A Regressed Villain: Heroines, Villainesses and Me?

'He was a Marquess?'

As Aria exited the sleek Mercedes-Benz, driven by a woman with short hair and striking golden eyes, she glanced toward the hotel standing before her.

Her mind wandered back to the conversations she had shared with Billie, the car's driver, who had revealed that the man she always thought was Professor Aven was, in fact, Marquess Avendial Croceaus.

"Hm, follow me," Billie said tersely.

With one of her hands bandaged, she moved forward, clearly feeling discomfort, yet she showed no sign of mercy.

Tasked by her so-called cousin, who had little regard for her well-being, she was ordered to escort Aria to the hotel.

Rubbing her head in frustration, she struggled with the itch beneath the bandage.

Despite her short, tomboyish hairstyle, Billie carried an attractiveness that drew the gazes of several guests, who also glanced at Aria as she followed behind.

Before long, they took the elevator to the seventh floor, making their way to room number 32.

Billie held the key tightly, clearly feeling more like a servant than a cousin.

Upon arriving outside the room, she handed the key to Aria, adding, "I'll be in the next room. Just let me know if you need anything."

"Um?"

Aria stood there, confused by her own intentions, gazing at the black card key in her hand.

She let out a soft exhale, wishing to hear more answers—or at the very least, to see him in this moment.

With that thought in mind, she slid the card into the door lock.

Krieek.

As she entered the room, she called out softly, "Professor...?"

However, her words seemed to float away, their significance lost in the air.

Clenching her fist, a mix of uncertainty and longing surged through her, prompting her to change her approach.

"I mean, Sir Croceaus, are you here?"

There was only silence in response.

With a subtle flicker of resolve, she stepped further into the room.

The narrow path opened up into a large hall, lavishly adorned with sofas and expansive glass windows that showcased the night sky.

The moonlight sparkled in her eyes, illuminating the opulence of the space that resembled a luxurious hotel.

As she took in her surroundings, a sound broke through her reverie.

It was the splashing of water.

"Marquess?" she ventured, still feeling uneasy about using the title.

Perhaps it was the right thing to do—maintain a distance.

Deep down, she regretted the sensations and feelings she had experienced just a few hours prior.

She was acutely aware that boundaries had been crossed, yet she also knew he would be the one to create distance between them.

As she let her guard down, she turned toward the open bathroom door and stepped forward.

"Is anyone—!?!"

Just half a minute's distance from the bathroom door, as the sound of water continued to echo, her inquiry hung in the air.

Suddenly, there was a sharp tug on her body.

Her eyes widened in shock as her hand was grasped and pulled inside the bathroom.

"Kyaaah~!"

Aria's eyes widened, trembling with both shock and something she couldn't quite name as Avendial's hand wrapped around her wrist.

The sudden, firm pull yanked her off balance, making her stumble into the steamy, dim-lit bathroom.

The scent of fresh cedar and the faint mist from the hot shower enveloped her senses.

Her gaze was instantly captured by the sight before her—his broad, bare chest glistening as water poured down, tracing every ridge of his taut muscles.

His silver hair was damp, strands clinging to his face, highlighting those piercing blue eyes that now looked straight into hers with a sharp, almost predatory glint.

Before she could gather her thoughts, he tugged her closer, her body pressing against the heat of his damp skin.

"Looking for something, Aria?" he murmured, his voice a low, teasing whisper that sent shivers down her spine.

His grip on her wrist loosened, fingers sliding down to intertwine with hers, yet not letting her escape.

"Or were you just dying to see me like this?"

Her breath hitched, heart pounding furiously against her ribs, as she struggled to keep her eyes from roaming the expanse of his soaked, slightly muscular torso.

"What—what?"

As she stood there, her heart racing and her mind struggling to comprehend the situation, Aria felt a wave of confusion wash over her.

She had been bracing herself for a farewell, given his earlier words about wanting to leave her life as a final favor.

Yet, here he was, pulling her into a moment that clearly belied any intentions of separation.

"I love you, Aria," Avendial whispered, leaning closer until his breath brushed against the nape of her neck.

A warmth enveloped her, a tangible connection between them as the tension in the air thickened.

The fog of his warm breath mingled with the sudden dampness of the rain, turning the atmosphere electric.

Her cascading black hair began to cling to her skin, dampened by the unexpected turn of events.

Badump

"What? Huh? What?" Aria stammered, feeling the heat radiating from his body as his hands moved behind her to grasp her wrists.

The tingling sensation danced along her skin, igniting a rush of emotions deep within her.

Her heart, which was already racing, momentarily felt as if it had stopped.

Blinking rapidly, she tried to process his declaration, standing on the precipice of understanding yet helplessly caught in a trance.

She had come here with the simple intention of having a last conversation with him, trying to push away the persistent memories and the feelings that had always felt so embarrassing, and so undeserved.

How could someone like him—who was clearly sacrificing so much for an unknown person like her—ever feel that way?

But in this moment, with her breath coming in short gasps, she doubted her ability to maintain her composure.

The thin line between clarity and chaos eroded with each passing second.

Aria was acutely aware that if this continued, she might very well lose her mind, completely unaware of the boundaries she was about to cross in the heat of the moment.

"Haa... Please... S-stop," Aria stammered, attempting to lift her hand, but it seemed the most she could manage was to let her fingers brush against the firm skin near his waist.

She could feel the slight hint of muscle beneath the surface—a far cry from the sculpted bodies of Greek gods, yet still enough to quicken her heartbeat.

His skin was flawless, and that small amount of visible strength was alluring in its own right.

At this rate, if you don't act soon, you might just lose consciousness.

"Save that 'please stop' for when I'm at it all night," Avendial teased, tilting his head as the chilled water of the shower ran over them.

Ignoring the cold, he playfully bit her earlobe.

"IEEKK!?" Aria gasped, her body jolting at the unexpected sensation that surged through her, sending a shiver racing down her spine.

As she tried to pull her hand away, her nails inadvertently dug into the skin near his waist.

As his fingers traced down her spine, they glided along the curve that led to the enticing dip of her body, where they eventually met the snug, thick fabric of her jeans, which hugged her curves like a destination waiting to be reached.

"N-no," Aria stammered, her voice catching as she felt him murmuring softly against her ear.

The only response he offered in that moment was a low, husky, "…I'll leave you alone, but right now, I can't control myself. So just be quiet, Aria."

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