Ciaran & Olivia (2)

"Let me worry about him." Was her only reply as she brought her lips closer to mine.

As our lips moved closer to greet each other, a memory of a manga I used to read surfaced in my mind. About a man with white hair who slept with a princess and was found out, captured, and tortured for nearly a year. Before he was rescued and ended up sacrificing all his friends so he could be reborn as a demon.

Pulling back slightly, Olivia picked up on my hesitation and retreated to a safe distance.

"Apologies, Ciaran." Olivia said as she looked sad for a moment.

"There's nothing to be apologies for." I began as I looked at her. "Everyone already sees me as the villain, and I don't want to give them any more ammunition that they would use on me" I paused, letting that sink in.

"I see." She began as she thought about it. "You are worried my father might find out and have you executed." Olivia said after a moment.

Damn, she was so smart, I thought to myself, and for a moment, I was about to risk everything. But a cooler head prevailed, and I calmed down.

"You are correct." I said

"So does this mean you do have feelings for me?" She asked innocently.

My brain stopped working for a moment as I looked down the barrel of a gun (metaphorically). This was the most loaded question I have ever heard in my entire life, and I have heard many before. That old saying of 'damned if you do, damned if you don't.' was very accurate as of this moment.

Clearing my throat to regain my footing, I looked at her for a moment before answering.

"I would be lying if I said I was not attracted to you." I paused as I gathered my thoughts.

"But your worried that the attraction might stem from the fact I know your secret, which brings us closer together than anyone else." She added.

"You are really too smart." I said as I gave her a soft chuckle. "But yes, that is a factor. There are others, but that is the main factor." I said.

"You love those two, don't you?" She suddenly asked.

When she asked that question, I couldn't help but think to myself. Do I love them? I had feelings for them. That was for sure, but what did I do when I met them? I manipulated them into helping me. I had Cas swear a blood oath to me, and Liz, I twisted her so much I think she worships me or something along that line.

Was I a good person? Ever since coming to this world a little over a decade ago. I've manipulated everyone I have ever met in order to survive and become stronger, regardless of how that other person feels or what happens to them in the end.

"Honestly, I don't know." I said after a moment. "Does a villain like me deserve to be loved?" I asked as I finally accepted what I always knew, that I was the villain.

Her hand found my face and slowly lifted it so that I was directly looking her in the eyes.

"I don't think you're a villain, Ciaran." She paused as she gave me a warm and gentle smile. "In fact, I consider you my hero. As you saved me three years ago with Markos."

"Only because he had something I needed. Saving you was a byproduct." I responded defensively.

"Which is why you came to see me the day before he attacked." She fired back.

"Because I needed to track you." I retorted.

"You could have killed Knight-Commander Logan, but you captured him and gave him to me. Why?" Was her instant reply.

"Because I knew you would kill him, and I could use that as leverage." Was my instant reply.

Silence settled between us as she removed her hand from my face, got up, and paced about the room for a few moments. I was unsure of what she was thinking, but when she stopped and looked at me. With that determined face, I couldn't help but sweat a little.

"You may see yourself as a villain, and the whole world may view you as one" She paused as she took a deep breath. "But I never will, and as long as I am alive, you will never be a villain." She declared.