The Villain Can't Lose

I was not sure if this place had any infirmary or not, so I took Nari into my room, "here," I supported her body gently on my bed.

Maybe I was just overreacting, but seeing someone in this state right before me, I couldn't help but feel disgusted by the way that maid treated Nari.

That woman was clearly aggressive, and she was a bully to everyone else, 'but what makes you different?' I thought to myself as I frowned.

After placing a blanket around her shoulders, I sat beside her and started talking to her, "Nari, are you alright?" I asked while holding her hand softly between mine.

"Yes, yes I'm fine... Just a little shock is all." She shivered and answered with a blush.

I could tell that she was feeling uncomfortable, and I wondered how much of what happened today would she need to endure before she completely breaks down.

"Nari, please tell me what happened. Why did she do this to you?" I asked in a soft tone so that she wouldn't feel as though she was being interrogated.

I was aware that she worked for my father at night, not in a sexual way since he was sickened by her looks but in a more serious one.

Nari had to kill people for him, and what would do best if not for a woman with poison needles and extremely agile body movements?

Hector hated Nari because she reminded him of a witch he had met before, but he was also like me, someone who admired her killing skills… So he turned her into a slave, forcing her to work in the mansion as a maid.

Now staring at her small fingers, which were filled with many small bruises and scars, I understood that she was in pain, and was struggling to cope with her current situation, 'I need to help her!' I thought to myself.

"Nari, I know that you're scared... but please trust me when I tell you that I will help you to escape my father and get revenge on the people who murdered your family."

It was a sensitive topic for her, but this was also the only way that I was able to make her believe in me and pull her by my side.

She turned her head away from me and didn't say anything in response.

I noticed how those soft-looking lips were shivering and trying to hold the water that remained inside her eyes and not to let them fall down.

"Nari, please talk to me, I'm not leaving your side until I see you happy again." I leaned closer to her and brushed her cheek while gently trying to look into her eyes and saying, "I promise."

I needed her to understand that I cared for her. Well, even if this sudden attention was forced from my side, I still needed her to understand that I was on her side from now on.

But what I heard in response made me a bit baffled.

"Fight me."

"Wha-what?" I stuttered at her sudden answer as it took me off guard, "fight...you?" I repeated myself and tilted my head to the side trying to understand what her intention was.

"Fight me to prove that you're capable enough for me to join your side and make me trust you," she slowly turned her swollen crying face to me, but her eyes seemed to be saying something completely different.

Even with that emotionless expression in her eyes, she looked damned cute.

She reminded me of a stray cat, one which even in her weakest moments would hold onto her pride and stubbornness.

"Why do you want me to fight you when I can just simply take down the people who murdered your parents." I leaned closer to her face, looking straight into her eyes. I could read the determination in them.

"I never wanted to become an assassin. Everyone has their reasons to do something bad, and my reason was the same as yours..." she paused for a moment, "I need to do what I must for my family's sake, if you can't win against me in a fight, what makes you think you would be able to take down the enemies?" The soft voice that sounded like a fairy was suddenly filled with darkness and pain.

This was a challenge for me. Nari challenged me to prove her my worth, but that's not how it worked.

Even though I didn't want to admit that I needed her the most, I knew damn well she needed me as well. Without me, she will not be able to escape Hector before she meets Dante, and that will also take a while.

"How much torment can you take?" I asked in a low yet cold tone, almost mocking her.

"Do you think I'm not incapable of taking everyone here down? Do I look weak to you?" Her voice trembled with angered tone, but there was a hint of fear underneath it.

Well, I guess I am being too harsh to her. But I couldn't help but feel angry at Hector for turning her into a monster just because he was afraid of her power.

"Let's make a bet," I suggested.

"A bet?" I saw her nicely shaped eyebrows furrow, "what bet?" She repeated.

I leaned back from her and stood up, giving no answer or rushing to reply to her.

I first fixed my jacket and then walked towards the table where the book I was reading about the mirror technique was placed on.

The silence in the room was oppressive.

"I will let you join my team if you can't defeat me in a fight." I picked up the book and opened it, "the winner gets the option to choose whatever they want from the loser." I finally answered slowly, putting the book back into the drawer.

"What is that supposed to mean?" She got up from the bed, trying to remove the white, fluffy blanket that I covered her with.

"If you lose, I will kindly let you join my side, and you have to serve me as my personal maid," I continued without looking at her, "you will live your life here in this mansion and do anything I tell you to do without complaining."

"But what if I win?" She suddenly jerked off the bed like a cat.

"I don't think this will happen..." I let out a long sigh, "but if you manage to win, I will murder my father right before you." I replied without looking at her.

After that, an awkward silence filled the entire room. I could clearly see that now she was considering the offer.

I pulled the chair and sat on it while placing my elbow on the table and my hand on my chin.

"Alright, I accept your offer." She finally spoke after a long moment of deadly silence, staring deep into my eyes.