The Male Lead Is the Villain, and I'm the Only One Who Knows - Chapter 25

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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The male lead’s true identity is the shadow mastermind, and only I know it — Episode 25
“…Very well. I grant my permission.”
“Thank you for accepting, my lord.”
How could I refuse those sparkling winter-forest eyes shining right before me?
The moment I reluctantly nodded, Cahil melted into a smile and swiftly produced a silver basin.
By how quickly it was prepared, it seemed Sis had helped with the arrangements.
Ugh. Even if Iban doesn’t come, this will definitely reach his ears. Sis is practically Iban’s eyes and ears…
‘But foot massage is something servants do all the time anyway.’
It should be fine. It will be fine.
“Don’t strain yourself. It’s okay to keep it simple. You haven’t done this often, I’m sure.”
Truth be told, I was somewhat anxious about when Iban would arrive. So I was hoping to finish this quickly and be done with it.
‘…What is that intensely burning gaze?’
The moment Cahil heard my words, his expression hardened with resolve. What now?
“I have a Massage certification, my lord.”
“I… what?”
“I’m very good at it. Extremely good.”
What? An upper-rank mage suddenly has a Massage certification? Why on earth!
“But… why would you have something like that?”
“I must have obtained it to serve someone as perfect as you, my lord.”
Water at the perfectly warmed temperature flowed gently over my feet as his hands worked across them with steady, measured pressure.
“My lord, your feet are so beautiful.”
“…This is madness.”
His relentless stream of sweet nothings formed a dulcet backdrop as he worked, each word a musical note in an impossible harmony.
Wherever his hands passed, the fatigue seemed to simply melt away.
‘Wow. He actually does have a Massage certification, doesn’t he?’
And there was his captivating face, kneeling in perfect focus on the task — it was nothing short of paradise.
Each time his snow-white hair fell past his shoulders with the movement, my eyes found themselves drawn along with it.
Damn. This is dangerous, dangerous…
‘Author, you never described Cahil as this seductive in the novel.’
This is reader fraud. A face like that deserves detailed description!
“How does it feel, my lord?”
“Hmm? Oh, yes… you’re quite skilled…”
While I was in the midst of appreciation, Cahil glanced up and studied my expression.
Those eyes rolling like a rabbit’s struck something deep within me, and I finally understood why Shana took such devoted care of him.
Now I really should tell him to stop, but I can’t seem to find my voice… Good heavens, is that sweat running through his hair?
“I’m glad you’re pleased. But it seems the back particularly needs more attention.”
“Ah, yes. I’ve been moving around a lot recently.”
“I’ll be gentle, my lord.”
“Mm, that’s… wait, Cahil. You should stop now—”
Just as I gathered my wits to tell him to stop, a somewhat heavy footstep sounded from beyond the door.
“What’s making you so pleased?”
I looked up in startlement at Iban, who had already entered the room.
Why is his timing always like this? Just like at the party earlier.
“Is that the thing from before? It’s changed beyond recognition.”
“You shouldn’t refer to people as ‘that thing,’ Iban. More importantly, what is all this?”
As I answered Iban and gently pulled Cahil’s hand away, he withdrew without resistance. My, he catches on quick. Approved.
“I came to see my betrothed, alone in a room with a strange man while all her attendants are dismissed.”
“Please don’t say it like that. It sounds like a misunderstanding!”
Strange man? Cahil’s a servant—everyone knows that. This demon is impossible!
As I bristled, Cahil turned his gaze toward Iban. For a moment he stared at him, then quickly lowered his eyes.
“Cahil, you can go now. Thank you for your work.”
“Yes, my lord. I hope you have a pleasant evening.”
Even with Iban watching, Cahil pressed a deep kiss to the back of my hand without hesitation.
“Call for me again whenever you wish. I’ll be waiting.”
After leaving this soft whisper near my ear, Cahil finally moved toward the door.
But Iban didn’t step aside. Instead, he fixed his gaze on Cahil for a moment, then unexpectedly grasped his chin and tilted it upward with an odd look in his eyes.
“Look at me.”
“…Yes, Your Highness.”
“Have we met before somewhere? There’s something oddly familiar about you.”
As Iban studied Cahil’s face, he tilted it slightly and parted his lips to respond.
“When I was an apprentice mage at the Tarant Royal Court, His Highness visited for talks. It was a long time ago.”
“I see.”
After hearing the answer, Iban released Cahil and stepped aside slowly, his eyes betraying deep skepticism.
Cahil maintained a serene smile, gave a shallow bow, and slipped quickly from the room.
“Rene, is that really a lower-rank mage?”
“Apparently so.”
Iban watched Cahil’s receding figure before closing the door, his expression clouded with doubt.
Upper-rank mages grew adept at concealing their true strength.
In truth, most mages flaunted their magical power to gain status and influence, rarely bothering to hide it—but in Cahil’s situation, masking one’s abilities became a survival tactic.
If it became known that a prisoner of war possessed considerable power, the fear of future rebellion or vengeance would mark him for execution.
“Apparently so?”
Iban’s brow furrowed at the qualifier. But I couldn’t offer much clarification either. Cahil’s Mana output felt negligible at present.
He must be suppressing his strength—thoroughly concealed beneath forbidden Black Magic that others would find nearly impossible to detect.
The fact that even Iban harbored doubt rather than certainty spoke volumes: the man’s true ability was formidable.
‘In other words, Cahil will prove genuinely useful to me.’
I hadn’t known his full strength myself, after all. In the source material, the magic Cahil demonstrated far exceeded what a mere lower-rank mage could accomplish—I’d simply guessed him to be upper-rank.
‘Before his true power could ever surface, Iban killed him….’
I sipped the tea Sis had brought and spoke again, my tone more measured than before.
“The Mana signature that shows on the surface is faint enough to read as lower-rank, but there’s a feeling of something deeper beneath. For now, I plan to relax my guard gradually and observe him over time. Mages skilled in southern magic aren’t common, after all.”
I added that with proper handling he could prove useful in many ways—a convincing answer that earned my keep. Iban nodded without further objection.
“Rene. I didn’t come back here because of him.”
“…Didn’t you?”
His eyes had shifted slightly—he’d obviously come because of Cahil.
When I looked at him skeptically, Iban let out a short, awkward cough and glanced away. Brushing back his dark falling hair, he added quietly.
“Well, it was incidental.”
I’d wager a year’s research stipend that his business here was the real reason.
He then spoke in a serious tone.
“Rene, do you remember the humanoid Demonic Beast we encountered in the gardens of Dia Palace?”
“Of course. She seemed so human I still can’t forget her.”
The image rose sharply in my mind—the woman imploring me desperately to save her. Even knowing she was a Demonic Beast, I’d found her nearly indistinguishable from human.
Without finding a special means, any encounter with strangers would be perilously risky without Iban’s barrier. Though now that I’d learned Purification, things would be somewhat safer.
“I found the reason why that Demonic Beast said she’d ‘found’ you. I came to tell you.”
“Ah…! Now that you mention it, she did say something like that. Even though we’d never met.”
The moment our eyes met, that uncanny expression—bright and delighted as she recognized me—flashed vividly through my mind. I unconsciously furrowed my brow, and Iban reached up to smooth the crease at my eyes.
“The conclusion is this: the Demonic Beasts are targeting you.”
“…Wow, could you maybe start from the beginning and explain this properly?”
Don’t just drop a bombshell like that—explain first, please….
Suddenly dizzy, my hand flew to my forehead. No, my temples.
Demonic Beasts targeting me? What’s that supposed to mean? I’m just a quiet Possessed Person living my life—why on earth would they—!
“Before I explain, I need to ask you something. Nothing major.”
“What is it?”
“Did you perhaps come from another dimension? Korea, you called it?”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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