I’m Really Not Trying to Be Chased by the Heroine as the Villainous Playboy! – Chapter 236

Chapter 89: The Rain’s Respite

The moment she caught sight of the little house, the girl’s dreamy green eyes sparked with a glimmer of light.

But the next second, she forcibly halted her steps, remaining in the woods, quietly gazing at the warmth that didn’t belong to her.

What would seeing Roy do, anyway?

Roy, being the son of a Marquis, would never marry into the Verdant Council for her sake.

If she went now, it would only make her mother see him as an enemy too. She couldn’t burden him any further.

The desire to see the young boy was deep, but the urge to not drag him into her troubles won out.

Nia greedily, obsessively, took one last glance at that wooden cabin, engraving the moments spent with Roy deep in her heart, then turned away.

However, just at that moment, the boy who had occupied her thoughts and prompted her to brave the rainy night appeared before her as if it were some kind of joke.

“Roy… why…?”

The soaked boy gasped lightly, worry plainly reflected in his deep-set eyes.

“That’s a question I should be asking! Weren’t you going to see your mother? Why are you here?”

“I…”

Nia struggled to respond, finding no space for defense.

The relentless cold rain battered down on her, her sheer dress soaked through, clinging to her delicate figure, making her appear ethereal and fragile. Her refined hairdo had come undone, a few wet strands sticking to her face, and her normally bright eyes were now clouded with a transparent mist, revealing deep confusion.

Even the elongated ears of her elven heritage, usually concealed by illusions, were clearly visible now.

But most importantly, the warmth and spring breeze of her smile that Roy was familiar with had vanished, leaving behind a small, helpless jasmine in the rain, shivering as if it would be swallowed by the downpour at any moment.

Just witnessing this scene pierced Roy’s heart painfully.

He couldn’t help but clench his fists and asked once more, “What on earth happened?”

“Nothing, nothing at all. Just had a little disagreement with my family…” Nia forced a smile that barely lifted the corners of her mouth.

She loved to smile.

Because Nia heard her father was an optimistic man who always wore a smile, no matter the hardships he faced. So she wanted to be strong and optimistic like him.

Smile when happy, smile when sad and lonely, as if smiling could disperse all negative feelings.

But this time, no matter how hard she tried to force a smile, her eyes only grew more painful.

Roy couldn’t ignore such a heartbreaking sight, but as he took a step toward the girl, he was halted by a shout.

“It’s fine!”

“Really, it’s fine!”

“I just… had a little conflict with my family…”

Her trembling voice faltered, and Nia lowered her head, not daring to meet Roy’s gaze, fearing that just one look would unleash the overwhelming mix of sadness, grievance, and unease.

“Sorry! I have to go!”

The girl, knowing she couldn’t hold it in any longer, hurried to escape from Roy’s side but didn’t see the obstacles in the darkness, tripping over a stone and stumbling.

Yet she didn’t touch the mud at all; instead, she was gently but firmly caught in an embrace.

“I’m fine, I really am…”

Nia had originally thought she could hold it together.

She didn’t want to burden Roy, didn’t want him to worry, didn’t want him to see her in such a pitiful state, wanting to leave only her best self in his memory.

But in his arms, like a ray of light in the darkness, the girl finally stopped pretending to be strong, burying her face in his chest, clutching his shirt, and shedding her pretentious smile.

With the pitter-patter of the rain, her pent-up feelings burst forth uncontrollably from her eyes. Her voice, once as crisp as silver bells, came out hoarse and helpless, conveying the grievances she had long suppressed.

This time, Roy didn’t ask anything.

He simply held the fragile girl tightly, quietly and tenderly, shielding her from the howling cold winds and the biting icy rain.

Until the sound of rain ceased.

Once Nia’s emotions calmed down a bit, Roy hurriedly led her back to the little house.

The body of a low-tier Extraordinary Being was better than an ordinary person’s, yet still susceptible to illness.

When Alice saw the two soaked through, she was taken aback but didn’t ask too much. Following Roy’s orders, she helped Nia clean up and settled her in an extra room.

Although Nia didn’t say a word the entire time, Roy could guess the truth of the matter.

Nia’s mother, Janthea, had an excessive need for protection and control, wanting to keep Nia in the Verdant Council forever. But Nia, like a bird, longed for freedom. While she had always suppressed this longing as a daughter, the conflict between mother and daughter was only a matter of time.

In the original story, regardless of the good or bad outcome, Nia was forced to obey her mother’s commands and was taken back to the Verdant Council without any scenes about this meeting.

But thinking about it carefully, how could a bird that finally tasted the sweetness of freedom willingly return to a cage?

Roy didn’t want to think about how Nia had fared that night in the original story.

Fortunately, Nia at least had a place to go tonight.

After hearing Nia had fled the “West Wind” restaurant, Roy instantly guessed she might come looking for him, which was why he hurried back before she left.

When Roy went to check on her, Nia had already improved a lot.

“Sorry, it seems I caused you guys trouble.” Nia scratched her cheek, smiling shyly.

The girl had finally regained some of her former self. Yet, the hints of redness at her eyes and her pale, weak smile were still heartbreakingly evident.

Alice was also worried about Nia, but at Roy’s reminder, she didn’t ask too much to avoid upsetting her.

Seeing that Nia’s mood had improved somewhat, Roy felt relieved.

“Let’s talk about it tomorrow; for now, just stay the night.” Roy smiled gently at her.

Time waits for no one, and it was about time this girl got some proper rest.

But just as Roy was about to turn and leave, he suddenly heard a call from behind.

“Um, can you stay with me a little longer?”

Turning back, he saw that the playfulness that usually sparkled in the girl’s eyes was gone, replaced by an unmistakable vulnerability and longing.

Before Roy could respond, Alice chimed in, “In that case, Nia, I’ll leave you in Master’s care.”

Then, the little maid quietly left the room and even kindly closed the door.

Feeling a bit embarrassed, Nia’s gaze drifted awkwardly as she weakly explained, “Sorry, I just… want you to stay with me for a bit…”

Seeing the girl’s rarely timid demeanor, Roy couldn’t help but smirk slightly, then moved to sit by her side.

“It’s okay; as long as you want, I’ll stay with you all night.”