The Villain Saint is my secondary account

In Ye Xiao's view, this was no different from "be my toy".

So he didn't take it seriously and just went through the motions.

I'm just making things up and giving you the runaround. What can you, the eldest princess, do to me? You can't beat me anyway.

These words sound cruel, but the truth is that Ye Xiao's humble tone was actually tinged with contempt.

It was a contempt for the nobles' disdain for the poor and condescending attitude, a contempt for the eldest princess's disregard for his casual advice and the empire, her preoccupation with these trivial matters, and a contempt for treating the other party purely as a troublesome figure unrelated to himself.

Therefore, he acted very casually, and most of his excuses were not even thought out in detail; he just wanted to get by quickly.

Because in his heart, he believed that royalty and nobility would never take the words of commoners seriously.

Given his level, why would someone like that deserve his careful attention?

Accidentally defeated the princess? I just got lucky and stepped in dog poop, okay? I used underhanded tactics, okay? Anyway, isn't that what people like you always say to others?

Princess wants me to be her lover? I'm not good enough for you, I don't deserve it. How could someone like you possibly develop feelings for a commoner?

This is Ye Xiao's truest thought.

He already has many people to protect, so he just hopes that this random guy won't come and waste his energy too.

This eldest princess is full of flaws. She has a terrible temper and an even worse attitude towards people. She even mocked her ailing sister Lilia as a "bastard"... Ella couldn't accept these things, and Ye Xiao naturally couldn't accept them either.

It seems that apart from a beautiful appearance and a distinguished family background, he is utterly worthless in terms of character.

Therefore, Ye Xiao really dislikes Skadi very much.

He is not the kind of person who would blindly fall in love with someone just because they are a pretty girl.

Otherwise, why would he have smashed the equally beautiful fake saintess into a pulp?

In other words, the eldest princess didn't do anything heinous, otherwise Ye Xiao probably wouldn't even bother talking to her.

Therefore, in Ye Xiao's view, these were troubles that shouldn't have occurred, and they were all burdens.

From Ye Xiao's perspective, the eldest princess's liking was even somewhat distasteful.

But the truth is... not so.

Although Ye Xiao himself felt that the princess's feelings came out of nowhere and were cheap, Skadi was serious about them.

He had become a ray of light in the darkness for the princess during her lowest point, even though it was originally just a match he had casually tossed aside.

And this is what the eldest princess means now.

If you dislike it, then you shouldn't have done it in the first place.

Take this light away, let me return to the darkness.

Looking at the sword hilt Skadi offered, Ye Xiao remained silent for a long time before finally letting out a sigh.

"Why bother, Your Highness?"

As he spoke, he gently grasped the hilt and took the sword from Skadi's hand.

The moment Ye Xiao took the sword, the princess trembled slightly. She instinctively tried to grasp the hilt, but in the end, she let go and allowed Ye Xiao to take the sword.

She bit her lip lightly, her face still showing resentment and stubbornness, but the tears in the corners of her eyes were growing larger and larger.

I don't care anyway.

Skadi thought to herself.

Anyway, I'm just stupid. I don't know this or that. At worst, I'll just end it all like this.

What about royalty, family, swordsmanship genius...? In a life where there isn't even a single person to confide in, pretending to be stupid will only make me a stepping stone for those cheap brothers to ascend the throne.

We're all going to die sooner or later, so what difference does it make if we die here?

Ye Xiao touched the snow-white rapier, turned the tip around, and placed it on the eldest princess's head.

Seeing this, Skadi clenched her fists, her anger and fear mingling within her, and tears began to stream down her face uncontrollably.

You really dare?! You jerk, you actually dared to do that?!

Go ahead and stab me to death if you dare!

That damn scammer! I curse you to have nightmares about this scene every day from now on!!!

Then, a muffled clang was heard.

Ye Xiao tapped the First Princess's not-so-bright little head with the blade of his sword.

The eldest princess was a little stunned by the knock, then flew into a rage: "What are you doing?!"

“In my hometown, this is how we fix things when they break,” Ye Xiao said with a smile. “Of course, the main purpose is to advise Your Highness that you should never treat life and death like this again.”

Chapter Forty: The Princess's Awakening

"What do you mean! You, you're actually advising me!?" Skadi said angrily, rubbing her slightly aching head.

“Your Highness, since you have been so frank, I think it is indeed necessary for me to respond to you seriously.” Ye Xiao sheathed the princess’s rapier and stood on the ground.

Perhaps because it was the first time Skadi had seen Ye Xiao's serious expression, she was taken aback.

"First of all... I have to admit that, from my personal point of view, I really don't like you."

"you……"

"Ahem, please don't be anxious," Ye Xiao gestured to Skadi to calm down. "Your Highness, you should know by now that you do have quite a few shortcomings."

"That volatile temper, that arrogant attitude, that willful and capricious personality... I'm not sure how your followers view it, but to me, it's really annoying."

Skadi pouted as she looked at Ye Xiao's serious expression.

She silently gripped the top edge of the sofa back with both hands, like a cat being scolded for doing something wrong but refusing to admit it.

"Say what you will, but I... I am already like this..."

"I'm glad Your Highness heard what I said, instead of flying into a rage and yelling back." Ye Xiao shrugged. "You're right—but in that case, who would like someone who looks down on them from the bottom of their heart?"

"No, I didn't say I looked down on you. You...you're different from everyone else..."

"As I've always said, I'm just an ordinary adventurer." Ye Xiao waved his hand. "Putting aside that subtle encounter with you in the clinic, what distinguishes me from other commoners?"

Skadi parted her thin lips slightly, then hesitated before speaking.

She really didn't know how to answer that question.

"What you truly like is simply the person who was the first to appear in that consultation room that day and comfort you."

"Whoever was standing there at the time would have led to this outcome. I just happened to be there."

"You don't really know me as a person, what my likes and dislikes are, or what my personality is like."

"It's just that you've projected onto me the ideal image of 'someone' that you'd want me to be."

"And if we remove this filter—well, to put it another way, remove this illusory veil—how much more do you know about me than others?"

“Hmm…” Skadi’s voice was somewhat downcast. “According to you, even the only person I’m willing to believe is just my own fantasy.”

"That's certainly the case at present," Ye Xiao nodded.

As they were talking, the kitten Greta jumped onto the sofa and nodded to Skadi.

Skadi paused, then sighed softly, "...So, all those things you said were just to fool me."

"Those are the truth."

"So this is the truth again!? You yourself said you don't like me, you hate people like me, then what are you talking about supporting..." Skadi stopped mid-sentence, because she saw Ye Xiao reach out and return the sword hilt to her. "...What are you doing?"

Ye Xiao smiled slightly.

"But Your Highness, no one is born perfect."

"Even the greatest kings grow through hardship before they can wear the crown."

“There’s a saying in my hometown: ‘When you want to criticize someone, remember that not everyone in the world has gone through what you have gone through.’”

"Your arrogance and contempt for the lower classes is your prejudice. My contempt for your arrogance and frivolousness is my prejudice."

"But now that you have been so open and honest, handing me the sword, I realize that my views may not be the same as yours."

“You are not just a self-centered, pampered princess who only knows how to enjoy luxury, but also someone who has her own troubles and is willing to give her trust and sacrifice for others.”

"You may not be as bad as I imagine; it's just that your past experiences have shaped you into the prejudiced person you are today."

"So I struck you with this sword in the hope that it would dispel your prejudice against those in lower positions."

"This is my true support; I want to support you in growing from your current character into a true hope capable of leading the future of the empire."

"And now, I hand the sword to Your Highness. It is your turn to make the choice."

"Would you be willing to use this sword to dispel my prejudice against you?"

"Let me witness that my dislike for you stems from my narrow-minded perception."

“I will regret my current disdain, because what I am missing is a truly great king.”

After he finished speaking, the empty room fell silent again, a sound that had been absent for a long time.

Ye Xiao held the sword hilt, observing the eldest princess's hesitant expression. He wasn't in a hurry and waited for her reply.

Now that Skadi has put it this way, it would be his problem if he continued to stall.

So he chose to tell the truth: I actually hate you, but since you've been so honest with me, I'll choose to believe you this once.

I believe you can grow, and I believe that one day you can change my mind.

Of course, you can remain arrogant and think that I, a mere commoner, have no right to define the character of a king, and demand that you change.

That concludes our conversation. From now on, we'll go our separate ways. You be your princess, and I'll be my adventurer.

Now that things are out in the open, Ye Xiao will certainly not leave behind any lingering, complicated issues.

Skadi's eyes were still a little moist, but it didn't take long for her to understand what Ye Xiao meant.

Looking into Ye Xiao's eyes, which were slightly dark-circled, the once arrogant princess finally bit her pink lips and took the sword from Ye Xiao's hand.

"Hmph, a mere commoner dares to utter such arrogant words."

"Don't underestimate my resolve. I am a princess of the empire... doing this is a piece of cake!"

Skadi's melodious voice echoed in the room. Ye Xiao looked at the eldest princess's stubborn expression and couldn't help but chuckle.

"Hey, Your Highness said it yourself, so you can't go back on your word."

"Don't interrupt!" Skadi slammed her sword into Ye Xiao's shoulder. "You just said you wanted to witness everything, didn't you?"

"That's true, but..."

"Then kneel down on one knee."

"Why is that..."

"hurry up!"

Ye Xiao shrugged and knelt on one knee. Kneeling on one knee wasn't unusual, but this posture was usually used for marriage proposals. He wondered what the eldest princess was up to all of this.

Then, his opponent struck him on the other shoulder with a sword.

"What are you doing..."

“Hmph, Ye Xiao, a traveler from another world, I, Skadi Betis, in the name of the Grand Princess of the Loren Empire, hereby formally appoint you as my squire knight.” Skadi held up her rapier, her face slightly flushed.

"Ye Xiao, you better open your eyes and watch carefully!"

"I swear in the name of Skadi Betis, I will become a truly great king whom you will admire!!"

"And I will definitely make you fall in love with me!!!"

Chapter Forty-One Duke

While Ye Xiao was going through this long interlude at the academy, Ella finally persuaded the hesitant Freya to enroll as well.

This former candidate saintess of the Loren Sanctuary actually prefers to be with everyone in the Seven Stars Society now, and initially did not have much of a yearning for the academy.

Therefore, even though Ella asked Freya for help at the beginning, she was still somewhat hesitant.

"I... I'd love to share the burden with the Holy Maiden, but I've only just joined the Seven Stars Society, and there's still so much I need to learn from everyone..."

"Well, if this is your wish, then I can't force you."