I Will Fulfill the Role of the Villain

‘Yeah, you were always that kind of person. Military principles, duty—none of that matters to you, does it? All you care about is building your achievements, making a name for yourself, and earning enough merit to secure the position of Supreme Commander.’@@novelbin@@

The voice was undoubtedly his own, yet it felt unfamiliar. Like a flood bursting through a broken dam, the memories he had buried surged forward all at once.

When Hayes had brought up that incident, how had Theo felt? Like the ground had disappeared beneath his feet, leaving him unable to think. That day, instead of tending to Luke’s wounds, he had lashed out with harsh words, spitting them with nothing but contempt.

Why hadn’t he asked first? Why are you here? What are you thinking? Why hadn’t he tried to understand the situation before condemning Luke? Back then, his anger had clouded his usual reasoning.

And so, he had failed to notice.

Failed to see the look in Luke’s eyes as he stood there, not even attempting to refute him. That tired, defeated expression—now that Theo thought about it, it had been the face of someone who had been wounded.

Realizing his own feelings for Luke had made him arrogant. And now, he was paying for it.

"…"

Theo clenched his fist against the table. Now, he understood. Luke hadn’t snuck into the Membren War out of some selfish ambition. There had been a reason. He must have had his own thoughts, his own purpose.

But Theo hadn’t trusted him. He hadn’t even considered listening to him.

"It’s in the past."