Villain's POV: The Heroines Want Me!

Chapter 67: Chapter 67- Friendship

Chapter 67- Friendship

Rize didn’t know what to say for a moment. This was the very first time he had seen Venera with that expression on her face. The expression of deep guilt and sadness. It took him completely by surprise that she was even feeling that way. He never blamed her for being late or for running away, and yet, she felt like she had betrayed him.

That thought hit him harder than he could’ve ever imagined. He stared at her, his eyes wide, for a few moments.

Venera took his silence for approval of her words as she tilted her head down, feeling like the entire world was on her shoulders, crushing her slowly.

"I will reflect on what happened and do better." She said as she turned around to leave. However, at that moment, Rize suddenly grabbed her shoulder. The girl turned around, only to see a serious look on his face.

"Why are you apologizing?" He asked again. "Do I look like I blame you for anything that happened? It was all my decision. I’m working as your escort and bodyguard; it is my duty to make sure you’re safe, and as far as I’m concerned, I believe I did the right thing at that moment. What transpired after is simply not your fault."

"..."

"I don’t want you feeling guilty for something that you never did. You are the Princess; you already have enough on your plate." He said as he looked out of the window. "I’m alive, and that’s all that matters. You saved my life and found me when I thought things were going to end and that I would die... So, thank you so much."

Venera looked at the sincere expression on Rize’s face, and she was speechless. She opened her mouth before she closed it again.

"I... didn’t do anything... noteworthy," Venera said. "You’re working for me. I would never leave you behind."

"That’s... Not what I’ve always assumed of people. I was left behind more times than I could count." Rize said with a restrained smile as he laughed awkwardly. "You’re the first person who didn’t do that."

However, Venera could quickly see the sadness and pain beyond his eyes. Knowing his past, she understood why he felt that way. Someone like Rize never knew anyone he could trust till this point.

’He had lived his life without a family, not even knowing who they were. I can’t imagine how hard that must’ve been...’ She thought to herself.

"I’m really grateful, so don’t feel guilty. We made it out alive." He said as he lifted his fist to Venera. The girl looked at it and then at Rize, and a confused expression appeared on her face.

"You should fist bump me." The boy coughed awkwardly.

"Fist... bump?" She tilted her head cutely.

"That’s what friends do. They fist bump after doing something successfully or simply as a greeting."

"Oh? Is that a thing? I never heard of it before."

"You never heard of it?" Rize raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah, well, I never had friends so..." She shrugged.

’Makes sense. I can’t imagine Venera making friends that easily. She would only make them later on in the story.’ Rize mused.

"But, if that’s what friends do... Does that mean we’re friends?" She asked.

That was when Rize’s expression changed. "Uhm, I mean, I thought we were? I’m sorry if I jumped to conclusions too fast."

"No, no, I want to be friends," Venera said quickly. "I just... don’t know how that truly works."

"Me neither." Rize scratched the back of his head as he thought for a moment. ’Is this a good decision? To be friends with her?’

If Rize was told that this was going to be the outcome 10 years ago, he would’ve spat in disgust. Yet, during that time, Rize came to know Venera well enough to judge her character. She is far nicer than he could’ve ever imagined. This was not the Venera he read about in the story.

She treated him well, saved his life twice, and even welcomed him warmly into her world. Beyond that, they seemed to get along very well, and they had chemistry.

’The story has already gone to hell a long time ago. Would it really matter if I change it even more?’ Rize asked himself as he stared at Venera. ’Maybe this change is the first one that wouldn’t be too bad, after all...’

"Come on, fist bump me then." He said. "You do it like this." Grabbing her hand, Rize fisted it up before he tapped it against his. "See? Simple."

"That’s... Yeah. What an interesting gesture." Venera said as she rubbed her chin. "What else do friends do?"

"Um, I don’t know? I guess they hang out? Go places? And talk?" Rize said after thinking for a moment.

"Isn’t that... What any two people would do?" Venera asked.

"..."

’Fair point.’

"I don’t know, honestly. I guess we will figure it out as we go?" Rize asked.

"Mhm," Venera said with a faint smile. "Thank you... For being my first friend."

"Why are you thanking me?"

Venera smiled even wider. "Because nobody would’ve wanted to be my friend truly without hidden intentions. You’re the only person I’ve met that I could truly trust wouldn’t do that."

"..." Rize blinked, slightly taken aback.

"I’m glad it’s you who is my first friend. I believe it is worth the wait."

The dazzling smile on her face, the honest and sincere words, the sheer oddity of it all. Rize could’ve never prepared himself for all of it, and so his reaction was to simply... be speechless.

’How is she this nice? Is this even the same person?’ He asked himself as he looked down quickly and rubbed his nose. ’Am I blushing?! Dammit! This is utterly crazy!’

"Rize?"

"I’m fine, I’m fine. I just need a moment to collect myself." He said as he sucked a deep breath. "But, yeah, it’s really nothing to thank me for. Friends don’t need to thank each other."

"Right, right." Venera nodded. "Well, I might actua-"

As Venera was about to speak, the two suddenly heard a knock on the door that made them turn their heads around.

"Your Highness? Are you in there?" Rob asked from outside.

"Yeah, I’m here, Rob."

"Can I please talk to you for a moment? It’s something urgent." He said.

Immediately, Venera’s expression turned serious. "Hold on, I will be there in a second."

Then, she turned around to Rize. "I will let you rest, Rize. There are things I need to do. I will be back later."

"Mhm, go ahead. I will try to relax for a while." Rize replied. ’Not really.’

"Good. If you need anything, there will be a butler outside."

Then, Venera turned around and walked out of the room, leaving Rize alone. He stared at the door for a few seconds and then rested his back against the bed frame. ’I wonder what Rob wants to tell her. Maybe it’s about what happened.’

This was, naturally, not the end of this conflict and rather the start of it. The retaliation from Sagardia won’t be simple or easy, and Rize expected things to get chaotic soon. However, for some reason, all he could think about at that moment was one thing.

"First friend... Huh?"

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