Saving the Villain

Maxen had already assumed that Cosette was pampered at home. Her appearance already gave the biggest hint that she was someone whose parents would give everything. But he never actually thought Cosette was a real-life princess!

He looked at the enormous gates that automatically opened for the car, driving through the long driveway towards the mansion he had only seen on television. Cosette was chatting with her father as she sat in the middle of Conrad and Maxen. The father and daughter duo weren't even paying attention to the home they would go home to, but Maxen couldn't take his eyes off of the mansion, slacked jaw.

'This can't be real...'

When the car stopped in front of the main house. Conrad didn't even need to open the door for him because a butler outside already did.

"Welcome home, Master," George, the butler, welcomed Conrad home and smiled when Cosette went out after her father. "Welcome home, Young Miss."

"Hello, Butler George." Cosette smiled before she pointed her thumb over her shoulder. "I'm with my classmate."

George glanced in the direction the young miss pointed at, only to hold his breath upon seeing a young man hitching outside the car. It wasn't just him, apparently. Everyone who was under the portico to welcome their masters fixed their widened eyes on this unfamiliar face, wearing the uniform of Winter Highschool.

'Just classmate???' was what instantly crossed their head, sneaking up a glance at Cosette and Conrad.

Feeling the gazes from the servants lined up in uniform, Maxen glanced at Cosette. This was crazy, he thought. It was hard to believe that those who were seen in dramas about the lifestyle of wealthy families truly happened in real life.

For a moment, he felt as though vine roots grew under his feet, stilling him on the spot. Unable to lift his gaze while gritting his teeth as this was akin to a tight slap for him.

'We have enough money to buy this entire hospital!'

Suddenly, those words she stated in the hospital in passing rang inside his head. He thought she was simply trying to reassure him not to worry about the hospital bill, but to think it wasn't an exaggeration… Maxen was dumbfounded.

"Max! Let's go!" he snapped out of his thoughts when Cosette, who had her arms linked with Conrad, tipped her head towards the door. "Wait, Papa! Slow down. Let's wait for Maxen for a bit~!"

Conrad simply cast her a side-eye, but still walked slowly while taking the steps up of their home.

"Good evening, young sir. Please head inside." George motioned his arm towards the entrance, sporting a kind smile. "Please excuse my discourtesy, but may I know your name so I can address you properly?"

"Uh…" Maxen looked at the butler, rendered speechless by his politeness. "Max. Just Max."

"Let me escort you inside, Sir Max." George nodded mildly, leading the way while Maxen followed after getting ignored when he corrected George about the "sir" before his name.

The latter could not help but glanced at the servants as they bowed to him and welcomed him into the manor like a young master. This was the first time Cosette took a classmate home, so everyone already knew they should treat her friend with the utmost respect.

*****

Usually, Cosette would wait for Conrad to arrive so they could enjoy dinner together. But since she went home late, the two of them headed straight to the dining hall with Maxen.

Cosette darted her eyes between Conrad and Maxen. The latter was silent, which was understandable, since he was surely surprised. Although she didn't plan to hide this from him, she also didn't have a solid reason to tell him about her life, since she didn't want to brag and Maxen never asked, anyway.

Still, she didn't consider that there would be a day when Maxen would initiate to walk her home.

'He is not the person who cares about people's status,' she told herself, considering the pros and cons based on his personality. 'I'm sure nothing will change even if I turn out to be the daughter of the president of the country.'

"Papa, did you eat the lunch I made for you?" Cosette broke the stifling silence in the air as Conrad and Maxen never spoke a word. They were very much alike. One would think they were actually father and son if only they resembled even a bit.

"Mhm. Ate everything." Conrad nodded, pleased when she smiled approvingly. "Why are you walking home?"

"Walking is healthy for a young person like me and I want to spend more time with Max." Her bright and proud smile dominated her face while Maxen nearly choked on his water.

Meanwhile, her father's eyes glinted when they fell on Maxen, keeping it discreet for her not to notice. The maids, who were on standby, couldn't help but widen their eyes in shock. Some even have to purse their lips to keep their mouths shut.

"I see..."

Cosette blinked twice before she noticed the chilling inbound breeze coming from the head seat where Conrad sat.

'Is he jealous? Or did he think Max and I are more than just classmates?' she wondered, clearing her throat while raising her chin, keeping her beautiful smile.

"Let's stroll sometime, Papa. It'll be nice too if you and I take some night walks since I also want to spend some time with you!" she suggested, heaving a sigh of relief when Conrad glanced at her and nodded.

She had spent a fair amount of time in this mansion and with everyone that she was slowly getting a gist of everyone's personality, especially Conrad. Therefore, she could sense when her father was happy, even when his expression remained the same.

"Stop talking and eat first," Conrad urged, receiving a smile from her before she continued to gobble up the dinner.

As she resumed eating, Maxen remained silent while darting his eyes between Cosette and Conrad. She didn't change the slightest; be it in this place or in school. Cosette was just like a sunshine giving vibrance to her surroundings.

His jaw tightened when Conrad's eyes suddenly fell on him. Looking down on his plate, Maxen sat frozen under her father's sharp gaze. Yet, Conrad didn't speak a word to him.

'What are you thinking, Max?' he asked himself when Cosette and Conrad engaged in a conversation once again. He mentally snickered in ridicule, as he couldn't believe he actually thought she was a bit normal… or rather, she was someone that was, at least, within his reach.

He offered to walk her home because he was really worried about her. However, he didn't expect her to be an heiress! He wasn't ready for this revelation.

It just made him realize she was someone he shouldn't even dream of. If she was a part of the middle class, he could work hard to stand on the same ground as her and be the friend that deserved her.

But now, even if he worked himself to the bones, what he could give to her would mean nothing.

The ice cream he bought for her earlier? She could buy an entire factory of ice cream if only she asked her father!

This reality was truly a painful slap to his face.

"Maxen Cloven, is it?" Conrad's voice brought him back from his trance.

Maxen raised his head and nodded, keeping a dead expression with lifeless eyes. "Yes, sir."

"You should stay for tonight," Conrad suggested, baffling Maxen for a second before the latter was ready to refuse. But just like Cosette, the former already decided and he wouldn't take no for an answer. "It is best if you stay tonight, Mister Cloven. I also want to take a moment of your time after this dinner."

"Papa, you will not bully Maxen, will you?" Cosette narrowed her eyes at Conrad as she was prepared to hide Maxen if that was her father's plan.

"Cozie, do you think so badly of your father?"

She frowned because she couldn't argue if he said it like that. "No, of course not."

"Don't worry." Conrad let out a shallow breath as he offered her a subtle smile. "I just want to talk to your friend; a man-to-man talk."

"Alright."

Maxen didn't voice out his thoughts, but he already guessed what Conrad would say. It was either: "stay away from my daughter" or "don't even think of exploiting our family." Those were just the mildest thoughts that crossed his head, and those thoughts grew more negative with every passing second.

He balled his hand underneath the table as he gazed at the fancy dinner they were eating.

'I feel sick,' he thought, feeling this knot in his stomach tighten. 'I can't breathe…'