A Regressed Villain: Heroines, Villainesses and Me?

'Boosting the luck of a partner, a partner fixed once chosen in any instant of a lifetime, personality reset once going through emotional despair, and awakening bloodline.'

Avendial, seated and recalling all the things that Aria had informed him about Aecilia's abilities, began to put together all the pieces.

He understood that they were all pointing toward a story that was beginning to form in his mind.

Though there were several possibilities still available, the clearest conclusion that appeared to make the most sense, based on the memory he had about the future, was that Aecilia's abilities significantly presented a story in his mind.

That is, the Serstul family, by becoming the first targeted by the royal family at an enormous pace, would definitely have faced separation from all sides.

They were slowly being defeated by the enormous strength of the royal family.

Though the details were not clear, it was possible that at the brink, the Serstul family had to be annihilated in front of Aecilia.

Due to emotional turmoil, she had gone through a personality reset.

Afterwards, he had memories of several instances where he could think of her falling in love with him.

Considering that her interest in him still existed in the present time, it was clear that her personality reset must have gradually made her bold enough to begin expressing her dormant love, which intensified.

To be exact, it could be considered the same as having a crush on someone.

But after going through a maturity phase, one starts to proactively approach their crush.

To be precise, Aecilia of the past definitely had a crush on him.

Given that before the appearance of the tower, she had already implanted some spies from the Serstul family in Croceaus Territory—showing that she had interest but was not strong enough to proactively approach him.

However, at the last moment, when he was about to turn back time and return to the past after completing the ritual, he, out of reflex, confessed his feelings to Ariana.

Though he didn't know if it was a genuine feeling, it seemed to be something done on a whim.

Considering that, due to the effects of curses, he was to lose the sensation of emotions just one or two years after the arrival of the tower.

He was unable to distinguish whether it was love or just a reflex when he accepted her proposal.

Maybe, most probably, it was the hassle he wanted to avoid while coming back in time.

But whatever it was, now these abilities were making much more sense to him.

Considering each one of them was clearly pointing toward what exactly happened with Aecilia after the destruction of the Serstul family.

So, he understood that most probably at the ninth floor, after disappearing and most likely being hunted down by the royal family, Aecilia disappeared.

Somehow, she was able to awaken her bloodline.

However, given that one needs to sleep for a month after awakening their bloodline, it was clear that she, without knowing it, had gotten herself captured in the dark mage's ruins.

'...Now this...'

Avendial, who a few days ago had doubts in his mind regarding how the destruction of the Serstul family followed the disappearance of Aecilia—clearly making him question if the title of heroine really held any significance—now realized how, even after the whole family was destroyed, she was able to survive and, not only that, somehow awaken her bloodline and become one of the strongest figures at the initial source of the tower.

This clearly indicated that the entire series of events proved that she was truly a heroine.

"Marquess?" Aecilia observed intently, her golden gaze fixed on the man who appeared lost in thought.

It wasn't merely his concentration that intrigued her; it was the confusion stirred by Aria's words.

Aecilia found herself questioning whether Aria was referring to her.

For a moment, even if she believed in what Aria said—referring to her—then according to those abilities, it was confusing, given that if she ever fell in love, those feelings would remain intact no matter the time.

This meant if her future self were to fall in love with someone else, she would also generate feelings for that person.

This was slightly complicated while also clear to her that it was possible—not that she doubted herself, but the issue was human changes.

A person can forget their loved ones, given what circumstances the future presents for them, but again she also noticed a peculiar thing: how her feelings, which always remained interested in him, were now clearly evident, as if that fog which always made her mind doubt whether she would ever be able to confess her love had cleared.

Though there was doubt, what if, in the future, she confessed or fell in love with someone other than the Marquess, and her feelings, which right now were for him, shifted back?

What would Aecilia do then?

But, of course, the question was whether what Aria said was true or just a fluke, and that answer could only be given by the single person whom Aecilia was currently looking at, hoping to get his reply.

"What a hassle," Avendial finally settled his thoughts and concluded how to deal with this particular information.

He retreated back, propping his back on the sofa, and observed how both of them were looking at him, prompting him to first glance towards Aria.

"Aria, are you feeling dizzy or something?" Avendial inquired about any potential drawback of her ability, considering how it was showing insufficient psi energy.

It was possible that her ability to look at others' stats was taking a toll on her body.

"Not much, but slightly eye pain," Aria said.

Though at first, she felt a twinge of embarrassment at the memory of the night, she soon composed herself, shaking her head and replying, while still feeling warm due to his concern for her health, which clearly showed a rather different sight from the previous night.

"I see..."

Avendial nodded, understanding the toll her ability was taking, before turning towards Aecilia, whose squinted eyes clearly showed her confusion, and the expression on her face indicated her curiosity about his reply.

In the end, Avendial knew very well that, after hearing what Aria revealed, several doubts would arise in Aecilia's mind, and she would need a valid explanation for everything to make sense and come together in the right direction.

However, which direction she would go would be decided by him.

"Aecilia, will you believe me if I say I came from the future?" Avendial, without beating around the bush, revealed this crucial information.

'!?!'

"S-sorry?" Aecilia, who was waiting for something serious to be revealed, suddenly felt as if the Marquess was joking upon hearing those words.

Additionally, her mind noted how he had referred to her by her name since the moment she arrived in this room.

"Wh-what?" Aria herself was taken aback, considering how she had thought about how she was special.

Someone who only knew about his secret.

No one other than her.

It was a feeling of superiority, where she knew that she was someone special to him, given how he revealed this information.

'Wait....', At that moment, a spark passed through Aria's mind as she remembered exactly how it was her who, due to her ability, was able to see his title, and even if he revealed himself, it was as a joke in front of everyone, not just her.

But right now, he specifically referred to that woman and revealed such crucial information.

Why?

Wasn't he said that she was the only one whom he loved in the future?

"Haah, Let's be more clear here, Miss Aecilia Sertsul, I want to say, I came from the future," Avendial, with his eyes turning cold and voice firm, declared, clearly looking towards Aecilia, who was confused regarding his initial words, trying to clarify things in a way that she understands while also believes at the same time.

"Huh? What?" Aecilia, though definitely heard what he said, was trying to process it, her hand loosening from where it was initially resting on her chest, falling onto her folded legs as she tried to understand the meaning.

Though of course she knew what he meant, that word of his about being from the future was not making sense to her, "Wait, you mean, like really?"

He inquired with a raised eyebrow, clearly trying to see if he was kidding right now.

But seeing that expression clearly formed, while also remembering that until now, if left his flirting or the declaration about accepting her love after a year, she never heard a joke from him, prompting her to for a second reconsider his words.

"....."

Avendial knew that after hearing his words, Aecilia would be confused, giving the same reaction as she was giving right now.

But even more, he expected the expression from Aria, which was similar to one he thought, considering how, after this night, she would most probably have thought that there was no one except her who would know this secret about him from being future.

Though technically he had memories of the future, but explaining each detail when the important thing right now was to provide Aecilia with breadcrumbs leading to the direction where he wanted her in the end was much more important.

Indeed, he doesn't have any romantic feelings for anyone, considering his own deficiency of emotions, which will soon take effect.

Though it could be memories, but in those memories, if he had to choose to reciprocate the feelings of others in exchange for getting loyalty, then it was a better deal.

And getting the complete faith and loyalty of a woman, who would become the head of Lustre, was something which he can't just ignore.