The Baddest Villainess Is Back - Chapter 207
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“…”
“…”
They got separated.
All of them, in different directions.
Faced with the unexpected situation, Roxelyn rubbed the back of her neck.
‘So, it’s just the two of us…’
Only Arma and Roxelyn remained together. The rest had disappeared the moment they set foot in the maze, instantly swallowed up by the encroaching thorny vines.
She wasn’t worried about Gerun Wilfred.
‘For some strange reason, I have this certainty that man will never die.’
As for the High Priest, though he complained about his weakness, he would likely survive on his own.
‘Batar, though… he’s a bit of a concern.’
“Roooo!! Xeee!!! Lyyyn!! Where are you!! Ladyyy!!”
Though she couldn’t pinpoint his exact location, the loud, almost monstrous voice echoing from somewhere reassured Roxelyn.
‘He’s still full of energy.’
The fact that he was still using that bizarre formal speech meant he was doing just fine.
Roxelyn wasn’t worried about herself—she could handle this situation without issue. The regular priests might be a concern, but she doubted any of them would die.
Roxelyn quickly finished her assessment.
“Since we can’t use our abilities, I don’t think we’ll be able to jump over the thorn bushes.”
“Yes.”
Roxelyn pointed down a straight path with her finger.
“Let’s go this way.”
“Ah, yes. By the way… may I hold your hand? Just in case the vines suddenly separate us again.”
At Arma’s long-winded explanation, Roxelyn wordlessly took his hand.
His large hand enveloped her small one. Roxelyn involuntarily shuddered, her shoulders trembling slightly.
“…Holding hands feels… stranger than I thought.”
“Do you dislike it…?”
“No, it just feels strange.”
Her hand felt hot, her heart was racing, and there was a tickling sensation that made her want to scratch her body with her nails.
“It’s like bugs are crawling all over me.”
“…Pardon?”
Arma looked at her, utterly shocked. Though they continued walking awkwardly, the astonishment on his face was clear from his open mouth.
“…B-Bugs…”
Muttering under his breath, Arma ran his free hand down his face.
Roxelyn stopped walking. They had reached a fork in the maze. Arma finally noticed it as well, frowning.
“It’s a fork.”
“Left.”
Roxelyn spoke casually, tugging Arma forward by the hand.
“Ah, yes.”
“Next, it’ll be to the right. After that, the correct path will be to go straight.”
As Roxelyn murmured directions, Arma’s eyes widened slightly. His expression darkened as he spoke.
“…Have you been here before? In the other world, with me?”
“No.”
She replied calmly, continuing to lead them down the path.
“I came here after you died. Rather, after you faked your death and left me.”
“…Oh.”
Arma, suddenly at a loss for words, sighed quietly.
“I’m sorry.”
“There’s nothing for you to apologize for, Arma.”
Roxelyn felt her way along the wall with her right hand as they walked.
“That was a choice we both made. I wasn’t without fault either.”
“…”
“I didn’t realize I liked the Third Prince.”
Arma’s eyes widened slightly at her words.
“I was always too busy building walls, raising thorns, and keeping people at a distance. I thought I could survive on my own without anyone’s help, and I believed that every moment I was alone was a choice I made for myself.”
“…”
“But when I look back, that wasn’t really the case. Every moment, someone else’s help was there.”
Life was filled with the marks of other people’s hands at every step. Even the meals bought from street vendors were the result of someone else’s work.
The fact that she had grown up safely, that she had survived until now, was all thanks to the help of others.
Even the privilege she held, which allowed her to trade information, had been granted to her.
Privilege was a good thing, of course.
But back then, Roxelyn had believed that she had earned everything by herself.
“Once, the Third Prince told me that no one can live alone.”
Arma’s expression hardened at her words—it was a belief he had shared.
“I was never kind to him, even though he approached me so kindly. But maybe that was to be expected.”
That was why, even when she learned the truth, she didn’t harbor much resentment.
If the effort bore no fruit, then it could be abandoned.
