Struggling as a Villain

The day arrived. Bellarine and Richard used teleportation to reach the Empire which was located in the middle of the continent.

There are eight continents and seven microcontinents. The eight continents have their central Empire with several kingdoms, under the rule of the Emperor.

The smaller continents are mostly independent and a king rules over the overall region.

The Empire for whom Bellarine works is known as—Eldoria, who is under the authority of the great emperor named Lucius Haven Eldor.

The Empire was the second-strongest continent in existence with its supremacy lying in the export of medicinal herbs and rare fruits. The major source of income is trading and the reason why Eldoria has retained its position as the second position is because of the seven defense pillars it possesses.

The seven pillars of defence—formally known as Seven Death Birds.

The Generals have been protecting the Empire for years now, and every time one of these birds disappears, another one replaces them.

The terror of these seven generals was widespread enough that the enemy nations who intended to attack Eldoria first had to devise a plan to tackle the seven birds or the plan of invasion surely would fail marvellously.

One of those seven pillars is the woman who was currently sharing the carriage with Richard.

They arrived in the morning at eleven. The planet was of the same size as Earth, and people here had found a way to detect time, so Richard didn't find much problem discerning the time.

He was looking out of the carriage, and with a stern face, marvelling at the city he was offered to view.

The capital's heart pulsed with life, the cobblestone pathways teeming with a tapestry of vibrant activity. The capital was renowned for its sprawling market, a labyrinthine array of stalls and shops that drew traders and travellers from distant lands.

As the carriage rolled through the market square, Richard's eyes were drawn to the colourful displays of fruits piled high on wooden carts. Juicy and succulent fruits glimmered under the midday sun, their aromas mingling with the scent of freshly baked bread from a nearby bakery. The cries of hawkers peddling their wares filled the air, each one extolling the virtues of their produce.

Next, his attention shifted to the apothecaries' stalls, where potions of every hue shimmered in glass vials. An elderly woman with a weathered face and kind eyes carefully measured out a glowing blue liquid into a flask, while a young man in an elaborate robe described the healing properties of a crimson potion to an eager customer.

The air was thick with the heady scent of exotic herbs and spices, a testament to the alchemical wonders concocted within these stalls.

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Richard was so lost in sightseeing that he nearly forgot about his stress regarding the host of this celebration.

"Fufu~it seems you have taken a liking to this place." Hearing his mother's giggle, Richard felt slightly embarrassed.

He has been behaving like a child who was brought to a festival.

He corrected his posture and solemnly said, "It's alright. But as you know, I don't like crowded places."

"Hmm~well, we can build a market like this somewhere near the mansion so my Richie can enjoy his weekends." Suddenly, she cupped her flushed cheeks, and while fidgeting, she added, "We can run away from the mansion secretly and enjoy a secret date....just the two of us.

Our hands would be connected as we would stroll around...and late at night, you would pull me into a motel with the excuse of resting for a bit and then...and then....kyah! I can't!"

Richard, with a sullen face, stared at his mother who was behaving like a maiden once again. Seriously he couldn't discern how badly she was obsessed with him...and whether this obsession was only limited to familial love.

'I hope I don't need to confront her about these things one day.' He Inwardly muttered and while leaning back, he closed his eyes.

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When the carriage came to a halt, Richard was already awake. He never fell asleep but just was conserving his energy for what was to come.

The carriage door was opened by a soldier before Richard stepped out, and with his left hand behind his back, he offered his right one for the lady.

Bellarine stepped out with an indifferent look—the perfect face that a woman of her position should possess.

They weren't at the palace yet since the celebration was in the evening.

The place they halted was the mansion under Bellarine's name. Before Richard was born, she usually stayed here for convenience. However, considering the Empire's capital is the centre of several unlawful things, she decided to move away.

The maids and butlers who stayed here and took care of the mansion bowed their heads and greeted them,

"We welcome you, Madame, Young Master."

Bellarine hummed in response and walked inside the mansion followed by Richard.

For a moment, her eyes went toward the garden situated on the left side of the central path. But since it was a fleeting glance, Richard didn't notice it.

Inside, the mansion's decor spoke of refined taste and careful selection. Rich tapestries depicting serene landscapes adorned the walls, while polished wooden floors were covered with intricately woven rugs. The furniture, made from dark mahogany, was elegant yet comfortable, each piece chosen for its craftsmanship and beauty.

The great hall featured a stone fireplace, its mantle adorned with delicate carvings, providing a cosy focal point for gatherings. Soft candlelight flickered in crystal chandeliers, casting a warm glow that highlighted the mansion's sophisticated charm without crossing into ostentation.

Although Richard had memories of this place, he still felt he was inside a movie set.

"Are you going to rest in your room?" As the maid helped Bellarine take off her coat, the redhead asked her son.

Richard seemed contemplative for a bit before he said, "I am thinking of looking around a bit after changing clothes."

"Hmm...that would be problematic. Lilia isn't here...and you won't like anyone else following you around right?"

Richard glanced at the blue-haired maid who was holding the Duchess' coat—making the maid a little startled—as he said, "They are too stiff and formal. I would be uncomfortable." He clearly stated, making the maid a little disheartened. But naturally, she didn't say anything and after bowing, the maid walked away.

Bellarine grinned before she asked, "That girl...you don't remember her?"

Richard raised his brows, "No? Do I know her?"

Bella giggled as she reminded him, "She is Violet. Remember how much you used to play with her?"

Richard raised his brows and thought carefully. Indeed, in his scattered memories, there was a small girl who used to come here with her mother, and Richard used to bully her in the name of playing games.

Violet huh...no wonder she seemed familiar—Richard inwardly muttered. His remembrance came from his previous life. In some cut scenes when Richard's evil side was displayed there was a maid who used to get harassed by him.

Suddenly Richard grinned as he remembered something.

'If I play my cards carefully, I can use her as a good bait...'

Schooling his expression, Richard turned to look at his mother and asked her, "Mom, I want her as my attendant when I would be joining the Academy."

Bellarine had a surprised look as she slowly uttered, "Well, I was going to assign her. Why this sudden eagerness?" The last bit came out in a little suspicious tone.

Richard shrugged and casually said, "I would rather have someone with me whom I know than a stranger."

Bellarine slowly nodded, clearly not convinced by his logic. But she didn't stretch the matter any more and walked away.

Richard also went to his room to change his clothes—completely unaware that the exchange he had with his mother was heard by a third person.

********

The reason Richard decided to stroll around was to stop himself from overthinking.

The main reason why he had been so concerned for two days now was the person whose birthday celebration they had come to attend.

The second princess of the Empire—Elizabeth Haven was also a regressor and a main heroine. However, what makes her the most dangerous one among the four is her obsession with Ethan.

She is a yandere.

In the novel he read, Elizabeth attempted to hurt the other three on many occasions. Whenever she got caught, she acted cute, and Ethan forgave her.

She misused her powers to punish those who harassed Ethan. If she had fallen in love with him earlier, Richard might have disappeared earlier than he canonically did.

She is a total maniac. An opponent against whom Richard has to play quite carefully. She wouldn't try to discern Richard's intentions or the reasons why he used to torment Ethan. She would come for the kill.

'If my guess is right, she was behind my abduction as well....'

Things have started to become troublesome with the inclusion of this mad princess.

Haah~

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A/N:- Some PS and reviews to help the other readers. Thank you.