Our Villainess Has Changed

Chapter 34

Anette hesitated in front of the library doors.

It was still early, so there was a chance Enoch wouldn’t be there.

But after coming all this way, she couldn’t just turn back.

Taking a deep breath, she pushed open the large doors and stepped inside.

The library was vast, with rows of bookshelves stretching endlessly. She glanced around and walked toward the large desks near the windows.

‘There he is.’

To her relief, Enoch was sitting by the window, bathed in morning sunlight.

He looked as radiant as ever.

Even though they had only met yesterday, Anette had already imagined a future where they lived together.

‘My dear husband…’

She quickly covered her mouth, stopping herself from saying the ridiculous word out loud.

Hiding behind the bookshelves, she watched him in secret.

The breeze from the open window made Enoch’s brown hair sway gently.

She swallowed hard.

He looked even more dazzling today than he had yesterday.

‘How should I greet him? Should I surprise him?’

As she was deep in thought, Enoch stood up, gathering his books. He was heading straight toward her hiding spot.

Quickly, Anette ducked behind another shelf, crouching behind the thick books.

She had no idea that one of the heavy books above her head was wobbling dangerously.

All she could think about was how funny it would be to startle Enoch.

Maybe, just maybe, he would be so surprised that he would fall into her arms.

As she slowly stood up, ready to jump out—

Thud!

“Ah…!”

The book above her head slipped, falling straight toward her.

But before it could hit her, Enoch moved swiftly, catching it just in time.

Instead of scaring Enoch, Anette was the one left speechless, frozen in shock.

Enoch smiled kindly at her, holding the thick book in one hand.

“I was going to surprise you…” she muttered.

“I think you were the one who almost got surprised,” Enoch chuckled, shaking the book lightly.

Anette glanced between the book and Enoch’s face. If it had hit her, it would have hurt—a lot.

“Thank you, Enoch.”

“No problem. Did you come to share some good news?”

“Oh, not yet. I just had some free time…”

“So, you came to see me?”

“…Yes.”

Hearing her answer, Enoch’s eyes crinkled as he smiled.

Her heart pounded.

That smile was dangerous.

He led her to the table by the window.

“I’ll bring some tea. Please have a seat.”

“Okay.”

Anette watched happily as Enoch walked away.

Her eyes then wandered to the books on his desk.

“What kind of books are these?”

They looked boring just from their thickness.

Picking one at random, she flipped it open.

Inside, there was a terrifying drawing of a monster.

Quickly, she shut the book and thought back to what had just happened.

‘If Enoch hadn’t caught that book, I might have died. Should I ask him to take responsibility for saving my life?’

Of course, she wouldn’t have died, but she liked the idea.

Smiling to herself, she rested her chin on her hands.

She had thought Enoch was just gentle and good-looking, but he was also surprisingly strong and quick.

‘He is perfect…’

Soon, the library doors opened again.

Enoch walked back in, carrying a wooden tray with white teacups.

Anette’s eyes sparkled.

“Is it the same tea as last time?”

“This time, it’s floral tea.”

“Wow, that sounds great!”

She watched intently as he poured the tea.

Her earlier worries had completely disappeared.

Every man she had met in this temple so far was a lunatic, so she had been cautious.

But Enoch was different.

He had no flaws.

The only imperfection in his life was probably… her.

“This tea has a wonderful aroma. Please try it.”

“Thank you, Enoch.”

Anette took a careful sip.

A sweet floral scent filled her mouth.

It was much better than she expected.

“It’s delicious!”

“I’m glad you like it.”

Enoch smiled as he lifted his cup.

The way he held it—so elegant and refined—made Anette’s heart race again.

“I wonder when it will rain again… I hope it does soon.”

“Yes…”

His words made her feel guilty. It wasn’t her fault that there was a drought, but she still felt responsible.

If she could, she would bring rain just for Enoch.

Determined, she decided to focus even harder on her mission.

She took another sip of tea but suddenly noticed something.

Enoch’s hands were beautiful.

Long fingers, clean and well-kept nails—she had never seen such elegant hands before.

She had the sudden urge to touch them.

“Enoch, your hands are so pretty.”

“Are they?”

She swallowed nervously.

And then, before she could stop herself—

“Would you like me to read your palm?”

“You know how to read palms?”

“Oh, of course!”

She nodded confidently.

In truth, she had no idea how to read palms.

She just wanted an excuse to hold his hand.

Without hesitation, Enoch extended his hand.

Anette eagerly grabbed it.

The moment their palms touched, a small electric shock ran through her.

“Oh! Did you feel that?”

“Yes, I did.”

It was real.

There had been a tiny spark between them.

This had to mean something.

It had to be fate.

Excited, Anette grinned and looked at his palm, pretending to study it.

“Wow, your lifeline is long.”

“Is that good?”

“Well… yes.”

She didn’t know much, but at least that part sounded right.

“Wait… but where’s your marriage line?”

That was strange.

There was no marriage line.

That couldn’t be right.

Anette frowned, staring harder as if she could make one appear by sheer will.

“Well, palm reading is just superstition anyway.

You can still get married even without a marriage line.”

She muttered it more to herself than to Enoch.

But his response made her pause.

“I’m a priest of the Hella temple,” he said with a gentle smile. “Marriage isn’t something I can consider.”

She wasn’t listening.

“Wait, wait… this can’t be right.”

She continued examining his hand, determined to find some good news.

“Oh! But your future lover will be incredibly beautiful.”

Enoch chuckled.

“You’re quite amusing, Anette.”

“You’re the amusing one.”

She looked up from his hand.

Their eyes met.

A brief silence followed.

This was it.

This was the moment to confess.

“Enoch, I…”

“Yes, Anette?”

“Well, I was just thinking…”

Ding—dong—ding—

The sound of the temple’s bell echoed through the air.

Enoch glanced up.

“It’s already that time. I need to go now.”

“Oh… yeah. I have work to do too.”

She watched regretfully as he gently pulled his hand away.

Even though she hadn’t confessed, she had at least gotten to hold his hand.

A major victory.

Her palm still tingled from the electric shock earlier.

With a satisfied smile, she left for her afternoon duties.

The sun was shining brightly.

It was a shame about the drought, but at least it was good weather for doing laundry.

* * *

As summer approaches, the days grow hotter.

Anette wiped the sweat from her forehead as she hung up the laundry.

She sniffed the air now and then, hoping to catch the scent of rain.

“Anette! Let’s go eat!”

“Right, let’s eat first. We need energy to keep working.”

Following her friend Lucy, she stepped into the cool building.

The morning work was done, and the afternoon schedule was relatively free.

After a short nap, she planned to visit Lucas to discuss an important matter.

For now, though, it was time for lunch.