The Villainous Family Loves Me Too Much!

“Why are you, Colin, and Beatrice so different?”

[Well, you see… The soul split into three fragments cannot be whole with just one piece. Each fragment embodies only certain characteristics. Considering how long we’ve been apart, we were bound to diverge further from each other.]

“I felt Beatrice’s behavior grew increasingly excessive after I sent you and Colin into the wormhole. Could that be related?”

[In that world now, Beatrice is the only remaining ‘fragment of God’. As you mentioned, another name for the wormhole is the ‘gap in space-time’. The further we drift from that world, the more Beatrice will lose her sense of self. Eventually, all that remains is… the amplified characteristics specific to her fragment, you could say.]

“Only the fragment’s characteristics remain?”

[Yes, we three possess completely different qualities. I am filled with love and affection. Colin’s fragment excels at wearing social masks and conversing with others. And Beatrice’s fragment is cold and selfish. When these characteristics amplify, it refers to that fragment’s defining traits intensifying.]

“So that’s why Beatrice’s sudden outbursts of yelling and mistreatment.”

I shuddered recalling the scene of Beatrice choking Hailey.

[By the way, Rena.]

Sena continued speaking just as I resolved to discard that horrific Beatrice image and fully immerse myself in this sweet dream bestowed upon me.

[You… now have two Abilities?]

* * *

“Huff!”

With that labored inhale, I found myself back in reality.

By reality, I mean the reality of the novel world, not my previous life as a modern person.

Quite unexpectedly, in the middle of conversing with Sena, I had abruptly awoken.

Was this the inescapable fate of a novel protagonist – repeatedly collapsing as if dying, only to awaken in this manner each time?

‘And of course, the male lead is sleeping by my side whenever this happens…’

Sure enough, Lucian lay slumbering beside my bed.

Evidently spending extended periods by my side, the side table next to the sofa he likely sat upon was piled high with documents from the Felosite palace.

‘It’s been so long since I’ve seen him in such disarray.’

To better view Lucian’s face, I rolled over onto my stomach before him.

‘So this is why he kissed me back then. He does look quite tempting.’

As I pressed my lips against Lucian’s, he immediately opened his eyes, likely sensing the familiar sensation.

“Rena…”

“You’re awake?”

“I should be asking you that. Are you awake?”

“Why do you have to sleep in such an uncomfortable position? Come up here.”

I gestured invitingly to the space beside me, wrinkling my nose in the process – an old habit whenever I felt shy.

“Are you tempting me to hug an injured person?”

Lucian jested with a chuckle.

“Well, if you don’t like it.”

“How could I refuse?”

Like an obedient large dog, the delighted Lucian climbed onto the bed.

Of course, not a gentle breed like a Retriever or Samoyed, but rather a ferocious guard dog breed…

Once on the bed, Lucian simply gathered me into his embrace.

“You certainly keep your word well, Your Highness.”

Though smiling sheepishly, Lucian refused to release his firm hold.

“Ack, at this rate you’ll have me dead again.”

Startled, Lucian quickly unwrapped his confining arms.

“I’m sorry, for failing to protect you.”

Cradling his face despairingly, Lucian’s expression was one of torment.

“No, Lucian. Why would you say that?”

“I should have been better prepared. My lack of readiness is to blame. Leaving the banquet hall at that inopportune moment.”

While his misplaced guilt was endearing, it was also somewhat amusing.

The typically unflinching Lucian, who seldom regretted past actions, could become so emotionally invested when it concerned me.

“I’m truly alright. Could you tell me what happened while I was asleep?”

* * *

While I slumbered, the Emperor had rescinded my punishment of Ability restriction and palace banishment.

He had also publicly announced revoking Liam’s Crown Prince title and restoring it to its rightful bearer, Gabriel.

However…

“I don’t wish to become Crown Prince.”

Gabriel stubbornly refused to accept the position.

Though unable to comprehend Gabriel’s obstinacy, the Emperor and Empress didn’t seem inclined to force him.

After all, the position of Saintess destined to marry the Crown Prince remained vacant.

“It seems you’ll have to become the Crown Princess in my stead, Rena.”

“You make it sound so simple, Brother. It’s not that easy. Moreover, I’m already the Archduchess of Felosite now.”

“Then the Archduke can simply become the Emperor later, can’t he?”

“Stop with the nonsense and focus on training, Brother.”

We had entered a specialized magic training space created by Master of the Magic Tower Tenziyon.

A portable magic dimension both durable and convenient for training anywhere.

“Want to wager who knocks down that dummy first?”

When I fired a beam of light at the mana-powered training dummy, it burst into flames.

Gabriel summoned water to douse the burning dummy.

“Oh, is that so?”

I dispersed the water with wind before simultaneously blasting the dummy with light and gales.

The dummy instantly incinerated into ashes.

“Hey, that’s cheating. Since when do they give two Abilities to one person?”

“Mind your words, Brother. I didn’t hoard them. Liam unintentionally transferred his power to me.”

* * *

Deep within a forest far from the imperial capital, a dirt and blood-smeared man trudged through the undergrowth.

“I can’t, I can’t, I can’t, I can’t, I can’t, I can’t, I can’t…”

Seeming mentally unsound, the man continued muttering as he walked endlessly day after day.

He had walked so far that his bare feet were calloused and cracked.

Yet even on rugged gravel paths or forest trails littered with fallen chestnuts, the man showed no signs of discomfort.

This was Liam, having reverted to human form.

“Hungryhungryhungryhungryhungryhungryhungry…”

After fleeing the imperial palace, Liam devoured anything in his path as he walked onward.

Hunting and consuming any beasts encountered.

“Excuse me, might I ask for directions? I haven’t seen a single person in this area.”

Luring and devouring lost humans wandering the forest.

Liam felt his humanity slipping away with each passing moment, replaced by something darker. Moreover-

‘I’ve lost my Ability.’

Though incapable of wielding it as adeptly as Gabriel or Karena, Liam’s Ability had been as integral to him as his very existence.

The Ability that once coursed through his body had vanished, replaced by the blackened blood of a demon.

Just as the Demonic Beast Liam indiscriminately consumed humans, Liam himself was slowly being consumed by that very demon from within.

Yet for the past few days, no humans or beasts had crossed his path.

‘Just where is this place?’

An endless expanse of wheat fields stretched before him no matter how far he walked.

He would have settled for even spotting a single cow – but all that met his eyes were boundless golden wheat stalks.

Perhaps it would be better to simply perish here.

‘After devouring so many, I’m likely a wanted man by now. The Crown Prince title must have returned to Gabriel.’

Had coveting forbidden desires been his mistake from the start?

The Emperor’s throne, the Crown Prince position, even his brother’s woman Beatrice.

All that remained for Liam now was the Great Demon shell Beatrice had bestowed.

‘Though I suppose being a Great Demon Beast is fortunate, compared to some lowly lesser beast.’

The shambling Liam spotted a small rural cottage standing alone amidst the wilderness.

‘A house? Then there must be people too.’

Licking his lips hungrily, Liam expended his remaining strength reaching that cottage.

And upon arrival, he promptly collapsed before the door.

At that opportune moment appeared the cottage owner, a farmer named Robben who had ventured out to harvest potatoes.

He was the very first human-form beast created by the Archduke, Lucian Felosite, in the past.

“Why, dear! There’s a person lying in front of our home. Sir? Sir, can you hear me?”