Rogue Villain-Chapter 415: Sappy

"Ahem."

Ackster cleared his throat, which made Mara open her eyes. It seemed she had misread Ackster’s intentions.

"Pardon me, My lord."

Mara pretended like nothing as she bowed her head slightly and avoided Mio’s, Karandiel’s, and Ackster’s gazes.

"Don’t worry about it. It’s easy to make such a mistake. I also almost got caught up in the atmosphere."

"You did?"

"Ahem. What I was about to say regarding your request for a closer relationship, Mara, was that I’m not sure it’s a good idea."

"May I ask why, My lord?"

Mara had braced herself, but Ackster’s roundabout rejection still stung. And the full brunt of his words had yet to hit her. Still, she knew Ackster wouldn’t kick her away, so she comforted herself with the fact that she would still be close to Ackster. However, she could already feel her jealousy rage when she looked at Karandiel.

"I’m worried about you."

Mara was confused. She tilted her head while furrowing her brow and trying to understand how Ackster’s worry would cause his rejection. Shouldn’t he want to take care of and nurse her? In the first place, what was he even worried about?

Ackster continued before Mara could ask.

"Unlike with Karandiel, I made no attempt at hiding my intentions. I abused and tortured you to give me what I wanted. If a thing as small as the weather being different or someone had interfered, I would have killed you, Mara. I would have done it without hesitation and forgot about it the next day."

"...But you would have remembered me for the rest of the day you killed me?"

"That’s not the point I’m trying to make."

"But you would?"

"Yes. I have a good memory—"

"That’s good enough for me. There’s no reason to remember me after I’m gone. Grieving or regretting the past doesn’t fit you, My lord."

Ackster sighed.

"Once again. That’s not my point."

"I don’t need to hear it for me to know I still wish to be close to you, My lord. My loins burn at the thought of you. That’s all I need to know. You can’t convince me otherwise."

Ackster massaged his nose bridge with two fingers for a moment before giving Mara a stern look.

"I will say my piece, alright?"

"Of course, My lord."

Mara’s hands were already clasped behind her back. She nodded. Although she put up a brave front, she hugged her wrist with a clammy palm as she waited for Ackster to talk. Just like he couldn’t convince her to kill her feelings, Mara couldn’t convince him to accept them.

"I’m worried that the feelings you have toward me are more the effect of trauma than a natural development. I won’t go into details about how I know the term, but it’s something called Stockholm Syndrome. The victim of, for example, a kidnapping or hostage situation becomes empathetic toward the perpetrator. In severe cases, that empathy can develop into unhealthy obsession and affection, which would be easy to mistake for love. I realized it as soon as we reunited, but I made use of you. I can’t do that anymore."

Mara cautiously nodded while processing the meaning of Ackster’s words.

"You’re saying the emotional disturbance I experienced while you forced me to train your magic resistance made me feel things I otherwise wouldn’t have?"

"Something like that."

"I don’t get it. Why is that a problem?"

"...Because emotions developed under life-threatening circumstances toward the person responsible for those circumstances aren’t reliable, real, or healthy."

"I disagree. And before you say anything further, My lord, I only came to see your greatness after our parting. But the feelings I have for you are real. They are the reality I wish to pursue. Of course, if you want to reject my feelings because you can’t reciprocate, that is one thing. But please don’t invalidate my emotions based on a preconceived notion of yours. It is far more insulting than any of the abuse you ever put me through."

Ackster paused. He wasn’t sure how to respond to that. And before he could, Karandiel spoke.

"I’m with Mara on this one. It also seems you have forgotten something. You did what you did to us to save the world. Considering your success, I would say the means justify the goals. In addition to that, it shows you’re goal-oriented. You don’t need to treat us like tools to achieve your goals, especially if you set new goals about treating us with the respect you think we deserve."

"..."

"I didn’t mean to preach or tell you what to do. If you don’t wish to make it a goal to treat us with kindness or try and reciprocate, you, of course, don’t have to. I just want you to keep an open mind, Brian."

Ackster pressed his palms together and rested his nose between his forefingers as he closed his eyes in thought. He had a lot to think about.

Mara—Both of them were right. He shouldn’t force the ideals he gained from the Observer’s fake memories on them. Things were too different for any of his knowledge from that fucking bastard to apply. He had come to treasure Mara and Karandiel. He wanted what was best for them, even if it was distance from him.

But then he remembered the kiss with Karandiel.

"I’m not saying I can respond in kind just yet, or maybe ever—my soul is pretty fucked up after that last battle in addition to what I did to myself that decade—but let’s say I do accept your feelings. How am I supposed to decide who’s feelings to accept? Are you open-minded enough to share?"

Mara and Karandiel exchanged looks before turning to Ackster and nodding.

"We are."

"I don’t deserve monopoly of you, My lord."

Karandiel then gave Mio, who occupied Ackster’s lap and arms, a pointed look.

"A little birdie has also told us that you have a big heart and endless stamina. As long as we all communicate and make sure Mio—"

"Okay! That’s enough! I’ll take it from here."

Mio leaped forward and collapsed her hands over Karandiel’s mouth, shutting her up before she could finish that sentence.