The adorable Villainess is mine

It has been six hours and they haven’t stopped even once.

The Instructor told everyone that until they reached the peak, they couldn’t stop. And now, many students were sluggishly moving, feeling their luggage to be their biggest enemy.

“Man…this is pure torture. And they said this was for recreation?” one of the students spoke in frustration as he stabbed the cane on the rocky path and pulled himself up.

“This is so fucking annoying!” Another cursed as he slapped his cheek in an attempt to kill the mosquito.

Lia was also tired. Not because of the physical labor but because of the bugs and this humid atmosphere.

Everyone was either scratching their skin or slapping their faces….unlike a certain couple.

Grace thought that she wasn’t noticing the bugs until now…but now, it felt strange.

She looked around. Others were struggling so badly but she was spared?

She glanced at Carter and found him looking back, smiling.

“Did you do something?” She asked curiously.

Carter shrugged, “Nothing much. Just created a field around us that is keeping them away.”

Grace was taken aback, “You…are protecting me from the bugs, while lifting those bags with your telekinesis…aren’t you already out of mana?”

Carter chuckled, “Not at all, my lady. I still have a lot to spare.”

Carter had discerned a technique through which he wasted almost no mana while using a skill. While Carter’s mana reserve is less than his previous reserve, it was still enough for him to last for three days before he would need to recharge.

Grace was still quite worried but before she could have said anything,

“Keith!” Someone cried from behind, and others also turned and found a familiar boy rolling away.

The girl who was with him rushed but was held by Lia, “Careful! You will fall too!” Being hasty here means severe damage.

“Are you out of your mind!! Keith just fell! How can I stay put?!” The girl was trying to pull her hand away—when,

“Huh?” Someone exclaimed as he caught something unbelievable.

The same boy who went rolling away was currently levitating in the air, safe and unharmed.

“What …is happening?” Everyone tilted their heads; meanwhile, Lia and Grace instantly whipped their heads towards the silver-haired Prince and found his eyes glowing faintly.

Carter slowly brought down his finger and Keith landed back on the surface.

“Carter…” someone muttered aloud and everyone started to turn towards him.

Carter heaved a sigh before telling Keith, “Being punished is better than potentially losing your life. Take a rest if you need it.”

Keith lowered his gaze. Even though he spoke those words in his neutral voice, it felt like he was scolding him.

Carter turned toward Grace, his gentle expression returning as he whispered, “Don’t worry, if you are tired, I will carry you to the top.”

Grace faintly blushed but chose not to say anything, simply continuing to walk.

Carter followed after her, the silence between them stretching for a while. Finally, in a hesitant voice, he asked,

“Hey, um… I don’t make you uncomfortable, do I?”

Grace blinked, caught off guard. “No. Why would you think that?”

Did she somehow give off the wrong impression?

Carter scratched the back of his neck with an awkward smile.

“I mean… the flirting. You don’t feel like I’m overdoing it or anything?”

Grace finally understood what he was worried about.

She shook her head softly. “You don’t make me uncomfortable. It’s just… everything you say feels so sudden that my heart doesn’t know what to do.” Her words were honest, and her voice carried a hint of shyness.

Carter’s smile brightened with relief. “I’m glad to hear that.”

The group pressed on, climbing uphill with more care now, watching where they placed their feet.

By the time they reached the peak, the sun had already dipped below the horizon, painting the sky with the last streaks of light.

The instructor was waiting for them, standing with his hands on his hips. With a broad grin, he greeted,

“Well done—at least none of you died out there.”

…Not exactly the best way to praise students. But no one said a word, quietly waiting for him to continue.

“Now, Grace and Beth, step forward,” he called out, summoning the top two students.

As they came ahead, the instructor added, “Distribute the students into teams and assign them their tasks. I’ll be nearby but don’t expect me to step in unless someone is about to die.”

And with that, he walked away into the shadows, leaving the responsibility to them.

Beth let out a small sigh. He wasn’t thrilled about sharing the post with Grace, but there was no avoiding it.

Taking the lead, he spoke with confidence,
“Let’s make four teams. One will set up the camp, another will go hunting, one will collect firewood, and the last will prepare the food.”

His clear instructions showed his natural ability to take charge.

Beth was a part of the student council and someone who was often handed such jobs.

No student protested the roles they were given, except for a few, and Carter was one of them.

He was on the hunting team while Grace was helping with the camps.

And to add to the annoyance, Lia was on the same team.

Grace had a frown on her face when Beth sent them on the same team.

She asked, “You know what that person is called? The one who finds pleasure in seeing the person they love getting close to someone else? Ah, yeah…a cuckold.”

Beth frowned, “What are you trying to imply here?”

Grace tilted her head, “You don’t understand? You are a fool as well, huh?”

Beth gritted his teeth. He had a reason to send Lia with Carter. But he can’t tell her about it.

In the end, he stomped and walked away.

Grace snickered before turning towards the direction where Carter and Lia went.

Her heart felt heavy even though she knew it was nothing. There were other people, too, on the team…but still.

‘I thought I might have lost this sensation…but, no. It is only getting worse…’ In the past she was able to endure seeing the two of them close, but now…Grace feared herself.

******

A/N:- Thanks for reading. I was debating between where to change the word cuckold with spineless since she is a noble lady…but then I thought, it suited better

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