticeably more relaxed.

After a brief pause, Andras asked another question.

”What do you dislike the most?”

Seraphina considered the question carefully.

”Probably...”

”...being interrupted while I’m training.”

She smiled helplessly.

”Once I become focused on something, I dislike losing my concentration.”

She tilted her head slightly.

”And you?”

”What do you dislike the most?”

Andras leaned back comfortably.

”For me...”

”It’s when someone tries to decide how I should live.”

Seraphina looked at him with quiet curiosity.

”Is there a reason?”

”There is.”

His voice remained calm.

”I don’t mind advice.”

”Advice is offered.”

”It’s my choice whether I accept it.”

He paused briefly before continuing.

”But orders are different.”

”Many people tell others how they should live because they believe their own way is the only correct one.”

His gaze drifted toward the window.

”I’ve never liked that.”

”If I succeed...”

”The result belongs to me.”

”If I fail...”

”Then the consequences are mine to bear.”

He looked back at her.

”I’d rather make my own mistakes than spend my life following someone else’s expectations.”

Seraphina remained silent for a moment.

Then she smiled softly.

”That’s... a very Andras-like answer.”

He regarded her quietly.

”I wasn’t aware my answers had a pattern.”

Seraphina chuckled.

”Perhaps they don’t.”

”But they do sound unmistakably like yours.”

Their conversation continued naturally.

They spoke about books they had read.

Life at the Imperial Academy.

Favorite places within their respective duchies.

The changing seasons.

Northern winters.

Travel.

Even a few amusing childhood memories.

Neither of them noticed how quickly time slipped away.

Knock.

A gentle sound echoed through the room.

”Come in.”

The door opened quietly.

Lyra stepped inside before bowing respectfully.

”Young Master.”

”The Duchess asked me to inform you that lunch is ready.”

She then noticed Seraphina sitting opposite him.

For the briefest moment...

Something flickered across her gentle eyes.

It disappeared so quickly that anyone else might have missed it.

She lowered her gaze immediately, maintaining her usual composed expression.

Andras rose from his seat.

”Very well.”

”We’ll be there shortly.”

”As you wish, Young Master.”

Lyra bowed once more before quietly leaving the room.

Seraphina watched the closed door for a brief moment.

She felt as though the maid had wanted to say something.

Yet...

She chose not to dwell on it.

Perhaps she had simply imagined it.

Without another word, the two of them made their way toward the dining hall.

---

Lunch passed peacefully.

Evelyne welcomed them with her usual gentle smile, and the conversation flowed naturally from one topic to another.

Stories from the journey.

Preparations for the Imperial Princess’s birthday banquet.

Laughter occasionally filled the dining hall, making the atmosphere surprisingly warm.

By the time the meal ended, the afternoon had nearly slipped away.

As the servants began clearing the table, Evelyne looked toward the two young nobles.

”What would you both like for dinner tonight?”

Seraphina smiled politely.

”I’m not a picky eater, Duchess.”

”I’ll gladly eat whatever food is.”

Andras rested his chin lightly on one hand.

”Since Seraphina is here...”

”Why don’t we have something different?”

He looked toward Evelyne.

”It’s been years since I’ve tasted your cooking.”

A faint smile appeared on his face.

”Let’s have a barbecue tonight.”

”And...”

”I’d like you to make it.”

For a brief moment, Evelyne simply looked at him.

Then her expression softened.

”It really has been a long time...”

She smiled warmly.

”Very well.”

”A barbecue it is.”

---

Night gradually descended upon Darkmoor Manor.

The gardens were illuminated by softly glowing enchanted lanterns suspended from elegant iron posts, casting warm pools of golden light across the stone pathways.

Several servants had already finished preparing everything.

A large stone grill stood at the center of the garden, surrounded by neatly arranged tables laden with fresh vegetables, herbs, sauces, marinated meats, and fragrant spices.

The cool evening breeze carried the scent of blooming flowers through the garden.

Evelyne rolled up the sleeves of her elegant dress ever so slightly before smiling at the two of them.

”Tonight...”

She said warmly.

”Leave everything to me.”

A few moments later...

The first crackling sounds of the fire echoed through the peaceful night.