Struggling as a Villain

Bellarine returned home the next day; all tired and bored. In the absence of the Emperor, the meeting was majorly directed by Duke Aeromore, and that man needlessly stretches his words to make himself look mysterious and even trivial matters; serious.

Returning home the first thing she did was to write a letter to Lilia and used her Soul familiar to send it to the maid. Her baby has yet to form a connection with his soul beast so until then, Bellarine would have to rely on the brunette.

Since it was ten on the clock, she knew her baby would be in the classroom that's why she didn't contact him using the telephone artifact which he gave her.

Once she was done writing and sending the letter, the lady made her way to her son's room and walked inside his bathroom while throwing away her clothes.

"Hmm~hmm~hmm~" While humming to a tune which didn't belong to this world, she hopped into the warm water after tying her hair in a bun.

She loves to take baths in Richard's bathroom. It may sound foolish but she feels he somehow will appear in his bathroom and say something like, 'Quite a body you got there, my beautiful Bella~'

"Ehe~" She giggled as she washed her flawless skin thoroughly and after she was done, she escaped the bathroom wrapped in a towel.

Pulling the wardrobe she took out a shirt which, naturally, didn't belong to her.

Draping the shirt over her shoulders, she buttoned it and made her way to his bed. She didn't bother wearing anything on her lower half or any undergarments.

"Haah~feels like home…" His smell still lingered in the bed as she pressed her face as deep as she could into his pillow and wrapped herself in the warmth he left behind.

Wrapped in the blanket, she felt her baby was embracing her…and that sensation was enough to make her feel excited.

*Knock* *Knock*

Hearing those knocks, Bellarine frowned. She clearly told the head maid to not disturb her until evening.

"Who is it?" Her tone sounded stern.

"Madame Duchess….someone came to meet you. She introduced herself as Elena."

Bellarine's eyes parted as she seemed shocked to hear that name.

With a frown, she thought, 'What does she need now?'

Getting up, Bellarine commanded, "Tell her to sit in the reception ... .I will be down in a minute."

After saying so, Bellarine wore her clothes properly but didn't part ways with her baby. After wearing undergarments, she wore the shirt again and tucked it inside her skirt before shrouding herself with a cardigan.

Making her way downstairs, the woman found a familiar redhead waiting for her in the reception.

The person had some similarities to Bellarine, except for the fact that she had short hair and looked slightly older than Bellarine.

Making her way toward the woman, she gestured towards the maid, and soon only the two redheads were left in the reception.

The other one didn't stand up to greet Bellarine and silently sipped on her tea.

Bellarine sat across from the lady before asking, "What brings my dear aunt here today?"

The person across from Bellarine was one of the members of the Scarlette clan and Bellarine's aunt.

Not many people are left in the clan, but still, they hold influence over other clans and the Empire of Emberclad.

Scarlette clan resides in the Emberclad Empire given the founding member died in that same continent and the first heir of the Flame Warden was born there.

For the lady to travel such a long distance…there must be something important going on.

"He accessed it." Despite those words that seemed vague and too little to understand, Bellarine knew exactly what the lady meant.

"Yes, he did. Twice actually." Bellarine informed, her smile exhibiting how proud she was.

The lady rested the cup on the table before bringing her hands to her knees. Looking at Bellarine sternly she asked, "Have you told him about the tradition of the Scarlette house?"

Bellarine remained indifferent, "Yup, but I never forced Richie to get married. And he has already decided whom he would make his bride." Two names came to her mind when Bellarine said that; Amelia and Lilia. Naturally, Bellarine counts herself as his wife already.

Elena's face darkened, "It is an unbreakable law for the members of the Scarlette clan to give birth to the descendent of the great hero."

Taking a pause, she added, "Despite how close you are to Master Richard, you can no longer give birth to a child anymore."

Bellarine was aware of the fact. Her body couldn't withstand another childbirth after she gave birth to Richard.

The process of childbirth, in this case, is not as straightforward as other children.

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The burning child cannot be slowly pulled out through the Scarlette clan's woman's uterus; rather, their stomach is carefully incised completely to take out the baby, which grows to an unnaturally large size for a newborn.

Then the mother has to keep them near their body, suppressing their ether so that the child doesn't end up hurting someone else or themselves with their burning body.

However, Richard's flame was subdued just after his birth, making him the exception in the history of the descendants of the Flame Warden.

That's why to continue the legacy of the Warden, it was necessary for a woman of the Scarlette house to get pregnant with the descendent.

Until now, considering that they always tended to live a short life, the previous successors always remained confined in closed walls and spent their life with the one they are tied up with; the person who further becomes the mother of their child.

Having very few options, those successors never went against the rule of giving birth to a child with the members of the clan.

…well, until that child appeared who controlled his flames and broke the chain.

"Bellarine, you can't do this."

Bellarine scowled, her ether making the air heavier, as she spoke, "Oh dear aunt, you do know what I can do."

Elena knows she cannot win against this girl who has always been monstrously strong since childhood, and given the experience she has gained after leaving the clan, she has become a figure with whom Elena cannot speak recklessly.

Heaving a sigh, Elena asked, "I am not asking Richard to get married to his destined one…but for the sake of the clan can he not give birth to a child with her?"

Bellarine scoffed, "You are pushing your decision onto her. Have you even asked that girl if she wants to be a mother at such a young age?"

"You don't need to worry about that. Although Ruby has lived outside the clan for her whole life, she still is obedient towards the clan and its traditions."

Bellarine heaved a sigh. She hasn't met that child for years now and Richard as well, only met that girl once when he was seven years old.

After thinking for a moment, Bellarine spoke, "I will ask him," Just as Elena's face brightened, Bellarine added, "However, if he rejects once, it would be the end of the discussion."

Elena smilingly responded, "That would be enough."

—------**-------

It's not a coincidence that Ruby was enrolled in the same academy as Richard. She very well knew that her parents, the branch family of the Scarlette house, wanted Ruby to build a good connection with Richard.

Those women who give birth to the heir of Flame Warden, their families receive support from the Scarlette clan. As such, they wanted Ruby to ensnare Richard into impregnating her.

Ruby has met Richard once before and considering his present self, she cannot make comparisons at all.

Seeing Richard walking out of the council office with Amelia beside him, Ruby smiled,

'We never were meant to be together.'

—-------**--------

After leaving the council office, Richard and Amelia headed to the cafeteria to have lunch.

Although only a few minutes were left, they showed no sign of urgency, given Amelia just wanted to be with him regardless if she gets to eat something or not.

"I didn't expect you to get selected." Amelia uttered, in context to the quiz.

"Do I look that dumb in your eyes?"

"You're the strongest man I know—not exactly because of your brains, though." As blunt as ever, she didn't hold back from sharing what she thought.

Richard chuckled, "Well, I am not brilliant but yeah, I know enough to not embarrass myself in a gathering."

Amelia pouted hearing that.

After that, they walked in silence for a few moments before, Amelia asked,

"Hey Richard," Her voice lowered a little, urging Richard to look at her…only to get surprised upon noticing that slight tinge of redness on her cheeks, as she asked,

"Can you come to my room tonight?"

Richard had the urge to press the girl to the wall and kiss her until she became breathless right away. However, he held the urge and whispered sensually,

"Wait for me."

—-------**--------

A/N:- I hope you are enjoying the story so far.

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