Reborn As The Minor Villain In A Romance Fantasy Novel - Chapter 140

Chapter 140: Reward
“So what do you say?”

Liora leaned forward on her elbows, the dim café light tracing the edge of her jawline as she sighed.

“If you don’t like my terms… then I can change them for you.”

Lucius took a quiet breath, coffee still warm in his hand.

For a moment, he didn’t answer.

His eyes drifted toward the window.

“There’s no need for that,” he said at last.

Liora blinked, caught off guard by how easily he turned her down.

Lucius leaned back, letting the chair creak slightly beneath him.

Sure, what she was offering was tempting… more tempting than most men could handle. But he wasn’t just any man.

In his mind, he pictured the faces of the women who already filled his life.

Luna… A future billionaire, practically printing money in her basement. She was his walking investment, and she didn’t even know it.

Then Emilia… She was a heroine who would someday inherit the GUILD and dominate entire regions.

A little perverted? Sure. But that was part of her charm.

Elara came next… his personal number one. She was a powerhouse of raw power and loyalty, whose future as a top-ranked Awakener was all but guaranteed.

She was going places, and he was the one guiding her there.

And finally, Vanessa. While she was not as rich as Liora, she still led a guild… and was one of the most perfect mature women he had ever met.

Would he really abandon all of that for a fleeting offer wrapped in luxury?

No.

He wasn’t that kind of man.

“So you accept?” Liora asked with hope.

Lucius smiled.

“I’m sorry,” he said, setting the cup down. “But I must reject your offer.”

The words left his mouth easily, but even he couldn’t help but sigh afterward.

He never imagined he’d ever have to say no to a deal that could’ve bought him several lifetimes of comfort.

But here he was.

“Good.”

The response came so suddenly that he almost didn’t register it.

“Good?” he repeated, brows furrowing.

Liora smiled… a soft, knowing smile, the kind that was somehow both infuriating and graceful. “You passed my test.”

Lucius blinked. “Eh?”

She nodded, setting her chin delicately on her palm.

“It’s nice to be ambitious and all, but agreeing to that would mean you were only in it for the gains.” She tilted her head slightly. “And that you don’t love me.”

Lucius stared blankly.

He wasn’t sure what part confused him more… the “test,” or the implication that she was expecting love at first sight from a random café encounter.

‘Does this woman actually expect me to fall in love with her on the spot?’ he wondered, suppressing the urge to sigh aloud.

“I see,” he said dryly. “Guess I passed, then.”

She grinned, clearly pleased with herself.

Lucius turned to glance at Villy, who was quietly finishing her own cup of coffee like she’d been trying to pretend she wasn’t witnessing the weirdest conversation in the city.

He lifted his own cup and downed the rest in a single motion.

“That hit the spot,” he muttered, setting it back onto the table with a light clink.

The barista walked over with a polite smile, gathering their cups onto a tray.

“It’s on the house,” he said, bowing slightly. “You don’t need to pay.”

Lucius gave him a nod. “Appreciate it.”

The barista disappeared back behind the counter.

Lucius adjusted his hoodie and stood up, the fabric shifting easily over his shoulders.

He’d had enough awkward confessions and “tests” for one day.

“Well,” he said with an easy grin, “we’ll continue this conversation later.”

He didn’t mean it, of course but politeness cost nothing.

Villy stood as well, adjusting her coat and nodding at Liora politely. Lucius had already turned toward the exit, mentally checking his to-do list.

He needed to get Villy back to Luna so they could start mass production of the drones, finalize the ring prototypes for the upcoming auction, and if he had time, maybe catch a nap.

But Liora’s voice stopped him mid-step.

“Wait.”

He turned back, one brow raised. “Hm?”

“Can I see your phone?”

Lucius hesitated for a second, then shrugged. “Sure.”

He pulled it out from his pocket and held it out, screen still unlocked.

Liora’s grin widened, and she reached into her own bag, pulling out her phone.

She brought the two devices close aligning the tops perfectly.

There was a soft beep.

Lucius’s phone vibrated.

[Contact Saved]

[Liora Romanoff]

He looked down at the notification, blinking once.

“Thanks for your number,” Liora said sweetly, tucking her phone back into her purse. “I’ll contact you later.”

Lucius stared at the glowing text for a long second.

“…Right.”

He slipped the phone back into his hoodie pocket and nodded once before walking out, Villy following behind him.

As the café door shut behind them, he sighed inwardly.

‘So I can get my contact stolen by random people on the street now?’ he thought dryly. ‘Truly, the world is not safe.’

…

Lucius pushed open the door to the basement and his eyes fell on Luna.

She sat at her workbench, leaning against her chair with one leg crossed over the other, her face illuminated by the soft blue glow of the light.

“Ooh…” she whispered, soldering the final component into place. “And done.”

She exhaled, wiping sweat from her forehead with the back of her wrist.

Her hands were covered in faint soot stains, and her sleeves were rolled up but she looked proud.

Lucius smiled as he watched her.

Luna turned, eyes lighting up the moment she saw him. “Lucius!”

She stood, brushing off her shorts. “Alright, I finished both the regular and premium drones. Villy can analyze them and start mass production as soon as the parts arrive.”

Lucius nodded approvingly, his gaze flicking briefly over her outfit.

She wore a white collared shirt tucked neatly into a pair of suspender knickers, her purple eyes bright behind a pair of magnifying lenses.

He hadn’t realized before, but suspenders really did look… good on her.

Villy walked past him to the table, her green eyes already glowing faintly as she activated her Analyze magic, scanning the newly-completed drones for imperfections.

Meanwhile, Luna walked up to Lucius.

“I’ve done my work well,” she said with a grin, standing on her toes slightly as she looked up at him. “Why don’t you give me a reward, Lucius?”

She puckered her lips and closed her eyes, tilting her head expectantly.

Lucius blinked.

Her eyelashes fluttered slightly and her cheeks were completely pink. She was clearly trying her best to act bold but her lips were quivering.

‘Please work…’ she thought.