Struggling as a Villain

Early in the morning, Richard could be seen sitting in the backyard, currently reading the newspaper.

Yes, newspapers exist in this world.

The news is collected within a local vicinity and printed through a special magical tool, and that newspaper is sold for ten copper coins. The news, which contains information and current affairs regarding the whole continent, takes five silver coins to buy. Reason for a higher price? The information from all over the place is collected through soul spirit.

Soul Summoning is a type of ritual where one calls forth their own spirit beast from the Aembr-plane.

When Richard would start taking classes, he would also go through the ritual to summon his own spirit beast.

"Young master, good morning." The slightly indifferent voice of the blue-haired maid named Violet reached him as, without looking at her, Richard hummed in response.

She arrived at the Duchy sometime yesterday since she was instructed to get trained by Lilia when she had the time.

Violet would go to the Academy as Lilia's substitute in case she requires some days of rest or if she falls ill. There was a mansion under Scarlette family possession near the academy so her accommodation wasn't much of an issue.

Violet was pouring the tea with great caution; aware of her master's short temper. It was then, that Richard—without removing his eyes from the newspaper—asked the maid,

"Do you still have the hobby of cooking?"

Violet's hand fumbled, and she nearly spilt the tea, hearing the sudden question from her master.

She was about to reflexively ask him, 'You still remember that?' but remembered that they were no longer children and that her casual remark wouldn't go unpunished.

Once she put down the pot, she answered him in her usual tone, "I do cook when I receive the opportunity, but currently, I am more focused on learning the overall duties of a servant."

Did she speak more than needed? Violet had a feeling that she did.

She clutched her skirt, near her waist, and waited to hear if her master scolded her...but all he did was hum and continue reading the paper.

Violet heaved a sigh inwardly when suddenly the familiar voice of a fellow maid(?) echoed from behind, "Good morning, my lord."

Violet didn't have to turn to recognize that the person was Lilia, since the smile that blossomed on Richard's face was enough for her to realise.

Lilia stopped beside Violet before apologizing, "It took me a little longer than it usually does to fall asleep, that's why I got up a little late..."

Her apology was brushed away as Richard shook his head and invited her beside him.

Lilia was slightly embarrassed that despite being in the maid outfit just like Violet, she was getting the special treatment to sit beside the young master.

However, she chose to respect her lover's request rather than let her get entangled in social norms.

Lilia gestured to Violet and the latter soon walked away after giving a brief bow to Richard.

Richard folded the paper and served another cup of tea for Lilia—much to her bashfulness—but she didn't resist and heard him asking, "What did your mother say in the letter?"

Lilia took the cup from him in exchange for a polite 'Thank you' before she said, "Mom called me back home. It seems there is some kind of emergency."

Richard blinked in slightly unease before he said, "Then let's go there today?"

"T-today? Isn't it a little too fast, Richard? You just returned yesterday and Madame Duchess would be displeased if you left so soon."

Maybe she was flustered that she didn't stammer while uttering his name, which made Richard smile.

However, he didn't say anything about that and told her, "Don't worry about that; Mom won't mind. You just pack your bags and get ready. We will leave in the evening using Teleportation."

"Where are you going?" Lilia asked in surprise as suddenly Richard got up and began to march away.

Turning on his feet, he kept walking backwards, and with a sunny smile, he announced, "I am going to prepare some gifts for my in-laws!"

"---///---" It seemed the glow of early morning sun was reflected on her face as she looked at her lord in fluster. However, the initial surprise soon turned into a sense of joy and relief.

Her young master was taking their relationship more seriously than she could have ever hoped for.

Looking at the sky, she couldn't help but mutter, "I hope you will give us your blessings, Mom... Dad."

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"We surely will give them our blessings. After all, Ethan is a very brilliant match for my Lili." Cristina spoke with confidence and slight excitement as she helped her husband peel and slice the vegetables.

Henry looked slightly bothered as he asked, "Are you sure about this tho? Lilia is a grown-up girl, and there is a chance for her to be already in a relationship. Taking that into consideration, aren't we making the wrong decision?"

Cristina scoffed, "Relationship and my daughter? Forget about that, she couldn't even get shy properly by a man's charm. We both know how stiff and disciplined our child is; as such, to ensure that she doesn't end up retaining her status as an unmarried for long, we should get her engaged to Ethan."

"What are you guys talking about?" Suddenly, a third person entered the chat as the silver-haired youth asked the couple.

"Ah, Ethan," Cristina glanced at her husband and found him shaking his head a little with a glare directed at her. She rolled her eyes and said, "It's nothing. We were talking about Lilia."

"Is she returning?" Ethan showed interest when it came to Lilia—something which both Henry and Cristina noted.

"Why are you so eager to meet her, boy?" Henry asked as he cracked open a coconut with his bare hands, intimidating Ethan in the process.

Seeing the teenager stepping back in the fret, Cristina slapped her husband's hand and complained, "Geez, Henry! Why are you scaring poor Ethan for being a little excited to see his childhood sweetheart?"

Ethan blushed hearing that remark as he wanted to correct their misconception about his association with Lilia. However, seeing them bantering, he decided to leave it there.

"I will be going to buy bread," Ethan said as he took the basket and the wallet from the table before heading out.

Truth be told, Ethan indeed was a little excited to meet Lilia; after all, in his eyes, Cristina was the closest being to what he could call the strongest. And for Cristina to say that Lilia had surpassed her...as someone who was aiming to become a warrior in the future, meeting strong people like Lilia inspires him to never stop trying.

Swinging the basket casually in his hand, Ethan made his way out of the mansion. He would be meeting his mother in the evening so he didn't rush to his house instantly and took his time to roam in the market.

Most of the shops sold fish and fish products since this small town was situated near the coast.

Although the market wasn't very huge, like the one in the Capital, the variety of products was astonishing. After all, many traders arrive here in the hope of making it big.

"Hmm?" Suddenly, Ethan's eyes landed inside an alley where a group of adventurers were crowding around a girl.

He knew some of them since they used to bully Ethan when he used to work for the guild. And now they were tormenting a little girl? Truly despicable.

"You should be ashamed of yourself, Walker. Despite having a family, you are hitting on girls half your age."

His voice, despite not being as heavy as a grown man's, resonated in the alley, and everyone turned to look at him.

"Twiggy? What do you want now?" The bald man snarled while calling Ethan by his old surname.

Ethan's self-confidence received some damage since he thought he no longer looked like a twig...but well.

"Just step aside and stop irritating the miss," Ethan warned his hands itching already.

The bald man named Walker smirked before he drew his spear and warned, "Don't think that becoming the slave of Cristina would allow you to become our boss, got that?"

The other four goons also took out their weapons, with a grin extending their disgusting faces...

Ethan's expression turned stiff, and his eyes narrowed. He instantly took out his wooden sword which his master granted him to carry around.

The air stilled in that moment; tension rose as Ethan strategised how he would be taking advantage of this narrow alley to take down these punks, once and for all.

However, before the battle could begin, a very melodious voice arrived from the miss who hadn't shown her face until now, "Please let us go."

And in the next instance, Walker and his comrades shethed their weapons and...walked away.

With his eyes parted wide and jaw slackened, Ethan followed them with his eyes; utterly baffled at the sudden change in events.

He hadn't recovered from his previous shock when suddenly another bomb dropped once the girl removed the veil from her face and allowed Ethan to gaze at a fairy.

"Thank you for saving me. " With a smile that nearly made him kneel before her and worship the pretty girl, she greeted him.

Ethan's brain short-circuited.

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A/N:- Damn, she appeared.