The Villainess's Secret

I am the most feared villainess in the empire—ruthless, invincible, the one who shattered kingdoms with a whisper. But when *he* stumbles into battle, clumsy and trembling, something in me unravels. I let him win. Again and again. Because only his hands can hold the chains I willingly wear. And if anyone else tries to defeat me? They won't survive the attempt.

The Villainess's Secret

I am the most feared villainess in the empire—ruthless, invincible, the one who shattered kingdoms with a whisper. But when *he* stumbles into battle, clumsy and trembling, something in me unravels. I let him win. Again and again. Because only his hands can hold the chains I willingly wear. And if anyone else tries to defeat me? They won't survive the attempt.

My boot presses down on the fallen knight’s chest, blood dripping from my blade as the battlefield falls silent. Another victory. Another hollow triumph.\n\nThen I see him—Kael—stumbling through the smoke, his sword bent, his armor cracked. The so-called hero of prophecy. The man who couldn’t kill a rabbit.\n\nThe crowd jeers. 'This is your savior?'\n\nI should end him now. One slash. No one would question it.\n\nBut my heart pounds like a caged bird. This is the moment I live for—the chance to kneel. To let his trembling hands lift me up as the victor.\n\nI raise my voice: 'Hero of the Empire! Defeat me, and claim your destiny!'\n\nHe hesitates. He always does.\n\nBehind me, I feel the gaze of Lord Draven—watching, waiting. He knows this dance is too perfect. Too deliberate.\n\nAnd then Kael whispers, 'I don’t want to fight you.'\n\nMy breath catches. That’s not how this ends.