Struggling as a Villain

Around the campfire everyone sat, enjoying each other's company, savoring the delicious food and fizzy drinks.

Richard and Lilia were taking turns to grill the food while Violet helped with other things, even though she wasn't told to move much.

Well, she had a reason to suddenly show such urgency to bring something to drink for others, since she wanted to dash away from the conversation where they were headed.

But, "She did?" Bellarine asked in surprise, as she heard Amelia revealing things Violet said that day.

Her wish to not change jobs, not because of her parents' debt but rather because of her fondness towards Richard, was something that touched the lady's heart.

Turning towards the blue-haired girl who has her eyes drawn to the ground and faces slightly red, Bellarine said,

"I knew you adored your childhood friend, that's why I chose you initially to serve him during his time in the academy."

Emily was surprised, "Violet was your first choice? Over Lilia, no less?" That piqued the brunette's attention, but naturally, she didn't say anything between them.

Amelia asked her, "It was that training period right?"

Lilia felt embarrassed before she nodded, "Yes...during that period, I realized my feelings…and because of that, the young master decided to bring me here as well."

Jasmine chirped, "Master is irresistible. He seduced me with just his presence."

Emily rolled her eyes, "That's not possible."

Jasmine argued, "Really~I thought at least you would understand how I feel~"

Emily's face turned red hearing that as she tried to hit Jasmine with her elbow, only to miss as the raven-haired swatted the arm away.

Bella turned her gaze toward Violet and asked, "You are Brother's childhood friend?"

Violet suddenly felt a lot of stress descending on her shoulder, she nodded nevertheless, "Yes."

Crossing her long legs, she sat straight and asked her, "How was Brother during his childhood?"

Every eye turned towards Violet now since Violet can provide a different perception of Richard from when he was a child. As for Bellarine, then, in every line, she added 'adorable' when talking about Richard's childhood.

Violet glanced at her master and found him looking back at her with a smile on his face, which exposed that he was also interested in knowing what she had to say.

Violet took a deep breath before confessing, "He was.. self-centered most of the time and someone who loved to have attention to him. He used to get easily jealous if I paid attention to someone else and also, young master loved to be praised while pretending to be self-aware of his qualities."

Without missing a single thing that she thought about him, Violet confessed.

Bella's expression turned grim, as she asked, "Are you sure we are talking about the same person? My brother has never been like that even during childhood."

Violet gulped as her face turned slightly pale upon seeing those piercing eyes.

With a chuckle, Richard added, "She is right, Bella; I used to act all high and mighty even though I was nothing at that time. Some blame lands on Mom, who used to give me all the freedom that a little child shouldn't get."

Bellarine huffed; crossing her arms, she complained, "Now that you have grown up, you are now complaining about how much I love you?"

Richard stepped toward his mother, and after sitting down beside her, he told her, "It's not that...maybe if you had scolded me once in a while for possessing such a mean attitude, I might not have ruined Violet's childhood."

Hanging out with such a rude kid, as an obligation no less, must have been painful for her—Richard thought.

However, "I never said you ruined my childhood, young master." Violet, unexpectedly spoke even without someone asking her to.

Richard raised his brows as he heard the girl adding,

"I have always been a shy person who seldom talked to someone...and often my words hurt other kids. So my parents told me to be careful of what I say in front of others, especially young master."

A very rare smile appeared on her face. With her gaze drawn to Richard, and she said, "However, young master always encouraged me to speak whatever I had in mind. If the request didn't work, he commanded me. And thanks to him, I don't have a forgetful childhood; the memories of those times remain vividly in me."

The group turned silent upon hearing that. The smile on Violet and Richard's faces expressed many things, and only both of them knew what was the reason behind their smile.

Amelia suddenly grumbled, "It's unfair that I got to know Richard so late."

Bellarine added, "As his second wife, it's okay to know Richie that much."

"Yeah right...wait!" Not only Amelia but Bella and even Emily frowned, but the blond girl soon corrected her expression.

Richard gulped; sensing this conversation to be heading toward a dangerous route, so he was thinking to switch topics.

However, he didn't need to as suddenly two new people entered the conversation,

"Richard," Elizabeth called out, "I think we are ready."

Richard got up and looked at Nora before asking, "All set, Princesses? Any doubt you may have, ask right away."

Nora weakly raised her hand and asked, "Umm...after the ritual I won't feel the same way Emily feels toward you, right?"

She didn't want to have her feelings changed. Although she knows that she couldn't love anyone except for Ethan, the ritual might end up making her self-doubt and twisted.

Richard assured her, "Emily's case was different. There wasn't much time so I used the direct method of making her my Shadow, just like Jasmine. However, you two would be devoted to serving the Deity of Darkness. Nothing more."

Nora heaved a sigh of relief, before Elizabeth asked, "And about our memories of the previous timeline?"

Richard shrugged, "I can't tell since I am not one of the Apostles nor do I know how the deities would act. You have been warned."

Elizabeth's shoulders slumped, "Well, I don't trust them so I have prepared. Anyway, we are ready. When do we start?"

Richard glanced at Jasmine before the girl stepped forward, "Follow me."

Seeing the three ladies walking away, Richard told the others, "We should get some rest. And Mom, can we talk?"

Bellarine nodded, albeit a bit confused seeing her baby's expression turning a little serious.

"Richard?" Amelia asked as she held his hand softly, "Is everything okay?"

Richard gave her a soft nod, "Yeah, don't worry." Planting a soft kiss on her forehead he whispered, "Wait for me in your room. It won't take long."

Amelia happily smiled before she walked along Violet towards the mansion.

Bella was asked by Richard to keep an eye on the ritual and inform him if something happened.

The mother and son entered the latter's study room where Richard offered his mother a chair.

"What is it, baby?" Bellarine asked as she sat down.

Richard rested his back against the table before asking, "How supportive the Scarlette clan will be if I suddenly decide to take over the Emberclad Empire?"

Bellarine was shocked to hear that. However, she soon recovered and assured him, "They will support you. Not only are you the descendent of the Sage and the Flame Warden, but you have also awakened the true essence of your predecessors."

Bellarine then paused before asking, "But baby, are you sure you want to get involved with politics? I remember you no longer wanted to expand your authority?"

Richard refused Bellarine's proposal to become the next Duke immediately since he doesn't like politics and other stuff that prohibits him from using his strength in battles.

However, now he was suddenly suggesting to take over a whole Empire...was a bit shocking.

Regardless, the elder Scarlette was prepared to help him in any way he asked her to.

Richard remained silent for a moment before telling her, "Things have changed, Mom…because of my presence the side of Light would come at us more fiercely. And now they have a demi-god on their side; which means we have to be prepared."

Bellarine was aware of the fact that they would be standing on the side of Darkness during the war since her baby was the inheritor of a God's essence.

As such she showed no reluctance, "I will go and talk to them as soon as I can."

Richard added, "I will come with you." Richard will first ask for cooperation and if the Emperor refuses then he would be left with no option.

"You are coming with me?!"

Bellarine's excited voice surprised him but he nodded, "Yeah…?"

Bellarine jumped in excitement, "Yay! You will love that place and your relatives. Oh, I am so excited."

Richard couldn't help but tilt his head in confusion seeing the reaction. However before he could have asked anything, suddenly a letter flew to halt before Bellarine.

Bellarine frowned as she took the letter and looked at the sender's name.

Looking at her son, she said, "It's from the Emperor."

—----**------

A/N:- Thanks for reading.