Reincarnated As The Villainess's Son

"Yes."

Ruby nodded in response.

"Kneel." But before she could say anything, Adaliah ordered coldly.

Ruby complied without any protest, slowly lowering herself to her knees.

"...Delwyn contacted Ethan last night," Ruby informed, her head lowered. "...They've found the location of Moshel's Tomb."

Esmeray asked, "What else did he tell Ethan?"

"...Delwyn seemed confident that they could kill Azariah at Moshel's Tomb," Ruby whispered softly, not looking up.

"...I don't know if he was confident in Ethan or someone else."

"Their leader?" Adaliah asked, her brows knitting together.

Esmeray glanced at her without replying.

She could vaguely predict what Delwyn was planning to do, and that worked in her favor.

"How does he plan to make Azariah visit Moshel's Tomb?" Esmeray asked, glancing back at Ruby.

"...Two days from now, they plan to abduct Christina," Ruby replied, closing her eyes. "...Ethan agreed to it."

"What a pathetic family they are." Esmeray sneered, leaning back in the chair. "...They should just die, don't you think, Ruby?"

Ruby's lips parted, but she quickly suppressed her urge to rebuke.

The fear she had for Esmeray was deeply engraved in her bones.

"...That reminds me." Esmeray's voice turned colder as she looked down at her. "...Have you fallen in love with Ethan?"

"...It's nothing like—"

"Don't lie." She flinched as Esmeray's gaze crucified her.

Ruby drew in a deep breath, her head hanging low. "...I love him."

"..."

Esmeray quietly looked down at her, with no emotion in her eyes.

Ruby's heartbeat quickened, her breath shallow.

"Did you forget the reason you got close to Ethan?" she asked.

"I never did," Ruby replied, shaking her head.

"My mind seems foggy; remind me of the reason," Esmeray probed further.

Ruby bit her lip, her body trembling. "...So I can turn him against Azariah."

"Indeed." She rested her elbow on the armrest, her palm supporting her face.

"...Since the Ekari Kingdom incident, you've been using Ethan for your own agenda."

The moment Azariah refused to kill Inës, Esmeray came up with a plan.

A simple plan to use Ethan in a more meaningful way.

And a daughter of a declining noble family became the most suitable pawn for her.

She helped Ruby's family in return for her assistance.

On the surface, Ruby's family may seem like it's crumbling, but they have far more wealth than most nobles of the empire.

After that, all she needed to do was convince Ruby that she was using Ethan as an extreme way to train Azariah.

Even when Ruby got suspicious of her motives, she couldn't do anything.

"Are you going to tell him the truth?" Esmeray asked, glancing at the girl.

Ruby shook her head, sadness clear in her voice. "...I can't do that. I'm too entangled with you."

"True. He will hate you the moment you do," Esmeray added, and Ruby quietly nodded.

"...How long do I have to do it?" Ruby asked, looking up at her.

"No more." Esmeray replied as she stood up. "Delete all proof of us collaborating, Adaliah."

"Yes, my lady," Adaliah replied.

"..."

Ruby only blankly looked at Esmeray as she slowly walked towards her.

"...You are free to live your life." Esmeray whispered, gently patting Ruby's head.

"Live with your sins and share that boy's sin as well."

***

***

'Fuck, I want to go home already.'

I groaned in frustration as I gulped down another glass of wine.

I looked around at the place I was in.

The younger generation had already been separated from the older ones.

And in a separate room, only the high-ranking nobles were gathered.

The three royal families sat in a higher place along with the saintess and Helena.

Meanwhile, the rest of the high-ranking youth talked among themselves.

'Fuck it.'

And once again, I stood alone without any company.

Christina asked me to leave her alone for some time.

And for some reason, I couldn't find anyone else here.

[...Azariah.]

'What?'

[...Are you not worried about Christina?]

'Is that even a question?'

[No, your reaction was milder than expected.]

I frowned as I leaned against the wall.

'...I don't have to freak out.'

Even though Christina made that stupid decision, it doesn't mean I have to keep scolding her for it.

And even though she doesn't want it, I will protect her.

I won't let that bastard get anywhere near her.

'...Even if I have to keep her locked in a room for years.'

[...Are you going to take away her freedom?]

'I will do anything to keep her with me.'

[.....]

"Aren't you lonely, Sir Azariah?" My gaze turned toward the voice.

Helena stood up from her seat, smiling at me.

Everyone quieted down and looked towards me, waiting for my response.

I smiled brightly. "I am fine, Lady Helena, don't worry about me."

"Oh, how could I not?" she replied as she stepped down, walking towards me. "...That would be rude."

"I am fine—"

"Come with me."

"....."

I looked at her as she grabbed my hand, smiling.

I yanked my hand away. "Like I said, I am fine."

"I see." She nodded, standing beside me. "Then I shall accompany you here."

I grimaced in frustration, picking up another glass of wine. "Do as you please."

She smiled, leaning against the wall, and a moment later the saintess Lucretia also stood up and joined us.

Without a word she quietly ate her chocolate.

The Mizraim Empire's princess and prince followed behind, as did the rest of the royal family.

"..."

And now, I was surrounded by them.

'What a pain.'

I groaned as I picked up another glass.

"Aren't you drinking a little too much?" Arianell, who had been silent, interrupted me.

"None of your business," I replied without glancing at her.

"Still—"

"Don't act like you care for me now," I cut in, glaring at her.

She quieted down, gently nodding.

She looked hurt, but I chose to ignore her.

"What a tragedy you both are," Helena whispered, looking at us both.

I didn't say a word and continued drinking.

"Asgrim told me once that you desired me as your marriage partner." My body halted as I heard a beautiful voice.

I turned to look at the gray-haired girl, Princess Roxanna.

Up close, I could clearly see why people called her divine beauty.

"What?" I tilted my head in confusion, looking at her.

"During the trip," she replied, and something clicked in my mind.

"...Yeah, I did say that," I replied, and I could hear quite a few gasps from around me.

"Does that offer still stand?" she asked, and in an instant, the place quieted down.

I squinted my eyes as I replied, "No, I am happy with my current fiancée."

"You sure are," Helena commented sarcastically, making my face twitch.

"I see," Roxanna replied, showing little emotion, and turned around, walking away without a word as her brother followed her.

"...How does it feel to reject a princess?" Helena asked as I gulped down another glass of wine.

"Nothing," I replied. "Princess."

Her smile faltered for a second, but she quickly recovered.

"Better question." She grinned, clasping her hands as she turned to look at me. "...How do you feel about Christina being the Avatar?"

"...."

I sighed, rubbing my temples in frustration.

"Tell me."

"...It was her choice," I replied, keeping my anger in check. "And I respect her decision."

'...I fucking don't.'

I groaned inwardly, keeping a stoic face.

"You don't seem to love her," Helena commented with the same smile.

I felt something snap within me.

With a smile, I replied, "At least Anastasia is better than those three hypocrit—"

"Azariah!"

Arianell yelled, making me halt. I turned to look at her, glaring at me.

I could see many others glaring at me as well.

I sighed, feeling my head throb in pain.

"Don't bother me, Princess," I replied, glancing at Helena.

"And if you don't understand that, I'll say it again in your words—'Thou shalt fuck off.'"

She still smiled as I turned to walk away, pushing Johnathan out of my way.

'I hate her.'

I don't know much about her from the game; in the first place, I never played the third game.

I just have some memories.

And I know from them...

...That Helena...

Is a fucking snake, a living parasite.

She eats away the church from the inside, killing everyone holding important ranks within the church all by herself.

She alone is the reason the church collapses in the game.

And to make it worse, she did all of this just because she was bored.

...Fucking bitch.

"You are naive, Sir Azariah." My steps halted as I heard Helena's voice. "Truly naive."

I turned around, looking at her stepping toward me. I asked, "Am I now?"

"You say she is better—on what basis?" she asked, standing in front of me.

"Isn't that the truth?"

"Let me tell you a secret." She leaned closer, her mouth close to my ear as she whispered,

"Anastasia massacred an entire race in the Epoch of Rebirth."