Sitting in the swaying carriage I watched the passing scenery listlessly.

Although it looks as if there were only two hired guards next to the carriage, there were many tailing me closely, but still hidden from the sights of others. With a common carriage and mercenary looking guards I looked like any rich commoner.

Although my hair was an uncommon color, it wasn't unseen. I blended into this world seamlessly, even though I'm a intruder in every sense of the word.

I felt a disturbing sense of incongruity, and guilt.

Ignoring the unsettling feelings creeping in, I forced my mind to wander to other things. With no singular train of thought I soon arrived in front of the orphanage.

Getting out of of the carriage, I was greeted with the heart warming sight of children shyly peeking to get a glimpse of me. I'm sure Odin and everyone else has told them of me by the way the children were looking at me with stars in their eyes.

Smiling warmly I entered the building while greeting the workers before turning to the children.

"Have you all enjoyed being here?" I asked while patting the closest child's head.

""Yes!"" Many of them said in unison, but a few covered their mouth after realizing they were a bit loud.

"It's fine to be a bit loud every now and then. It's fun." I said while giggling. I couldn't help how my heart warmed seeing them, but I felt a ache in my heart seeing their malnourished figure.

"Did you like the food?"

"Yes!"

"Uhuh!"

"Mrs. Ren makes the best food!"

"Mrs. Ren Made us pancakes for breakfast, and soup for lunch."

"Uhuh, and it was really yummy too!"

They all started chatting endlessly while drooling talking about food.

"It seems I was right in my decision to hire you." I whispered while leaning towards Mrs. Ren.

"I'm glad you think so." she said while giving a smirk to my flattery.

"Lady Lina." A familiar voice called me.

I turned to see Odin holding a small child with fluffy blonde hair. I smiled unknowingly, seeing how much more healthy Theo looked than the last time I had seen him.

"Lina." Calling my name and shyly smiling, I could see he was happy that I kept my side of the promise that I had made with him.

Reaching out to grab him, he leaned into my embrace while I held him. I was able to hold him with my feeble strength since he was tiny and light due to malnutrition and his sickness.

"Do you feel better?"

"Yes, I feel this much better!" He said while spreading his arm out.

"Mhm, that's really good." I said while patting his head.

"It won't be long until he'll be able to run around with the other kids." Odin said while making his way to my side.

"I want Lina to hold me too!"

"Me too!"

"Me three!"

I could only laugh while a cold sweat formed on my back, it seemed like I would have a very active day.

*

*

*

""Bye Lina!!!"" The children screamed in unison as made my way to my carriage. I turned and waved before turning to get on the carriage.

However, I stopped since I saw a hand in front of me. I turned and saw it was Odin smiling boyishly.

"Lady Lina. Please excuse me for rudely blocking you, but I must ask if I can have some of your time privately."

"Get on the carriage." I looked at him for a bit stunned, before responding.

He unashamedly got on the carriage after helping board first. After he closed the door, I turned and opened the slit to speak to the driver.

"Drive to Mr. Odin's residence."

Once I turned back around, I found Odin already looking at me with inspecting eyes.

"Lady Lina, do you mind if I touch you." His wording was weird, but I knew he would not do anything strange.

"You have my permission." As soon as I finished speaking he grabbed my hand without hesitation.

After a while of touching my hand and wrist, his brows furrowed. While being focused he unknowingly moved to touch my back, but stopped himself and looked at me.

I gave him a nod in approval knowing he meant no ill will. I began to touch my back where my heart would be, and feeling the skin on my nape.

Sitting back with dark face, Odin looked at me with deep eyes.

"You are very sick... and seeing how your so calm, it seems like you already know." He sad while observing my reaction.

"I can't tell what exactly since I wasn't able to do an in depth examination, but it's quite serious from what I'm seeing." As his words faded we sat in silence for a moment before he opened his mouth to speak again seeing I wasn't going to explain my condition.

"I can give you a more in depth examination and personally treat you. I am one of the best doctors you will find in this kingdom- no continent."

"No need." I said while smiling and lazily leaning back.

He looked dumbfounded before getting frantic.

"Do you already have someone no I am the best. Isn't that why you chose to hire me? So I can treat you too? I'm not mad that you've done this, rather I wouldn't blame you."

I knew I couldn't hide my sickness from him for long, maybe from others, but not the trained eye. I never expected to hide it, and I know that he would assumed I plotted a way for him to treat me, since he refused to treat the wealthy. He wanted to devote his skills to those who could not afford them.

However, it is true I don't need him to treat me, there is nothing he could do. I only need to nurture him so he produces the cure and I can buy it once it's on the market.

"I don't need treatment." I calmly stated.

Stunned at my response, he pauses before his face crumples horribly.

"Do... Do you want to die?" It may look like that to others. Refusing treatment with a serious illness. However, I know that treatment will do nothing. In the end all that matters is the cure.

"I won't die." Looking at him unfazed by his visibly upset appearance.

"Wha- What do you mean you won't die! Illnesses don't just magically disappear!"

"I'm fine. You don't know the whole situation, I am not going to die. I have no plans to, nor do I wish to."

Calming down with my words, he soon sends me a doubtful look.

"You don't want me to treat you?"

"No, you job is to treat the children, while I sponsor you research." I closed my eyes tiredly while I spoke.

I could feel his admiring stare even with my eyes closed. I felt burdened with his gaze but I know this is the misunderstanding I need to keep him close.

I am not the pure hearted woman you think me to be, rather I'm manipulating the situation for my benefit.

I'm not a good person, I'm not the heroine. I'm not the shining hero, or the helping side character, rather I'm a...

Villainess.

Yes, the role fits me well. But I guess every villain is a hero in his own mind. Like two sides of war, each side thinking they are right, but both villains to the other.

Opening my eyes and turning my gaze to the passing scenery, the carriage continued to sway in silence.