Crushing flags and claiming the Villainess

Valerie didn't know what she should think about as of now.

For the past twenty minutes, only Austin had spoken, and she listened to him.

Not a word came out of her because of shock and realization.

If anyone else had said something like cross-world travel, she might have found it ridiculous. However, it was the person she trusted the most who relayed about his previous life and the things he faced.

By no means was he lying or pranking her since one cannot describe someone's life in such details unless they have lived it.

And there was no reason for Austin to lie to her.

Then that means..."You lived your life as a different person for eighteen years...and then woke up in this world and thought you had taken over the person named Austin?"

Valerie summarised whatever he said until now.

Austin nervously nodded, "Yes. I thought I had become one with Austin, but a part of me was still Luke. That's why I hesitated to tell you about it. I thought you might hate me."

Valerie paused in her tracks and asked again, "And you saw this world as a part of a story, right? That's why you knew that day that if I had been blamed and expelled from the Academy, I would have ended up becoming a demon."

Austin slowly nodded, "Yes...that was the fate that awaited you if I hadn't awoken my second fragment that day."

Valerie's eyes were covered with her hair, that's why he couldn't tell what expression she had at the moment.

With her head leaning down, she softly asked, "Can you tell me something honestly...that day, you didn't come to save me because of love...rather, you pitied me, right?"

Austin's heart turned heavy at the question.

He expected her to ask this

That day...when he went to save Valerie from the accusation of attempted murder, he lied to her that he found an old photo album that made him guilty.

However, at that time, Valerie was just a pitiful character in his eyes who was getting falsely accused, and that could have led to an unfortunate future.

So...the truth was, "Yes, I...pitied you that time..."

*Release*

Valerie's hold on Austin's hand was released.

She slowly looked up at him, her eyes filled with tears, as she asked, "What about now...i-is it love, or are you still pitying me?"

"Val..." Austin was rendered speechless; both because of her question and those tears.

In these six months, after he woke up in the world, this was the first time Valerie was crying because of him.

He dreaded this...he knew that the moment she got to know everything about his past...she would be hurt. That's why, he has been hesitant until now. However, he couldn't have kept it hidden until the end. Especially not after Selner told him that Luke was also a part of Austin.

The silence between them was heavy. Austin waited for her to say anything. However, the moment she opened her mouth, something unexpected came out,

"I need...some time to think." She wiped her tears and added, "I am not upset with you but I need some time to process everything. So let's talk tomorrow, okay?"

Austin parted his lips to say something...to console her or say anything to stop her...however, all he was able to mutter was, "Okay..."

Valerie turned around and slowly walked back to the mansion—

—leaving Austin behind. All alone.

Seeing her distancing back, Austin felt a very familiar sensation assaulting his mind.

Every time his girlfriends broke up with him, it felt the same. The sense of loss and the dread of not recovering from it.

However, this time, things were severely more profound. He felt a part of him was lost seeing her walking away.

He didn't know what outcome would this whole situation lead to...however, at the moment, his mind was filled with negativity.

He has hurt his beloved. The girl he promised to always keep safe and happy was crying and was in despair because of him.

And that thought continued to gnaw at him, making him empty.

'Guess...I should do some training...' He mindlessly opened the third dungeon, and dove into it.

°°°°°°

Valerie returned to her room.

She couldn't answer her father properly, and when he asked where Austin was, she said he would be back in a few minutes.

So many things were going on in her mind that she barely registered when she fell on her bed.

Her eyes were still open but she wasn't moving.

So many things to process but she didn't have any idea where she should start from.

Should she prioritize her concern that the Demon Lord would come after Austin? Or should she think about Austin's revelation of him having another life.

He...saw her going through a tragic past, which ushered him to take her side at that time.

He actually didn't have feelings for her but felt sympathy for her and what she could become.

And all the time, Valerie felt that she was loved by him. That her feelings were reciprocated.

She didn't know why but she was feeling sad right now.

Maybe because of all the things she faced today, she wasn't able to think rationally...otherwise, she would have recalled how she was thankful to Austin for giving attention to her.

At that time, she was content with him showing concern for her even if it was fake.

However, right now, her mind was not making sense. Maybe because of the dead body she saw today, her emotional wavelength was all over the place.

She couldn't think straight and was experiencing severe despair.

Holding the ring he placed on her finger, she closed her eyes and fell asleep.

'I will...think about it once I wake up....'

Not so long after, Austin was recovered at the gate of the mansion—unconscious and barely breathing.

°°°°°°°°°

A/N:- This won't continue for long. You know me, I don't like to drag .

And about Valerie's reaction, then I tried to keep her 'human' with that reaction. Thanks for reading. Drop a comment.