The adorable Villainess is mine

Grace was still in a bit of a daze.

She’d gone to bed late and woken up even later.

Normally, she was up before sunrise—training for hours before classes started.

But after everything Carter had said the day before… sleep had barely touched her eyes. Her mind had spun restlessly until dawn.

By the time she opened her eyes, the clock was already striking seven.

Now, as she descended the stairs, a quiet uncertainty filled her chest.

Would today change everything? Or would things go back to the way they were?

Was it just a fight with Lia that brought Carter closer to her?

But then again… he read her mind. If that wasn’t the reason, maybe… maybe he just felt sorry for her?

Truth be told, the thought of seeing him again scared her a little.

All the ‘what ifs’ wrapped around her ankles, weighing down each step.

She finally stepped out of the building—and froze.

There he was, standing across from the entrance, leaning casually against a tree. A book in hand, eyes scanning the page with quiet focus.

So effortlessly charming.

She couldn’t move. Just stood there, caught in the sight of him, like he belonged in some quiet, golden moment.

Then his voice floated over to her.

“Even I get a little shy sometimes, you know.”

“…!!”

Her heart skipped. He had already noticed her.

“S-Sorry,” she stammered, walking toward him, “I didn’t mean to stare…”

Carter snapped the book shut with a soft sigh and gave her a mock frown.

“I got up early, spent an extra hour getting ready for today… and all I get is ‘I didn’t mean to stare?’ That’s a bit cruel, don’t you think?”

Grace was backed into a corner—completely lost for words.

She fidgeted, eyes darting everywhere except at him, clearly trying to come up with something to say.

Carter chuckled softly, amused.

“I’m just teasing you, Grace,” he said with a grin. “Now come on. I’m starving.”

He extended his hand toward her.

Grace froze for a moment, startled by the gesture.

The idea of holding his hand—especially with so many students around—made her heart race. She was too nervous to accept, but refusing him outright felt even harder.

So, in the end—

Tug.

She held his sleeve with her fingers, her cheeks flushed a deep red.

Carter looked at her fondly and laughed, “Well, that works too.”

He started walking, and she followed just a step behind, still clinging softly to his sleeve.

As they reached the central square, the cobbled path bathed in the golden morning light, her voice finally came—quiet, almost shy.

“You… don’t have to wait for me.”

Carter shook his head without hesitation, a soft smile in his voice.

“I’ll wait for you every day, Grace. I want to spend as much time with you as I can.”

Then he leaned back slightly, turning his head toward her with a playful glint in his eyes.

“Or… am I not allowed to?”

Grace was starting to feel like Carter was purposely cornering her all morning.

But in the end, her fragile heart couldn’t bring itself to turn him down.

“…You can,” she whispered.

Soon, they arrived at the dining hall, where plenty of students were still lingering over breakfast.

Naturally, all eyes turned toward them.

After all, this was the same Carter who had once openly cursed at Grace whenever she approached him—or worse, completely ignored her.

Yet now… he walked beside her with ease, as if everything that had happened until now had been nothing more than a lie.

Carter sighed as the thoughts of the students around them buzzed in his mind like static.

[Damn… he switched sides, huh?]

[Double timing? What happened to that other girl?]

[Is this some kind of dare or prank?]

[Damn, that redhead looks hella hot.]

Splash!

“Fuck!!” a first-year student yelped as a ladle of steaming hot soup landed on him. He stumbled up from his seat, clearly trying to hide something, and rushed out of the hall.

Grace blinked in surprise, unsure of what had just happened.

Then Carter calmly pulled out a chair for her.

“Here. Sit.”

“…Thanks,” she said quietly, taking the seat.

“I’ll go grab us something to eat,” he said, already turning to leave before she could even respond.

She watched his back as he walked away.

It felt… strange.

To be treated with such kindness.

She wasn’t used to it—this gentle consideration, this sense of being looked after. Being treated like… a lady.

And strangely, that kindness scared her more than the cruelty ever had.

Her eyes drifted across the hall, toward the quiet corner where she used to sit alone every single day.

That little spot in the shadow—her shadow.