Stealing Heroines’ Affections Is My Job as the Villain

The event went on for the rest of the day until the moon appeared in the sky.

It was filled with music, dancing, the clinking of goblets, and the hearty laughter of satisfied nobles.

Many people had relaxed and were enjoying themselves, especially since God Vritra hadn't caused the trouble they had expected.

The only person who couldn't unwind and enjoy the event was Marquis Cedric.

… Tch!

He was visibly upset after seeing Vritra whisper something in his wife's ear and then kiss her in front of everyone. If there was ever a moment in history that could be called the greatest humiliation, this was it.

Cedric went from thinking about how he'd brag about his wife to the other family heads to grinding his teeth at the thought that his wife might be showing interest in his biggest rival.

It was an absolute nightmare.

『Where the hell is she──?!』

Marquis Cedric stormed through the crowd, ignoring every noble who tried to greet him, as his eyes scanned the grand hall for his wife.

… Hrmmm!

His frustration grew as he marched past them without so much as a glance.

『Honestly, where the hell is that whore──?!』

Finally, he spotted Katherine with their two sons, talking to a baron from one of the nearby rural areas of Gladius City. Without hesitation, Cedric rushed over, heated, and roughly grabbed his wife, pulling her away from the baron and their sons.

"H-, honey… please, slow down! I can't──!"

Katherine struggled to keep her balance as he dragged her along like a ragdoll, her high-heeled sandals making it even harder to keep up with his pace.

… Huff! Huff!

Cedric didn't bother to look back, completely indifferent to how she was stumbling behind him.

Once he had pulled her to a secluded corner, Cedric turned to face her with his face twisted in fury.

However, Katherine barely noticed his anger as she was more focused on how roughly he had grabbed her.

"Ahh~ it hurts…"

She wasn't usually one to dwell on such things, but the way he handled her almost felt like he intended to hurt her──a thought she quickly dismissed.

Her loving husband would never do that… right?

Katherine softly blew cool air over the painful red mark circling her smooth, pale wrist.

"Ow, you nearly hurt me! Honestly, what's wrong with you?"

She asked, looking up at him. It was only now that she realized just how furious he was.

"Honey…?"

Katherine called to him again.

No longer able to hold back his anger, Marquis Cedric exploded at his wife without restraint.

"YOU CALL ME THAT NOW──?!"

His voice boomed, and Katherine took two shaky steps back, only to find herself pressed against the wall. Her body trembled at the sight of his common, yet powerful, rage, and she swallowed hard.

"H-, honey… please, calm down."

The noblewoman spoke in a soft, calm tone. There wasn't a hint of offense in her voice. Her mature response to his anger made him stop for a moment and take in the atmosphere around them.

That's when Cedric realized almost everyone was watching them with curiosity, especially Prince Vritra, who was silently observing from across the crowded grand hall.

Realizing how public his outburst had become, Cedric took deep breaths, trying to regain control.

『No, no, no! I shouldn't have shouted at her…』

He suddenly felt like the most uncivilized person in the room, which only pushed him to cool down and think clearly.

『According to Marquis Kris' sources, God Vritra is a master at provoking people, and he uses it to his advantage, usually by gaslighting his victims. I almost fell for it just a moment ago… no, I need to stay calm. I doubt he'll be in the city for much longer, so I'll keep a cool head until then.』

Cedric gave a small nod, feeling confident as a plan started to take shape in his mind.

… AHEM!

Out of nowhere, he laughed loudly.

"BAHAHAHAHHH!"

His voice echoed through the hall. Then, he casually placed an arm over Katherine's shoulders.

"I didn't realize my voice could be so loud, my dear wife. Maybe I should consider becoming a street musician."

"…"

"…"

Cedric's sudden laughter and odd comment left the room in silence for a moment.

No one understood what had just happened, but it seemed strange enough for the crowd to lose interest. One by one, the nobles returned to their drinks and conversations, leaving the couple in peace.

The only one still paying attention was Prince Vritra.

『This is one of those rare times when the side story is way more interesting than the main one.

『Cedric isn't as clueless as I thought—he clearly understands my knack for bringing out the worst in people and has acted accordingly. But Cedric… I was never really trying to provoke you. I just wanted to see if my thoughts about you were right, and it turns out they are.

『You're just an insecure husband who knows he doesn't deserve a smart, beautiful woman like Katherine. The thought of making you suffer is actually turning me on.』

Vritra grinned devilishly as he slowly turned the goblet of wine in his hand.

Away from the prying eyes of the nobles, Cedric couldn't tear his gaze from Katherine. Now that they had a moment of privacy, he pulled her closer and hissed.

"How dare you be so casually unfaithful to me?! Do you realize how much you humiliated me by letting God Vritra kiss you like that?"

His voice was a sharp whisper carrying heavy frustration.

He knew there was no easy way she could've refused the dark prince's kiss without offending him, but she could have at least shown some resistance or disgust. Instead, the way she had tilted her head and allowed the kisses to trail down her neck made it seem, to Cedric and everyone else watching, that she had welcomed it.

"I…"

Katherine started but then stopped, her eyes fixed on the tiled floor in disappointment. She wasn't sure what to feel, and she had no valid excuse to offer.

"I didn't want to…"

Clasping her hands together, she let out a quiet sigh.

"I-, I'm sorry…"

Oddly enough, her apology only made Cedric even angrier. His anger was justified, though─if she had at least given him a reason for why she accepted the kiss, he could have used it to really calm himself down.

But there was nothing…

She wasn't even trying to deny it!

『WHAT'S WRONG WITH THIS WOMAN──?!』

Cedric felt like he was on the verge of losing control.

… Hrrnngh!

Just as he was about to explode again, his eyes locked with Prince Vritra from across the grand hall, and in an instant, he forced himself to calm down.

He realized this was exactly what the dark prince wanted— to create tension between Cedric and his wife, so he could swoop in and take advantage.

The classic tactics of a homewrecker.

"No…"

Cedric whispered to himself, refusing to be provoked.

This time, he pulled Katherine closer, but more gently, and softly kissed her forehead. He glanced back at Vritra with a smug expression, as if to rub it in his face.

『HAH! You think you're smart, bratty young lord!』

Vritra remained composed.

But Cedric knew he had made his point.

Turning back to Katherine, he asked, "You're really not angry with me?"

Katherine's voice was soft. "You're not angry with me?"

Cedric laughed, rubbing her back as he shook his head.

"Angry with you? Bahaha! Never. How could I be mad at my wonderful wife?"

"Really?" Katherine asked, a little surprised.

"Of course!" Cedric replied warmly.

Katherine smiled faintly at this.

Sensing an opportunity, Cedric leaned in and asked, "So, what exactly did God Vritra whisper in your ear to make you so willing to accept his kiss?"

Katherine froze. Just like before.

"So… what did he say?"

Cedric pressed, though his tone remained gentle.

The noblewoman clasped her hands tightly, then slowly took a step back to create distance between them.

Cedric stood there, shocked by her sudden reaction.

… Huh?

What's going on? This couldn't possibly be the handwork of the mischievous God Vritra again… could it?

The confused nobleman glanced back at Vritra, but to his surprise, the dark prince wasn't even paying attention anymore. Vritra was deep in conversation with an excited Princess Luciana and Marquis Edmond Redwood, one of the heads of the four great families in Gladius City.

Cedric quickly turned back to his wife, desperation now clear on his face. He couldn't keep pretending to be calm, not when his normally loyal wife was hiding something from him.

"K-, Katherine!"

He rushed toward her, hoping for an answer.

"Please, just tell me…"

But his attempt was cut short when Katherine took another step back.

Her lips parted, and her words hit him like a blow.

"Whatever happened between me and God Vritra… whatever he told me… it's none of your business, Cedric."

The marquis stumbled back, nearly knocking over a nearby pedestal table, as though the shock of her words had sent him reeling.

It was as if he might collapse from the weight of it all.

Panicked, Katherine rushed to him.

"Cedric, are you alright──?!"

She tried to help him, but he slapped her hands away, raising his fist as if he might strike her.

"YOU WHORE──!!"

Cedric stopped himself halfway, trembling with anger.

"Don't talk to me…" he muttered before storming off.

From across the hall, Vritra watched the entire drama unfold while listening to Luciana's chatter, which, to him, seemed equally important.

[Ding! The "female character" Katherine now deeply resents you because you put her in a difficult situation that strained her peaceful marriage. Her feelings toward you have dropped significantly, losing 80 points!]

The young Asura nodded approvingly.

"Good girl…"