Struggling as a Villain

The next morning when Bellarine woke up...there was a look in her eyes which made her seem completely lost in her thoughts.

Two maids who were standing nearby to help Bellarine couldn't help but blush to see that look on her face, but they didn't say anything.

Her body was aching somewhere, but it wasn't unpleasant; rather, she loved to experience that pain. It made her remember last night.

Last night...

She finally became one with her love. His attention was all the time to her. His hot whispers followed by sweet treatment, made her smile when she thought about it.

"Have you prepared the bath?" Hearing her sudden question, the maid, in fluster, said, "Yes, my lady."

Bellarine nodded before she removed the blanket and slowly got out of the bed—making the other two gasp in astonishment. Although she was wearing lingerie and the other two were female, it doesn't mean the charm of the Duchess wouldn't affect them.

"What?" In an annoyed tone, Bellarine asked.

The two maids instantly shook their heads and helped the Duchess to the bathroom.

....

While they were helping Bellarine wash her hair and the other one was tending to her nails, suddenly someone barged in.

The two maids were ready to attack the intruder, however, the moment they landed their eyes on the person, they returned to their work.

"Baby~" She squealed in delight seeing her lover so early in the morning. Although she would have loved to see him right beside her, considering she was sleeping until nine, it was no surprise for him to leave the bed.

He is a diligent husband.

"How are you feeling? Any discomfort?" Richard asked as he took a small stool and sat on it nearby. He declined the offer of the maid to bring him a chair.

"Nope~it's all sweet pain which I would love to bear as long as I can."

Richard sighed, he expected such a response. Tucking away the potion he brought for her, he asked, "I heard from Marie that you abandoned your work to come here. Don't you need to report back by today?"

Hearing his words, Bellarine's mood became bad as she turned her face away while grumbling.

The maid who was washing her hair felt she was watching a different version of the Duchess just now, who dropped all her guard and was being herself.

Spoiled and playful.

"My baby wants to get rid of me," She sniffed near the end and there were some droplets of tears accumulating in her eyes as well.

Richard sighed before he signalled the maid who was washing her hair.

The maid instantly nodded and moved away before Richard took her place and began to move his hand through her lovely hair—coating it with liquid hair wash.

He massaged her scalp and very gently washed her hair without letting even a single strand fall off.

Bellarine's mood improved as she closed her eyes and enjoyed the blissful sensation her son was providing.

"Baby? How come you are so good at this?"

"I have been practising so I can be the perfect husband for you."

Bellarine beamed with a face full of smiles as she turned to look over her shoulders and said with her eyes going crescent, "You are already very perfect for me."

The atmosphere between the two became better as Richard helped her wash up and get changed. Although she said she was okay, there indeed was quite a bit of pain in her back.

One of the two maids was currently applying some foundation on her neck, especially on those regions which were turned red and blue by Richard last night. Bellarine was against it, but considering she would be returning to the capital today and meeting many important people, Richard shot down her resistance.

"Mom, I would be leaving with Lilia for her hometown." Hearing his words, she didn't react strongly but frowned.

"Why? Everything good?"

Richard heaved a sigh; unsure he said, "Don't know, her mother sent a letter stating it's an emergency. Since she was intending to return today, I thought why not go there and introduce myself?"

Bellarine noted before telling him, "I will send a letter and tell the council to arrange the security. Do you want some magicians from House Scarlette to accompany you?"

Richard's eyes became round as he hurriedly said, "No, Mom. Those people have been trained to serve the Empire. For them to work as my bodyguard is a little too much."

"But you are more important than the Empire, you know."

Richard smiled, expecting such an answer, but he inched closer to her and explained, "I know, Mom, but if I took those Grand Masters with me, Lilia's parents would think I am boasting my status."

"Does their opinion matter that much to you?" Bellarine raised an inquisitive brow, to which Richard could only smile helplessly.

Bellarine sighed, before suggesting, "I will give Lilia the code of contact with the battalion, just in case."

Richard kissed her cheek and said, "Thanks. Love you!"

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In Lilia's room, the duo sat and planned.

Well, according to Lilia, this discussion was unnecessary, but under her Lord's command, she yielded.

"A pocket watch, nutritional supplements, a scabbard, a dagger, some potions, a gown, and some hair products. Do you think this much is good?"

Richard asked after he went through the gifts he had packed for his in-laws.

This was the first time he was going to get married in both lives that's why one could see how excited he was.

Lilia sighed before telling him, "Young Master, I respect your sentiment, but my parents are very simple people, and there is a chance they might not accept such gifts which they generally can't afford."

Richard's heart sank. The first impression matters the most, he knew. And to think that her parents might return the gifts?

He hummed before looking through the gifts once again and said, "Then how about a pocket watch, a dagger and a bottle of wine?"

Lilia smiled beautifully before nodding, "That much would do."

"Haah, got it." Richard heaved a sigh in relief. Thankfully he still had the correct judgment when it came to gifting people. The influence of the original owner might have been affecting him to show his wealth as much as he could.

Suddenly, Richard felt a little weight on his shoulder and found Lilia holding his arm and resting her head there. With a look of relief and warmth in her eyes and a smile never leaving her face, she said,

"I can't tell how happy I am right now. "

Richard asked in a whisper, "You thought I was joking when I said I want to marry you?"

"Nope...but I never thought you would take this so seriously."

"You don't like serious guys?"

"I like you." Her answer was quick as she looked at him with her brows raised.

Richard turned to look at her and under her surprised gaze, he held her face and kissed her.

Lilia's face turned red as she felt her lips turning ablaze feeling his warm ones.

Richard broke the kiss not so long after as he told her, "This is for confessing to me out of the blue."

Leaving a flustered Lilia behind, Richard went to his room to change his clothes.

The duo decided to depart at four. Lilia told him that her hometown doesn't have a teleportation center so they have to take a carriage from the nearest town and travel for two hours to reach there.

Richard was quite excited about the trip. After all, the last trip he went on was full of stress and planning, so he wasn't able to enjoy himself. But now, he was going to meet Lilia's parents and visit places where she used to live during her childhood phase.

Ten minutes past four, Richard and Lilia arrived at the teleportation portal with their luggage resting beside them.

Bellarine was standing there with a gentle smile on her face. She would be departing for the Capital in a few hours using the teleportation centre of the church.

"Take care, you two."

"You too, Mom," Richard told her back before the duo disappeared in a flash.

Experiencing teleportation for the second time was not that awful for Richard.

Once they reached the town which was named Hedeir, Lilia and Richard found themselves surrounded by many soldiers.

"Good evening, young master." One of the soldiers with grey eyes and long black hair stepped forward before greeting Richard.

Richard nodded before he held Lilia's hand and began to walk towards the entrance.

The Captain of the battalion signalled two soldiers to take their luggage and followed Richard.

"How long does it take to reach there, Captain?" Richard asked casually without turning to look at him

The black-haired Captain didn't take much time to respond, "To reach Awsperg, it won't take more than two h-"

"What did you say?!" Suddenly Richard halted and turned to the Captain with a shout leaving his throat.

The Captain was startled and so was Lilia before he said again, "I-It will t-take t-two-"

"No, not that. The name of the destination." Richard urged.

Lilia grew worried as the Captain said again, "A-Awsperg, sir."

"...."

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A/N:- No words. The transition was a little fast-paced a little in this one. It won't be the same in every chapter. Just needed to push the plot.

Now we move to the third arc!