The Villain's Sister - Chapter 5

It might sound like bragging, but objectively speaking, my looks don’t fall under the usual category of ‘pretty.’

Words like stunning and captivating are more fitting for me—I’m used to those. Being called a squid or looked at indifferently is completely unfamiliar.

And yet, Tristan Lindbergh acts like he feels nothing for me.

There was no indication in the original that this man was supposed to be gay.

“You want me to pretend to be your girlfriend? May I ask why you need a public girlfriend?”

At my question, Tristan erased the indifferent look he’d always worn and showed a serious expression.

But it seemed he didn’t think it was something I needed to see, because he quickly hid his emotions again.

Even so, there was a hint of sadness in his voice.

“Because of my mother.”

“Your mother?”

“She’s ill.”

“Ah… I’m sorry.”

“You would’ve had to know eventually if you’re going to act as my girlfriend. So, are you in or not?”

“I’ll do it. I’m in.”

“Good. Then take this.”

Tristan handed me a document envelope.

When I looked inside, there were several sheets of paper.

“What is this?”

“If we’re going to pretend to be in a relationship, we need to have our story straight. I just wrote down the basic info you need to know and how we supposedly met.”

“Then you’ll need information about me too. Should I organize it and bring it to you?”

“There’s no time, so I probably wouldn’t read it even if you did. Let’s just exchange the basics on the way there. Oh, it’s three days from now at 10 a.m., Trofan Square. I’ll pick you up there, so don’t be late.”

“Alright. Then—”

So we’ll be meeting your mother that day for a meal?

The question I was about to ask never left my mouth because of what Tristan said next.

“Just a heads-up—if you show up dressed like this, I’ll ask someone else instead, so please show up looking presentable.”

I was a bit annoyed by this man’s way of saying whatever he wanted, however he wanted, but I held back and stayed patient.

Tristan drained his now-cold coffee with a slurp.

Up close, I noticed the slight shadows under his eyes. He looked a bit tired.

Being a cop by day and a hero by night, he had every reason to be exhausted.

“You must be busy. You look tired.”

“All police work is like that. If you’re done, let’s get going.”

Tristan had emptied his cup, but I hadn’t even taken a sip. Still, he didn’t seem to notice.

I wasn’t feeling great myself, so I decided showing up today was enough and stood up to follow him.

Then—

“Ah.”

A sudden wave of dizziness made my vision go dark.

My legs gave out, and I swayed.

Tristan quickly caught me.

For a brief moment, I was held in his arms as my mind cleared.

“Are you alright?”

“D-dizzy spell.”

Feeling his muscular arm around my waist made me self-conscious.

I hurried to steady myself and pull away.

As if he already knew everything, he placed a hand on my forehead and frowned.

“You’ve got a fever. Why’d you even come out like this? You’re making me feel bad.”

“Because if I hadn’t shown up today, I knew you wouldn’t have contacted me again.”

“You…”

A complex expression passed over his statue-like face.

A deep crease formed between his brows as he said in a serious tone, “No matter how good-looking I am, you’ve got to take care of your health before chasing after me. You’re something else, seriously.”

A deep, bitter anger welled up from my chest, and I shut my eyes tight.

If I didn’t block out Tristan Lindbergh from my sight, I might actually throw a punch.

I thought of Raphael. I thought of our future.

When I imagined a future where we could live happily together, the surge of emotion settled a little.

“Where do you live? I’ll take you close to your place. If you collapse on the way alone in that condition, it’ll be serious.”

“Didn’t you say you were busy?”

“I’m not scum who’d just let a sick person go off on their own. Come on. I’ll walk you at least to the edge of the neighborhood.”

He really seemed intent on walking me home.

The problem was, Maria’s house was in Death Adder territory.

If I walked there with a man, Raphael would hear about it within half a day. That couldn’t happen.

“No, it’s fine. I can go alone. You should head back.”

“What kind of person do you take me for?”

“No, really… I’m truly fine.”

When I firmly drew the line, Tristan stared at my face.

I didn’t avoid his gaze. I looked straight into his eyes.

“I’ll be fine in three days too, so don’t worry too much.”

“You’re even more stubborn than I thought. Fine, then get home safe. Get some rest and don’t forget to take your medicine.”

“Okay. Thanks for calling today.”

Tristan frowned and waved his hand, still uneasy about letting me go alone.

Clearly, something about the situation was bothering him.

Worried he might follow me to help, I forced myself to walk with steady steps.

And that was how my meeting with Tristan Lindbergh, the main character of this world, came to an end.

As I opened Maria’s door, I promised myself I’d make sure to establish a connection with him next time.

“You’re late.”

As soon as I opened the door, Raphael’s voice came from inside.

Click.

When I flipped the switch and turned on the light, Raphael’s face appeared, cast in heavy shadow.

He looked somewhat angry.

“You let yourself in again without permission? Isn’t that kind of rude?”

Raphael had never been given a key to Maria’s place, but he visited freely anyway.

Then, as a way of apologizing, he’d stock the place with plenty of essentials.

“I heard you haven’t been home the past few days.”

“Is your injury from before okay now?”

“I’m fine. Don’t worry.”

“Can I take a look?”

At my question, Raphael scowled.

His already sharp face turned even more fierce.

If we weren’t family, his expression alone would’ve scared the life out of me.

Whenever Raphael made that face, he always followed it up with a rough warning.

“It’s none of your business.”

When Raphael says things like that, it always hurts me.

I spoke up out of concern, but getting flat-out rejected like that brings up long-held anger.

“How is it not my business? Of course I should care. I’m your only family—if I don’t look after you, who will?”

Angry, I approached Raphael and pulled up his shirt to expose the wound.

I immediately channeled energy into him, and his wound began healing rapidly.

Smack!

Raphael slapped my hand away with his large palm.

A red mark bloomed on my pale hand.

But I endured the pain and focused on using my ability.

Then Raphael grabbed my wrist and tore my hand away.

“Deva!”

He shouted with a flushed face. A vein bulged on his forehead.

“I’ve told you again and again, but since you seem to have forgotten, I’ll say it once more. Don’t use that power! Absolutely not! No matter what happens!”

“You’re not a stranger. It’s just healing your injury, what’s the harm?”

“That’s exactly why it’s a problem! If Raphael of Death Adder is seen walking around perfectly healed overnight? Your identity will be exposed within an hour!”

I bit down on my lip hard.

He doesn’t know how cruel it is to ask me to stand by and watch him suffer like that.

All he ever thinks about is my safety. That’s what makes me so angry.

“Do you understand? Don’t worry about anyone else’s injuries. Even if someone else gets hurt, you must not help them.”

“……”

“This is Mist Island. In this place full of evil and darkness, you cannot do that. No—not anywhere, not even outside Mist Island!”

Hearing his agitated, heavy breathing, a wave of indescribable devastation washed over me.

I knew exactly what kind of feelings drove Raphael to say things like that.

But that didn’t mean it didn’t hurt.

When I kept my mouth shut, upset, Raphael began to bark at me.

“Did you understand?”

“……”

“Giselle. I asked if you understood.”

“……”

He always called me Giselle at times like this. That damned name Andrew Moltke gave me.

My insides churned.

“Giselle Deva Moltke! Are you not going to answer me?”

“I get it. I said I get it, so stop already!”

I yelled at him, but Raphael must have taken my response as enough—he didn’t react to that part.

Instead, he softened his tone and offered advice.

“Listen to me. Just live your life without getting involved in this stuff. It’s fine if you chase your dreams, or even if you just spend your life idly with the money I give you. Just say the word—I’ll make anything you want come true. But in exchange, don’t concern yourself with this kind of thing. Got it?”

My dream had been to become an actress.

To perform in packed theaters, to be a famous actress who appeared on every TV channel.

I’d wanted to learn acting, so I used to recite scripts alone.

But that dream ended when Raphael became the boss of Death Adder.

The central government poured all its efforts into turning Mist Island—the nation’s trash bin—into a normal city, and the city government had its sights set on dismantling the syndicates.

That’s not all.

Two Star, the organization rivaling Death Adder, was also lying in wait to take Raphael down.

Mist Island is a wild place where it’s kill or be killed.

And the part Raphael belonged to was the darkest, dampest corner of it all.

In a place like this, me becoming an actress was an impossible dream.

Not to mention—I was Raphael’s weakness.

“Got it. I’ll live without getting involved. I promise.”

It hurt to give up on my dream because of Raphael, but I never once resented him.

If anything, I felt sorry.

Whenever I thought of Raphael, my chest felt unbearably heavy.

‘Dreams are for the living.’

In the face of survival, dreams are nothing more than dust.

Raphael became a killer because of me.

If not for me, he would’ve risen steadily through the military ranks.

That’s why I bear half the responsibility for his life.

When I gave him the answer he wanted, Raphael stepped forward and hugged me lightly.

Maybe because we both grew up so rough, even as adults, hugging like this didn’t feel awkward.

“Red Shadow blew up a whole building, so both the police and Black Pistols are on edge. So for now, don’t even think about sending me to prison—just have fun hanging out with Maria.”

“……”

“I heard that new dessert place on 32nd Street is good. I made a reservation for delivery through Liam, so it should be arriving soon. Enjoy it with Maria. I’ve got to go. I won’t be home for a while, so lock up well.”

I saw Raphael off as he left Maria’s house.

Waiting outside was Liam, one of Raphael’s men—I hadn’t even noticed him arrive.

“Liam. Take good care of Raphael.”

“Don’t worry, Deva. Have a cozy evening.”

Liam gave a shy smile and a polite bow.

I watched as Raphael got into the car Liam was driving and disappeared down the street.

Liam Fabian.

He had long been a mystery to me.

In the original story, Raphael’s right-hand man was a man named Oscar Jackniper.

But I’d never seen anyone like Oscar Jackniper.

From the start, Raphael had only used Liam.

This world is inside a comic book—so why is it that some things differ from the original setting?

Because I don’t know the reason, I’ve chosen to believe that Raphael’s future and mine will differ from the original too.