Struggling as a Villain

Bellarine reached the capital by afternoon through the teleportation portal.

She was reluctant to separate from her son, however, things were too messed up around them to remain together for the time being.

For a peaceful future, Bellarine has to work hard now.

"You look stressed, my lady." The head maid, Maria, asked as she rested the cup of tea before Bellarine.

The red-haired Duchess heaved a sigh before picking up the cup, "Indeed, I am. Meetings have never been my thing. They talk a lot and argue a lot."

The blond maid chuckled, "You always believe that it all takes a simple duel to land on a definite conclusion."

Bellarine nodded in agreement, "Indeed; just put forward your opinion and fight. The one who wins gets their opinion accepted."

Maria smilingly added, "If such a rule gets introduced my lady, then Eldoria would be moving solely based on your decisions."

Bellarine narrowed her eyes and glared at the maid, "Flattering your mistress? Want some bonus or something?"

The blond maid shook her hands in denial, as she said, "No, no. Why would I need to praise you for some reward? I am already receiving a lot while serving my lady."

Bellarine sighed as she blew over the tea, letting the steam wash over her face before she elegantly took a sip.

"Hmm~perfectly balanced herbs and sugar."

The maid smiled in satisfaction; happy that she was able to fulfill her duty perfectly once again.

One of the main reasons…or to say, the only reason why Maria was selected to serve the Duchess was because of her exceptional brewing skills.

While enjoying the flavorful beverage, Bellarine asked, "Tell me Maria, how is Violet's situation back home?" Maria, being the head maid of the Scarlette house, knows about every servant's background and their life when they are not working.

Maria's expression turned a little sad as she informed, "Her parents…being indebted to my lady, always keep reminding her how she should be loyal to her work and Young Master Richard. The girl has been brought, not as a child but as a servant since childhood so she could serve the Young Master to the best of her capabilities."

It wasn't like Bellarine was not aware of the situation but she paid attention to it now after she heard that her baby adores that girl.

With her gaze fixed on nothing particular the Duchess asked, "Do you think I am to be blamed for her situation?"

Maria panicked, "No, not at all! You helped her parents without any selfish desire to have their child as a loyal servant. It was them…who thought that the best way to repay your kindness is to rob their daughter of her happiness and force her into servitude."

Bellarine lowered her gaze and didn't say anything to that. She wasn't particularly feeling guilty since she knew it wasn't her fault. Rather, she was experiencing pity for Violet.

Glancing at her maid, she said, "Why don't you express a piece of advice from me to her parents?"

Maria's eyes narrowed just for a moment before she nodded, "Understood, my lady."

Bellarine didn't stay in the mansion for long and after having a light lunch, she left for the palace.

A long and tiresome meeting awaited her.

—-------**--------

"What? Ghost?" Emily exclaimed upon hearing what Cristina told them.

The oldest one nodded and said, "Yeah, ghost. Awsperg is currently being haunted by a mysterious ghost who arrives at the darkest phase of the night."

Everyone in the room except for Emily, retained their composure since the blind girl was quite petrified of ghosts.

While sipping on the black coffee, Richard asked, "And what does this ghost do?"

Cristina, with disdain, responded, "They capture young girls and…keep them for a night before returning them."

None of them failed to discern what she meant by that, which urged Bella to add, "Then why call them a ghost? This is simply the work of a criminal…possibly some bastard who believes himself the king of the world."

Richard frowned; Bella's voice suggested that she had faced such a person in the past.

He held her hand and looked at her questioningly.

Bella glanced at her brother nervously before looking away.

Richard surely would ask her later but now, "How often has this been happening?"

Cristina poured some more tea for herself as she responded, "It has become frequent recently. I tried to track them but to no avail. It was a fruitless venture. I continued to move in a loop until dawn."

Taking a pause, she said, "From what I have heard, these people use some kind of tool to blind others temporarily and then use some kind of drug to incapacitate their target."

There was a severe frown on Lilia's face. She has never heard of such a planned crime happening in Awsperg before and the security of the town is of no use if even her mother couldn't find them.

After a brief pause, she asked, "Have you complained to the Baron?" Awsperg comes under the jurisdiction of Baron Countwell, as such, it's his responsibility to look after such a severe case.

Cristina nodded, "I did and Baron Countwell sent several soldiers to investigate the matter. But still…there is no clue."

Richard thought of the best person for investigation and only Jasmine's name came up. She is really good at blending and interrogation. However, she is already occupied with Elizabeth and Nora.

The silence was soon broken by Cristina as she suggested, "Don't worry about it! Sooner or later, they will be caught and I will personally bestow the punishment. For now, take some rest, you all."

….
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Cristina and Lilia were sleeping in the same room. Naturally, both of them had several things to talk about.

Emily and Bella were given a separate room, and Richard was all alone. However, Bella immediately said that she would sleep with her brother, which made Cristina surprised. However, she didn't say anything about it

"See you in the morning." Richard gave a soft kiss on Lilia's forehead.

Lilia smiled shyly, "Good night, young master."

Once Lilia went inside her room, Richard also returned to the room he was provided with.

Bella went to take a bath so he decided to polish his beloved staff.

Summoning Ruyi Bang he sat down on the bed. He hasn't gone to have a spar against the Monkey King for a while now.

'I am not sleepy at all…' Richard was thinking of getting a quick spar before sleeping when suddenly someone knocked.

*Knock*

Richard knew who it was, so he didn't think twice to open the door using Telekinesis.

"What happened?" On the other side stood the blond girl while holding a pillow close to her.

"....ghost." Emily slowly muttered with her gaze downcast.

Richard raised his brows, "In your room?"

Emily shook her head, "The shadows frighten me. Can I sleep here…on the floor?" She hurriedly added.

Richard heaved a sigh before telling her, "Come here."

Emily's cheeks adopted a healthy blush as she slowly moved toward the bed and stood near Richard.

"Sleep on the bed. There won't be shadows here."

Emily's blush deepened, as she slowly moved around the bed and rested her body softly on the bed.

Looking at him cleaning his bo staff, Emily found all the drowsiness now exhausted.

The silence between the two didn't remain for long as Richard said, "It's pretty embarrassing being stared at, y'know."

Emily hurriedly moved her gaze away…but she couldn't resist looking at him for long.

Richard stopped polishing the staff and looked at her, "Tell me, what's wrong?"

The only part of her face which was not hidden by the pillow was her eyes. Those red eyes contained several emotions that she was feeling at the moment.

And being asked by him suddenly, she wasn't able to make any excuse, "You….I don't know why but it feels so calm while I look at you…"

Richard tilted his head, "My eyes make people feel uncomfortable, I have heard."

Emily shook her head, "You have the most warm eyes I have ever seen. Just being in your presence allows, not only me but many others to feel that nothing could go wrong."

Richard turned silent upon hearing that. The current version of Emily was extruding a charm that reminded him of a time that he didn't want to think about.

The conflict in his heart regarding his first love remained and Richard didn't want either side to win, so he hurriedly got up from the bed.

"I should check on Bella."

Emily smiled sadly, seeing Richard avoiding her, but she didn't say anything.

Richard walked towards the bathroom and knocked, "Come out now, it's not good to bathe for long."

Even after waiting for a few seconds, there was no response.

"Bella?" Richard knocked again, this time with a frown.

Another pause, and still no reply.

Emily, with her brows drawing closer, got up as Richard slowly turned the doorknob and peeked inside.

"Bella–!!" The scene awaiting inside made his eyes widen.

The window of the bathroom was open and Bella was nowhere to be seen in the bathroom.

She was kidnapped.

—------**--------

A/N:- Thanks for reading.