Struggling as a Villain

"Just stop bothering about them, Kevin. They are not some people we should trouble ourselves with." Inside the dorm room of the third year, two teenagers could be seen currently sitting across from each other.

The short blue-haired male was the same person who created a ruckus back in the eatery. The son of the Viscount and someone with not a good reputation. If anything, he was close to being delinquent.

"Just because he is the son of that bitch of a Duchess doesn't mean I will let his insult slide." He growled, completely ignoring the consequences it could bring if he decided to attack Richard.

The other one in the room was the son of a Baron and someone who had been like a sidekick of Butcher since the first year. That's why it's his duty to notify Kevin,

"The other one, that chick is also the daughter of a Duke, you know."

Butcher grinned, "I will get that feisty one for myself once I deal with the hothead." Butcher said as he recalled those fierce eyes of Amelia and the way she fearlessly pointed her weapon against him. God, she was exactly his type.

"Butcher...what are you planning?" The other one asked hesitantly with a tinge of anxiety wrapped around his words.

Kevin smirked, "My father has already abandoned me, and since this is my last year here, why don't I just do whatever comes to my mind? Like, what worse punishment they can give me than what I have already faced?" Kevin asked. Last he remembered, not anyone has received such a severe punishment as Kevin, in the history of Obsidian Citadel.

After all, being sent to a labyrinth alone was akin to murdering a student. However, Kevin returned and continued to have the same attitude as before.

Now, even if he plays a little prank on the Duchess' son, what the authorities might do? The status of a student doesn't work inside the Academy, that's why Kevin wouldn't get suspended or rusticated.

"Hey Hopper, find out how many guards and maids are there in the mansion." With his eyes turning ominous, he added, "I will be serving the revenge when the flames of my anger are still raw and fresh."

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Richard returned to the mansion which was exclusively given to him. Being the son of Duchess Bellarine has many perks, and this was one of them.

Amelia was in awe to see such a magnificent fortress. She was aware under what circumstances this mansion was built and why only Scarlette's house was given such a facility. However, she never thought the establishment would be so grand. She initially anticipated it to be more like a military quarter.

"Mom couldn't compromise when it comes to the place where she sleeps. That's why she told them to make something grand or nothing at all."

Hearing his words made her feel that her expression had become quite obvious to him; urging Amelia to ask,

"How are you reading my mind?"

Richard shrugged, "Your eyes mostly remain so constantly blank that a slight change becomes obvious. Well for me, that is."

Amelia just smiled in response. It was the first time for someone to understand her so well, which made her wonder if Richard was in her fate since the beginning.

The duo entered the mansion and were greeted by the servants, who were lined up near the entrance and spoke in unison,

"Welcome back, young master." Richard nodded to them and searched for Lilia, but she was nowhere to be seen.

Once they stepped inside and got seated, Violet approached them with two glasses of water resting on the tray.

As she put down the glasses, she heard her master asking, "Where is Lilia?"

Violet didn't panic, unlike she usually does these days in front of Richard, given she didn't want to give a bad impression to the lady who one day could become the young mistress, and replied in a calm voice,

"She is sick and feverish, that's why she took some medicine and now is sleeping in her room." Violet didn't ask if she should call her, knowing her master naturally would reject such a proposal.

Richard sighed; he was expecting this. Constantly travelling for so many days, from Awsperg to Duchy and then here, might have taken a huge toll on her body. Lilia doesn't consume potions regularly since she believes it reduces the body's natural capacity to heal itself.

"Has she eaten something?"

"Yes, master, she had soup. She was waiting for you in the reception until a few hours ago, but at some point, she dozed off, so I carried her to her room."

Richard nodded before complimenting, "Good work, Violet. You did the right thing."

Violet jerked hearing that and her shoulders tensed up hearing the praise.

Amelia noticed that and she had a feeling that if Violet had a tail, then it must have been wagging by now.

'She is like a pet animal... I wonder how she will react if Richard pats her head....' Amelia was curious.

"Young master, would you like to have dinner now or after taking a bath?" Violet asked, given her master generally takes a bath first. But maybe today,

"No, dinner first."

Just as she thought.

"Understood." Violet turned her attention to Amelia, before asking, "Is there something you are allergic to, Lady Amelia?"

The raven-haired shook her head in denial before the maid walked away.

Left alone, Richard was looking slightly uneasy, which urged Amelia to suggest, "Why don't you go and check on Lilia first?"

Richard slightly widened his eyes in surprise and looked at Amelia.

With a smile, she said, "It's not only you who can read people from their eyes."

Soon Richard relaxed his shoulders and apologized,

"Sorry for leaving you like this. Just give me ten minutes."

Amelia nodded as Richard got up from his seat and approached Lilia's room.

She was looking feverish even in the morning, and despite Richard's resistance, she came with him to the academy to see him off. That must have elevated the condition.

Once he entered he saw Lilia peacefully sleeping on the bed with a cold pad resting on her head and her body covered with a blanket. There was a maid inside the room who instantly straightened her back upon noticing Richard and greeted him,

"G-Good evening, young master." She was a short, pale green, and curly-haired girl who had been working for the past three years now.

Richard nodded and first checked Lilia's temperature.

Her head was still quite hot and the complexion was slightly pale; urging Richard to ask,

"Is her condition worsening? Should I call a medic from the church?"

"N-No, master, it's actually getting better. In the morning, she fainted once and was barely able to eat anything. Right now, her body is recovering from all the fatigue she has been accumulating for days now, and I believe by tomorrow she will be back in her usual condition."

Richard nodded, but he still was feeling quite anxious.

He was about to take a glass of water from the bedside table when he found a folded parchment resting there.

"Ah, that...Lilia gave it to me, saying, that I should give this to the young master when he returns."

Richard took the letter and read it,

[I apologize for my current condition. I wanted to be the first one to greet you when you return, but I guess I am really turning careless these days. Well, that's not my fault solely. My lord spoils me too much, so I can't help but become a little careless.

About the examination, I know you must have given your best, and regardless of the results, please know that I will always be proud of my student. You did well, Richard.

Once I wake up, let's celebrate together.

—Lilia.]

Richard couldn't help but smile reading the letter before he cautiously folded it and safely stored it in his pocket.

Turning towards the maid, he said, "Take care of her, and if something happens, you have permission to reach out to me directly."

"U-Understood, young master."

Turning towards Lilia he softly caressed her head before planting a kiss.

Once he walked out he found Amelia was chatting with Violet and was even helping her serve the food on the table.

Approaching them he asked, "Made a friend?"

Violet nearly dropped the dish she was holding hearing his voice but she calmly collected herself and continued serving.

That reaction didn't go unnoticed by Amelia but she didn't say anything about it and said, "Violet has exceptional culinary skills. It makes me wonder why she didn't pursue the profession."

Hearing those words, Violet completely went stiff, almost like someone had cast a spell on her.

Richard raised his brows before informing, "Her parents have forced her to work here, no Violet?"

"Y-Y-Young M-Master?"

"Hmm? Were they indebted or something?" Amelia asked, ignoring Violet's reaction.

"Yeah, something like that," Richard replied as he sat down with Amelia on his left.

Amelia hummed a bit before telling Richard, "I will be taking Violet with me tomorrow. Is that okay?"

"Sure."

Violet's eyes were parted wide, and her mind numb as she couldn't discern what these two people were talking about. And why was she suddenly the centre of their attention?!

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A/N:- Haha