The Villain's First Love - Chapter 3 - Dutiful Daughter

I stared over my father's shoulder at the knights part of his retinue.

They were all fiercely loyal to the Swan family, and would lay down their life without hesitation for their duty.

I turned my attention towards him and smiled at the men brightly.

Vanessa Swan

Thank you for bringing my father back home safe.

The knights all chuckled, while one made the effort to answer me.

Charles Jenkall

It should be us who should thank the Marquis. He's the one who slayed the Class-5 Beast with only five strikes-

Marquis Swan

*cough*

Marquis Swan

A story for another day.

Marquis Swan

Come on, let's get you out of the cold. Your poor cheeks and ear tips will freeze off.

Vanessa Swan

Says the person who has been travelling on the back of a horse for hours in cold metal armor.

Vanessa Swan

Why don't we both warm up by the fire with some hot tea?

Marquis Swan

Sounds like a plan to me.

Marquis Swan

Charles, tell everyone that they are dismissed for the day.

Charles Jenkall

Yes, Sir.

Father then took my hand and helped me up the stairs leading to the main entrance of the estate.

He left me off by the fire in his office before telling me that he needed to take off his armor and get changed into something more comfortable.

Marquis Swan

I want to enjoy my conversation with you as much as I can.

He disappeared, leaving me alone by the flames.

My fingertips and cheeks slowly returned back to normal thanks to the roaring flames of the fireplace.

I hugged my legs, losing myself in my skirts.

Suddenly, a slight tap on the window broke my focus on the flames.

My eyes turned towards the large French doors leading to the balcony, where a grinning Maxon was standing, his hand pressed against the glass.

I got up and walked towards the door, unlatching it from the inside before opening it up.

I stared at him unimpressed as he grinned brightly.

Maxon Illyss

Greetings. Mind if I come in?

On paper, Maxon is one of my father's attendants. However, I know that Maxon's real role is as my father's assassin.

Vanessa Swan

What are you doing up on the balcony?

Maxon Illyss

If you ask so many questions, you'll only receive so many answers.

Vanessa Swan

...

Vanessa Swan

That's why you ask questions in the first place.

His attitude never fixed with me.

My father found him one day in a port town. I'm unsure of how they met or how my father ended up hiring him, but I know that him and I were never supposed to meet.

My father made that clear to him, yet here he is.

Vanessa Swan

Do you have an answer for me?

Why is he up on the balcony in the first place?

Maxon Illyss

Well, I wanted to give you a present.

Maxon Illyss

I found some on the way and thought I might as well bring something back for you.

Handing me what seemed to be the Swan Knight's handbook, I looked up at him with a judgmental look on my face.

Maxon Illyss

Open it.

I opened it and my eyes went wide at what was inside.

Between the pages were pressed dried flowers, all exotic species that only grew in the southern regions of my father's land.

How did he know-

Maxon Illyss

I spent time picking them. The knights even made fun of me for it.

I closed the handbook up and sighed.

Vanessa Swan

Do you want me to bandage up your ego for you?

Maxon Illyss

I'm afraid that's not possible. It's destroyed beyond repair now...

I sighed, rolling my eyes at the cheeky attendant.

Vanessa Swan

...

Vanessa Swan

Thank you. You didn't have to get me anything.

Maxon Illyss

Consider it a gift and nothing more.

Maxon Illyss

A couple of dried flowers are hardly worth anything.

I find worth in them, not that I'd ever admit it to him.

Vanessa Swan

Thank you for caring for my father.

Maxon sighed, leaning back on the frame of the glass doors.

Maxon Illyss

You always thank me when you want me to leave.

Maxon Illyss

Am I right to assume that?

I didn't confirm nor deny it.

Maxon Illyss

Well, it's been a pleasure, My Lady.

He made a grand gesture of bowing before slowly backing up on the balcony, turning around and jumping off.

I rolled my eyes, not even making a second check to make sure he didn't break anything.

The moment I closed the doors, my father burst in holding two cups of tea and a plate of biscuits on a tray.

Marquis Swan

What's wrong?

I smiled, setting the handbook down on the table.

Vanessa Swan

Nothing for you to worry about.

Vanessa Swan

Are those my favorite?

My father looked up at me sweetly.

Marquis Swan

For you? Always.

-End of Chapter 3-

Misty Plume

Thank you for reading my book! Make sure to like if you've enjoyed the story and want more. Subscribe by tapping the heart button, so you don't miss any updates. Doing that would mean a lot! Leave a comment especially! I love to read them~.

What do you guys think of Maxon? A. He seems cheeky but I like him well enough. B. I'm still waiting for the male lead to show up! C. I don't want him to interfere with the relationship between Vanessa and the actual ML. Comment below your thoughts!