A Villain's Survival Guide

Drawing from the experiences and memories of two lives, Leomaris believed the best way to overcome one’s negative feelings and find true happiness was to let go of grudges or find the subtle joy in whatever one did.

As the old saying goes, happiness isn’t something ready-made. It comes from one’s own actions.

Easier said than done. Leomaris soon realised chasing happiness was no straightforward business either. Like a butterfly, it would evade every attempt, but once one’s attention turned to other things, it would settle softly on the shoulder, as though having a laugh at one’s expense.

Over the course of a week, nothing felt right. Despite the calm the Abyssal Cube had brought him, his thoughts — the source of all his negative emotions — never gave him a moment’s peace.

It had been hell until now. Moments ago, he’d worn a darkened expression, but the more he turned Rosay’s words over in his head, a smile had begun to form on his lips.

"What did you say?"

Rosay had just returned from her duties as Ace of the third-year cadets, shedding her military overcoat and draping it over the navy sofa near the chimney, her barrack cap finding a rest there as well.

"You heard me. If you’re going to be skipping class, then you’d better prepare our dinner."

This felt strange. On any other day, Leomaris would toss a cheeky word or two or ignore her outright, insulting her in his head all the while, but today it came easily. When she first said those words, his mind was quick to agree.

’This could be it... something calm and soothing enough to leave me with nothing but happy thoughts, even if only briefly.’

Leomaris got up from his seat and, with the warmest smile Rosay had ever seen on him, asked.

"What are you in the mood for tonight?"

Rosay’s mouth parted as she stared at him. Her confusion needed no words, but then, as though something had just occurred to her, she smiled.

"Roasted saddles of beef... oh, with a beautifully rich pan gravy."

She expected a response that never came, leaving her to sit with it for a moment.

"Yorkshire pudding, buttered asparagus, glazed carrots, and bread sauce shall serve as the sides. Hm... there must be a dessert as well, and I think a sherry trifle with almond sponge would be quite fitting."

Leomaris nodded in understanding.

"We already have claret wine prepared, so there is no need to concern yourself with beverages." 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

Almost instinctively, Leomaris stretched his hand out for money the instant the last word left Rosay. Skint as they came. He couldn’t even manage salt.

Rosay frowned, but it had nothing to do with the money. Her eyes said it all, asking whether Leomaris truly wanted to go through with her demands.

"Don’t worry about the money. Head over to Auntie Sophia’s, she’ll sort everything out with me. And just so you know, you should prepare enough for at least six people. Better make it six to eight, just to be safe."

That sounded like a right handful, but Leomaris hardly batted an eye. With a mind as gentle as a feather, he made his way out of the mansion.

—

With his combined knowledge and Auntie Sophia’s guidance, he sourced everything he needed for the meal.

He sourced a prime-cut beef saddle, freshly ground black pepper, two portions of butcher-saved beef dripping, fresh market onions, roughly 500ml of beef stock, a splash of Spanish sherry, fresh egg custard, one large sponge cake, and Auntie Sophia’s homemade jam.

Not entirely sure the eggs from that morning were still about, he grabbed three fresh ones and a bit of flour as well.

’All of this only came to 54 pence. Bit of a bargain, innit?’

It was a bloody rip-off, truth be told, but perhaps his brain had been addled by this sudden change of personality.

Despite everything, he was dead certain of one thing, he was being watched. It had started the moment he set foot on the market streets. His senses were sharper now, and every time those eyes found him, he felt them like piercing blades.

He shrugged it off, carrying on as though nothing was amiss. He climbed back into his carriage without hesitation as it began rolling over the cobblestones.

—

’Season the beef generously with salt and pepper, then allow it to rest at room temperature for precisely one hour. The roasting is the finest part of the process. Roast it over a strong heat for twenty minutes before reducing it to a moderate temperature.

Be certain to baste it with the drippings every twenty to thirty minutes, and cook until the centre is tender, yet still delicately pink. Precisely the way Rosay has adored it since childhood.’

He smiled.

’Now, collect the drippings and add the finely chopped onions, allowing them to brown gently. Thereafter, stir in the flour before gradually adding the beef stock. Leave it to simmer until the gravy becomes rich and glossy.’

Despite the warmth that came with preparing the roasted saddle of beef, he found himself taken by the memories Rosay had shared with the original Leomaris, preparing this very dish together when they were younger.

Perhaps that fondness still lingered, and it was why she’d chosen this one.

Next came the Yorkshire pudding, and this was all in the whisking. He worked the batter until smooth, left it to rest for half an hour, then poured it into the hot dripping in the roasting tray and baked it at high heat until puffed and golden.

Before he could turn his attention to the next on his list, the Sherry trifle, Hazel slipped in softly behind him. He nearly had a moment despite having already sensed her presence. His mind had been that deep in his cooking.

He hated having people about when he cooked. Even so, he was dead calm.

He’d told Hazel to keep well away from the kitchen, and that went for Rosay as well. Seeing her there meant she had something important enough to have her go against his orders.

"Sorry to disturb you, young master. Lady Rosay asked me to deliver a message."

Leomaris gave her the go-ahead.

"Young master, Lady Raine is here to see you. Lady Rosay asked me to make certain you hadn’t forgotten her."

Raine? Confusion crept across his face. He hadn’t seen her in over a week, and despite their plans together, finding happiness to consume Le Mythe des Quatre had felt like the more pressing matter.

Then, suddenly, his eyes narrowed slightly.

"How did she get here...? Was it you who brought her over?"

Hazel motioned positively.

"I noticed her across the street and assumed she had come to see you, so I brought her over."

Leomaris’s expression went flat.

’Wait... could it be? Was Raine watching me all this time?’