[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-reincarnated-as-the-villainess-s-son":3,"chapter-reincarnated-as-the-villainess-s-son-reincarnated-as-the-villainess-s-son-chapter-336":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Reincarnated As The Villainess's Son",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1366085,1806,"Chapter 336  [Who Killed Mary?] [4] [Clue]","reincarnated-as-the-villainess-s-son-chapter-336",336,"\u003Cp>[Zenith's POV]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'What is he doing?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leaning against the wall, I exhaled, my eyes flickering toward the timer overhead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'It's been so long.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only five minutes left before the first cycle ends, and we're no closer to identifying the killer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone started doing their own things after Himmel was gone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What's on your mind?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A soft voice pulled me from my thoughts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Epione stood beside me, her crimson eyes studying my face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Himmel—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I caught myself mid-word and quickly corrected,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'm not thinking about Himmel!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She flinched at my unintentional outburst.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"O-okay,\" she stammered, nodding awkwardly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence stretched between us.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We both stood beside each other.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...I really wasn't thinking about him—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yeah, I get it,\" she interrupted with a sigh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She huffed. \"Geez, weren't you the big sister figure before? What happened to that?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I still act like a big sister.\" I replied, grinning as I straightened my back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But reality hit fast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The height difference between us was undeniable, and I deflated almost instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why is everyone taller than me?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Midget.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The word in Himmel's voice echoed in my head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I whimpered, shifting my gaze. \"I'm not that small.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You're not,\" Epione assured, her smile gentle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I studied her for a moment before shifting my gaze away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She's changed a lot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I still remember our first meeting—how we bickered over her terrible fashion sense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She used to drape herself in layers, barely showing any skin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I turned towards her with a teasing smile. \"Still saving yourself for your future husband?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She blushed brightly, grumbling. \"Can you please stop?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh, how can I show my skin?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I waved my hand dramatically as I mimicked her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My husband will think that I am not worthy of his love~.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Stop it, Zenith!\" she groaned, covering her face, pink with embarrassment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I clasped my hands together, continuing the act. \"Oh, look, I must even hide my hands, for he shall cherish them—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My mother raised me that way, okay?\" Epione muttered, her voice softer. \"Don't make fun of my naïveté.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A pang of guilt hit me. \"Oh, I'm sorry.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Epione just smiled, shaking her head. \"It's fine.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I silently nodded, regret creeping under my skin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I shouldn't have mocked her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When we grew closer, she confided in us about her mother's condition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And… it wasn't good.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She'd been forced to marry the Asura's current head's son, despite not loving him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That bastard married her out of sheer jealousy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I don't usually curse, but he deserved it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That bitch couldn't even handle losing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Subconsciously, my gaze drifted to Sibry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She stood in the corner, flanked by her guards, with a group of girls fawning over her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She's just as bad as her father.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wished I could put her in her place for tormenting Epione, but I couldn't.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I hit a princess, it would bring my mother unnecessary trouble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Christina was so much better at taking care of her.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She made her piss herself in public with a jolt of electricity through her body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I giggled at the memory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Christina was so much braver and bolder than I could ever be.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was like sunshine, always lifting my spirits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'She used to praise her fiancé a lot.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...The same fiancé who murdered her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My heart clenched, I bit my lip to stop it from trembling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One day, she was there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next, she was gone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No goodbyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No warnings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just… gone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could he kill her when she loved him so much?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It's such a tragedy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could she love someone so cruel?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She used to tell me to be someone who thinks a thousand times before loving yet—.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She died by her lover's hand like a foolish woman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I really hate her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I don't regret being her friend.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'I hope the stars are glowing brighter wherever you are.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And rest assured—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wherever your killer is...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I will find him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And make him pay.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Zenith?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My gaze shifted as I heard my name.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A girl with long black hair approached, her sharp beauty accentuated by the small mole beneath her lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Epione slipped away without a word.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She and Siersha really didn't get along.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Where have you been?\" I asked, crossing my arms. \"I've been looking for you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I was… busy.\" She leaned against the wall beside me. \"My bloodlust got the better of me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My stomach twisted. \"Are you okay? Should I call the teacher—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'm fine,\" she cut me off. \"I have it under control.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I sighed in relief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Never do I want to see her in a bloodlust state.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She just becomes scary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Where's Himmel?\" Siersha asked, scanning the room. \"I've been searching for him, but he's nowhere to be found.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I clenched my fists.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My annoyance spiked at her words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How had she gotten so close to him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We met him at the same time, yet they often disappeared together like they'd known each other forever.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'...'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn't like it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don't know,\" I muttered, keeping my irritation in check. \"He's just… not here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I see.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I narrowed my eyes. \"Why are you looking for him?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She gulped and licked her lips. \"Nothing serious.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why is she behaving like that?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is she going to eat him or something?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don't hurt him,\" I warned, my voice colder than I intended. \"I wouldn't like that.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Siersha stared at me, her expression unreadable, but there was a flicker of annoyance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I won't do anything to him,\" she said, rubbing her temples. \"And I won't stop him if he hurts me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I frowned. \"What's that supposed to mean?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's none of your concern.\" She replied, shaking her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I looked at her suspiciously but didn't ask anything else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maybe I should keep an eye on Himmel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That way, I can always be aware when he needs help.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'...'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Urgh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why do I sound like a stalker?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How are the dreams?\" Siersha asked suddenly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I blinked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Still the same,\" I lied, keeping the vision to myself. \"Though I did see more children.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She stiffened, turning towards me. \"What kind of children?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I frowned. \"I don't know… they had horns. Maybe Asura?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her expression brightened as she asked, \"Any vampire children?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"....I see.\" She replied, disappointment clear in her voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What's with her?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'....What's with me?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I saw Himmel killing people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thousands of them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet I hugged him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My body trembled at the very thought of those vision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could he do such a thing?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What made him do that?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Will this happen again?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'No.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nothing like that will happen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I will make sure of it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the sake of innocent people—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the sake of this world—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I will be his moral compass.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The first cycle ends now!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>******\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You called, Qais?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My heart clenched, twisting in my chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slowly, I turned my head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A woman sat beside me, gazing at me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was that… a nightgown?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her clothes were light, almost ethereal, and her body glowed softly—like a soul untethered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But her face…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was blurred, shifting like smoke dissipating into the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ah.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I forgot how you looked, didn't I?\" I whispered, my voice cracking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It's hard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I don't know why, but I felt my chest burn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like my soul was trying to remember her but couldn't.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I'm being haunted by feelings of things that I can't remember.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But what can I do?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She laughed, her voice a melody. \"You were always bad with faces.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Was I?\" I whispered to myself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Come to think of it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I really am.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You were.\" She replied, giggling. \"But I let it slide. You always looked dashing when embarrassed.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stared at her, a sharp yearning carving into me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wanted to see her clearly or....see nothing at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Taking a slow breath, I asked, \"You're not real, are you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her hand—translucent and faintly glowing—reached toward my cheek but stopped just short. \"Of course, I am.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I leaned into the emptiness where her touch should have been.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Liar.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She giggled again. \"I'm with you. Not in body, but in soul.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I smiled, leaning forward as if that could ease the ache in my chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But something about this felt wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why couldn't I see her?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why couldn't I stop needing to?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How have you been?\" she asked, curiosity laced in her tone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hopeless. For a long time,\" I admitted, staring at the floor. \"...It wasn't the greatest experience.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you miss me?\" she teased.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don't even remember you.\" I shook my head. \"I don't even know who you are.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That's…\" she whispered, her voice suddenly fragile, \"hurtful. But… expected.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I swallowed, steadying myself. \"Why am I seeing you now?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She smiled. \"Because you've always been terrible at letting go.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I let out a quiet sigh, rubbing my face. \"I don't know what's happening.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don't worry,\" she said, leaning closer. \"The day will come when you'll understand everything.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was so much I wanted to ask, but—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How did you die?\" My voice was softer than I intended. \"What happened back then?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She held her smile. \"I died to rest.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I frowned. \"What does that mean?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"To give you everything. To pour my soul into yours.\" \"Was it necessary?\" I asked, finally facing her. \"Why would you do that?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She tilted her head slightly, her gaze distant. \"I don't know. But maybe… I've already lived many lives waiting for you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I frowned, confusion creeping in. \"What?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She turned to me, her voice gentle. \"I'm still waiting to meet you. Somewhere out there… without my memories.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I went still.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was she… still alive?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Be glad, Qais,\" she said with a radiant smile. \"Someone loves you—before and after knowing what you are.\" My throat tightened. \"I'm not Qais.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She kept smiling, but she didn't answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I love someone else.\" I continued, looking away. \"I don't love you—.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I know.\" Her voice was quiet. \"But whatever is left of you will always love me—though not in the way I wish.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I exhaled heavily, rubbing my face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was too much.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Was it still too early?\" she murmured, watching me. \"You're not ready.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lumi?\" I whispered, standing up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her body flickered, fading like mist in the wind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Surely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Continue to solve the riddle. The next clue is in the room.\" She said, smiling brightly. \"We will see each other again.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You're already dead,\" I said, clenching my fists. \"How will we see each other again?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She smiled. \"No grave can hold my body down. I will crawl home to you.\" Then, she was gone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stood there, staring at the empty space where she had been.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, slowly, I sank back onto the bed, my eyes unfocused on the ceiling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...Why did it have such a strange pattern?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A blue phoenix fluttered down and settled on my chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For hours, I lay still, gazing blankly above.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn't know her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn't remember her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I missed her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I just didn't know why.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Time passed. I stayed unmoving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lumi wasn't from this time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maybe I had known her long ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It didn't matter anymore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet, I couldn't let her go.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sighing, I finally stood up and looked around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nothing seemed out of place—nothing that looked like a clue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But just as I was about to give up, my gaze landed on a pile of shattered glass.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slowly, I walked toward it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Piece by piece, I started arranging the glass back together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And when it was whole, I looked at its reflection.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My eyes shot up to the ceiling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The strange pattern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a map.\u003C\u002Fp>",1928,"2026-06-05T21:29:08.031Z",1,"novelbin.me","5c121af6dbd5ffbcc8170f645740644a7f9f49e2cd06e74de60727c30d19ad36","reincarnated-as-the-villainess-s-son-chapter-337","reincarnated-as-the-villainess-s-son-chapter-335",556,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Freincarnated-as-the-villainess-s-son-cover.jpg"]