Reincarnated As The Villainess's Son

Chapter 132  Aftermath

"Cough... Cough."

A cough escaped my mouth as my eyes fluttered open.

My throat felt dry, as if I hadn't drunk anything for weeks.

"Arghh..."

My entire body throbbed in dull pain as I shifted to my sides, my eyes adjusting to the dim light.

"Here."

As the blurriness in my eyes cleared, a hand came into view.

My gaze shifted until it landed on the beautiful girl with blue hair sitting on the chair beside me, passing a glass of water.

"Dada!!"

Willis sat on her lap, and as soon as he noticed I was awake, he tried to jump at me, but Christina held him tightly.

"...Thanks."

I mumbled, taking the glass. My voice was croaky as I poured all the water down my throat.

Passing the glass back, I looked around the place where I was.

White lights, a patient uniform with my entire body bandaged, the rhythmic beeping of a machine—it didn't take me long to conclude where I was.

'A hospital.'

...Right, as soon as I was sure there was no more danger, my body gave up, and I lost consciousness.

"Three days have passed since then, your family doctor was the one taking care of you," Christina informed me, her voice soft as she helped me lay back, Willis now sitting beside me.

His curious lavender eyes bore into mine.

"...How is everyone else?" I asked, glancing at her, as I gave Willis my hand to play with.

"...Alan is out of danger, Oliver was serious for a while but he is good now, and Aimar is in better condition but hasn't woken up." She replied, her voice stern, eyes glaring at me. "...You three idiots had to fight with him."

...Ahh.

...She is mad, isn't she?

Then again, she has every right to be mad.

That was stupid, fighting someone several ranks higher than us.

"Just want to confirm but..." As I slowly lowered my body, becoming more comfortable, I asked, "...You didn't kiss me or anything while I was sleeping, right?"

"...What type of question is that?" She let out a chuckle, her voice smoothing. "...I would prefer to do it when you are awake."

"...Really?" I asked, squinting my eyes, and she averted her gaze.

"...What did you do, Christina?" I pressed further as she refused to make eye contact.

"Dada!!"

Willis exclaimed, making my brows furrow in confusion.

"...She was inhaling my scent?" I mumbled, and Christina's eyes widened in horror.

"Willis!!" She exclaimed, making the poor child flinch.

"...Dada," he whispered softly, shaking his head.

"You can't go back on your words now," I replied, messing his hair.

"You can understand him?" Christina asked curiously.

"...Yeah."

For some reason, after my soul merged, I can clearly understand what he is saying without any problem.

"Care to explain?" I asked, looking at her while Willis started to sleep in my arms. "Willis is still a child, so don't say he lied."

"...I just sat close to you," she admitted meekly. "...and you smell good, so I couldn't hel—"

"Pervert," I interjected, making her glare at me.

"You are one to talk," she snorted, looking away. "You used to walk into my room whenever I was changing."

"That's still better than going around and sniffing people."

"I don't do that with everyone!"

"Is this the reason why you take deep breaths around me?"

"Arghh..."

She grimaced in defeat as she leaned forward, invading my personal space.

"I wanted to scold or yell at you, but now the whole mood is strange here," she whispered, her head lowered as she grabbed my hand tightly.

"I don't want another nagging mothe—"

"T-Thank you." Her weak, sobbing voice echoed, her grip tightening on my hand. "... Thank you so much, Az."

"....."

I remained silent.

Things have already turned for the worst. There is no way for me to explain why I was risking my life for her brother.

She always had been suspicious that something was wrong with me, but now she should be sure of it.

'... Another headache.'

"Christina." I mumbled, making her look up, her blue eyes staring at me. "...If I ever had to choose my freedom over everyone, including you...then what will you do?"

It was strange, even though I said those words...they didn't feel like my own words.

...Like my desire to break the chains that bind me has increased several fold.

'...Things are getting complicated.'

"...If that day ever comes," she replied, intertwining her hands with mine, "...just look around. You will always find me right beside you."

"...Even at my worst?" I asked, staring into her eyes.

A genuine smile adorned her face as she replied, "Especially at your worst."

...She is a lost cause. I can't do anything about that now.

Click!

The door clicked open, making me glance there, and through it a girl with purple hair walked in.

"Avrill?" I mumbled, looking at my sister as she walked closer.

"Are you alright?" She asked, concern etched on her face as she took the seat on the bed.

"I am fine now." I replied, sitting up with the help of Christina. "Where were you though?"

During the whole event, she wasn't present. From what I heard, she was called back by mother.

"Grandma called..." She replied, making me focus on her. "Someone is hunting the children of forsaken families."

"What?" Taken aback, I asked.

She nodded as she continued, "...Two of them have already died."

My brows knitted together as I heard her words.

This thing...

....It shouldn't happen this early.

These are the events that will take place one year from now.

....Then why?

...What made mother change her plans?

[Wait, your mother?]

'...Yeah, she is the one pulling the strings from behind.'

She is pushing them to get on each other's throats, creating conflict by killing their children and framing the other family.

This is the starting point that leads to the Fall Of Akasha.

The second game.

...But why now?

The most plausible answer is—something forced her to alter her plans.

And that something is definitely related to me.

'..I need more information.'

I grimaced, messing my hair as I looked at Christina talking with Avril.

"Where is your father, Christina?" I asked as I shifted my torso, placing my legs down.

"Careful." She got up from her seat, helping me stand up. "He is in the hospital office, why?"

"I want to see him," I replied as I walked towards the door, "alone."

"Why?" She asked again, halting her steps.

"Just give me some time," I replied, walking out while giving Willis to her.

'El.'

[Yeah?]

'..Anything that you feel has changed in me?'

[...Physically, only your eyes have turned darker with a mix of blue. The main changes you can understand better yourself.]

'...Yeah.'

I feel comfortable and complete now.

My mind has let go of all the negative feelings that threatened to consume me.

And most of all, I can see things that I previously couldn't.

Things that were abnormal, but I felt them the most logical.

'...Something was definitely wrong with my mind.'

Slam!! Nôv(el)B\\jnn

As soon as I arrived at David's office, I slammed the door open as I walked in.

Startled, David looked up before his face calmed down as he mumbled, "Azariah."

"What happened to Bradyn?" I asked, taking my seat on the chair placed in front.

"He escaped," he replied with a tired sigh. "...There was another person with him."

"I see," I replied, nodding my head, my voice flat.

I never expected him to get caught in the first place, so it didn't come to me as a surprise.

"About Alan," he whispered, lowering his head. "Thank yo—"

"You know who Ethan really is, right?" I interjected, making him flinch as he looked up.

"What are you talking about?" He asked, feigning ignorance.

"Don't play dumb," I rebuked, tapping my finger on his table. "The moment you lay eyes on his spirit, you already knew who he was."

I saw Ethan using his spirit while rescuing people, and I am sure David would have noticed that as well.

No way he missed the woman's face that he loved for years.

'hmm?'

A pulse of mana escaped his body, washing over me before settling down.

'A sound barrier.'

"What do you want?" He growled, looking at me.

"Nothing much, just don't support him in any way." I stated without flinching. "Don't play his godfather or shit like that."

He looked conflicted but waited for me to complete.

"And do not play wingman between him and Christina," I added, my voice firm.

"What if I do exactly that?" He replied, refusing to accept my terms.

"I will tell my mother who Ethan really is," I replied, my lips wearing a sweet smile, "...and then the son of your beloved woman will die a more horrible death than hers."

That's a lie.

My mother already knows who he is, but because he is an important pawn for her, that is the only reason he is alive.

But David doesn't know that.

At first, his eyes blazed with anger at the mention of her death, but it soon turned into conflict.

And time for the final blow...

"I won't care if you support him from behind," I replied earnestly. "...All I want from you is don't force him on Christina, and he will live."

No matter how much of a bastard David is....

...Christina respects him.

If he asked her to look after Ethan, out of respect she would have done it.

And I wouldn't have liked that one bit.

So before those thoughts bloom in his mind, it's better to crush them.

"....."

...Is my obsession kicking in?

Anyway, Ethan will get all the glory and status when he is revealed as the Avatar of God.

But till then, he should just stay humble.

This might change some of the events outcome, but then again, does it matter?

The first game is beyond salvation.

All I could do now is take things into my own hands.

"Fine." After a lot of inner debate, he conceded.

"Wise choice, Father-in-law," I replied, nodding in approval. "Now, if you would be kind enough to help me connect a holographic call."

"With whom?" He asked, making me take a deep breath.

"To my mother—Duchess Esmeray."