A Psychopath Reborn as a Third-rate Villain

Evelyne studied her son for a long moment before finally asking,

”Who was it?”

Andras answered without hesitation.

”Romeo Ravenhart.”

”The eldest son of Count Ravenhart.”

A faint frown appeared on Evelyne’s face.

”And why would he want to assassinate you?”

Andras let out a quiet laugh.

”To be honest... I’m not entirely certain.”

”However, I believe I know the most likely reason.”

Evelyne folded her arms.

”Then stop laughing and explain.”

A faint smile tugged at Andras’s lips before he gave a slight nod.

”Yes, Mother.”

He continued calmly,

”I noticed him during the waltz.”

”When I was dancing with Seraphina, I sensed hostility directed toward me.”

”I believe Romeo is obsessed with her.”

”He likely lost his composure out of jealousy after seeing us dance together.”

Andras shrugged.

”At the time, I dismissed the thought.”

”After all, Seraphina is my fiancée, and I am the son of the Duchess of House Darkmoor.”

”I didn’t believe the son of a mere Count would be foolish enough to risk everything over something as insignificant as unrequited love.”

He paused for a moment before adding,

”Of course... there could be another reason.”

”But frankly...”

”I don’t particularly care.”

Silence lingered in the corridor.

Evelyne’s silver eyes gradually turned cold.

”So...”

”What do you intend to do about Romeo?”

A faint killing intent escaped her.

”Shall we simply visit House Ravenhart and kill him?”

Andras shook his head.

”No.”

”I will kill him.”

”But not yet.”

His violet eyes remained calm.

”If we eliminate him now, it will create unnecessary complications.”

”Neither you nor I care about the opinions of the nobility...”

”But there is no reason to act recklessly.”

A faint smile curved his lips.

”Besides...”

”I intend to enjoy this.”

”It is the first time someone has dared to send assassins after me.”

”It would be a waste to end the game so quickly.”

He stepped closer and quietly explained his plan.

Evelyne listened without interrupting.

By the time he finished, a faint smile had appeared upon her elegant face.

”As expected of my son.”

”Very well.”

”Do as you wish.”

”I’ll make the necessary preparations for whatever follows.”

Andras smiled.

”Thank you, Mother.”

He casually waved the matter aside.

”Enough talking about a loser.”

”It’s almost time for dinner.”

”Let’s eat.”

A quiet laugh escaped Evelyne’s lips.

”Very well.”

The two walked side by side toward the dining hall.

Dinner passed peacefully as mother and son spoke about ordinary matters rather than politics or assassination.

Afterward, they returned to their respective wings of the manor.

Andras entered his room and quietly closed the door behind him.

He bathed, washing away the dust and dried blood left behind by the day’s battle before changing into a fresh set of comfortable clothes.

The torn garments from the fight were left aside for the servants to dispose of later.

He then sat cross-legged upon his bed.

Mana flowed steadily through his body as he entered meditation.

Hours slipped by unnoticed.

Only when the night had grown deep did he slowly open his eyes.

A gentle knock echoed through the room.

Knock.

Knock.

Knock.

”Come in.”

The door opened.

Lyra stepped quietly inside.

Instead of her usual maid uniform, she wore a far more revealing outfit.

The delicate fabric clung to her figure, exposing far more of her fair skin than she had ever dared before. Her cheeks were already burning crimson, and her hands trembled as she gripped the edge of her skirt.

She couldn’t even bring herself to meet Andras’s eyes.

A hint of surprise crossed his face.

”Oh...”

”Now this is unexpected.”

His violet eyes briefly swept over her before returning to her face.

”Lyra.”

”What prompted you to dress like this tonight?”

She remained silent.

Her face grew even redder.

Several long moments passed before she finally forced herself to speak.

”...Young Master...”

Her voice was barely above a whisper.

”I... I didn’t know how else to repay you.”

She clenched her hands tighter.

”You saved my life.”

”You used a healing potion that was worth more than everything I own.”

Her lips trembled.

”I have no wealth.”

”No influence.”

”No strength.”

She lowered her head even further.

”The only thing of any value I believed I still possessed...”

”...was myself.”

”I thought...”

”If I offered everything to you willingly...”

”Perhaps I could repay even a small part of the debt I owe.”

Silence filled the room.

Andras simply watched her.

There was no lust in his gaze.

Only quiet observation.

He understood immediately.

She wasn’t trying to seduce him.

She genuinely believed this was the only repayment she could offer.

It wasn’t confidence that had brought her here.

It was gratitude...

Mixed with insecurity and a painful belief that she possessed nothing else of value.

He leaned back in his chair.

”So...”

”You came here of your own accord?”

Lyra nodded faintly.

”...Yes.”

”I chose this myself.”

Andras remained silent for a moment before speaking again.

”So tell me...”

”What exactly do you hope to accomplish by coming here like this?”

Lyra drew a slow, unsteady breath.

”I came here to thank you.”

”For saving my life...”

”And for using such an expensive healing potion on someone like me.”

She looked down at her hands.

”I know I could never afford something so valuable.”

”And yet...”

”You used it without hesitation.”

She paused before continuing.

”I’ve also thought carefully about what you said today.”

”You told me that if something like this ever happened again...”

”...I should use my head before acting on impulse.”

A faint, bitter smile appeared on her lips.

”I truly understand your words.”

”But...”

She slowly raised her eyes.

”I don’t think I could do it.”

”If I saw your life in danger again...”

”My heart would make the same choice.”

”I would still step in front of you.”

Silence settled between them.

After a moment, she bowed deeply.

”That is why I’ve come to ask something of you.”

”I want to become stronger.”

”I don’t want to be a burden anymore.”

”I don’t want to be someone who can only be protected.”

”I want to become strong enough to stand beside you.”

”And if the day comes when danger appears again...”

”I want to have the strength to protect you instead.”

For several long moments, Andras simply looked at her.

His expression remained unreadable.

Right now... her value isn’t particularly high.

The greatest value she possessed was her talent... and I’ve already acquired it.

At present, she’s little more than a canary in a gilded cage.

However...

Her greatest worth had never been her current strength.

It was her potential.

Someone willing to throw away her life without hesitation could, if properly guided, become a surprisingly capable blade.

Whether she reached that potential depended entirely on her own effort.

A faint smile crossed his face.

”So...”

”You wish to become stronger?”

Lyra nodded firmly.

”Yes, Young Master.”

”Then become stronger.”

His answer was simple.

”You don’t need my permission to pursue strength.”

Lyra hesitated before speaking again.

”I want to learn from you.”

”If you teach me...”

”I’ll work as hard as I can.”

”I’ll complete whatever training you assign.”

Her earnest expression almost resembled that of a hopeful puppy waiting for approval.

Andras couldn’t help but let out a quiet chuckle.

”Not yet.”

Lyra blinked.

”...Young Master?”

”The Imperial Academy opens in three weeks.”

”You’ll accompany me there as my personal maid.”

”Until then...”

”Spend your time in the library.”

”Read everything you can about mana meditation, talent development, combat fundamentals, and the proper application of abilities.”

”The foundation is more important than swinging a sword.”

”When you’ve built that foundation...”

”We’ll discuss your training.”

Lyra’s blue eyes brightened.

”Thank you, Young Master.”

She bowed deeply, unable to hide the determination in her voice.

”I won’t disappoint you.”

Andras gave a small nod.

”We’ll see.”

He gestured toward the chair opposite him.

”Come here.”