Reincarnated As The Villainess's Son

[Kallistar, Akasha.]

The coffee house close to the station remained quiet as ever.

The place, filled with only a few people that remained engrossed in their own work.

Within those was a girl with long black hair with a pink undertone and eyes of the shade of ember.

She wore a simple pink top and skinny jeans as she sat on one of the tables.

'Why are they so late?'

Zenith thought, glancing at her watch.

It's been only a few days since her term ended of second year.

Like a smart girl she is, Zenith topped her class once again.

'…Though, I wouldn't have been able to if he was here.'

The girl thought to herself as her eyes turned distant.

It's been six months since she had seen him and the last she saw him was when they had fought.

She still regretted how they parted.

'I was…stupid.' she thought. '…And so was he to just run away.'

A bitter feeling tightened in her chest, forcing her to take a deep breath.

'Still…I would have the last laugh when he becomes my junior.'

Himmel had completely missed the exams and she was sure he would be held back.

That gave her some solace, though the longing to see him hadn't faded.

The gate of the coffee house opened up taking her attention.

Zenith quickly stood up when she saw Siersha and Heather step inside.

She walked towards them. "Where were you guys?"

"Sorry, we got lost." Heather said, smiling sweetly. "Come on."

"What, where?" Zenith asked, quickly looking at them.

"Just come on." Siersha said, grabbing her wrist and pulling her closer. "We don't have much time."

Zenith stumbled a little as Siersha pulled her along, barely having time to grab her bag from the chair. "At least tell me where we're going—!"

"You'll see," Siersha said, her crimson eyes on her. "Trust me."

Heather giggled from behind. "It's a surprise."

Zenith narrowed her eyes but didn't resist.

The three walked quickly down the narrow streets, sunlight casting soft glows on their backs.

Siersha took the lead while the others followed her.

"Did you talk with Pasithea?" Heather asked, her voice low. "She isn't answering my calls."

"I..I talked with her a few days ago." Zenith replied, her voice hesitant. "She doesn't seem like she's in a good health."

Siersha glanced at her. "Well, the war isn't going their way."

Zenith nodded slowly, her expression turning serious.

"I know," she said. "But she looked… tired. More than usual. Her eyes were different."

Heather walked beside her quietly, "I just hope nothing happens to her."

"No one should go through what she has," Zenith muttered. "No one."

She just walked ahead, her grip on Zenith's wrist still firm, but not harsh.

The three of them turned down a quiet side street.

The noise of the station faded behind them.

Zenith blinked, looking around.

"Wait... I know this place," she whispered. "Isn't this the street for wedding dresses?"

Siersha smiled sweetly. "Yep."

"Wait, who's getting married?"

"No one, idiot." Heather replied, shaking her head. "It's Siersha. She wants us to help her select a good dress."

"..I see." Zenith mumbled. "But why?"

"That I don't know." Heather mumbled, her wolf-like ear twitching. "Siersha?"

The Vampire didn't say anything as they walked inside a stylish building.

The shop was elegant and quiet, filled with soft music and the scent of fresh flowers.

Dresses of every style hung on silver racks.

Zenith looked around with wide eyes. "Okay, this place is… fancy."

"Of course it is," Siersha said, leading them further in. "I'm not trying on anything ugly."

"Over here." A voice made them all turn around. "Siersha."

They all looked at Elsie who was working on a dress.

She wore the black and white dress of a manager standing close to a gown.

They walked towards her. "What are you doing here?"

"I own this place." Elise replied, smiling sweetly. "You see, I like to invest in businesses like I did with the coffee shop."

They nodded as Siersha looked at her aunt, even though they were of the same age.

"Did you get the dress ready?" She asked, looking at her.

"Yeah. It's in the changing room." Elise said, pointing at it. "Try it."

Siersha nodded as she quickly walked towards it.

Heather and Zenith who were looking around like country pumpkins focused on her.

"Do you want to try something, Zenny?" Elise asked, noticing her interest. "You can buy it, I can pass the bill to Himmel."

Zenith blinked then shook her head. "I-I am fine."

"So, care to explain?" Heather asked, folding her hands. "Why is Siersha doing it?"

Elise gave her a bright smile. "How would I know?"

"You definitely know."

"Well, you will know soon." Elise said, fixing the gown. "Just wait for a while."

Heather narrowed her eyes but didn't press any further.

"By the way." Zenith chimed in the conversation. "How is Aimar doing?"

"Don't talk about that idiot." Elise said, her voice bitter. "I hate him."

"You mean love, right?" Heather asked, winking at her.

A blush crept on Elise's pale face.

"I.. I just hate him." She grumpily said. "He just spends so much time training now."

"Hmm?" Zenith tilted her head. "He didn't even give the exams."

"Yeah." She grumbled. "He trains most of the time with my sisters or should I say, he trains them."

Heather chuckled, nudging Elise lightly. "Sounds like he's trying to distract himself."

"From what?" Elise huffed. "Me?"

Heather just gave her a smug look.

"I don't care," Elise muttered under her breath, cheeks still red.

"Honestly, I would be more worried about your sisters sticking too long with him." Heather said, her voice soft.

"He might fall for them or maybe the opposite." Y.our su#pport^ at MV^!LE*MP^Y&R# ke*e&p+s^ the se&r%i$e.s$ goi!ng.

"No way." Elise scoffed, waving her head. "Aimar is braindead when it comes to feelings and my sisters are man-hating battle maniacs."

"Still better safe than sorry." Heather said, nudging her again.

"You tell us." Elise said, changing the topic. "How is Elijah doing?"

A bitter expression formed on Heather's face.

"…Being the mother's best boy." She grumbled. "I swear, it's been six months, why is he still with her?"

"He also didn't give the exams right?" Zenith said. "Wait, all three of them didn't give it."

"Yeah, they all became our juniors together." Elise giggled. "I feel butterflies in my stomach thinking about it."

Zenith smiled as well while Heather still looked grumpy.

"Well, I talked with his mother." Heather continued, while nodding. "She is really sweet."

"Then what's your problem?" Elise asked, noticing the terror on her face. "Something happened?"

"No, it's just…" Heather hesitated before she drew in a deep breath.

"You know, the most known cases of incest are when a mother meets with her son in his teenage years after abandoning him."

Elise nearly dropped the needle she was holding.

"Wait, what!?" she said, eyes wide. "Heather, what kind of nonsense are you reading?"

Zenith blinked a few times before bursting out laughing. "Heather, are you serious?"

"I'm just saying!" Heather waved her hands, her ears twitching like crazy. "She looks way too young, you have no idea how inferior I feel in front of her."

"She's his mom," Elise deadpanned.

Heather frowned. "Yeah, well, I am…."

"He calls her mother right?" Zenith said, looking at her.

"…Yes."

"As long as he doesn't call her by name or mommy, you are fine."

She said, her hands twitching behind her.

'I can say that with experience.'

Zenith thought as she remembered Himmel once again.

A conflicting feeling bubbled in her heart but she quickly suppressed it.

Just then, the curtain rustled slightly, and all three turned to look.

Siersha stepped out.

This time, the dress was different.

A soft white gown with a slit along one leg and subtle gold embroidery along the bodice.

It hugged her frame elegantly, with a sheer veil hanging from her shoulder like a cape.

Her pale skin glowed under the light, and the soft shimmer of her dress made her look ethereal.

The girls went silent.

"...Okay, wow," Elise muttered. "You're gonna start wars in that."

Siersha blinked. "Is it too much?"

"It's perfect," Zenith said softly. "Like too beautiful."

Siersha looked at her reflection, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.

"Heather." Siersha said, passing her phone to her. "Can you take my picture?"

She smiled, taking the phone. "Sure."

Zenith pouted. "Are you ignoring me now?"

"Don't be like that." Elise said, bumping into her. "You will know about it anyway."

Zenith huffed and crossed her arms, glancing away. "You all are acting weird."

Siersha posed gently in front of the full-length mirror as Heather began snapping pictures.

Elise turned back to the dress she had been stitching, but her gaze kept drifting toward Siersha.

"You know," she said without looking up, "for someone who said no one's getting married, you're really putting your heart into that dress."

Siersha tilted her head slightly. "I told you, I just want to be prepared."

"Prepared for what?" Zenith muttered under her breath.

Heather flipped through the photos she had taken and gave a satisfied nod. "You look great."

Siersha smiled sweetly. "Thanks."

She began to walk inside once again. "Now, I got two more dresses."

---

It took Zenith the entire day to help with Siersha's shopping.

The night light shone overhead house as she returned back.

"I am home." Zenith said, walking inside her house.

"Welcome back." Yennefer's voice echoed from the inside.

She walked out of the kitchen as she smiled brightly. "How was your day?"

Zenith didn't reply as she stepped closer and hugged her mother. "Exhausting."

Yennefer blinked in surprise but didn't hesitate to wrap her arms around her daughter. "That bad, huh?"

Zenith mumbled into her shoulder, "We walked so much… and tried on so many dresses… my feet feel like they don't exist anymore."

Yennefer chuckled softly. "Dinner's almost ready. Go freshen up."

"Uh, can't I just—."

"No." She said, kissing her head. "Now, go."

Zenith groaned but smiled as she pulled away. "Fine, fine. But if I pass out in the shower, it's your fault."

Yennefer laughed softly. "Noted. I'll keep the door unlocked just in case."

Zenith dragged herself to the bathroom, changed into her home clothes, and took a quick hot shower.

When she returned, the house smelled like spiced stew and warm bread.

She plopped down at the dining table just as Yennefer set down a bowl.

"Eat slowly," her mother warned. "It's hot."

Zenith didn't answer, already blowing on the first spoonful. "You should've seen Siersha. She looked like… royalty or something."

Yennefer sat across from her, sipping tea. "Sounds like she's planning something serious."

"Yeah." She nodded. "I bet Himmel would have called her mosquito princess."

Yennefer chuckled softly. "Don't say things like that to or about your friend."

Zenith nodded but slowly her smile faded, hands slowly lowering on the table.

Yennefer blinked. "What happened?"

".. Nothing." She whispered. "I just…miss him."

Yennefer smiled softly. "So do I."

Zenith remained silent before she narrowed her eyes.

"You love me more than him right?"

Yennefer blinked. "Will you be mad if I say, no?"

"Yes, I would even throw tantrums."

Yennefer chuckled softly. "Stupid—."

Her words halted as her phone rang, she looked at the number and her face immediately hardened.

"I need to take this." Yennefer said, standing up. "It's important."

Zenith nodded as Yennefer entered the room and closed the door.

She placed the phone down and a holographic figure of king Kryllios appeared.

"This better be important." Yennefer said, her voice cold and authority.

Kryllios nodded. "The youngest of House Atretic has been kidnapped."

Yennefer froze in her place. "What?" She frowned. "That's impossible. He is—."

"Guarded by two eternals and thousands of soldiers." He said. "I heard you tried it but failed to do so."

Yennefer wasn't in the mood for his talking. "Who did it?"

"I believe you know him very well."

….Only one name came to her mind.