Struggling as a Villain

"Sorry man, I nearly forgot about you, "As Richard helped Ethan recover out of the ice cage, he apologized. He genuinely forgot that Ethan was also helping him in this battle and because of his haste to see his sister, he jumped over Ethan earlier while carrying Bellarine.

"Don't worry, I can understand." While wrapping a towel around his neck, Ethan smiled in response, "I can understand the happiness of reuniting with your loved ones."

Sadness flashed in his eyes for a brief moment but he soon returned to his usual self and said, "Is Miss Amelia okay now?" He was anxious about her condition since being tied down for a prolonged duration might have affected her body.

Richard paused for a moment before responding with slight uncertainty, "She is good...doing well. Mom has called a healer so she will be fine."

Ethan heaved a sigh, "I really didn't want to resort to kidnapping her but it's just I got no other option."

"I understand Ethan, so don't blame yourself anymore. What you did was for the best given Eleanor might have done something much worse. So rather than extending an apology, accept my gratitude."

Ethan was flustered seeing Richard bowing as he hurriedly stood up, "Ah!", and nearly tripped because of the ice water.

Richard instantly held his wrist and helped the silver head settle down on the chair.

Okay, now Ethan was embarrassed.

"Ethan, can I ask you something?" Whether Richard wanted to extinguish the awkwardness or genuinely was curious, he asked, "How did you know that Emily wasn't lying to you and that you should trust her rather than Eleanor?"

Ethan exhaled a long breath, "Truth be told I already knew that it was Eleanor who rescued me back then in Awsperg. Elizabeth told me that despite being there, she was regretful that she wasn't the one who rescued me. Rather, it was Eleanor."

"And then, Emily was getting punished for uttering those words along with those voices in my head that were preventing me from hearing Emily, just made it clear that indeed Eleanor had the chance to save my mother....but for the sake of these powers, she let her die."

There was pure grief and mild frustration in his tone when he said that. He couldn't solely blame Eleanor given it was never her obligation to rescue his mother. Ethan should have been strong enough to protect his mother from those monsters.

"Ah..." A soft gasp escaped the silver head's lips as he felt a hand on his shoulder, urging the teenager to look up.

Richard was staring at Ethan with a warm look as he said, "I have been in that phase where you constantly suffer, so the only piece of advice I can give you is that never let your loss and grief become a shackle for you. Let them become your motivation and respect the sacrifice your close ones made to let you continue living.

You have a bright future ahead, Ethan, so make sure when you reach there no one dare destroy that world of yours."

Ethan's eyes moistened as, with his lips pursed, he nodded.

Richard parted his shoulder and turned around to leave.

Ethan remained in the mansion for another hour before he returned to the academy with the headmaster.

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"So....you are Mom. Mom like, mom? Or are you just fooling me and brother?" Left alone in the room, just as Bellarine wanted, Bella confronted the woman who was calling herself her brother's and Bella's mother.

"Yep, you got it right Bella. The one who gave birth to you and raised you is me."

Bella narrowed her eyes. She remembered her mother quite well...grey hair, tanned skin, sharp eyes and a strict personality.

This bubbly woman...cannot be her?

"What's with that judgmental look? Do you want some spanking?" Bellarine darkly smiled, seeing that ridicule in her daughter's gaze.

Bella squinted her eyes, "What were my grades in high school?"

"You scored eighty-five per cent, seventy-two and fell to sixty-three per cent in the final year. You got into a fight with someone, and because of that, you were in hospital and couldn't prepare, right?"

Bella scoffed, "You were also there, just in the next room, next to mine. After all, you also fought that girl's mother, who was stalking brother."

Bellarine winced; for some reason that clean slap across her face still stung.

It turned out that that whole family was filled with bodybuilders and for god sake, how desperately Bellarine missed her flames that day.

Bella's shoulders lost their strength as she suddenly thanked her mother, "Thank you,"

Seeing Bella bowing her head Bellarine raised her brows, "You don't need to thank me for protecting your brother. Since before your brother, he is my son and lover."

Maybe they share the same soul, Bellarine could subconsciously read her thoughts.

"As his mother, you cannot be his first wife, you know that, right?" Raising her head, with her gaze turning frosty Bella suggested.

Bellarine's smile morphed into a smirk as she challenged, "Why don't you try and take that place from me."

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*BOOOM*

Amelia was startled to hear that explosion from the room beside theirs; she asked, "What was that?"

Richard heaved a sigh and casually uttered, "Just some family bonding stuff. Don't worry about them, "He could faintly hear them arguing which explains why he didn't panic.

"Anyway, how do you feel now?" The healer didn't use any spell on her and just gave a few potions that she would need to consume after meals so that her body could recover better.

She wasn't suffering from any serious illness, but because her digestive system was restricted by her ether and her ether flow was suppressed, it took a toll on her overall health. However, there was nothing that can't be recovered through a healthy diet and regular movements.

"I am weak and low on energy. Can you recharge me up, a bit?" Seeing her slowly extending her arms, made Richard feel his heart racing as he leaned down and hugged her softly.

Laying down beside her, he brought the girl closer to him and snuggled tenderly.

His body felt warm...a sensation which she dearly missed even though it had been only a few days since they met. However, Amelia felt that quite a huge time had passed...she couldn't tell anyone how much she was concerned for his safety in those three days. And when he appeared before her, she fainted because of happiness just after waking up.

Softly caressing her back, he asked, "You went through a lot because of me...do you still think you did the right thing by falling for me?"

Amelia dove her face into his chest, showering herself with his scent and engulfing herself with his warmth as she whispered, "Not even death can make me regret falling for you. Now tell me something,"

She suddenly pulled him by his collar, and from inches apart, she asked, "You didn't sleep with someone while being away, right?"

A very thin layer of blood lust appeared in her eyes as she threateningly asked.

Richard grinned; he loved seeing this side of hers, as he responded, "Don't worry, I didn't. I am still waiting to finish what we started last time."

Blood rushed to her face as Amelia remembered what happened that day when Richard came to her room and confessed his feelings

That sensation...she could somehow still feel it between her legs.

Richard was enticed by the sight he was greeted. He leaned slightly forward and locked his lips with hers.

Although her lips didn't have a taste, they seemed sweet to him, as Richard savoured the sensation, which made his heart race yet calmed it down at the same time.

Amelia still was new to kissing so she just let herself get guided by him.

The kiss soon broke as suddenly Richard heard it...a very faint and familiar voice.

Seeing his eyes widen and him backing off so suddenly, Amelia asked, "Is Lilia awake?"

Richard was taken aback as he failed to utter anything despite how much he tried.

Amelia rested her hand fondly on his face and whispered, "I am fine now, so go and see her."

Richard looked at her, "Are you sure?"

Amelia touched her lip, and with a glint of mischief, she said, "I got my fill for now, so I will be fine for the time being."

Richard chuckled before he planted a soft kiss on her forehead and got up.

After placing water on the bedside table, he told her, "Call me if you feel strange, okay?"

Saying so Richard left the room with slow steps, but the moment he stepped out, he began to run.

His destination was clear and desperation could be seen in his gaze.

And once he entered the room, he finally felt the weight from his shoulders getting lifted.

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A/N:- We all got harem members in the house! Woohoo!!