The adorable Villainess is mine - Chapter 3- Disbelief

Grace couldn’t tell if she was still dreaming or had woken up.

Her eyes were open, and she could feel the warmth of sunlight on her skin—but the sight before her felt unreal.

Sitting on the chair beside her bed was the last person she ever expected to see.

Yes, he had protected her from Lia back then… but she believed it was a misunderstanding.

She’d built up a theory: Carter must have thought she had some hidden finishing move that could actually hurt Lia. That’s why he stepped in.

But the truth was—she was about to lose.

So then… why was he here? His head was bowed, eyes closed, as if he’d been sitting by her side for hours, keeping watch until sleep claimed him.

*‘What is happening…? Is he here to taunt me for trying to hurt Lia?’* Her stomach twisted. *‘Is he going to curse me again?’*

*But don’t I deserve it?* In a moment of anger—because she couldn’t bear seeing him taken away from her—Grace had challenged Lia to a duel.

And in the end, she was beaten, black and blue.

She deserved it. The pain. The humiliation. Even the harsh words he might throw at her.

She deserved it all.

She wasn’t worthy of him.

In his eyes, she had tried to take the life of someone he cared about.

In his eyes, she was nothing more than a cold, sharp-tongued woman—someone obsessed with etiquette and rules, with no heart to speak of.

But how could she ever explain?

That she was simply bad at expressing herself.

That she had always loved him.

That she had been forced to leave his beloved maid behind when the house burned down… and she never forgave herself for it.

How could she tell him any of that?

“Aren’t you thinking a lot?” came a low, husky voice.

Grace jolted. He was awake.

His piercing blue eyes were locked onto her.

For a moment, she forgot how to breathe.

Even just woken up, he was breathtaking.

Suddenly, Carter covered his face with one hand—almost like he was flustered—and stopped tuning in to her thoughts.

He was… shy?

“How do you feel now?” he asked gently.

That soft tone… it wasn’t something she was used to.

She didn’t answer right away. She just stared at him, unsure if she was still dreaming.

He asked again, “How do you feel, Grace?”

“I… I’m good. I feel fine now.” She tried to sit up, but Carter was faster. He moved to her side and gently held her shoulder down.

“Where do you think you’re going?” he asked with a frown. “You’re staying put until the nurse gives the green flag.”

Grace was completely lost. Why was he being so gentle with her? Was it some cruel joke? Was he trying to give her false hope only to crush it later?

She couldn’t tell.

But Carter didn’t need to read her mind to know what she was thinking—and it hurt him.

After everything he had said and done in the past, it made sense that she’d be confused… and cautious.

A few moments later, the nurse walked in, breaking the heavy silence. “Let me have a look at her.”

She ran a quick diagnostic, checked Grace’s eyes, and nodded. “She’s good to go. Just avoid spicy food for a while and no training for a few days.”

Grace opened her mouth to reply, but Carter beat her to it.

“I’ll make sure of that. Thank you,” he said.

Then he turned to Grace and extended his hand. “Shall we go?”

Grace didn’t know what to make of any of this—but the idea of refusing or insulting him didn’t even cross her mind.

She gave a small nod and placed her hand in his.

A familiar warmth, long forgotten, wrapped around her fingers… and her shoulder, as Carter helped her up with care.

Everyone who passed by stopped in their tracks.

It wasn’t a secret—Carter hated Grace.

Or at least, that’s what everyone believed.

And yet, not only had he saved her today… he was now gently helping her walk.

Even Carter could feel her gaze on him.

With a sigh, he spoke, “I had a vision of the future.”

Grace blinked, confused. “…What?”

He shook his head. “I don’t know what it was, but it felt real—like a glimpse into the future. A future where… you were gone. A future where I was left behind, full of regret. Crying at your grave.”

“…Y-you cried?” she asked softly, as if afraid to believe it.

Carter gave her a brief glance before nodding with a warm, slightly embarrassed smile. “Yeah. I cried so much I fainted.”

His voice was calm, sincere. “So, please… don’t think I’m doing this for some hidden reason. Just let me take care of you.”

Grace went quiet. She couldn’t process everything all at once.

But her thoughts came to an abrupt stop when Carter suddenly turned toward the girls’ dormitory.

“I-I can walk on my own—” she tried to protest.

“No can do, Grace,” he interrupted firmly. “I’ve taken responsibility for you, so just stay still.”

As he spoke, he was already mentally scanning the positions of wardens and students, mapping their movements with ease.

It didn’t take much effort for him to avoid them all as he smoothly made his way to the first floor.

Grace, meanwhile, was blushing furiously.

He’s going to see my room…

And suddenly, she began praying that she had left it in a presentable state.

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A/N:- Thanks for reading.