A Psychopath Reborn as a Third-rate Villain

The wrapping fell away.

”...”

Aurelia blinked.

Inside...

Rested a single bottle of rum.

For several long seconds...

She simply stared at it.

”...Rum?”

Of every gift she had imagined receiving on her eighteenth birthday...

This had never crossed her mind.

She carefully lifted the bottle from its velvet-lined box.

The crystal glass was flawless, allowing the rich amber liquor within to catch the morning sunlight. Golden hues shimmered through the liquid like liquid fire, casting warm reflections across the polished floor.

The bottle itself was a work of art.

Elegant black crystal.

A silver wax seal.

An aged label inscribed with ancient Imperial script.

The moment her eyes settled upon the name...

Her sapphire pupils widened.

”...Moonfall Sovereign Reserve.”

A faint look of disbelief crossed her face.

”This...”

”This is one of the rarest rums ever produced.”

Even within the Empire...

Only a handful of bottles remained.

It had been aged for over a century inside enchanted oak casks carved from Moonwood trees, allowing the liquor to absorb traces of mana over decades. Its mellow aroma, impossibly smooth finish, and almost mythical rarity had elevated it beyond an ordinary spirit.

Collectors across the continent had spent fortunes searching for a single unopened bottle.

Most failed.

Many even believed that no unopened bottle remained anywhere within the Empire.

She slowly turned the bottle in her hands.

A small smile appeared on her lips.

”So...”

”This was your gift.”

A soft laugh escaped her.

”What exactly were you thinking, Lord Andras?”

Alcohol was hardly considered an appropriate birthday present for an Imperial Princess.

Most nobles presented priceless jewels.

Ancient relics.

Masterpiece paintings.

Enchanted artifacts.

Or treasures worthy of being displayed within the Imperial Treasury.

Yet...

Someone had simply handed her an incredibly expensive bottle of rum.

It was absurd.

Completely improper.

And somehow...

Wonderfully refreshing.

Hidden beneath the flawless image of the Empire’s First Princess lay a hobby known only to a handful of trusted attendants.

She loved collecting fine liquor.

Especially rare rum.

She rarely drank to the point of intoxication.

Instead, she appreciated the craftsmanship behind every bottle—the history, the aroma, and the countless years required to create something truly exceptional.

Finding a bottle she had never tasted had become almost impossible.

Yet somehow...

Andras had accomplished exactly that.

Her curiosity deepened.

Was it merely coincidence?

Or had he somehow learned one of the few secrets she had never shared with the outside world?

She glanced inside the box once more.

There was another item.

A neatly folded card.

Curiosity flickered across her eyes.

She unfolded it.

Neat, confident handwriting greeted her.

> Happy Birthday, Princess Aurelia.

You may think this is either the best gift... or the worst one.

The truth is, I’m terrible at choosing presents.

After thinking for a long time, I decided to give away something I personally treasure.

This bottle comes from my own premium collection.

I almost cried while packing it.

If Your Highness doesn’t enjoy drinking, feel free to gift it to His Majesty or one of your brothers.

At least someone should appreciate my sacrifice.

—Andras Darkmoor

Silence filled the room.

Then...

Aurelia laughed.

A genuine laugh.

Not the graceful smile she displayed before nobles.

Not the carefully measured expression expected of an Imperial Princess.

A real laugh.

Bright.

Natural.

Unrestrained.

”I almost cried while packing it...”

She read the sentence once again.

Her smile widened even further.

”...What a strange person.”

Every other noble had written elegant congratulations.

Some praised her beauty.

Others glorified the Empire.

Many carefully chose words meant to flatter her.

Only Andras...

Had written something so shamelessly honest.

It lacked refinement.

It lacked political calculation.

Yet somehow...

It felt more genuine than every carefully crafted letter she had received that morning.

Her fingers gently brushed across the cool crystal bottle.

A thoughtful expression settled upon her delicate features.

First...

A soul her talent could not judge.

Now...

A gift that seemed chosen specifically for her.

”...Just who are you, Andras Darkmoor?”

For the first time in many years...

Someone had genuinely captured her curiosity.

---

Far away from the Imperial Capital...

A black carriage bearing the silver wolf crest of House Darkmoor rolled steadily along the Empire’s ancient highways.

Golden fields drifted past the windows, broken only by quiet forests and distant villages.

Inside...

Andras rested his chin upon one hand as he gazed silently outside.

By now...

Princess Aurelia had most likely opened his gift.

A faint smile appeared on his lips.

She had looked into his soul.

And she had undoubtedly been shaken by what she witnessed.

Now...

She had received a gift unlike anything presented by the rest of the Empire.

Exactly as planned.

According to Rise of the Sword Hero...

Princess Aurelia possessed an unexpected fondness for rare liquor.

A harmless indulgence carefully hidden beneath her flawless public image.

Very few people ever discovered it.

He simply possessed knowledge that no one else in this world could possibly possess.

Interest.

Curiosity.

Mystery.

Those things lingered far longer than mere beauty ever could.

And Aurelia was far too intelligent to be captivated by appearances alone.

If he intended to draw the future Princess into his sphere of influence...

The first move had already been made.

Across from him...

Evelyne watched her son with a gentle smile.

”You seem to be in a good mood.”

Andras turned toward her.

”The banquet was enjoyable.”

She tilted her head slightly.

”And what was your favorite part?”

”The dance.”

Her silver eyes sparkled.

”With Lady Seraphina?”

Andras shook his head without hesitation.

”With you.”

For the briefest moment...

Evelyne was genuinely surprised.

Then warmth slowly spread across her beautiful face.

”I should feel honored.”

”You should.”

He answered with complete seriousness.

A quiet laugh escaped her lips.

”I also noticed you teasing Seris during lunch.”

”So...”

”The two of you have truly reconciled?”

Andras nodded calmly.

”As I mentioned before...”

”She apologized.”

”I accepted.”

”We’re siblings.”

”Conflicts are inevitable.”

Evelyne’s shoulders relaxed.

The final worry she had quietly carried since arriving in the Capital finally disappeared.

”I’m glad.”

”I’ve wanted to see the two of you smile together again for a long time.”

Her voice carried unmistakable relief.

Andras simply smiled.

Yet...

As he turned his gaze back toward the passing scenery...

His thoughts became far colder.

Accepted her apology?

Not quite.

I accepted her words.

Forgiveness... is another matter entirely.

Some debts don’t disappear with a simple apology.

They merely wait.

Whether they’re repaid through kindness...

Or suffering...

Depends entirely on the one who owes them.

---

The journey continued without incident.

As evening settled over the Empire...

House Darkmoor’s convoy established camp beside a quiet forest clearing.

The knights established a defensive perimeter with practiced efficiency while servants prepared a modest dinner over several crackling campfires.

The night passed peacefully beneath a sky strewn with countless stars.

Unlike their journey toward the Imperial Capital...

There were no wandering tribes.

No unexpected attacks.

No strange encounters.

Only quiet roads stretching endlessly toward home.

When dawn painted the eastern horizon in shades of gold...

The convoy resumed its journey.

Several hours later...

The towering silver walls of Darkmoor Duchy finally appeared in the distance.

A faint smile tugged at the corner of Andras’s lips.

The towering walls of Darkmoor Duchy stood proudly against the horizon.

Home.