A World Where You All Are The Villains [Novel] Chapter 82

A sudden chill ran down my spine.

It was definitely the female lead I knew.

She looked exactly like the Llewellyn described in the novel and the one I had seen in Edith's dreams.

But it felt exactly like I was dealing with a wax figure modeled after her.

With an innocent expression that somehow lacked any warmth, Llewellyn replied.

"I don't know why you're suddenly saying that, Edith."

It was verbatim what she had just said.

Not a single syllable was out of place.

She was repeating the exact same words, as if a cassette tape had been inserted inside her.

"What in the world…"

Unable to continue, I just stared blankly at the female lead.

Something must have happened at the Sephirot Cult.

But if she had been hit by a brainwashing or mind control ability, there was no logical reason for her to repeat things she had said in the past.

It was as I was scrutinizing Llewellyn with a confused expression.

"…!"

Suddenly, I realized there was a much bigger problem than her repeating past lines.

It had already been several minutes since I started this nonsensical conversation with the female lead.

And during that time, which could be considered quite long…

Llewellyn hadn't blinked a single time!

A chilling sensation crept down my spine, making the hair on the back of my neck stand up on end.

"…Llewellyn."

"Yeah?"

"Why… aren't you blinking?"

"Ah."

Llewellyn's lips parted slightly.

Then, like a machine suffering from a software glitch, her eyeballs started rolling wildly.

Those green pupils bounced crazily in every direction within her large eye sockets.

"Aaaah!"

Looking like a scene straight out of a horror movie, a scream burst from my lips before I could stop it.

Only then did Llewellyn's erratic green eyes stop moving.

And then…

She blinked a couple of times, acting as if absolutely nothing was wrong!

"…What's wrong, Edith?"

The female lead asked sweetly to my frozen form.

"Uh!"

I scrambled backward in sheer terror.

"Y-you…! What's wrong with your eyes?!"

"What did I do…?"

She took a step toward me, putting on a tearful face.

As I was flinching and backing away from her, the heel of my shoe just had to catch on the hem of my dress.

My left foot wobbled, and I lost my balance in an instant.

"Ah!"

I fell flat on my back.

"Ugh…"

My tailbone!

It felt like my rear end had shattered from slamming into the floor.

Tearing up slightly, I grabbed my lower back and groaned, when suddenly a shadow fell over me.

"Edith, are you okay?"

The moment I slightly lifted my head, I came face-to-face with those very green eyes.

I hadn't noticed from a distance, but looking closely, her glassy pupils were completely unfocused.

Like the empty, soulless eyes of a doll?

"Huh…"

I felt dizzy for a second, a suppressed gasp escaping my lips.

My face, turned as pale as a sheet of white paper, was reflected perfectly in those clear green eyes.

Anyone could see I was absolutely terrified.

Yet, as if she couldn't see my state at all, Llewellyn reached a hand out to me.

"Edith…"

"W-wait a minute!"

Screaming almost convulsively, I scrambled backward on the floor like a crab.

"Just stand there! Don't come any closer!"

"That's so mean, Edith. Am I dirty because I'm a commoner?"

"When did I ever say that, you crazy bitch!"

"Crazy bitch? I know you hate me, but how could you say something so cruel…! Hic."

Llewellyn, who had been reciting her lines monotonously like a myna bird, suddenly scrunched up her face.

Soon after, her large, glass-like eyes grew moist with tears.

"Hic, haa… I really just wanted to get along with you…"

Eventually, the female lead's shoulders trembled as she started to cry.

Goodness, even her crying face was pure and beautiful.

Shedding bead-like tears, she looked incredibly deeply wronged, exactly like someone who had just been slapped across the face by a villainess.

However, I just stared up at Llewellyn blankly, my mind half-gone.

The way her expression changed from moment to moment put Sichuan face-changing magic* to shame.

Normally, this would be a situation so absurd I'd be speechless, but right now, I couldn't even muster a laugh.

Because I was too terrified.

That thought hit me instinctively.

But maybe I had sprained my ankle when I slipped, because I couldn't bring myself to stand up.

Or maybe my legs had just given out from the shock of the female lead's eyeball-rolling freak show.

Just then.

"Hah?"

As if saving me from my crisis, someone else's voice pierced through the taut tension.

"What are you two doing?"

I hastily turned my head toward the sound, but despaired when I saw who had arrived.

It wasn't salvation. It was doom.

"Vincent?"

Instead of me, who kept my mouth shut, the female lead's delicate voice called out to them.

"Sir Ethan, and Sir Dylan too…"

Of all times, the timing and the characters that showed up were absolute killers.

Male Leads No. 1, 2, and 3, all in one place.

And right at the very moment I was alone with Llewellyn.

I was just recalling the deer-masked maid who had obediently stepped away earlier.

"Llewellyn. What happened?"

Male Lead No. 1 hastily approached.

Male Leads No. 2 and 3 followed closely behind.

Was it a relief that Male Lead No. 4 wasn't here, at least?

No.

Only frustration surged up inside me.

As I frowned at the bubbling disappointment, Llewellyn hurriedly wiped away her tears with the back of her hand and shook her head, looking exactly like a persecuted heroine.

"I-it's nothing. I was just having a chat with Edith…"

"Why, did she spout some nonsense to you again? Did she… hit you? Is that why you're crying?"

The bastard Vincent immediately condemned me, as if he had been waiting for the chance.

I wasn't even that mad.

I just found it a bit fascinating.

Does the power of love really make people utterly blind?

The female lead pitifully stopped Vincent, who was glaring at me with murderous eyes.

"I-it's not like that, Vincent. Don't say that."

"If it's not like that, then why are you crying. Huh?"

"I'm not crying. I just got something in my eye…"

"Let me see."

The two of them immediately started putting on a sickening display.

Meanwhile, I kept a tense, close eye on Vincent.

Her eyes looked like literal glass beads, but was I really the only one noticing this weirdness?

I looked back and forth between the two with wavering eyes.

Suddenly, a voice as cold as ice water dropped from above my head.

"What are you doing sprawled on the floor without a shred of dignity? Get up at once."

Glancing up, Ethan was looking down at me with a cold, hardened face.

His lake-blue eyes, which had held a certain warmth when he gave me the allergy medicine, were now laced with faint contempt and pathetic pity.

Just like Vincent, he seemed entirely convinced that I had made Llewellyn cry.

Without even knowing what had happened.

Even though I was clearly the one who had fallen over.

Something hot surged up in my chest.

Was it because I foolishly deluded myself into thinking we had gotten somewhat closer after being stuck together all day?

I gritted my teeth and put strength into my legs.

Fortunately, there was a pillar right next to me.

I grabbed onto it tightly and struggled to pull myself up.

Just then…

"…Grab hold."

Suddenly, a large hand was held out in front of me.

Slowly raising my head, I saw Male Lead No. 3 looking down at me.