The Tale of the Redeeming Villain

“Veronica…you are sure right?” This was the seventh time Catherine had asked the same question within ten minutes. And now, the violette was getting annoyed.

“Ugh, asking the same question…are you, by any chance, wanting me to say they gonna di-”

“Stop! Don’t even say that!” Catherine reprimanded the girl with her pretty eyes going wide in complaint.

Blake heaved a sigh as he rested his hand on his lover’s shoulder tenderly and told her, “She said that they were under dangerous drugs, so it surely will take some time for them to recover.”

Catherine grumbled but didn’t say anything this time.

The reason for her concern was the kids. They were still sleeping even though a whole day went by.

They were currently staying in a hideout that was situated not so far away from the capital. However, they were not concerned about security since the situation of the capital, and with the Emperor’s absence, the central ministry must be in disarray.

*Knock*

Hearing the knock, Blake went to open the door, and from the other side, the familiar redhead appeared with a happy smile on his face.

“Morning.” He went ahead and even hugged Blake, which surprised the latter,

“Morning…”

Just like Blake, the other two could see that Carlson was quite happy…and they apparently ‘heard’ the reason why, last night.

“How are you, Cathy? Any discomfort?”

“Ask me. I have many…starting with insomnia cuz I couldn’t sleep with so much no-mmfh!” Veronica was silenced by the blond Saintess as she pressed her hand against Veronica’s mouth.

Catherine smilingly said, “Nope, I am all good now. Thanks to the comfortable bed, I was able to sleep properly.”

Veronica stepped away and released herself from the restraints before saying, “Can you guys stop pretending like things have returned to normal?” It wasn’t just that she was frustrated being surrounded by two pairs…or maybe she was.

Carlson slowly nodded, his smile fading as he said, “I know…Hedglage is now our enemy and Emperor Williams has betrayed as well.”

“Not you, to be honest,” Blake added, urging the others to look at him.

With his back resting against the table, the raven-haired said, “From what I have perceived, Emperor Willaims wouldn’t forsake you, Carl. He knows your value and the horror of the upcoming war. I apologize if it sounds rude, but you are his strongest pawn in this game.”

Carlson shook his head, gesturing he didn’t mind, as he said, “I am aware…but then who could have informed about these kids and let Noelle kidnap them?”

Veronica folded her arms and added, “Someone who is closely monitoring both sides and is aware that Carlson is in constant contact with you two.”

Carlson’s eyes widened, “The headmaster?”

Blake’s brows rose, “Did you tell him about the letters we exchanged?”

Carlson shook his head, “No, I didn’t tell anyone, including Charlotte. Well, she knew we exchanged letters, but to keep her safe, I never shared fine details.”

“And I never told anyone,” Suddenly a fifth person entered the room and told everyone.

Charlotte looked a bit sleepy, her eyes puffy and her hair disheveled as she walked towards Catherine, and after hugging her from behind, she rested her head on her shoulder.

“Warm…”

Catherine was surprised, but she didn’t resist her and asked, “Do you still feel uncomfortable?”

“Wait…do girls feel uncomfortable even in the morning?” Carlson panicked and asked Catherine.

Blake chuckled, “Yes, Carlson. They do.”

Hearing Blake sounding so experienced, Catherine narrowed her eyes, urging Blake to raise his hand, and his eyes said that she was his first and last.

Catherine decided to talk about it later, and asked Charlotte, “You want some warm water and hot milk?”

The brunette slowly nodded, before Carlson instantly bolted out of the room to bring things for his lover. He is such an idiot to leave her like that!!!

They all soon sat down as Charlotte sipped on warm milk.

Catherine combed her hair slowly as she asked Blake, “What should we do now?”

Blake didn’t have to think twice before telling her, “We will take the children and go to the city in the North. I can easily get a job and a place to live…you will need to just trim your hair again.”

Catherine smiled fondly and told him, “In exchange for a peaceful life, it’s not a price worth mentioning.”

Blake couldn’t stop himself from smiling in response.

The pink atmosphere between the two was soon interrupted,

“You can just stay with Carlson now, no?” Veronica suggested. However,

“I am still a criminal and they still need the Saintess…it won’t be possible to return there again yet,” Blake said.

Carlson nodded, “Although I can keep them under my protection and get the Emperor to forgive them… there are so many bastards in the central administration and church that they surely will try to separate them somehow.”

“Too risky.” Catherine shook her head.

Silence descended in the room for a brief period before the half-asleep teenager said,

“How about…we all…elope?”

Carlson fondly smiled at his lover before he softly caressed her head and said, “Although I would love to get rid of these duties and run away with you Char…but considering the upcoming war, I need to be within the capital and guide them accordingly. There is a summit between empires very soon as well, and I have to be a part of it.”

Charlotte’s shoulders slumped but she didn’t complain, knowing that he was right.

Blake heaved a sigh and told them, “I assure you, living in a different nation with different identities isn’t uncomfortable for us. Until I can be with Catherine, any place is home for me.”

His words made even Veronica raise her brows in surprise.

Catherine blushed slightly but she couldn’t fight the smile that appeared upon hearing the word ‘home’ from him.

“I cannot believe that this is the same guy who was infamous for his trash personality.” Veronica suddenly muttered and Charlotte agreed to it,

“True…I used to hate him with passion.”

Hearing her words, Blake was suddenly reminded of the reason why Charlotte used to antagonize him.

He suddenly took out a pouch from the bag and offered it the brunette.

“Blake?” Catherine asked curiously.

Blake didn’t respond to her, rather asked Charlotte, “Although I know I can never truly make up for what I’ve done, could you still find it in your heart to forgive me?”

Charlotte remained silent for a long time, thinking back what Blake has caused back when Charlotte didn’t meet Carlson.

After a minute, she sighed and took the pouch from him, “Although it no longer matters anymore, I forgive you.”

******

A/N:- Will explain what happened in the next chapter. Thanks for reading, now drop a comment.