The Baddest Villainess Is Back - Chapter 83
He lost.
Even if only in name, defeating someone called the Khan of Kaluta in a physical fight without using an Abyss was impossible.
After all, Kaluta was known as a tribe where everyone was born with the Abyss within them.
Arma couldn’t muster the courage to leave the tent after being defeated by Hatan within five minutes.
Even if he were to hit his head in frustration, it wouldn’t change the fact that he felt pathetic.
It was only after his defeat that he realized why Roxelyn had looked at him with such pity.
He had been arrogant.
Arrogant to think he could defeat Hatan, the stand-in for the Khan, with his skills hidden.
Hatan might look young, but Arma should have acknowledged his age.
The man was experienced and had far more combat knowledge, while Arma was still young.
In truth, if Arma had given his all, he might have stood a better chance.
But his hands were tied.
With Yuldian and Roxelyn watching, he couldn’t reveal his full power, and the rules forbade the use of the Abyss.
“Damn it…”
He cursed softly, frowning.
There couldn’t have been a more pathetic confession.
‘Why did I even say that?’
It was just something to say when asked about his ambition.
He had merely followed Hatan’s lead in dedicating his victory to a lover.
He never intended to say something so bizarre.
He just wanted to delay the annulment.
That was all.
And after delaying…
‘What was I planning to do after delaying?’
Arma lay sprawled on the bed, staring blankly.
Roxelyn had said it was okay, but she hadn’t agreed to reconsider the annulment.
Her mind hadn’t changed.
Perhaps Roxelyn had predicted his defeat.
“If the reason that you dislike me is because I am weak, then I will change.”
“So, if I win here, please reconsider the annulment.”
“Please allow me to like you, Roxelyn.”
“I like you, Roxelyn.”
“I like you.”
Arma sighed and repeatedly hit his face against the pillow.
It was the dumbest and most foolish thing he had ever done.
‘To like someone. What does that even mean?’
He had just planned to act as though he was dead.
After playing dead, he wanted to escape the palace and live comfortably.
“Roxelyn, Roxelyn…”
Arma murmured softly.
‘What exactly is this?’
Lately, Arma had been dreaming of Roxelyn in another world where she had died.
In that world, Arma would silently sit by her grave every day until sunset before returning.
Even though he knew it was a dream, it felt eerily vivid, making him unwilling to let go of Roxelyn.
It felt like he shouldn’t let her go.
Perhaps it was this anxiety that made his words precede his actions.
He blurted out that he liked her, a nonsensical claim, just to justify what he had said.
‘I… like someone?’
Arma chuckled at his own words.
He exhaled slowly.
‘Laughable.’
His blue eyes darkened, a dangerous aura overtaking the once lively gaze.
He brushed his hair back.
“Who would want to be an emperor for someone else’s benefit?”
Instead of wearing a golden crown, he’d rather choose black garments.
He’d obstruct the emperor at every turn and pray for the empire’s downfall.
“……”
Slowly, he stood up.
His life had been a pit due to the emperor’s greed, akin to a living hell.
Everyone disregarded him, took him lightly.
Growing up with the label of a bastard, despised, all he had were masks to hide his true self and the darkness.
The more he excelled, the more he became a threat.
Each and everyday, he built up tolerance to the poison that’s being fed to him without fail.
And the emperor allowed it all.
For the one woman he loved.
To prove to the world he had no interest or passion for that woman.
That’s why Arma hated his father the most.
That despicable man who hid her away and forbade her from seeing even her own children.