Villain Ch 521. Sudden Betrayal 𝘪𝑟𝒶.𝑐ℴ𝘮

“Nothing,” she muttered, still keeping her gaze down, a mixture of fear and embarrassment coursing through her.

She expected anger, maybe a hint of disappointment, or at least a cold reaction from Elio. But what she didn’t expect was the unexpected sound of a chuckle escaping his lips. It was light, carrying a hint of amusement that threw her off guard.

“Why are you hiding when you have me?” Elio’s voice broke through the tension, his tone surprisingly light and casual. It was a stark contrast to the coldness she had braced herself for.

Sophia couldn’t help but furrow her brow in response. Was this some kind of sarcastic jab, she thought. Doubt clouded her mind as she cautiously peered up, her eyes meeting something she hadn’t anticipated. Elio, clad in his paladin armor, stood there, a warm, genuine smile gracing his lips. His eyes, previously reserved, now radiated a warmth that she’d never seen before.

For a moment, Sophia was taken aback. This wasn’t the Elio she was accustomed to. This was a different Elio – friendly, warm, and surprisingly inviting.

The warmth in his eyes caught her off guard, melting away her doubts. It was an unexpected change, one that she didn’t quite know how to process. It wasn’t just his words but the genuine warmth in his expression that left her feeling uncertain yet strangely comforted.

Elio’s frown deepened when he noticed Sophia’s perplexed expression. “Why are you giving me that face?” he asked, his concern evident in his tone.

Sophia didn’t immediately respond, her confusion writ large on her features as she looked at Elio, trying to decipher this unexpected change in his behavior.

Elio, sensing her bewilderment, reached out and took her hand, helping her to rise from her hiding spot. “You look confused. What happened?” he inquired, a tinge of worry lining his voice.

Sophia, feeling a mixture of relief and surprise, shook her head. “Nothing. I thought you were angry,” she confessed, standing upright and brushing off the dust from her clothes.

“No, it’s not. I’m just tense about this whole event,” Elio explained, his voice tinged with an underlying tension. “I feel a lot better after talking to Gil,” he added, his expression softening into a warm smile. It was a stark contrast to the previous stoic leader.

“Ah, I see…” she started, her voice mirroring her own worries. “Yeah, I’m also really tense about all this,” she confessed, a sense of relief washing over her as she felt grateful for having someone to navigate this turmoil with.

Elio’s response was a bit unexpected. He gently placed his hand on Sophia’s waist, a gesture that caught her off guard. Her eyes flickered down to his hand before she turned to meet his gaze, searching for some explanation. Instead of the warm smile she had seen moments before, Elio’s expression had transformed into a mischievous smirk that sent a thrill through her. It was an unexpected, devilishly charming look that she found difficult to resist.

“You know… lately, I’ve had you on my mind,” Elio confessed, his voice taking on a seductive tone that made Sophia’s heart race. “I was a bit annoyed and contemplated keeping my distance. But now, I’ve changed my mind. Tell me, do I stand a chance?” His eyes held a sharp, intense look as he awaited her response.

Sophia’s mind was a whirlwind of emotions. She felt a mix of surprise, confusion, and a tinge of excitement. It was a startling shift from the usual dynamic she had come to expect. Elio had revealed a side she hadn’t seen before, and it left her feeling both intrigued and taken aback.

In that charged moment, Sophia felt a wave of embarrassment wash over her. She knew she ought to keep her focus on the event at hand, with the looming threat of the emperor ready to strike at any given moment. Yet, the way Elio was looking at her felt different, sending a flurry of emotions racing through her. His gaze and the embrace around her waist sparked a sense of familiarity, reminiscent of someone from her past… Allen.

The rush of emotions caused a whirlwind in Sophia’s mind. She found herself caught in a sudden burst of memories and emotions, which abruptly brought her back to reality. It was like a jolt, snapping her out of a trance.

“I-I’m sorry, Elio,” Sophia stuttered, her voice tinged with regret. “I can’t accept you. I cherish every moment spent with you, but you know I haven’t moved on from Allen. I can’t predict how long these feelings will linger,” she admitted, her heart heavy as she spoke the truth she’d been avoiding.

This admission surprised her. She’d tried to bury these unresolved feelings, yet they spilled out, leaving her feeling vulnerable and exposed. It was a confession she hadn’t planned on revealing.

Elio’s reaction was a mix of disappointment and frustration. “Ah… It’s Allen again,” he sighed in disappointment. “I think you’re too fixated on him,” Elio remarked, sounding slightly exasperated.

Sophia hesitated, feeling the weight of Elio’s question. “I think…” she admitted, her voice trailing off. “But what can I do?” she mumbled, feeling torn between her unresolved feelings and the uncomfortable situation at hand.

Elio’s response was unexpected, an attempt to bridge the gap between them. “What made you fall in love with him?” he inquired, his voice taking on a gentle tone, an attempt to understand Sophia’s feelings. “Tell me, maybe I can do it for you too,” he cooed.

Sophia’s doubt was evident, her lower lip caught between her teeth as she contemplated how to respond. But before she could voice her thoughts, Elio closed the gap, eliminating her doubts. His hand cupped the side of her cheek, his touch tender and slow, his thumb brushing against her skin. “Tell me,” he urged in a soft, low voice that carried a hint of allure, like a seductive growl.

The sudden shift in Elio’s approach was unexpected, catching Sophia off guard. She felt a mix of emotions – confusion, hesitation, and a tinge of fluster at the sudden closeness. Her heart raced with a blend of uncertainty and a stirring of feelings that she struggled to comprehend.

Sophia felt a surge of vulnerability as she tried to explain her lingering feelings for Allen to Elio. “Inside his hard appearance, he was an obedient man. He was willing to do anything for me, and his act of service was top-notch. He’s tough, but he has some soft spots,” she elaborated, her gaze fixed on Elio.

Elio’s response surprised her. He seemed calm, not disappointed or upset by her confession. “Is this what you said to Darren and Liam? They’ve been quiet lately,” Elio inquired, probing for more insight.

Sophia’s mind raced, torn between revealing the truth or maintaining the silence. “They…” she began, her voice trailing off. She couldn’t bring herself to reveal that she had involved Liam and Darren in a situation that wasn’t entirely transparent. It was a leverage card she’d used to sway them into doing what she wanted, without divulging the full story. “Me and them have another deal. They’ve made a mistake that I cannot forgive, and they’ve chosen to make it right by helping out however they can. That’s all,” she explained, skirting around the truth.

Elio nodded, his face wearing a contemplative expression. “Is that so… I can’t say anything. What’s certain is that my chances are very slim, but I’ll help you get Allen. How’s that sound?” he asked suddenly, his tone shifting to one of intrigue.

Sophia’s eyes sparkled with disbelief. “Really?” she exclaimed, a wide smile stretching across her face. The unexpected willingness on Elio’s part caught her completely off guard. She hadn’t anticipated him volunteering for this mission without the need for any form of coercion.

But in a swift and unsettling twist, Elio’s smile morphed into a wicked grin, and he spoke in a mocking tone, “Just kidding…”

Before Sophia could fully process the change in his demeanor, she felt a searing pain lancing through her abdomen, a sudden and violent attack that devoured at least a third of her full HP. Her eyes widened in agony, and she instinctively glanced down to see the source of the pain.

Elio’s hand, concealed in demonic black armor, had pierced through her stomach. The horrifying sight was matched by the horrifying sensation as her blood drenched her once-white priest robe and dripped onto the floor.

Panic surged through Sophia, a chilling realization setting in. She turned her gaze back up to Elio’s face, only to find that he was no longer Elio. Instead, the familiar visage of the devil emperor himself leered back at her.

“Hello, Lil kitten~,” the emperor greeted her with a sinister grin, the mockery in his tone mirroring the malevolence in his eyes.

Sophia’s mind reeled in horror and confusion, the realization hitting her like a thunderbolt. She had been deceived, falling victim to the emperor’s treacherous charade. The pain in her stomach intensified, radiating through her body, and she grappled with a surge of fear and panic at the sudden betrayal.

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