A Regressed Villain: Heroines, Villainesses and Me?

The morning sun was at its zenith, bathing the entire landscape and the bathhouse in a warm, dappled light that illuminated the highways. Several cars sped along the asphalt, their engines roaring in a symphony of motion.

Vroom!

A car zipped down the highway, its speed steady enough to weave past most others in its lane. Not far behind, a Bugatti maintained a consistent pace, refusing to accelerate as it matched the car in front of it.

"Exactly where are we going?" Aria asked, glancing at Avendial as she deftly handled the steering wheel. Through the rearview mirror, she spotted the Bugatti closely following them. The sharp gaze and intense glare from the driver sent a chill down her spine, but she kept her focus on the man beside her.

"Nothing much, just on a date," Avendial replied, his eyes fixed out the window, arms crossed. He was deep in thought, grappling with the confusion of why he held a title that had come from Lin. There was a nagging sensation about her voice that tugged at the edges of his memory, as if it had lain dormant somewhere in his mind.

"...I see," Aria responded, her mind racing. The roar of the engine harmonized with the rapid beating of her heart as she processed his words. He was taking her on a date, and with that thought, a burst of excitement coursed through her.

"Her name is Etrinia," Avendial clarified, noticing the flush on Aria's face and the way her expression shifted, clearly signaling that she had misunderstood. He realized he needed to clear the air to prevent any further confusion.

"Huh? What?" Aria managed to say, her focus on driving unruffled but her insides in turmoil. The revelation that he was taking another woman—someone she didn't even know—on a date jolted her. Bewildered, she looked at him, trying to discern if she had truly heard him correctly or if it was just a figment of her imagination.

"Rest assured, it's just a first meeting, and she will be important for the future," Avendial continued, attempting to assuage her mounting concern. He recognized that the possibility of misunderstanding was high, and he feared Aria might start to resent the effort he had made to mend their relationship.

Yet, it was evident that she wasn't as bothered as he had expected. In fact, she seemed to have adapted to this new reality, where Lin occupied less space in her mind—a commendable achievement, considering the years of emotional turbulence they had both endured.

It appeared that Aria had finally reached a point of acceptance regarding her attempts to win Avendial over, having come to terms with the notion that perhaps her feelings for him would not change the outcome involving Lin.

"...Focus on driving," Avendial pointed out, emphasizing that he should concentrate on the road instead of being distracted by their conversation. He could feel a slight increase in speed that made him uneasy, a sensation that hinted at the possibility of an accident.

"Drive yourself," Aria pouted, tightening her grip on the steering wheel as she pressed down harder on the accelerator. Although her attention was on the road, she couldn't resist taunting him, clearly feeling that instead of taking her to their intended destination, he was leading her somewhere entirely different.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

"I don't know how to drive," Avendial replied flatly, his expression betraying the truth that was unmistakably clear—he had no experience behind the wheel.

"Eh?" Aria turned to him, confusion flickering across her face for the first time. She glanced at him, her skepticism evident. She had assumed he was joking, considering the meticulous and methodical approach he had taken in every situation they had faced together. How could someone who had lived in the future remain so clueless about something as fundamental as driving?

"My dad died in an accident while I was driving," Avendial said, his voice tinged with an edge of fear. There was no emotional weight behind those words, even though he was fully aware of the deliberate tampering that had led to the brakes failing that day. Still, he was the one behind the wheel when it happened. The accident occurred in a volatile region, rife with danger and intrigue, shortly after a mass execution of officials linked to the royal family, who had been attempting to eliminate his father. Avendial had tightened security measures after inheriting the mantle of leadership at the age of eighteen, yet that memory clung to him, an unwelcome reminder that induced a feeling of irritation whenever he thought about driving.

It wasn't exactly trauma that haunted him; rather, it was a lingering discomfort he felt at having to confront the memories he had buried deep within. He preferred not to dig into the past, opting instead to let those haunting moments remain where they belonged—undisturbed and forgotten.

"I... am sorry," Aria said, suddenly aware that she might have touched on a sensitive topic. It was clear that anger didn't overshadow the pain of past memories. She had told him to drive, but she feared her words might have hurt him by forcing those memories to resurface.

"No, you hurt me, and now you have to help me with something," Avendial responded, his voice steady and intense. He was well aware that his admission would likely evoke sympathy from her, which was precisely what he wanted right now. He needed her distraction as he battled thoughts of wanting to pursue another woman—though he couldn't quite call it "dating." His interest lay in Etrinia, and he was determined to find a way to reach her without it taking too long.

Badump.

"Okay," Aria replied, her mind drifting to some questionable thoughts and vivid memories from a night long ago. She quickly averted her gaze to the side window before turning back to focus on the road. Avendial noticed her distraction, narrowing his eyes in confusion. It was clear she was not thinking in the direction he intended.

"I want you to tell me her heart rate and physical condition as I talk to her," Avendial instructed, knowing Aria's unique ability could provide him invaluable insights about Etrinia, he told Aria that they needed to meet at a hotel café.

The purpose was to set up an appointment between Marquess Croceaus and Dr. Etrinia, during which he planned to have a crucial conversation.

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The café just outside the grand hotel hummed with life.

Its charm blended seamlessly with the lavish elegance of its neighbor.

The soft morning sunlight glinted off the glass facade, casting delicate reflections on the bustling streets.

The mingling scents of roasted coffee beans and fresh pastries filled the air, drawing in patrons who sat engaged in quiet conversations or lost in thought with steaming cups in hand.

A sleek black sedan pulled up to the hotel's entrance with a smooth halt.

The driver stepped out, opening the door for a woman whose golden hair caught the sunlight like threads of fire.

She adjusted her glasses as she emerged, her crisp white coat marking her profession unmistakably.

Dr. Etrinia was known for her skill and composure, traits that had earned her a stellar reputation in her field.

Today, however, her usual poise was tinged with curiosity—and perhaps a hint of apprehension.

As she stepped towards the hotel, her mind wandered briefly to the phone call she had earlier with Marquess Croceaus.

His deep, smooth voice had carried a warmth that surprised her.

"Where shall I meet you?" she had asked, keeping her tone professional.

"Ah, Etrinia," he had replied, a subtle chuckle evident.

"Just look for the most handsome man in the room. That would be me."

The statement had left her momentarily speechless.

A man of his stature—a Marquess—making such a casual, almost playful remark?

She had expected decorum, formality, but instead, he had delivered a jest that left her questioning whether she had misjudged him entirely.

Now, as she entered the grand lobby of the hotel, she was determined to push the thought aside.

Her heels clicked softly against the marble floor as she approached the reception desk.

The opulent surroundings were almost overwhelming: polished chandeliers hanging like frozen waterfalls, marble pillars stretching towards the high ceilings, and a faint melody of classical music playing in the background.

"Good morning," she addressed the receptionist with a polite nod.

"I'm here for an appointment with Marquess Croceaus."

The receptionist barely glanced up from his ledger, instead gesturing towards the lounge area.

"He's expecting you," the man said simply.

Etrinia's gaze swept the room, carefully considering the faces of the patrons scattered across the space.

And then she saw him.

At a table near the large window, a man sat bathed in the soft sunlight streaming through the glass.

His silver hair shimmered like molten metal under the warm light, framing a face so striking it seemed almost sculpted.

Sharp blue eyes caught the light, glowing faintly with an intensity that demanded attention.

His suit was flawlessly tailored, each detail emphasizing the refinement of his broad shoulders and lean frame.

Despite his calm demeanor, there was something undeniably commanding about him, as though his presence alone shifted the air in the room.

Etrinia hesitated for a fraction of a second.

There was no mistaking it—this was him.

Gathering herself, she moved towards his table, each step carefully measured.

Stopping before him, she adjusted her glasses and spoke, her voice steady though her earlier surprise lingered faintly.

"I hope I haven't misjudged."

He looked up, his blue gaze meeting hers with a warmth that matched the playful curve of his lips.

"You bet," he replied, his voice smooth, carrying an effortless charm.