I Regress if the Villainess Dies! Chapter 7: Chapter 6 Rejecting the Villainess

Read chapter 7 of I Regress if the Villainess Dies! by Yuzai_Rearu on NovelPedia.

The moonlight spilled through the lace-curtained windows of the estate, silvering the velvet and turning shadow into soft threat. Xian was on his way to the garden as promised. Upon his arrival, the scent of steeped bergamot lingered like perfume, elegant and faintly bitter. The garden lamps flickered low, casting long shadows over cobbled stone and ivy-covered walls. He found Carmillia seated at an elegant table, a single chair placed opposite her. Behind her, the two swordmaidens stood silently in their dark armor. The tea had already been set out, yet no maid appeared to serve. It was then that he took the initiative. Xian poured into Carmillia’s cup with care. Not a single drop spilled, even as her gaze remained fixed on him, as though observing an amusing trick. “How dutiful,” she murmured, accepting the cup. “Have you served before?” Xian had never done so, of course. He wasn’t even certain he had done it properly, only repeating what he had learned from Moris. "No, my lady." Xian replied calmly. "But I will strive to meet your expectations." In order to meet a certain level of standing in her eyes. Enough that she wouldn't just get rid of him at every chance she have. “Strive?” Carmillia tilted her head slightly. “That would imply you already understand what those expectations are.” Her tone was light despite the the heavy implications of her words. Xian straightened. "I listen well." "Do you?" She took a sip in her cup. “Then you must have heard what they call me.” Xian didn't answer. Of course he knew it well. The Guillotine Flower and many other titles. Silence would be the best response. “And still, you claim you are prepared to devote yourself to me? How charming.” She smiled faintly at Xian who chose to not answer. "Let's start with simple exchange." She said finally. "A question for a question. You may decline to answer once. No lies. The same goes for me." The system chimed faintly in his view. [Conversation Event: A Villainess's Curiosity] [Difficulty: High. Mood Impact: +30][Extra Rewards ???] [Wrong answer leads to torture and execution.] [Answer the villainess carefully!] Xian grimaced at the penalty. She really called for him just to ruin everything all over again? He wanted to test his newfound strength on this suspecting villainess and regress, but with the swordmaidens present, he had no chance of even using it. Xian could only bow his head slightly, still not taking a seat opposite her. "Understood." She rested her cheek against her fist and asked her first question. "First Question. Why do you think my father sent you to me?" "To serve." Xian didn't flinch. He already somewhat knew that part of his circumstances. "Not good enough." Carmillia wasn't so pleased with his curt answer. "To protect you." He decided to go for an impromptu bullshit. "From threats even you and the head butler couldn't notice." Her eyes glinted, and the mood meter in his vision ticked upward: +9. "… You can ask your first question now." Xian took a discreet deep breath. A back and forth questioning. One chance to stay silent. And no lies. But even without lies, one can twist the truth with enough information. "Is my lady suspicious of my loyalty?" Carmillia's lips moved, and let out a small bewitching chuckle. Xian deliberately appeared troubled, since doing so can hit two birds with one stone. It was all in order to present her an 'act'. She can stay silent or lie, but that wouldn't matter much to Xian. For a subordinate to take this chance to clear himself of suspicion is a trap for the naive. Xian was playing into that naivety, to establish a reticent and withdrawn young man immersed in his duty and desire to prove himself useful. "Of course not. Your quick wittedness and knowledge saved me. Why would I doubt my savior?" When Carmillia dropped that line as if she owed him, Xian knew that his plan was successful. "Then, I'm glad." That impression will slowly form in her head, thinking that she got a grasp of his nature. A natu