Struggling as a Villain

It was around six on the clock. Richard didn't venture long into the market and was already getting ready for the celebration.

The celebration had already begun but since Bellarine got some work, she said they would leave in half an hour.

Richard was currently standing in front of the large dressing mirror while a certain blue-haired maid helped him wear the tie that went perfectly with his formal suit.

Richard stood tall in a finely crafted three-piece suit of a rich wine colour, exuding an air of refined elegance. His attire featured a meticulously tailored waistcoat adorned with delicate embroidery, a sharply cut jacket with a high collar and broad lapels, and perfectly fitted trousers.

A crisply pressed white shirt peeked from beneath the waistcoat, complemented by a finely woven tie of the same wine hue, its intricate knot precisely centred at his throat. Polished burgundy leather shoes completed the ensemble, each detail underscoring his wealth and status, making him a striking figure in any gathering.

Once Violet was done fixing his tie she lowered her head and was about to step back when suddenly she hit the resting tool and was about to fall back.

Richard, in a fluid movement, supported her while with his hand pressed against her back and his body leaned toward her a little.

His golden eyes stared into her cold blue ones—throwing her into a daze as she found herself getting lost in the charm of the young man currently inches apart from her face.

Richard wordlessly pulled the maid back to her feet and released his hold from her.

"Be more mindful of where you go." Hearing his stern voice she was plucked out of her reverie as she vigorously nodded and apologized,

"For the unsightly display, I beg your pardon, my lord." Her voice was a little heavier than Lilia's and even though she seemed genuinely apologizing to him, there was an edge in her voice that suggested something else.

Richard didn't say anything to her and looked at himself in the mirror.

Violet carefully removed herself from his vision and stepped aside.

While he was fixing the strands of his hair, he asked Violet casually, "You must have hated me all those years no?"

"Ah?" She seemed surprised to be asked about the past which ushered a strange sound from her throat.

Richard looked at her with an unreadable expression before asking again, "The time when I used to torment you, you must have hated me to the core, no?" Redirecting his gaze back to the mirror, he added, "Or maybe you still hate me?"

"Something like that...!' She instantly voiced those words that signified how utterly absurd it was to think that Violet could harbour hatred toward her master.

However, Richard smirked at that, and his expression clearly showed how little he believed her.

"Between us, not many things have changed. You still are all silent and receive harassment without a word."

Drawing closer to the girl he stood just a few inches away. Their breaths collided, and his strong, manly scent just out of the bath overwhelmed her senses.

Under such influence, Richard directed a devilish smile at the girl before saying, "If something has changed then it's your looks." Inching even close he added,

"You have become quite beautiful."

His golden orbs remained affixed on her blue ones and in those eyes, he could see the panic and shyness clearly.

He didn't tease the maid for long before pulling back and walking away.

He heard a soft thud, and without looking back, he could tell that she had just collapsed to the ground.

**********

Richard had a reason to say such things to Violet. She is the perfect person to improve his reputation in the academy. Although he felt bad using someone for his selfish desire, Violet would be receiving no harm from this so it was all right.

He made his way out of the room and descended the stairs, only to find his mother also exiting her room.

Seeing her, Richard froze on the last stair and couldn't help but stare at the woman in a daze.

She was wearing a long crimson dress which began from her chest and ended at her ankles. The dress was of the best fitting, which highlighted her womanly curves, and the deep neck design gave the view of a healthy amount of cleavage as well. There was a slit in her dress down her left thigh that exposed her milky white leg which had the perfect amount of meat to make it look attractive.

Her hair seemed curly today, giving her a fiery look and her crimson eyes were filled with the confidence and allure that only a mature woman like her could possess. Just a little bit of makeup did the perfect job of making her look dangerously sexy today.

Richard coughed in his fist and collected his thoughts before advancing towards his 'mother'.

The moment Bellarine's eyes landed on Richard, the fierceness from her eyes disappeared, and her sweet and doting expression replaced her previous cold front.

"Hey baby....how do I look?" While resting her left hand on her waist she allowed her son to check her out.

However, Richard didn't look at her. Rather, he directed his eyes toward the maid standing a few meters behind.

He gestured for something which Bellarine was unsure about as she asked, "What happened, baby? Do I look bad?" Her eyes turned droopy and sadness began to reflect in her voice.

However, Richard didn't say anything until the maid handed him the fur coat.

Richard walked to stand behind the Duchess and while helping her put the coat over her shoulders, he whispered, "You look breathtaking today. If not for the celebration, I would have taken hours just to gaze at you." Hearing those words, her heart began to leap, and the shade of her face shifted to match her hair colour.

Richard walked back to stand in front of her before he leaned forward until their eyes were aligned and they both could feel each other's warmth without even touching each other.

At such close proximity, Richard uttered the reason behind his strange action, "I have witnessed your beauty, but it's not necessary for others to look at you in the same manner, right?"

Mindlessly and with a dazed look she slowly nodded in assent.

It was true. The reason why she gave so much time to do makeup and chose this dress was to impress her baby. She couldn't care less what others thought. All she cared about was her beloved's opinion.

He called her beautiful. He said he didn't want others to see her being this beautiful. Her Richard showed possessiveness toward her.

With a red face, she smiled in glee before assuring him, "I will do as my baby says."

***********

[In the palace]

The royalties and guests from different corners of the continent have arrived to attend the birthday celebration of the second Princess.

Amongst all the siblings, the second Princess is the most talented one, and she was being doted by her elder siblings the most. Naturally, the celebration would be grand.

Some foreign delegates arrived to attend the event as well. However, not everyone was here to just congratulate the princess for turning fifteen.

"Will she be coming today?" One of the men standing in a group asked the person beside him

The one who asked was the foreign minister of the Northern Empire who came here just to see a single person.

"I heard that she has already arrived in the Capital and would be coming here today." Accompanying the foreigner was the finance minister of Eldoria who was also looking at the entrance.

Not only these two but many have come here to meet that single entity and build a good relationship with her. And some came here just to look at the lady who was not only famous in Eldoria but in foreign lands as well.

Her devilishly charming looks have many people fall for her and numerous proposals from high nobles have arrived even though she was the mother of a child.

However, all of those proposals were rejected without a second thought. Even the Emperor of the Eastern continent gave her the offer to become the chief of the Royal Order and also his mistress. But that proposal was rejected without a second consideration as well.

That explains why there were so many people hungry to even gaze at the woman who was so widely known.

"She is here." No one noticed who said that, but upon hearing those words, everyone turned to look at the entrance. And the moment they noticed the lady walking inside, the whole ceremonial hall fell into silence.

The Duchess has arrived.

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A/N- Their relationship...ugh. I can't explain how wild it is going to be.

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