Struggling as a Villain

Inside the office room, Richard found two unexpected faces waiting.

One of them was the blond girl whom they had met just a few moments ago on the school grounds, Elizabeth. And the other one was Richard's deskmate, Rose.

They were standing while facing the door from where the trio entered.

"Eli? How are...I mean, why did you come here?" Ethan thought that the girl was worried for him that's why she came. However, her following words cleared his doubts,

"I was called by the Headmaster. Since he didn't want anyone else to know that I would get involved in this as well, he sent me a mental message." She explained while making her way beside Ethan.

She gave a long glance at Nora, who completely ignored her.

Richard stepped forward before asking the oldest one in the room, "Headmaster?"

Marcus first gestured towards Rose before introducing her, "You must have met her before, but let me do the introduction. Rose is my late friend's granddaughter and someone with a brilliant set of skills."

Rose couldn't lean her head any more down in embarrassment as she was doing right now. Her face was bright red hearing all those compliments and being seen by so many people.

She just wants to hide!

About Rose, Richard was aware that she has some exceptional skills but he still couldn't discern her inclusion in all this.

Marcus explained, "I am going to the capital to see what I can get about this whole fiasco with clones and all. When I would be there I would like Ethan and Elizabeth to co-operate with Rose and send me any information regarding that clone."

Richard raised his brows in realisation, and Nora did the job of verbally explaining it, "You mean...those flashes of memories Ethan sees through the clone's eyes would be shared through Elizabeth, and somehow Rose would direct it to you?"

Marcus nodded, "Yes, that's correct. But Rose will just draw those memories on paper and will send it through my soul beast." Saying so, he bent his hand, and on his wrist, a black owl with big red eyes appeared out of nowhere.

"To summon it, just say its name 'Gilbert'. If you get something important about the clone then send it immediately so I can conduct my investigation more efficiently."

"And what would be my role in all this, Headmaster?" Richard asked.

"You are the coordinator, Richard. That clone is extremely attached to you through the feeling of anger and revenge. As such, it is necessary for you to be in contact with this group and know about that clone's movements. However, I must warn you, you cannot leave this island to pursue it in any situation."

Richard stiffly nodded at that. He has already come down to the fact that he couldn't leave this island despite how much he wanted to just chase that clone and end this matter once and for all.

"Princess Nora, you will co-operate with them and provide the necessary help, understand?"

The elf nodded to that without any hesitation. She not only wants to find the culprit who carried her sister's fragment but also wants to shorten the distance between herself and Ethan.

All said and heard, the students were told to retire to their dorms.

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After leaving the office, Richard went to the same place as before and, as he expected, Amelia was waiting for him under the tree.

'This is going to be bad...' Considering how quickly the news spreads and also that Amelia must have gone to his mansion and heard about the incident from Lilia, it makes things difficult for Richard.

He has yet to tell her about this whole clone situation but now, he has no way of avoiding the topic.

Approaching her, he asked, "You look mad. I wonder the reason?"

Amelia's eyes remained dead serious hearing that, which told Richard how bad of a start it was.

Heaving a sigh, he told her, "I just didn't want to put you in danger of rustication since I know how much this academy matters to you."

"But not more than you, Richard." Her response was quick and held conviction.

Richard was left speechless as Amelia stepped forward before asking, "Tell me Richard, do you care about me? Like even as a friend?"

Richard slowly nodded.

"Then, for the sake of that consideration, could you not have at least informed me that you are about to risk your life fighting an inhumane being and also that you can get possibly kicked out of the school? Was it too much to ask for?"

Stepping closer, she held his shirt weakly before whispering, "I thought we had a bond of trust, Richard. But I guess I was just deluding myself from the beginning."

"A-melia...I..." She didn't stay there to listen to his explanation and walked away.

Tears rained down her eyes but she made no movement to wipe them off as the girl headed towards the school.

Richard kept looking at her back, unable to stop her. He doesn't know what he would say to make her feel better or convey the reason for not telling her about it.

In the end, he turned around and slowly walked back home.

------------**-----------

Walking through the corridor of the palace the first prince—William—could be seen discussing something with his assistant.

In the absence of his father, William had the duty to take care of the ministry and respond to the call of any important guest. Just like the one who would be arriving tomorrow.

"The Headmaster?" William asked with a frown.

The brunette lady wearing formal clothes walked on his left flank and responded to his query, "Indeed my lord. We just received a letter from him requesting a meeting with Your Majesty tomorrow. The subject wasn't written."

William hummed upon hearing that. It was rare for the Headmaster to suddenly ask for a meeting, considering that man doesn't like to be involved with politics and feuds of others.

William had a feeling that this meeting was related to the recent disruption that occurred in the capital. And also maybe about the clones?

Naturally, William would be attending this meeting in his father's stead. Although his father didn't say what he could tell others about this matter, William had a general outline of how much he could reveal.

'But still...talking to that man would be a headache...' Feeling his shoulders turning heavy already, William asked the lady,

"Where is Duchess Bellarine these days? I thought she was helping in the new security formation?"

"Indeed, my lord; she agreed to help in recruiting the necessary personnel to protect the capital; however, for the past two days, she hasn't been seen and has yet to make any contact with us."

William frowned upon hearing that. Bellarine might be impulsive and hard to handle, but she is the kind of woman who always fulfils the duties she has undertaken.

And for her to vanish like this....doesn't sit well with William.

"Trying to contact her somehow."

"Understood, my lord."

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Returning home, Richard first got healed up, and after having a quick dinner, he decided to return to his room to rest.

Just as he was about to leave he heard Lilia asking, "Did something happen with Lady Amelia, my lord?"

Richard nodded at that, "Yep~I made her mad and now she doesn't want to talk to me."

Lilia earlier informed him that Amelia indeed came to the mansion while searching for Richard, and Lilia told her vaguely the case, considering how anxious the lady looked. But now, Lilia was feeling guilty about telling her.

Stepping closer to her master, she gently held his hand before conveying what she felt, "In my opinion, Richard, you should try to talk to her. Lady Amelia is hurt and must be feeling betrayed that you trusted a random girl whom you met just yesterday and didn't even bother to let her know."

Her words made things worse for him as he realised that he, indeed, had betrayed her trust. Looking at Lilia, he asked,

"What should I do now?"

"Maybe you should try contacting her somehow?"

Richard thought for a moment before he nodded to her and thanked the girl, "Thanks, Lilia. Without you I might have ended up ruining quite many things."

Planting a soft kiss on the side of her lips, he dashed toward his room.

Lilia smiled in slight amusement, upon seeing her master unusually acting according to his age.

However, it would be a lie to say that she didn't feel anything upon seeing them getting closer. As a woman, she felt quite sad and scared that in the future, her master wouldn't get much time to spend with her. But she had already thought about this thoroughly when she allowed herself to be embraced by her master.

She loves Richard and until he can direct even a smile towards her, Lilia would be content.

"Haah...let's go and check on Violet for now."

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A/N:- Thanks for reading.