The villain's way to tame the protagonist

Xitana looked at her sister in a daze. Even after being expelled from school, she had never spoken to her so seriously.

She knew that now was not the time to be willful... Her sister was right. Regardless of other things, at least that guy was much more pleasing to the eye than that fat pig, and he would not look at her and her sister with such a mean look. Although he was a sissy and a psychopath, she could tolerate him for the sake of her sister and her parents.

Xitana's thoughts came to an abrupt halt.

The moment the thought of "just being Hydra's subordinate for the time being" emerged in her mind, a real feeling of disgust that almost made her vomit surged out of her mind and poured into every part of her limbs.

Her stomach instinctively began to twitch and her body trembled, just like... that moment.

——The moment I saw that Ansir Hydra.

It was as if I had seen the ugliest and most evil monster in the world, as if I could never live in the same world with it...an absolute feeling of disgust.

"I do not want!"

Driven by this evil feeling, the reckless and violent girl roared without warning.

Chapter 4: Fallen Like Her (K)

The news of Earl Chishuang's death, along with the record of Anser's trial, reached the imperial capital, and the great Majesty on the throne, as always, made no secret of his favor and even indulgence for Anser.

"You are in full charge of the affairs of the Red Frost Territory. You can kill anyone you want without informing me, but you must not allow the Red Frost Territory to stop functioning." This was the reply from his majesty.

So, at this time, Anser was in his study dealing with the troubles of all sizes accumulated in the Red Frost Territory.

"Master, in the next three years, we will only collect 5% of agricultural tax, and all other miscellaneous taxes on farmers will be abolished. Commercial taxes will also be reduced. Is this right..."

Savile was accustomed to his young master's wild imagination, but Anser always surprised him in unexpected ways.

"Huh? What's wrong?" Anser looked up. "Is it too little? Actually, I wanted to pay tax-free directly."

"This is indeed a little... It's hard to explain to your Majesty."

Anser laughed and leaned back in his chair, spinning the delicate quill between his fingers. "Savier, do you know how many years into the future that idiot Cantrell put the tax?"

The young man spread out his hands. This casual street-like posture also made him look elegant and unrestrained. "Sixty years! According to the normal tax rate, that guy has collected taxes sixty years later! It's a miracle that the Red Frost Territory has lasted this long, plus the unsightly interest chain he established..."

He shook his head and laughed. "The personal property that we were able to confiscate and put into his pocket is more than enough to deal with Her Majesty. Besides, she won't care too much about this little money. The property that my dear father has confiscated in the past two years is enough for her to squander for a long time. Well... maybe she will squander it until she dies."

"But that means you have to use your spoils to replenish the civilians in the Red Frost Territory." Savile reminded, "Even your kindness is too extravagant."

As the sworn brother of Anther's father, Savile had enough experience to judge the fatness of these termites. Even if the bulk of Earl Chishuang's property had to be handed over to the emperor, the spoils in Anther's hands would still be a staggering number - not to mention that the emperor, who loved his young master so much, would most likely leave the bulk to Anther himself.

Even so, in Savile's view, there was no need to spend so much money on this huge loot.

However, at most he would only raise some questions about Anther's decisions and never interfere. Moreover, Savile was also accustomed to his young master's inexplicable preference for civilians - in the territory of Hydra, Anther Hydra's reputation was higher than that of his father and the emperor combined.

"Savior, when did your vision become so narrow?" The young nobleman laughed and shook his head.

"If greatness can be bought with money, then hesitation is short-sighted and stinginess is stupid - besides, money doesn't mean much to me."

Anser stood up and stretched. He opened the window. The wind and snow had subsided, but a lot of snow had piled up in Anser's temporary residence. Many enthusiastic civilians outside were willing to help him shovel the snow.

"They are such easy-to-please people." The lazy snake showed an ambiguous smile.

"Lovro, Cadilar, Nokera, you have been busy for more than an hour, don't you want to take a break?" the boy shouted to the young men in the yard.

The young people whose names were called looked up in surprise and waved the shovels in their hands vigorously. No one felt that they were working too hard.

Ansher turned his head to look at Savile, who nodded slightly and disappeared into the study in an instant.

Five minutes later, the maids came to the courtyard carrying clear liquor and dried meat. Anser waved with a smile in the surprised and admiring eyes of the young people downstairs, then turned around and sat back in his chair.

But not long after, hearing the shouts of "Wooha, Hydra!" "Wooha, Hydra!" coming from outside the window, the joy on Ansor's face faded and he sighed helplessly.

"Savior, find me a warlock who can cast a powerful soundproofing barrier before tonight."

"Tonight? Are you staying at the mansion tonight?"

"Hmm? I have other plans?"

Anser flipped through the documents at hand in surprise, then slapped his forehead vigorously: "The little nobles and merchants of the Red Frost Territory... I almost forgot about them. Haha, they acted quickly, it only took half a day. By the way, what about the Red Frost Clan? Did they handle it as I said?"

Xavier bowed slightly: "It's being processed. It won't take long."

The young Hydra nodded, then suddenly realized: "So fast? Wouldn't it be handled the same way my father did?"

"...Master, in your eyes, am I so unreliable?"

"Hahahaha, it's just a joke to relax. Handling official business is very tiring, Xavier."

"Then, do you need me to call Miss Nanaga over?" the old butler asked very considerately.

"Oh! I almost forgot my good girl."

Anser stroked his chin and pondered for a while: "Turn on the heating mode in the room after you leave."

The old butler bowed and left.

"Ah, yes, Xavier."

A meaningful smile appeared on the boy's face:

"Please help me contact the two friends recommended by Earl Chishuang."

*

Marina stood in front of the study door, clutching her clothes tightly, waiting for a response from inside the room.

"Please come in."

After waiting for the young and pleasant voice to come from inside the door, the girl took a deep breath and pushed the door open carefully.

The warmth in the room surprised Marina. Even without a fireplace, the study was still warmer than the living room with a fire burning.

Marina knew what it was. It was something carved by a warlock... something. Anyway, as long as it provided magic crystal energy, it could make the room extremely cool in the summer and extremely warm in the winter.

If every family in the North had something like this, how many people would be saved from freezing to death every year...

Marina was lost in thought, but soon put these chaotic thoughts behind her and looked nervously at the young man who was writing at the desk.

"Is there anything I can help you with, Miss Lance?" When Sitana was not around, Ansher politely called Marina by her last name.

"Hai, Master Hydra."

Even though she had prepared herself mentally, Marina's heartbeat still uncontrollably quickened a little when she faced Ansel again.

Even though he repeatedly warned himself in his heart that Ansel Hydra, as a big shot who could execute Count Red Frost at will, must be a thousand times more mysterious, complicated, and dangerous than he imagined...but was there even a little bit of improper behavior in everything he had done so far?

No, even if Marina was picky again and again, she could not find any stain on the young and handsome Lord Hydra. On the contrary, he helped countless people of the Red Frost Territory without asking for anything in return, and the largest evil beast entrenched in this land was also killed by His Highness the Golden Knight himself. What else could she doubt?

Marina secretly watched Lord Hydra's serious expression when he was handling documents like a little rabbit, and couldn't figure out why her sister had such great malice towards Lord Hydra.

"Ms. Lance."

While Marina was still lost in thought, Anser had already put down his pen, looked at her with a gentle smile, and repeated his question without any impatience: "What's the matter?"

Knowing that she was being rude, the snow-haired girl blushed sharply. She lowered her head, her voice still weak but less timid and more shy.

"I...I would like to ask you to spare a little time, just a little bit."

Anser leaned back comfortably, first with his fingers interlaced on the table, then moved normally to the bottom, and asked with a smile: "Can I take this as an invitation for a date?"

“Ah! No—no!” Marina’s ears instantly burned, and a beautiful blush climbed up her snow-white and tender neck to her cheeks. “That’s not what I meant!”

"That's a pity." Anser sighed sadly, "It seems that I am not qualified yet."

Poor Miss Marina didn't know how to react to this. She stood there in a daze, making strange "uh uh aaah" sounds until Ansel couldn't help laughing out loud.

"Don't be too nervous, Miss Marina, it's just a joke." - He changed the address quietly, and Miss Marina didn't notice it at all. After she realized it, she clutched her clothes in shame and anger, lowered her head and said nothing.

Of course, it was just a joke. How could Lord Hydra possibly look down upon a girl like her? Marina felt indescribably complicated for the little joy that flashed through her heart.

"Well... am I too frivolous and rude, Miss Marina?" Ansel, who was looking at Marina, suddenly asked with some worry.

"...No, no, it's just that I..."

Marina, who thought she was sober enough to talk to Ansel, now had a confused mind.

The good news is that Marina no longer feels any pressure about the request she wants to make; the bad news is that the pressure now makes her want to squat on the ground with her head in her hands.

"Well, please raise your head, Miss Marina."

“……” Marina was not her willful sister, and she raised her head obediently.

Anser looked straight into her eyes, and without waiting for Marina to start avoiding his gaze, he spoke directly, his tone extremely pure and sincere:

"I apologize for my earlier thoughtless remarks, Miss Marina."

Marina immediately waved her hands in panic: "No...you don't have to..."

No big shot ever apologized to her, and the first time she tried to point out a tax collector's mistake, she got a brutal slap in the face. After that, Marina learned not to point out any mistakes made by big shots.

"But it is true that I was careless. I just hope you are not so nervous." Anser smiled and blinked, "Now, Miss Marina, are you only thinking about 'what strange things this person is saying', and are you not so nervous about what you want to say?"

The girl was stunned. She felt that the breath she exhaled became hot. She didn't know if it was because the room was too warm or for some other reason.

She couldn't help but tap the ground lightly with her toes, and replied in her slightly warm and soft voice: "Yes, thank you, Lord Hydra, I'm not so nervous anymore."

"I would like to ask you... to take some time to witness, to witness the talent of Xitana's child. I assure you that she will be an outstanding... no, she will be the best hunter and warrior in the North!"

Marina's voice was sonorous and powerful, and her eyes no longer avoided Ansel's gaze.

"Hmm... Then why didn't Miss Sitana come with you, Miss Marina?"

"..."

Poor Marina, all the courage she had finally mustered was gone in an instant.

However, without giving the other party any time to feel awkward or embarrassed, Anser smiled and said, "It's okay, tomorrow... after breakfast, I'll take Miss Xitana with me--"

He paused, as if he had thought of something, and the smile on his face became even brighter: "No, let's do it tonight. The maid will notify you then."

The excitement between the ups and downs made Marina's heart skip a beat. She resisted the urge to jump up in joy and bowed deeply to Anser: "Thank you for your kindness, Lord Hydra!"

"No, you should thank yourself, Ms. Marina...hiss..."

As if the strange sound had never been made, Anser smiled and said, "You should be grateful for your love for your family and your admirable courage."

Marina was a little dazed as she was stared at by those sea-blue eyes. No one had ever said such words to her. She felt a strange emotion brewing in her heart. The budding of this emotion made her ignore the strange feeling that something was gradually entangled with her.

Just as Anser said, she mustered up her courage again, lifted her skirt and performed an inappropriate ladylike gesture, then suppressed the urge to escape from the study and trotted away.

After a short silence in the study, a strange swallowing sound was heard.

"Poor Miss Marina." A charming and confident female voice, like a siren's chant, came from nowhere and said this.

"Dear Miss Nanaga." Anser lowered his head and looked into those extremely dark, lusterless, yet strange and fanatical eyes. "What you did just now was not what a good girl should do."

There seemed to be a deep black edge around his ocean-blue pupils, twitching from time to time like a living thing.

The polite, peaceful and kind appearance just now seemed to be just an illusory cloud of smoke. When the cloud of smoke dissipated... only the devilish light from the abyss swallowed up the people who were staring at him.

"But I am no longer a good girl, dear master."

Miss Yula Nanaga, who had regained her life, rubbed Anser's thigh with peace of mind and happiness: "Of course, if you need me to be, I will definitely be, but at that moment——"

A provocative and seductive smile appeared on the woman's face. She twisted upwards like a boneless snake, got close to the boy's chest, raised her chin and licked his earlobe:

"Do you want me to be a good girl or a bad girl?"

Anser stroked her chin with a smile: "I need you to be a girl who won't be jealous."

Looking at the beauty with a slightly stiff expression, the devil born from the endless darkness became delighted, and gently put his arms around her waist and cast magic on her soul.

"Because it is unnecessary. Those who are not qualified cannot walk with me."

Anser nibbled gently at Yura's graceful snow-white neck, and whispered as if injecting venom into her veins:

"But you, Yura, my good girl, you are destined to fall to the end of the abyss with me, aren't you?"

"Ah...ah——!"

The black-eyed woman hugged Anser tightly and uttered a frenzied, yet mournful, groan:

"Yes... yes, yes! My devil, my... Lord!"

Chapter 8: Foolish as She Is