Reborn As The Minor Villain In A Romance Fantasy Novel

"Eh???" Lucius was stiff, his whole body freezing in place as though someone had hit him with a stun spell.

What was she talking about? Movie buddies? With the villainess?

Esmeralda's eyes gleamed with an excitement he had never expected to see from her.

The way her lips curved up into a genuine smile made her seem less like the terrifying, untouchable noblewoman and more like… well, a girl his age who just wanted to share something she loved.

"Of course, I'll do the booking of the place and everything," she continued, completely oblivious to his inner panic. "You just have to come along and watch with me."

Her purple eyes sparkled with mischief. "I haven't actually seen many people my age want to watch horror movies."

Lucius blinked. Now that she mentioned it, that made sense.

In this world, fantasy epics, romantic dramas, and stories glorifying Awakeners ruled the industry.

Horror movies were the least profitable genre — small audiences and niche budgets.

They only existed because a stubborn handful of directors and fans kept them alive.

"Fine," he sighed finally, forcing himself to keep a calm tone.

At least, if he went along with this, he wouldn't be on the receiving end of her powers anytime soon.

The villainess was dangerous, but better to have her interested in movies than in killing him.

Esmeralda grinned, clearly pleased with herself.

Lucius pointed at the table where her drink had splattered across the white cloth and the floor. "But shouldn't you clean this mess?"

She raised an eyebrow and tilted her chin in that arrogant way only she could. "Can't you? Aren't you some kind of big shot?"

Lucius exhaled through his nose and flicked his hand lazily.

Space bent.

The spilled wine rose off the tablecloth and floor, liquid shimmering like crimson jewels suspended midair.

He condensed it into a bubble, compact and perfect, before flicking it toward a nearby trash can that was about on the other side of the dance floor.

"You know that's going to bite you in the ass," Esmeralda said dryly.

Lucius smirked. "I'll live."

But fate wasted no time proving her right.

The wine bubble didn't disappear as neatly as he expected.

Instead, it popped in midair and splattered — straight onto the back of a young man dancing with two women.

The two ladies squeaked in shock, immediately stepping back as their gowns caught droplets.

The young man froze, staring at the dark stain blooming across his expensive coat.

Slowly, his head turned, and his sharp eyes locked onto Lucius.

"Who did that?!" he barked, voice filled with indignation.

The music screeched to a stop.

Guests turned, their chatter dying into whispers.

Everyone's attention fell on the nobleman with wine-stained clothes, glaring now at Lucius who was calmly sitting with Esmeralda.

'I don't remember offending the Space Awakener,' the man thought coldly, narrowing his eyes. 'Is he trying to impress that woman?'

His gaze flicked to Esmeralda.

He grabbed a half-full bottle of wine from a nearby table, the glass neck creaking under his grip.

His steps echoed loudly as he approached Lucius and Esmeralda's table.

"Hey," he said sharply. He didn't even wait for a reply before thrusting the bottle forward, stabbing it like a dagger toward Lucius's chest.

Gasps rippled through the crowd.

But before the glass could touch him, the bottle shattered midair.

Space twisted with a sharp crack, shards of glass spraying harmlessly to the side.

Wine splashed, droplets catching the light as people screamed and scrambled back.

Lucius hadn't even moved from his chair.

Esmeralda, for her part, looked more entertained than alarmed.

She rested her chin on her palm, lips curved in an amused smirk.

This was far better than the dull ballroom politics she had been enduring all evening.

"Want a duel?" the young man growled, stepping closer, fists clenched.

His eyes burned with fury. "I'll make sure not to pound your pretty face in."

Lucius yawned, bored. "I wasn't the one that did it. It was Esme."

Esmeralda's eyes widened.

'This fucker just shifted the blame onto me?!'

Her lips parted to snap at him, but then she froze.

He had called her… Esme.

No one had ever dared shorten her name before.

'Why… why does it sound so nice?'

"Oh yeah," she said smoothly, flipping her hair back with feigned nonchalance. "I'm the gal you're looking for."

The young man's brow twitched.

"How about going to the back and settling it with a duel?" Esmeralda offered, her grin daring.

"I couldn't have asked for anything better," he replied instantly, his pride demanding satisfaction.

Within minutes, the three of them left the ballroom, the butlers had already started cleaning.

…

The duel grounds were the same place where Elliot and Hiruzen had clashed not long ago, but this time the stands were empty.

Esmeralda stood at one end, her posture was confident.

She rolled her shoulders and slipped into a boxer stance, fists raised, and her eyes glowing.

Across from her, the young man cracked his knuckles.

"Irael," Esmeralda said lightly, as though greeting an old acquaintance. "I really didn't expect to fight you today."

"I guess fate has a way of doing things," Irael replied, his lips curling into a grin.

Sparks danced faintly along his arms, and he took a combat stance too.

Lucius floated lazily above them, arms crossed, legs folded beneath him as if he were lounging in midair.

There was no expression on his face.

"Begin!" he called out, his voice carrying easily across the empty arena.

The fighters didn't hesitate.

Esmeralda charged forward, her footwork was smooth, her fist snapping up with deadly precision.

Irael met her head-on, his left fist swinging with explosive power.

Their punches collided midair.

Boom!

The shockwave that erupted sent dust and gravel skidding across the arena floor, the sound echoed like a cannon blast.

The ground trembled beneath Lucius as he hovered above them.

His lips quirked up slightly.

'Now this,' he thought, nodding approvingly, 'is what I call a good spar.'