A Psychopath Reborn as a Third-rate Villain

Chapter 17: Chapter 17: An Interesting Morning

Chapter 17: An Interesting Morning

The night passed quietly beneath the silver glow of the moon.

The garden of the Darkmoor Estate remained calm, wrapped in a veil of cold morning mist as the stars slowly faded from the sky. A gentle breeze drifted through the flowerbeds and towering blackwood trees, carrying the faint fragrance of roses across the grounds.

Andras had fallen asleep while talking with Evelyne.

His head still rested on her lap beneath the tree.

Evelyne looked down at him silently.

A faint smile touched her lips.

While sleeping, Andras appeared far calmer than usual. The coldness that often lingered within his violet eyes was gone, leaving behind an expression that reminded her of the child he had once been.

"He still falls asleep while talking..." she murmured softly.

When he was younger, it had happened often.

He would stay beside her late into the night, asking endless questions until exhaustion finally won, and he would drift off against her shoulder or in her lap.

And every single time—

She would carry him back to his room herself.

Evelyne’s gaze softened.

But things were different now.

Andras was no longer a child.

He had grown taller than her, and carrying him through the estate like she once had would look rather ridiculous.

Not because she lacked the strength.

As a Peak Eighth Circle Mage, Evelyne could lift several grown men without difficulty.

No.

The problem was entirely different.

It would be awkward.

Embarrassing, even.

If the servants saw the Duchess carrying her seventeen-year-old son through the estate in the middle of the night, rumors would spread throughout noble society before sunrise.

Evelyne sighed quietly.

Then her fingers brushed gently through his white hair.

"In that case," she whispered, "you can sleep here tonight."

And so she remained beneath the tree while the hours slipped by.

---

Several hours later—

The first light of dawn appeared on the horizon.

Golden sunlight spilled across the estate gardens, replacing the pale silver glow of moonlight.

Birdsong gradually filled the morning air.

Andras slowly opened his eyes.

For a moment, his vision remained blurred from sleep.

Then he saw Evelyne looking down at him.

He blinked once.

Twice.

Only then did he realize he was still lying on her lap.

And still in the garden.

Andras slowly sat up and rubbed his eyes.

"When did I fall asleep?" he asked.

Then he looked toward Evelyne.

"And why didn’t you wake me? You didn’t need to stay here all night just because I fell asleep."

Evelyne smiled.

"You looked exhausted."

Her voice was gentle.

"I didn’t want to disturb your rest."

Then her expression softened further.

"And besides... what kind of mother would I be if I couldn’t sacrifice one night of sleep so my son could rest comfortably?"

Andras looked at her quietly.

For several seconds, neither spoke.

Then he stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her.

"I understand," he said simply.

"You really are the best mother."

Evelyne froze for a brief moment before returning the embrace.

A warm smile appeared on her face.

Yet inside Andras’s mind, a different thought surfaced.

She definitely treats me differently.

The affection Evelyne showed him went far beyond what he remembered from most noble families.

Even from the original Andras’s memories, it was obvious she favored him more than his sister despite his sister’s greater accomplishments.

And the way she sometimes looked at him...

It felt unusual.

Perhaps she didn’t even realize it herself.

Or perhaps he was simply overthinking things.

Back on Earth, family had never meant much to Alex.

Warmth like this felt unfamiliar.

After a while, Evelyne stepped back.

"Come."

"The servants will start searching for us soon."

Andras nodded.

Together, they walked back toward the mansion.

The long corridors of the Darkmoor Estate remained quiet in the early morning hours. Sunlight streamed through enormous windows, illuminating the polished black marble floors.

Servants occasionally passed by and immediately bowed upon seeing the Duchess and Young Master walking side by side.

---

Meanwhile—

Inside Andras’s room.

Lyra slowly opened her eyes.

For several seconds, she remained still beneath the blankets.

Then she realized something immediately.

She was naked

And the ropes tied around her wrists and thighs the previous night had already loosened during sleep.

Her face turned red from embarrassment as memories from last night surfaced in her mind one after another.

Her body still felt warm remembering it.

Lyra quickly sat up and looked around the room nervously.

The bed sheets were messy, and pieces of torn fabric still remained near the floor.

But Andras was nowhere to be seen.

Yesterday, when she woke up, he had still been sleeping beside her.

Today he was gone.

Lyra bit her lower lip softly.

Where did Young Master go this early?

She quickly untied the remaining ropes from her body before hiding them carefully where no servants would accidentally discover them.

If another maid found those ropes inside the young master’s room...

Just imagining the rumors made Lyra feel embarrassed.

Afterward, she entered the bathroom connected to Andras’s chamber.

Warm water washed over her skin while she cleaned herself quietly.

Once finished, she looked down at her clothes with slight frustration.

She had no spare uniform inside his room.

In the end, she had no choice except to wear the same maid outfit from last night.

After dressing herself properly, Lyra stepped outside the room to search for Andras.

she stepped out into the corridor.

The mansion was already beginning to wake.

Servants moved through the halls carrying trays and preparing breakfast throughout the estate.

Lyra walked quietly through the corridor.

Then—

Her footsteps came to an abrupt stop.

At the far end of the hallway, she saw Andras walking beside Evelyne.

The Duchess and the Young Master moved calmly through the estate while servants lowered their heads respectfully as they passed.

Andras noticed Lyra immediately.

Evelyne noticed her a moment later.

For a brief second—

The corridor became strangely quiet.

Lyra quickly lowered her head.

"Good morning, Duchess."

"Good morning, Young Master."

Evelyne’s blue eyes rested on her for a moment longer than usual.

Then a faint smile appeared on her lips.

"Good morning, Lyra."

Standing beside her, Andras remained silent as he observed the exchange.

But inside his mind—

A small smile almost formed.

This morning was becoming far more interesting than he had expected.