I, the Villain, Want to Save Myself, But the Yandere Heroines Disagree - Chapter 9

Entering the study, Orson found that Mary had already changed out of her gown from the banquet. She now wore a red dress, which, paired with her brown hair and exceptionally well-maintained skin, made her look more like a woman in her mid-twenties rather than her actual age.

She exuded less of a youthful liveliness and more of a mature, seductive charm.

“Did the Duke call you to his study earlier?” Mary had been handling some documents, but upon seeing Orson enter, she immediately set her work aside. She looked up at him with a smile before speaking.

Looking at Mary, Orson couldn’t help but feel conflicted.

As the saying goes, “It takes two to tango.” In the original story, it was Mary and Orson working together that led to Litte’s downfall.

If Orson no longer held such intentions now, perhaps Mary would also give up on persecuting Litte.

“Yes, Mother. Father did call me to his study earlier,” Orson replied with a nod.

“Hmm,” Mary acknowledged with a slight nod, then continued, “What were you discussing? Was it about Litte?”

“It’s hard to keep anything from Mother. Yes, it was about that,” Orson replied with a polite smile.

“Orson, what are your thoughts on the matter of inheritance?” Mary asked as she rose from her chair and walked over to him. She adjusted his collar as she spoke.

She was a full head shorter than Orson and, with her youthful appearance, lacked the imposing presence of a typical mother. Instead, she appeared more like a peer.

More like an older sister, or perhaps even…

Just as a certain inappropriate thought surfaced in Orson’s mind, his memories of the original story came rushing back. Any fleeting notion of youthful indulgence was swiftly dismissed.

No matter what, Mary was still your stepmother. And besides, in the original story, she was a villain!

“Inheritance, you say…” Orson watched as Mary continued to straighten his collar. After a brief pause, he answered, “I will follow Father’s wishes. In my eyes, Father has already given me so much by raising me for eighteen years, despite not sharing a blood relation. He even provided me with the best education. For that, I’m deeply grateful.”

“Whether Father chooses me or Litte as his successor, I will support his decision. In fact…”

Orson paused briefly before continuing, “Because of an accident, Litte spent eighteen years in the countryside. If our positions were reversed, Litte would have fared much better than I did and wouldn’t have ended up in his current condition.”

“So, if it’s possible, I would actually prefer for Litte to inherit from Father.”

Mary’s hands froze for a split second upon hearing this, but she quickly composed herself. She looked up at Orson with a smile.

“Orson, I’ve always thought that you and I are alike.”

“Alike? Mother, in what way do you think we are alike?”

“We are both ambitious, forward-thinking individuals. For the sake of our goals, we are willing to set aside things that don’t truly matter.”

As Mary spoke, she leaned in closer, rising slightly on her tiptoes to whisper near Orson’s ear.

“Think about it. You’ve accomplished so much at such a young age. Don’t you want to aim even higher?”

“With your abilities, the position of Duke is hardly the pinnacle, is it?”

“You’ve been to Saint Roland City, haven’t you? Compared to Antica, isn’t it far more grand and magnificent? Don’t you think that’s where your talents truly belong?”

After finishing her words, Mary took a few steps back and smiled at him.

The way she moved still carried hints of girlish playfulness.

Orson’s expression shifted several times before finally settling into one of calm understanding.

Mary hadn’t changed. At the very least, her intention to harm Litte, as depicted in the original story, hadn’t changed.

In that case, she and I are already on opposing sides.

“Saint Roland City is beautiful, but home is far more comfortable.”

“And besides, family is undoubtedly one of the most important things, wouldn’t you agree?”

“Haha, it seems your perspective differs from mine,” Mary said with a chuckle. “Orson, you’re even more remarkable than I imagined.”

“What do you mean, Mother?”

“Nothing,” Mary replied, shaking her head with a smile. “I trust you’ll make decisions you won’t regret.”

“Perhaps.”

“Well then, it’s getting late. Go back to your room and rest,” Mary said as she returned to her chair, waving him off.

“Understood. Mother, you should rest early as well,” Orson said before turning and leaving her study.

Once outside, Orson realized his neck was damp with cold sweat.

After all, this discussion concerned his own fate. He couldn’t afford to let his guard down.

“Young Master Orson, take care,” Randall said with a bow as Orson exited.

“Thank you.”

—

Back at his room, Vivian was still standing by the door.

Seeing Orson approach, she quickly bowed.

“Alright, Vivian, you can go rest now. It’s late,” Orson said as he reached for the door.

“Um, Young Master Orson, Young Master Litte is still in the room. His own room has already been prepared. Should I wake him…?”

“I’ll handle it,” Orson replied with a smile. Vivian’s breath hitched at the sight before she hastily bowed again.

“Understood, Young Master. I’ll take my leave now!”

Orson watched as Vivian hurriedly made her way downstairs. Only after she disappeared from his sight did he push open the door and step inside.

According to the original story, the only person in the family he could completely trust and rely on was the maid Vivian.

Neither his stepmother Mary nor his father Lucius could be considered easy to deal with.

Once inside, Orson’s gaze immediately landed on Litte, who was fast asleep on the bed.

Litte appeared to be sleeping soundly, his expression relaxed. Compared to his tense demeanor during the day, he looked much more likable now.

Still wearing his formal attire, Litte had fallen asleep on the bed. Doesn’t that feel uncomfortable?

Orson shook his head at the sight of Litte still dressed in his ceremonial outfit and prepared to help him change out of it.

But as soon as he approached, an unsettling feeling crept over him.

Litte already had long hair and delicate features that made him resemble a girl. If not for knowing the original story and the fact that Litte’s chest was flat, Orson might have genuinely mistaken him for a girl.

Even so, looking at Litte’s androgynous appearance, Orson couldn’t bring himself to act.

It just felt… wrong, like he was doing something inappropriate.

And given how peacefully Litte was sleeping, waking him up didn’t seem like a good idea either.

After some thought, Orson decided to sit at his desk and flip through a book instead.

An hour passed, and Litte still showed no signs of waking. By now, Orson was feeling a bit drowsy himself.

Glancing at his bed, Orson noted that it was a standard double bed. Given Litte’s small frame and tidy sleeping posture, he was curled up on just one side of the mattress.

It’s fine. We’re brothers, after all. Sharing the bed for one night shouldn’t be a big deal.

Besides, this might even help strengthen our bond.

Yawning, Orson removed his outerwear, changed into his sleepwear, and lay down on the bed.

“This kid… I can’t believe you’re destined to become the protagonist someday,” Orson muttered to himself before closing his eyes.