Blessed to be the Villain

Walking into the dining room, Anna spotted two maids—her colleagues—standing near the long oak table. They were whispering and giggling, but the moment they saw her step in, their chatter ceased instantly, and both straightened their backs in a reflex of discipline.

One of them, her close friend Mina, leaned slightly to the side, craning her neck to peek behind Anna as if expecting someone else to follow. Her brows lifted with curiosity when no one appeared.

"Young Master Ethan isn't coming," Anna said, responding to Mina's unspoken question. Her voice was soft, barely above a whisper. "He asked for his meal to be brought to his room."

"Really?" Mina blinked, surprised, her voice reflecting the unexpectedness.

The other maid, Reia, tilted her head, her tone laced with mild concern. "Is he sick? He hasn't come out since morning."

Anna thought back to earlier—how Ethan had looked groggy but otherwise fine. Shaking her head, she replied, "I don't think so."

But then, the memory of his compliment surfaced. Her cheeks warmed slightly, the heat rising up her neck.

Noticing the red tint on her friend's face, Mina raised an eyebrow. "Hey, your face looks flushed. Are you alright? Did something happen?"

"I-it's nothing," Anna mumbled, her gaze darting away as she fidgeted with the hem of her sleeve.

Of course, that only made Mina more suspicious. Knowing Anna's shy nature and soft demeanor, she narrowed her eyes and pressed further, determined to uncover the truth.

"What happened? Did he… do something?"

Anna's eyes widened in alarm, her hands rising in a defensive gesture. "N-no! He didn't do anything. It's just…"

"Just what?" Mina leaned in, voice laced with suspicion and curiosity.

"I… it's just that Master Ethan… he complimented me…" Anna's voice grew softer with each word, trailing off into a near-whisper.

Reia's eyes lit up with mischievous glee. She practically bounced forward, excitement sparkling in her gaze. "Ooooh! What did he say?! Come on, tell us!"

Anna instinctively took a step back, her body recoiling like a timid animal in the face of a predator.

Mina moved in front of her protectively, putting herself between Anna and the overly curious Reia. "Back off, will you?" she snapped.

"Oh, come on," Reia whined. "Don't tell me you're not curious too."

Mina glanced at Anna, hesitating for a moment. She opened her mouth to deny it but… closed it again with a guilty look. "Well…"

Anna gasped, betrayal written all over her face as she took a step back dramatically. "Mina!"

Mina looked away sheepishly, clearly unable to meet her friend's wide, accusing eyes. Reia, however, was relentless.

"So? Spill it! What did he say? How did he compliment you?" Her eyes were practically sparkling.

Anna sighed, realizing there was no way out. Her voice trembled as she began, "W-well… he said thank you."

Reia groaned. "That's it?"

"And… he said my name was lovely… and that my eyes are beautiful."

Reia gasped dramatically, clutching her chest like a maiden in a romance novel. "And then?!"

"And then… I ran out of the room…" Anna admitted, burying her face in her hands.

Reia's expression dropped flat. "Wait, that's it? You just ran?"

Mina shoved Reia back. "You're making her feel worse."

"I'm just saying!" Reia argued, but Mina cut her off.

"She's obviously not fine. Someone compliments her and she runs? That's not normal. Poor young master probably thinks he scared her or something."

Anna's eyes widened. Guilt settled heavy in her chest. "But I didn't mean to… I just—"

"Poor, poor Young Master," Reia said mockingly, placing a hand over her heart, her tone overly dramatic. "He was probably just trying to be polite and nice for once, and what did he get? Rejected. Crushed. Brokenhearted."

"Stop it!" Anna said, her voice a little louder now, hands clenching into fists. Her face had gone full red.

Reia's eyes twinkled mischievously. She gave Anna a quick pinch on the cheek before nodding toward the meal. "C'mon, go bring him his food. And don't run away this time."

"I'm taking Young Master's meal to his room," Anna said, composing herself. She moved to the side table and began placing dishes carefully onto a small wheeled trolley, topping it off with a mug of fresh water.

"Don't forget to thank him properly!" Reia called out as Anna pushed the cart away.

Mina gave Reia a death glare. "Really? You're way too into this."

"What?" Reia said innocently. "I just like a little romance. Besides, the young master is kind of like a prince, isn't he? With that smile…"

Mina rolled her eyes. "Then go serve him yourself."

Reia gave a soft chuckle. "I would, but this isn't a storybook. A prince doesn't fall for a commoner like me."

---

Anna reached Ethan's door where two guards stood in their polished uniforms. Seeing her approach, one of them knocked on the door, then waited.

Moments later, a voice came from inside.

"Let her in."

The guards opened the door, and Anna stepped inside. Her eyes immediately dropped to the floor. Her hands tightened slightly on the trolley's handle as she felt Ethan's gaze settle on her. It was intense, almost suffocating, like he was analyzing every move she made.

She quietly pushed the trolley forward, stopping near his bedside. With practiced hands, she unfolded the top section of the cart, transforming it into a makeshift table. Ethan didn't speak. He simply washed his hands in the basin beside the bed, then began eating.

Anna stood silently beside him, occasionally reaching out to refill his water glass whenever it got low. Her fingers brushed the cool surface of the glass, the clink echoing softly through the room.

As Ethan finished the meal, she moved quickly to gather the used plates, sliding them neatly into the lower compartment of the cart. Just as she began folding the top back down to prepare for her exit, she paused.

Reia's words echoed in her mind.

Pursing her lips, she took a shaky breath and turned back around. Her heart was pounding.

"U-umm… Y-young master," she said.

Ethan paused. She could feel his gaze on her again. This time, heavier.

"T-thank you… for your compliment."

Her cheeks felt like they were on fire. Her voice had barely come out.

Then came his voice.

"Just a thank you?"

Her heart skipped a beat. She blinked and looked up, eyes locking with his for the first time.

Ethan's lips parted like he was about to say something else—but then his right hand shot up, covering his mouth. Whatever words he meant to say came out muffled, held back by force.

A flicker of pain—or maybe frustration—crossed his face.

With effort, he muttered, "You can go now."

Anna stood there, frozen for a moment, unsure what had just happened. Then, silently, she turned, pushed the trolley forward, and walked out.

The door shut gently behind her, leaving Ethan alone in the quiet room.