Why Are You Becoming a Villain Again?

Chapter 135: Side Story - A Silent Competition (7)

Keirsey staggered back into her room and closed the door behind her.

- Thunk.

The hollow sound echoed through the room the moment the door shut, and she sank helplessly to the floor, like a soldier who had barely survived a brutal war.

"Ugh..."

A sharp ache swelled endlessly in her chest. It was hard to believe what had just happened was real.

She had been living a dream - the dream of marrying Cayden - and yet, moments like this would still tear her apart.

Just because it wasn't the worst possible scenario didn't mean it didn't hurt.

The pain stabbing her heart right now felt worse than anything she'd ever experienced.

Her mind was too clouded to think clearly, too overwhelmed to make any rational judgment.

For the first time, Keirsey found herself seriously wondering - What if Cayden doesn't actually like her?

It felt like the comforting illusion she had cherished — that she was the one Cayden adored most, the one he found cutest - had been shattered.

Deep inside, Keirsey had always clung to an unwavering belief.

Sure, there was a difference between loving someone as a sister and loving them as a woman.

But when she didn't draw that line, she had firmly believed that among the four women around him, she was the one Cayden loved the most.

She had to believe that.

She believed, almost stubbornly, that the amount of time they'd spent together proved it.

After all, for nearly ten years, she had been by his side - from the moment she woke up in the morning until she fell asleep at night.

Especially after Asena became the head of the family, Keirsey and Cayden spent even more time alone together.

There wasn't a single person who had been with him more than she had.

He never treated her like a bother, and she adored him endlessly.

"...Hic..."

But now, it felt like... maybe it had all meant nothing.

The realization that Cayden might actually love Asena more made Keirsey feel like a complete fool.

Even after all that time together, in the end, she was still losing to her sister.

In kisses, in experiences... even in birth order - in everything, she was always one step behind Asena.

Without even realizing it, Keirsey had long harbored an inferiority complex toward her sister.

Asena was, by anyone's standards, the perfect Priester.

She was composed, charismatic, and never once shrank back in front of intimidating people.

As the head of the family, everyone respected and revered her.

Meanwhile, though Keirsey pretended otherwise, she knew she was timid.

She knew she wasn't as smart as Asena, and she was painfully aware of all the ways she fell short.

But even so-

Even so, she thought it was fine.

Because Cayden loved her more.

Because he treated her more sweetly, more preciously.

That belief had been her lifeline - the only reason she could survive through it all without breaking.

...But now, even that belief had crumbled.

What did it matter if he called her cute and spent time with her?

In the end, the one he loved - the one he saw as a woman and shared warmth with - was Asena.

All her efforts felt like they had been for nothing.

No matter how hard she tried to close the distance between them, Asena always stayed one step ahead.

Keirsey hugged her knees to her chest.

Even now, the two of them were probably sharing sweet, intimate moments together.

The scene from earlier replayed in her mind over and over, refusing to leave her alone.

'Nngh... ha... aaah...'

When she had gone to Cayden's room, hoping to talk to him, strange moans had leaked out from behind the door.

The moment she heard them, her face had gone completely pale.

She didn't need anyone to explain it - she knew exactly what those sweet, breathless sounds meant.

"O-Oppa... wh-what are you doing...?"

She had weakly knocked on the door with trembling fists, calling out to him — but the only response she got was the unmistakable sound of flesh striking flesh.

- Smack! Smack! Smack! Smack! Smack!

Keirsey had to clutch the doorknob just to keep herself from collapsing.

They had to have heard her voice - so why hadn't they stopped?

She couldn't understand it.

'Haaah...! Ahh...! Kei...Keirsey! Go back! Ahh!'

And then she heard the voice.

It was Asena.

Of course it was her.

It was always her sister who was one step ahead.

-Thrust! Thrust! Thrust! Thrust!

The rhythmic slapping, the relentless thrusting, engraved itself into Keirsey's mind like a curse.

It was impossible to believe - that the source of that vulgar noise was her own sister and the brother she loved.

Keirsey had truly believed Cayden wasn't interested in that side of things - and Asena had never shown any signs either.

That's why she had never even imagined such a thing.

Especially because recently, Asena had seemed to change so much.

She wasn't as jealous over other women anymore.

She didn't seem to want to control Cayden like she used to.

Keirsey had let her guard down completely.

She thought Asena, like herself, was slowly working to deepen her bond with Cayden step-by-step...

But now, that disgusting sound was proof it had all been a lie.

- Thrust! Thrust! Thrust! Slam!

Asena's obsession was so deep she had sneaked into Cayden's room to have sex with him.

And who knew if this was the first time? Maybe they'd already done it hundreds of times without her even realizing it.

After all, Keirsey had only found out about Asena's secret kisses after she'd already kissed him countless times behind her back.

'Ah! Right there! Oppa, right there!'

Asena - the one who was the pride of the Priester family - was now moaning shamelessly, lost in pleasure she had never shown before.

Her once-proud sister, now reduced to a mere woman crying out in desire.

Keirsey clenched her trembling fists... and yet, at the same time, she couldn't help but wonder.

Just how good does it feel to act like that?

To not even be embarrassed.

To not care if someone else heard.

To keep moving without a shred of hesitation, crying out like that.

She couldn't help but imagine.

What would it feel like?

How soft and strong would his touch be?

What is it like when he enters you?

What does it feel like to be endlessly desired by him?

Keirsey released her knees from her arms and smacked herself lightly on the head.

"...Haa..."

The more she thought about it, the more her chest ached.

Deep down, Keirsey had always known - eventually, Cayden would embrace another woman.

It was only natural.

They had all agreed to become his wives together, after all.

...Even so, what frustrated her the most was that it was Asena once again who had beaten her to it.

...And the thought that, if it was going to end up like this, then why had he pushed her away just days ago?

Why was it that when she had offered herself, he had so easily rejected her, and yet he couldn't say no to Asena?

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He had said they should wait - that they should take things slow- and yet he rushed forward so easily with Asena.

The answer came painfully easy.

It was because Cayden loved Asena more.

"...What's so great about someone with no charm..."

Keirsey muttered without even realizing it.

Her jealousy was so fierce she couldn't stop herself from trying to tear Asena down.

At this point, even Cayden himself felt hateful to her.

It felt like he was loving them unfairly, and it made her want to sulk.

He would look at her with that face - that face that said he found her unbearably cute - and yet he wouldn't truly love her.

He would ruffle her hair, pinch her cheeks, shower her with affection...

But why wouldn't he take it a step further?

Still, even with all these ugly feelings boiling inside her, Keirsey couldn't actually do anything about it.

Because she loved him too much - desperately, pathetically.

If she kept sulking and it caused distance between them, she would be the only one hurt.

So there was nothing she could do.

All she could do was spend the night drowning in defeat.

****

The next morning, Keirsey slipped out of the castle, accompanied only by her escort knights.

She hid her identity under a heavy cloak that covered even her head.

She had snuck out of the fortress without telling Cayden where she was going - without saying anything at all.

Part of her wanted to see his face...

But more than that, she didn't want to see him.

This time, the bitterness wouldn't melt away so easily.

The thought of him rejecting her but embracing Asena - no matter how many times she turned it over in her mind - filled her with unbearable resentment.

So she wanted to make him worry.

If she disappeared without a word, surely he would realize his mistake.

Surely he would be concerned for her.

It wasn't like she was wandering the streets of Mels aimlessly either.

Keirsey had a clear destination in mind.

As they neared their goal, her escort leaned in and whispered quietly.

"...Lady Keirsey, I really don't think this is a good idea..."

"...Be quiet. I don't care for your opinion. Just guide me."

The sweet, innocent girl who would act all cutesy in front of Cayden was nowhere to be found.

Without him around, Keirsey could be sharp- even cold.

Right now, she had no patience.

Anyone who dared oppose her would not be met with kindness.

The escort hesitated, grimacing... but at the unwavering glare in Keirsey's eyes, he shut his mouth and led her forward without another word.

- Knock, knock, knock.

When they finally arrived at their destination, the escort banged firmly on the wooden door.

The building they stood before was gaudy and cluttered.

Tacky decorations were plastered everywhere - long red banners, strangely styled candlesticks, fancy wooden carvings, and colorful, bizarre windows.

To Keirsey's eyes, it all looked shabby and pitiful...

...But she knew the morning light wasn't doing the place any favors.

At night, these decorations would no doubt glow with a seductive allure.

Keirsey's gaze fell onto the sign above the door.

'Crimson Lips.'

Her body tensed up involuntarily.

"...Looks like everyone's still resting," the escort murmured, staring at the unresponsive door.

Keirsey could easily see through his ploy.

He was still trying to dissuade her.

She shot him another cold, unyielding look, and the escort flinched - then, grudgingly, knocked harder.

- Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

"C-come out! Now!"

He shouted firmly, pounding the door with renewed force.

Finally, the door creaked open.

A woman stumbled out, ruffling her disheveled hair.

She wore tacky clothes and strange makeup.

"...What the hell, it's so early..."

She clicked her tongue irritably as she glanced up at the escort with heavy-lidded eyes.

"...Tsk... Don't you know we don't do business in the morning? Just go home and drink by yourself."

Her gaze eventually drifted past the escort- and landed on Keirsey, standing quietly behind him.

Unlike how casually she'd treated the escort, the woman immediately froze.

Her eyes widened as she took in Keirsey from head to toe.

Her posture straightened at once.

The moment she saw Keirsey's face, she understood - this was no ordinary customer.

Someone with that kind of beauty didn't belong wandering these streets.

It didn't take long for the woman to realize Keirsey must be a noble.

Finally, even the escort's fidgeting and anxious behavior clicked into place.

"...I came seeking some advice," Keirsey said calmly, breaking the heavy silence.

"...May we speak inside?"

The woman opened her mouth to respond, but no words came out.

An awkward silence stretched between them, punctuated only by the drip of morning dew and the chirping of birds.

"A-ah... well, um..."

"Before that," Keirsey added coolly, "If you have other guests inside, please ask them to leave. I'll compensate you for it."

At that, the woman quickly lowered her head into the most respectful bow she knew, fully recognizing the importance of her new visitor.

Since she had never learned proper court etiquette, the woman's bow looked clumsy and ridiculous - but Keirsey didn't care.

"I... I shall do as you command."

"Just speak normally."

"Ah, y-yes!"

The woman immediately scurried back into the building, and the escort followed her inside.

The shouting and bustling inside quickly roused the slumbering place.

Soon, the store grew noisy, and the escort and the woman from earlier rushed back out.

"There's no problem inside! No customers either!"

the escort shouted.

"T-this way, please..."

the woman stammered, guiding Keirsey inside.

The establishment was waking up to an unexpected visitor this morning.

Other women, clearly just woken from sleep, were rushing about, throwing open the windows.

The morning sunlight flooded the dim shop with a bright, lively glow.

Their actions weren't wrong - the warm, bustling atmosphere helped to ease some of Keirsey's tension, too.

This place wasn't a lowly den as she had feared - it was a high-end tavern.

There were numerous tables scattered about, and one wall was lined with bottles of all kinds of liquor.

Keirsey quietly took a seat at one of the tables.

The woman who had first greeted her cautiously sat across from her.

As soon as the two settled into their seats, the young women who had been rushing around stiffened, lining up against the wall in a neat row.

The escort, sensing the mood, slipped quietly outside.

Now, only women remained in the building.

"Uh... um..."

The woman sitting opposite her fidgeted nervously.

"...Forgive me, but... may I ask what brings you here...?"

she asked, her voice timid.

"...What is your name?"

Keirsey asked in return.

Startled, the woman immediately introduced herself.

"Ah! I-I am Susan, the owner of Crimson Lips."

"...Keirsey Mels."

As soon as Keirsey said her name, all the women around her gasped, quietly sucking in their breath.

But none dared to utter a sound beyond that.

There wasn't a soul here who didn't know the name "Mels."

And even fewer who didn't know what it meant for someone from the mighty Priester and Ice families to be here.

This was the first time such powerful bloodlines had come together at Mels.

The weight Keirsey exuded pressed down heavily on everyone present.

They stiffened, helpless - because none of them could guess why she had come.

This place may have been a tavern... but it was also a kind of pleasure house.

Problems were inevitable here.

Especially... the occasional scandal involving illegitimate children - a problem far beyond what anyone here could handle.

Susan could only pray desperately in her heart.

Please let it be something minor.

"...As I said earlier, I've come seeking advice."

Keirsey said at last.

She showed no embarrassment in asking for advice from a tavern woman.

She had been taught at the academy:

No matter who you meet, there are always three things you can learn from them.

"Anything...! Please ask anything!"

Susan said hurriedly.

Keirsey stared at her for a long moment with a stiff expression, then slowly bent forward and let out a deep sigh.

"...Haaah..."

Susan tensed up again at the sound.

"...It's an embarrassing problem."

But as Keirsey showed her honest vulnerability, the tension in the room softened.

The women who had been standing stiffly against the wall began to lower their guards, one by one.

Keirsey spoke again.

"...My man... he won't touch me."

"......Oh my."

One of the women standing in line let out a gasp before she could stop herself, surprised by the innocence of the confession.

It was a far cuter problem than any of them had expected.

The woman beside her quickly pinched her side in scolding, earning a squeak of pain.

Watching them, Keirsey spoke gently.

"...It's fine. You can be surprised."

She truly didn't mind.

She was here for advice, after all - not judgment.

"...But I don't really know anything... so even trying to seduce him feels difficult."

"...S-she's so... cute..."

Another woman whispered before a loud smack echoed through the room as someone swatted her back, dragging her away.

Susan hurriedly bowed her head low against the table.

"I-I'm so sorry! That girl has no manners -!"

"It's fine. As long as I can get what I came here for, it doesn't matter."

Susan peeked up, cautiously gauging Keirsey's mood, then carefully asked:

"...Th-then, are you... hoping to learn the art of seduction?"

As she studied Keirsey more carefully, Susan found herself relaxing a little.

Despite her earlier fear, Keirsey now just seemed like a young woman wrestling with a very human problem.

...Still, Susan had her doubts.

Even if she taught her the arts of seduction...

Would someone this cute and innocent even be able to use them properly?

Seduction required a certain allure, a certain maturity - and Keirsey, with her overwhelming sweetness, might only end up looking awkward or out of place.

Thankfully, Keirsey shook her head firmly.

"No. That's not what I'm looking for."

As Keirsey opened her heart without reservation, the women who had been standing at a distance gradually let down their guard and began approaching her.

Now that they understood her sincerity, all they wanted was to help her.

Some knelt respectfully by her side to listen to her worries, while others bent low, resting their hands on their knees.

None of them could stay indifferent to such a pure and earnest story of love.

"...I just want you to teach me the things I don't know."

"Of course. Please, ask us anything. We'll help however we can."

Keirsey hesitated for a moment, her cheeks flushing red.

"...This can't leak outside, can it?"

"Of course not! We promise!"

All the women nodded vigorously.

At some point, they'd started looking at Keirsey with the tender eyes one would give a younger sister.

Keirsey took a breath and confessed:

"...I... I want to have the most loving... i-intimate connection. Can you tell me... what kinds there are...?"

And immediately, the tavern filled with the soft sound of women melting from sheer cuteness.

Keirsey wasn't embarrassed at all.

She had been hurt deeply once before - by Cayden.

Once, in a desperate bid to hold onto him, she had stripped herself bare and tried to seduce him.

But the only response she had received was his pained, cruel words:

"Why are you acting like a whore?"

Of course, Keirsey knew she had known even then - that he hadn't meant it.

He had forced himself to say those terrible things to push her away.

...But even so, it didn't matter anymore.

Even if he thought her vulgar, she didn't care.

Because without him, there was no "vulgar" version of herself.

If she could win his love, if she could truly be embraced by him, she would endure any shame.

Wasn't that what it meant to be husband and wife in the end?

If she had learned anything from her past mistakes, it was this:

Ignorance was terrifying.

If she had known better back then - if she hadn't simply thrown herself at him - she could have said sweeter, more loving words.

That was her greatest regret.

And so, this time, she was determined to learn from the people who knew best.

Keirsey was sharpening her blade - sharpening herself - to steal Cayden's heart completely.

If he wasn't going to love her deeply on his own, then she would win that love with her own hands.

She would do whatever it took to become the one Cayden loved the most.

This unquenchable desire burned fiercely inside her, driving her boldness today.

As the voices of the women, all gushing over how adorable she was, finally settled down, Susan spoke up.

"...Lady Mels?"

It was the first time Keirsey had heard herself called that - but it filled her chest with quiet satisfaction.

"Yes. Please, go ahead."

"...I'll be honest with you."

"I'm listening."

"...Even if you're willing to work hard, there are some things... that can't be taught just by explanation."

"And honestly... teaching you certain... physical techniques feels a bit inappropriate."

"So instead," Susan said, smiling warmly,

"I'll teach you a method that's less about specific positions, and more about capturing the heart - a way to draw deep affection without needing much effort."

Keirsey's heart fluttered with anticipation.

This - this was exactly what she had come for.

"Yes. Please tell me everything."

Susan glanced around at the other women.

Even without her saying it, it was clear the others were thinking the same thing.

"...There's a trend going around lately. Have you heard of something called several-days-in-a-row lovemaking? It's not difficult."