The Tale of the Redeeming Villain

"Mm...ah..." Blake jerked in his sleep and was woken up by an unknown source.

He parted his eyes and looked around. Seemingly he was in the same room where he slept with Catherine last night.

His body was slightly heavy but not because of some restraint—which he feared to find himself in, given he freed Catherine last night.

'...she healed me huh...' Holding his arm high he looked at its perfect condition and couldn't help smiling. Despite how much she hated him, as a Nun and a healer, she couldn't ignore an injured person.

Truly a heroine material.

'Let's just get out...' Blake desired some hours of more sleep but it was already mid-noon and his stomach was demanding some stuff to drop in there.

Blake got up and slowly made his way toward the door—trying to not succumb to the darkness that spread under his eyes upon awakening.

His vision cleared out slowly as he made his way out of the room—and momentarily paused.

'Vegetables...chicken....rice...curry?' His stomach rumbled at the favorable fragrance of something excessively good being cooked in his kitchen.

Suddenly his body received a boost and Blake made his way towards the dining with steady steps.

Without a doubt, it was Catherine who was cooking the food.

"You are awake. Now sit down and wait for a few minutes." She didn't need to turn to know that he was here—due to her magic which she regained recently.

Blake heeded her call and sat down on the table. He didn't go to fetch some stamina-regaining potion, since more than the food he desired nothing more as of now.

Catherine moved inside the kitchen like she was well accustomed to living here and had a good culinary experience.

The apron-wearing blond beautiful girl gave a very wife-like vibe—forcing Blake to fall into a daze. However, he shook himself off soon enough to not make her wary of him again.

'....no wonder Blake fell for her charms...' The Holy Maiden is the symbol of peace and the face of the Saint Havel Cathedral—the biggest and the most trusted church on the continent.

Catherine was done plating the food and picked them in both of her hands and the rest just levitated around her—showing her incredible proficiency in telekinesis.

She placed six dishes on the table including curry rice, some red meat steak, and green vegetables salad.

"This much food...when did you make it?" Blake was simply amazed by her skills and the presentation of dishes she displayed.

He picked up his spoon and scooped some curry-coated rice before placing it on his tongue.

"...I am awake for two hours now. I cleaned up my clothes and the house a bit. Since there were many ingredients in the kitchen, I thought—hey? Are you okay?"

Catherine frowned upon seeing the blank face Blake wore after taking the spoonful of curry rice in his mouth.

Catherine was taken aback by the moisture that suddenly formed in his eyes as Blake took out the spoon from his mouth and while chewing he said, "This is so perfect...so good...I feel blessed..."

Focusing his eyes on Catherine he extended his genuine gratitude, "Thank you...for this delectable meal."

Catherine was dumbfounded at how different Blake seemed just now. She has prepared food in the past for others and received many compliments but this. Without any evidence, she could tell that Blake was being completely honest here.

'...seriously, is this the same Blake that everyone hates? '

The breakfast went peacefully as Blake devoured everything that was served and asked for another curry rice serving.

As a graceful lady, Catherine ate slowly. That's why, even after Blake was done finishing all, she still wasn't done with the curry rice.

Blake didn't usher her to hurry and remained seated in front of several emptied dishes.

"Feels alive again." Patting his belly with his eyes crescent, Blake heaved a big sigh.

This rare childish sight of Blake, I wonder how many people have seen it—Catherine inwardly murmured.

It was strange that two days ago, in this same living room, Catherine was crawling on the ground, begging Blake to not touch her. And now, they were sharing the same table and having a comfortable lunch.

The reason for such a sudden change is the context of her following question,

"How did you know...about my condition?" Catherine asked in a low tone like she was terrified. And it was true since Catherine had a hard time even talking about 'that' incident even though it was not raining outside.

Blake leaned back on the chair before humming a bit.

"It was the third day after the entrance ceremony. You were enjoying a meal with your friends in the eatery when suddenly you ran away without a word. Even during classes, when it rains, you suddenly disappear. After I checked on you last night, just for assurance, it didn't take me long to realize that you must be suffering from some trauma and that's why you must have isolated yourself in the past."

Blake kept it simple to understand and drew those dots which helped him realize her condition.

Catherine had a baffled face upon hearing his response as she asked in a daze, "...how can you remember such trivial things about me?"

"Isn't it simple? I used to like you, Catherine."

Catherine was taken aback by that sudden confession but before she could have reacted in any way, Blake made himself clear,

"As I said, I used to like you but not any longer. I realized your feelings toward Carlson and kidnapped you out of jealousy."

Catherine blinked in surprise, "Carl? Do I look to be romantically interested in him?"

Blake raised his brows, "Aren't you? I mean, the way you were so eager to find a remedy for his overheating, I considered maybe..."

"No...it's not..!" Realizing that she was overreacting, Catherine schooled her temperament and continued in a more composed manner, "Although Carl is someone close to me and more than just a mere acquaintance, it doesn't mean I like him in that way."

Blake didn't look surprised, however, his non-believing attitude made her pout.

"Okay, okay. I believe in you. " Blake chuckled at her cute antics before they both fell silent.

Since Catherine was done with the food, she began to pick dishes. Blake offered help and carried some of the plates to the kitchen.

Taking the role of washing the dishes, Blake rolled his sleeves and began to work.

Catherine decided to offer him the dessert she prepared once they were done finishing their respective work.

Taking a wet cloth she began to clean the kitchen station, meanwhile, in the sink, Blake washed the dishes carefully and diligently.

There was something troubling Catherine for a while now, ever since she heard his reason for kidnapping her. And in a stupor, she ended up asking him,

"Hey...Blake. Why did you like me?" Taking a pause and fighting the embarrassment she caused to herself, she added, "I mean, as from what I remember we never had any proper conversation in the past....then why?"

Blake's movement halted for a moment, but soon he shook his head and replied to her, "If I can defend myself from Carl's wrath, then I would tell you."

Catherine, at that time, felt very curious about his reason to like her. Truth be told, she thought that might have liked her because of her physical appearance.

...however, in the future, she wouldn't be able to hold back her tears once she would hear his reasons.

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A/N:- ಥ⁠_⁠ಥ