Struggling as a Villain

The dinner with Amelia went comfortably as the duo had many things in common to chat about. Most prominently, the academy. Despite belonging to noble families and having experienced several things in life, they still were teenagers who naturally were feeling nervous before the orientation.

Lilia was doing fine and Amelia went to check on her before leaving.

It was still uncertain what Amelia had in mind for the blue-haired maid, but from Violet's behaviour, it could be said that she is dead nervous.

Amelia, to calm her down a little, said, "It's related to your hobby so sleep early tonight and be ready tomorrow."

That...basically elevated her concerns now.

Regardless, Amelia had to return, so she didn't give much time to explain to her and with Richard, she left the mansion.

Every student was given a separate room in the dorms situated outside the premises of the academy. These establishments are set mainly for this purpose and also when the students from another academy come.

The dorm room which Amelia received was a ten-minute walk from Richard's residence, which is why they decided to just walk rather than take a carriage.

Under the silvery moonlight, with the dark star faintly illuminating on the other side, the duo walked side by side, with no words travelling between them. However, this silence couldn't be regarded as awkward. The atmosphere between them was quite harmonious.

"Thanks, Amelia, for the help back then."

Hearing these words, she shook her head, "Rather, I should be apologizing. I got so panicked at that moment that I never waited for you to take the necessary action and just...ended up risking both of our positions."

"You shouldn't apologize for saving my life, y'know. Although I wouldn't have died, it was a fact that, at that moment, I turned blank. I have never used those medical tools by myself in the past and have become so reliant on potions...that I just got stuck there."

Glancing at her, he again said, "That's why, thank you. Not only did you save me from disqualification, but you even sacrificed your spot."

Amelia heaved a sigh, before informing, "Truth be told, I knew from the beginning that I wasn't made for it...and I should pursue what I was more suited for. But I guess, love indeed makes people irrational."

Richard raised his brows, "So...do you regret choosing the hunter's course?"

Amelia instantly replied, "No, it was worth it. After all, I got to embrace you for three whole minutes and earned myself this date."

Richard momentarily paused, feeling his ears turning hot at the mention of that embrace...intimate embrace, to be precise, they shared back in the dome.

He suddenly recalled that sensation he felt while holding her, and between his legs, something started to rise.

And no, it wasn't the shield hero.

Amelia turned on her feet, and while looking at Richard with a mischievous smile she said, "You know you can hold me anytime you want, right? Just say it."

Richard pinched the bridge of his nose before telling her, "Do you think I have such a loose character that I would be taking advantage of a maiden?"

"But I did take your advantage back then, so am I a loose woman now?" Her question made him startled as he looked at her and hurriedly clarified,

"No-it's not...you know I-"

"Pftt-I know, Richard. Don't worry." Amelia followed.

Just as she turned to continue the journey, Richard held her wrist and pulled her towards him.

Amelia's smirk completely wiped off as she genuinely didn't expect him to suddenly do this.

Standing in such a close space, she could feel nothing but his presence. His scent remained the only thing available for her to smell and his eyes were the only attractive sight to gaze at.

Under such an effect, Richard leaned slightly down and whispered, "Making fun of me can cost you dearly, my lady. Are you willing to face the consequences?"

Her eyes were lost in his piercing golden ones as she held his shirt and whispered in a hushed tone, "I am ready to accept every consequence if it's you who is bestowing them."

Richard could see a flame of determination and slight obsession in her eyes when she said that. Anyone could tell from her words and behaviour that this girl was head over heels for him.

However, before Richard could have even decided to reciprocate her feelings,

"Hey, you two! Don't you know it's not allowed to roam around at this hour?" The security guard who was patrolling around, instantly called out upon noticing the duo.

Amelia released a frustrated breath as she reluctantly separated from Richard before bidding her farewell,

"I will see you tomorrow?"

Richard nodded, "I will pick you up in the morning so wait for me."

Amelia gave a soft smile before turning around and walking inside the building just across from them.

Richard remained standing there for a few seconds until he didn't ensure that she reached her room before he also left after apologizing to the security guard.

Returning to the mansion, Richard soon went to take a hot bath and relaxed there for half an hour.

He went to check on Lilia and told a maid to be there for the whole night.

"Don't worry, young master, I will be present here myself," Violet assured him before Richard gave a firm nod and after saying goodnight to a still-sleeping Lilia, he retired to his room.

....

Laying on the bed, with his head resting over his arm, he contemplated.

The main plot begins now.

The academy is the place where all the main characters unite with Ethan and along with them, numerous antagonists arrive as well.

However, unlike what happened in the story, Ethan might not be able to build a connection with Elizabeth and Nora, given that they have tricked him in the past. Well, Nora wasn't the one who did that, but her sister was using Nora's face when she abducted Ethan; giving birth to the possibility that he might end up hating her.

The first antagonist of the story is not someone Richard could interfere with since it is one of the nobles from his class who would most probably cause problems with Ethan, considering he is a commoner.

Seriously, the troupe is overused, but people like it when an ordinary human beats the crap out of an arrogant prick.

'Well, it's not like I have to interfere with every incident...' With such thoughts, he closed his eyes and slowly fell asleep.

....

...

..

"----!!" Richard's eyes snapped open the moment he sensed someone slipping through the window. His heightened senses were sharp enough to catch the faintest sound, and though the intruder believed him asleep, he hadn't fallen into a slumber completely.

Jumping on his feet, he faced the man, "Who the fuck are you?"

The intruder seemed shocked, as his eyes behind the mask widened, however, before Richard could have approached or attacked the intruder to apprehend him, the mask wearer suddenly threw something on the ground—causing an enormous smoke cloud to form inside the room.

"Fuck! What the heck is this..." Richard covered his mouth as he felt tears running down his eyes in an instant.

Just as he was about to use Detection, something appeared before him...a light...bright in shade and quite enchanting that he completely forgot about his burning eyes and dropped his hands to the side.

He...saw her. All of a sudden, his eyes were greeted with the figure of the girl whom he dearly missed even though it had been two whole months since he got separated from her.

His little Bella....the adorable child who used to run around the house. Her laughter was the favourite sound to his ears...and now she was standing in front of him with her hands hooked behind her.

"B-Bella...."

"Yes, brother? Did you miss me?" She asked; her aquamarine eyes reflecting his face...that face which he thought he left behind.

"Bella...I missed you...." He whimpered, struggling to force those words out of his throat as he kneeled before her—desiring to hug his sister once again.

However, she stepped back and her expression turned dark as she said, "No, you didn't! You were so busy with the others that you barely remembered me. I know everything."

He instantly shook his head and told her, "No, child. I missed you, I swear. How can-"

"No, you are a liar!" She shouted and turned around—running away from him.

Richard got up and followed her with his arms extended, feeling that if he didn't catch her now, she wouldn't appear before him again.

However, suddenly, the scene before him shifted, and the previously running girl was now cornered by several zombies while she shouted and cried for help.

"Brother! Save me! Help!!" She cried, her eyes released those heavy droplets that weighed over his heart.

Richard clenched his fist as he looked at those inhumane creatures.

His hands burned and soon he unleashed a fury of attacks on the beasts.

His flames ignited brighter than ever as he burnt those bastards who dared hurt his sister. Even though they tried to fight back, he kept on burning them.

He was pulled and pushed from different directions, but Richard cared about none and continued to burn those who dared hurt his sister.

It was then when, suddenly, something penetrated his head, and everything went blank.

Richard lost consciousness.

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A/N:- I hope you liked the chapter. Read the 'Author's thoughts'.