Stuck as a Villain!

Chapter 194: Reaching capital

When Seth dropped Laila at her hometown and embarked on the journey to the capital, he was hoping to meet his fianceé and spend some quality time with her.

The future was uncertain, that was why he was looking forward to remaining by Celine's side and making up for the lost time.

The way they parted last time was disheartening, however, since Seth was on a mission to search Laila, he had to leave a saddened Celine behind. However, he was all hyped up to properly apologize to his princess and stay the whole day today and tomorrow morning with her...

...if only he hadn't found his mother and his fianceé's parent awaiting him.

"I am surprised to see you here, Mother. Don't you have a lot of pending work back at Dukedom?"

While sitting inside an exaggeratedly decorated reception, with unique antics on display, Seth couldn't help sighing.

Just beside him sat the charming woman with a tempting smile adorning her lips, as she directed a doting gaze at her son.

However, Seth's reason for concern remained on the people sitting opposite them.

It was the Emperor and his first wife. Celine was nowhere to be seen—much to Seth's disappointment.

"I knew you would be coming here first, so I seized the opportunity~" Valarie couldn't have sounded elated anymore as she chimed in a tone that was unsuitable for someone of her age. But well, not like anyone was going to tell her that.

"I hope you succeeded in your ventures, Seth." The one who spoke this time was the first Empress, Maria Elheim el Bernford.

The smile on her face seemed genuine, however, the subtle flash of concern in her eyes signified how she was concerned about her husband's disposition at the moment.

Meanwhile, the person responsible for the welfare of Ranghaur, was entirely silent—glaring at Seth with his piercing blue eyes.

"Come on, Brother. Why are you being so strict with Seth?" It was Valarie who protested against her brother's temperament toward her son.

In response, William didn't turn to look at his younger sister, but rather spoke to the green-haired youth,

"Do you have any explanation for what you have done to my daughter?" Hearing the cold voice of the man, Seth raised his brows.

"What have I done?" There wasn't any kind of hint for argument, rather, pure astonishment from Seth's side.

Last he remembered, Celine didn't have any injury or illness due to his presence nor did she strain her eyes more than necessary that could have left any lasting effect.

William sighed in exasperation before he spoke through his gritted teeth, "Not only has she been locking herself more these days in her room, but she also has abandoned her daily routine so she could gaze at none other than you."

The way William spoke those words, signified how barely he was holding himself from lashing out at the boy, who sullied his precious Celine. The innocent daughter of his has been charmed by Seth—triggering the overprotective instincts of William.

"Oh, come on, Brother, not like Celine is harming herself or neglecting her duties. She just no longer participated in meetings, which she deemed useless. And who are you to blame when you were quite a playboy, back in the day~"

"Valarie!" The way Willaim glared at his sister while trying to fight the embarrassment he felt, seemed nothing but ridiculous from Valarie's perspective.

Scoffing at her brother, she continued, "You should be thankful for my son, who helped Celine discover the colors of life and enjoy spending her days doing something, she actually likes."

Valarie's nonchalant words only flamed the already raging fire in his heart as William's glare narrowed even more at Seth.

However, before he could part his lips and direct another verbal onslaught on Seth, the doors of the room were parted—to reveal the first princess of the empire.

"Celine?! How are you here?"

William seemed to be in panic, since he sent Celine away from the capital just last night after getting informed by his sources, about Seth's expected arrival today.

"Sometimes you forget that I possess these eyes, Father. I already knew Seth was arriving today, so I just pretended to leave when I was just staying at a motel in the capital."

"You compromised your security and remained in the motel, the whole night? Why do you need to go such a length?" The one who said that and approached Celine, was not her father.

William clenched his fist in annoyance upon seeing the concern Seth held for his daughter. He wanted to say the same thing, but the brat beat him to it.

"I had proper protection, tho..." Unlike before, the vigor from Celine's speech disappeared as she found Seth nearing him.

Her eyes were drawn solely at him. Her focus only knew his presence. Her sense could only perceive his existence. Her whole being was now directed at no one in the world, but him.

Seth could see the loneliness and overflowing love in Celine's eyes, as he forgot about scolding Celine for her reckless actions, rather he cupped her left cheek and asked in a soft tone,

"Missed me?"

Without any shame, Celine leaned her face to rest her skin against the warmth that only Seth could provide before she responded,

"Mm."

"Were you looking out for me all the time?"

"Mostly...just those moments when you remain by those girls' side, I refrained myself."

Seth smiled before he asked, "Were you worried?"

Celine's body evidently stiffened before she accepted, "A little....or maybe, a lot. You were pretty reckless back then..." Without asking he knew she was referring to the time when Seth fought against Saito.

"Haha...guess I got influenced by the flow of events."

Celine lowered her eyes, before her thin whisper reached his ears,

"...you looked dashing tho..."

Seth grinned before asking, "Do I need to be in tatters to impress my fianceé?"

"No, I didn't-"

"Just stop it, both of you!!"

Suddenly, the pink atmosphere enveloping the two; broke.

Turning around, what Celine and Seth faced was a red-faced Emperor and two ladies—faces full of smiles.

Seth sighed at that. It seems that before his future bride, he needs to coax his father-in-law...

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A/N:- I hope you guys like the chapter.