The Obsessive Male Lead Is Actually Scary
Chapter 49: Once Upon a Villa

Chapter 49: Once Upon a Villa

"Alessio!"

Johann shot up from his seat, both surprised and visibly relieved. For a moment, he truly thought this could have been a trap.

It was impossible to mistake the man before them, with his brown hair, composed demeanor, and those familiar eyes.

A ring glinted on his finger. It was no ordinary band, but a glamour artifact. It wasn’t Alessio standing there. It was actually Allen Slovene, disguised as his ’brother’.

Still, he stepped forward with calm confidence and sat down in the chair across from the knights.

"Really, man? After all that chaos you caused, escaping from the dungeon just like that?" one of the older knights blurted, pointing a frustrated finger.

"You don’t even know what you left behind, Sir Alessio!" a younger knight added, eyes closed tight like he’d mustered every ounce of courage just to speak his mind.

Allen, now playing the part of Alessio, leaned back slightly, unfazed. His demeanor was a flawless imitation. After all, he had been by Alessio’s side since childhood, watching him closely, even during his undercover mission in the duchy, and knew most of his colleagues well.

"What happened?"

"The Duke told us you ran off with the lady," Johann said, brows drawn. His voice was level, but there was a slight tremor of disbelief.

"The lady?" Allen tilted his head, feigning a subtle confusion. "You mean Lady Sonia?"

"Yes! The patrol knight that day said he stepped away just for a moment because his stomach was acting up. When he came back, he found a robe draped over the balcony of her room." One of the knights leaned forward, his face twisted with frustration and helplessness. "We searched her room right away and found that it was empty. Then we heard the Duke’s raven and followed it. We thought we were close, but then we lost the trail completely."

Johann picked up from there. "The Duke was furious. He ordered a full search of the entire duchy."

"Yeah! It was terrifying!" the younger knight chimed in, his voice cracking slightly. "He was in the middle of council gatherings, but the moment he heard about it, he rushed home! I’ve seen him furious before, but never quite like that..." He gave a tiny shiver and recoiled into his chair, like prey under a predator’s shadow.

Allen nodded slowly.

"Hmm, I see... But just so you know, I’m retiring from the knights."

"What?!"

Johann flinched. The words hit like a slap. His voice rose almost involuntarily.

"Why so surprised?" Allen said plainly. "Isn’t that only natural? After speaking out against Lord Marius and with my grandmother’s health declining, it’s the right time to step down."

He paused for a beat.

"Besides... I’ve already taken quite the unauthorized leave. I have to take responsibility for my actions."

"Alessio, that’s—" Johann began, but the words caught in his throat.

Because Allen was right. Every word of it.

Johann could only lower his gaze and mutter, "I understand. I’ll relay your message to the Duke."

His expression had shifted, no longer sharp but contemplative, as if weighing everything anew.

"By the way, Sir Alessio," one of the younger knights asked, tilting his head, "why does your grandmother live all the way out here?"

"Yeah! We really thought this was some kind of ambush," another added with a nervous chuckle.

"Oh, this villa?" Allen looked around the parlor briefly before offering a faint smile. "It was built here because this is where my grandmother first met my grandfather."

He leaned forward, resting his elbows gently on his knees.

"She was lost. Just a child at the time. Her family’s carriage had stopped for a short rest, and she wandered off without telling anyone. No one noticed she was missing until they were already far down the road. By the time she returned to where they’d been, the carriage was gone. My grandfather happened to be passing through when he heard a child’s cry. He found her, gave her shelter, and helped her return to her family."

The knights listened intently, all eyes on him now.

"They didn’t meet again for years. But fate brought them together once more, and when they finally married, they had this villa built. It became their sanctuary, a place they visited from time to time. Only after retiring and passing on their titles did they move here for good."

He gave a small laugh, with a face that appeared full of nostalgia.

"...Ohh..."

The knights listened, and something in their faces shifted. Their eyes caught the light, faintly shimmering with the kind of quiet awe that didn’t need words. A few exchanged glances, not in disbelief, but with a certain understanding, like the story had struck a chord they hadn’t expected.

"I see now," Johann murmured, rubbing at his nose with the side of his finger, slightly embarrassed at how moved he’d become.

Just then, the sound of footsteps echoed from the hall.

"I brought you some drinks and a few honey cakes, freshly baked this morning," the woman from before said, balancing a tray in her hands.

"Thank you, Edna," Allen said without missing a beat.

’So her name’s Edna...’ one of the younger knights mused silently, stealing another glance at her from the corner of his eye, a faint blush creeping up his cheeks.

"Please enjoy," Edna said with a warm smile as she placed the tray down. Then, with a nod, she turned and left them once again.

The men reached for their cups and treats, visibly brightening as they tasted them. The tea was warm and earthy, steeped with herbs grown just beyond the kitchen garden. The honey cakes were soft and sweet, delicately crisp at the edges, surprisingly good for something made in such a remote place.

Clink.

Allen set down his teacup and looked up.

"So... is that all you came for? To confirm the Duke’s suspicions? To see whether I really abducted Lady Sonia?"

"Yeah. I mean, yes." Johann nodded, his mood lighter now. "Honestly, we’re just glad to see you safe. And to know you’re not the one who ran off with her."

Allen smiled faintly as he studied Johann’s face.

’These guys are still just fools...’

He kept the thought to himself, but the way he looked at them, quietly amused and slightly pitiful, said enough.

"Now that we’re done here," Johann said, stretching slightly before rising to his feet, "we should head back."

"Already?" Allen asked, still in character.

"Yeah, we can’t delay reporting to the Duke, or he’ll get furious again." He chuckled softly, rubbing the back of his neck.

The rest of the knights began to stand, chairs scraping gently against the floor.

"Oh, Sir Alessio, before we go, can we meet your grandmother?" the younger knight asked with bright eyes. "I was really touched by your story. I just want to say goodbye... and wish her a swift recovery."

Allen’s hand twitched slightly.

"...Oh, my grandmother—"

* * *

"Hoho, thank you for coming all this way to such a remote place..."

The elderly woman lying in bed offered them a warm smile, her voice soft and slightly wheezy, yet filled with grace.

She was the same woman who had served Allen tea this morning before the knights arrived at the villa. And now, lying on a cushioned bed beneath a handwoven blanket, she played the role of Allen’s ’grandmother,’ just as planned.

They were in the east chamber, the very one where Allen had sat silently at sunrise, gazing out the window.

"Ma’am, please stay healthy..."

The youngest of the knights stepped closer, his eyes shining with sincerity. His fists clenched gently near his chest in a small, hopeful gesture.

"I was really touched hearing your story with your husband. It’s... it’s just like a tale from a novel!"

The old woman chuckled lightly. "Ah, you’re such a kind boy. I suppose those days do feel like a dream now... But knowing someone still cherishes that story makes this old heart a little stronger."

Her eyes twinkled, and for a moment, the lines on her face seemed softer, glowing in the light from the window.

Johann stepped forward, placing a hand over his chest.

"I wish you a smooth recovery, ma’am. May peace and warmth stay with you always."

She gave a slow, meaningful nod. "And may you all travel safely, honored knights."

The knights bowed in unison before slowly turning to leave. Allen, still in disguise as Alessio, stayed behind a second longer, exchanging a brief glance with the woman. She gave him the smallest of nods, barely noticeable, and he returned it with the faintest curve of his lips.

Outside the chamber, the knights turned to Allen.

"Thank you for letting us meet her," the younger knight said with a bright expression. "I’ll remember this visit for a long time."

"I’m glad," Allen replied quietly, holding the persona of Alessio to the end.

They exited the villa through the front door, the sun now past its highest point in the sky.

"...Let’s go," Johann said, adjusting his gloves.

The others nodded. As they walked to their horses and mounted up, a quiet peace lingered in their expressions.

No one had any more questions. All they knew now was that Alessio was innocent, and that was exactly what they would report to the duke.

The game was over, and it was a silent victory for the baron’s family.