Struggling as a Villain

This was unexpected but not unacceptable.

Richard never gets into a causal relationship. When he confessed to Amelia, he had already made the decision to marry her one day.

However, he was thinking of marrying in a more peaceful situation, when everyone he knows and cares for can attend their wedding. He wanted to arrange a grand feast and marry Amelia with all the rituals.

However, after Lady Hawkbridge imposed the condition, Richard was left with no other option than to prepone the marriage.

"I apologize…I should have talked to my mother about this." Amelia genuinely looked regretful since she knew that Richard had gone through a lot recently to get involved in this.

However, "It's okay, Amy. Thinking about this from her perspective I can guess what she must be thinking." Holding her hand fondly, the redhead added, "And you also wanted to wear the white wedding dress, no?"

Amelia lowered her eyes shyly, a soft smile blooming on her face.

Richard sighed at the sight, as he fondly held her hand and walked in the garden.

Richard has already sent a letter to his mother to finish the work there and visit the Dukedom. He has also written the subject of this urgency or if she had found out after reaching here, it would have been quite devastating.

"So…what has been happening recently? You never responded to my letters." Amelia sounded casual. However, these two weeks have been quite difficult for her. She couldn't get in touch with Lilia or Bellarine and there was no one who could have given her information about Richard.

When Richard left he said he was going to the Emberclad empire to know more about his ancestors and overtake the empire. That made her quite worried but she somehow convinced herself that Richard would be safe.

However, after not receiving any response from him for this long made her restless. She sent a letter to both Lilia and Bellarine once every day. And even checked seven different newspapers daily to see if there was anything published about him.

…however, nothing. She found nothing.

Taking a pause, he held both of her hands and stood before the girl. Looking into her deep warm eyes, he asked, "I have made you suffer, no? Is there anything that I can do to appease you?"

Amelia didn't reply to him instantly; rather, she first unbuttoned his blaze and encircled her arms around his back.

Planting her head against his chest, she whispered, "Just don't leave me alone anymore. Regardless of wherever you go or however dangerous it is, don't abandon me."

It was unusual for her to sound so down and sob like this, which made his heart heavy even more.

And it wasn't just Amelia who was worried about him, Richard as well, was quite concerned about her, since he knew Eleanor's mind.

There was a constant fear gnawing at him, that Amelia might get abducted any time.

"It's okay now…I am here and I will never leave you alone, ever again." Softly caressing her back, he assured her.

A brief silence ensued between them, which soon was broken by the girl as she asked, "By the way, Richard, you said you went to Earth because there was someone you had to rescue."

Looking up at him with her eyes turning crescent and her lips arching in a smile, she asked, "Please tell me it was a guy."

"...no…Rena…is a girl."

Amelia's brows elevated as she asked, "Well, surely you two must have a sibling-like relationship, no?"

Richard, honestly responded, "She confessed to me…and in order to save her, I had to reciprocate her feelings."

Amelia chuckled, "Why was it so expected…" she walked away from him while shaking her head.

Richard was nervous as he stated, "She was trapped years within the confine of some crazy bastard…and to bring her back…I needed to give her some hope."

Turning towards him with her hands locked behind her back, she asked, "So you, the one who can't see a girl in grief, become her hope?"

Richard was rendered speechless. He doesn't regret his relationship with Rena…but he is guilty of betraying Amelia.

The raven-haired stepped toward him before asking, "Then counting Rena, Emily, Lilia, Duchess Bellarine, and me makes it five women, right?"

Richard was flustered, "You knew about Mom?"

Amelia scoffed, "Do you think it could have remained hidden how her affection surpasses familial bounds?"

Richard opened his mouth but no word came out. He hasn't even told her about Bella, who also confessed her feelings for him not so long before. And then there was Jasmine as well…

Amelia huffed, as with her hands resting on her waist, she claimed, "Regardless of how many women you may have, I will be your first wife and I will give birth to your first child. As your lover, I want that promise." She demanded.

Richard heaved a sigh, "Okay, I promise you."

Amelia novel in satisfaction and said, "Good, now when we go there I want to arrange a meeting with all your lovers. There are several things I would like to discuss with them." A malicious grin appeared on her face when she said that, sending a shiver down his spine.

'What exactly is she planning…'

….
Your next read awaits at empire

Soon, they returned to the mansion and Lady Hawkbridge instantly came to fetch Amelia, "Come here and select the dress."

Amelia reluctantly parted from him—since she wanted to surprise him with her appearance in the wedding dress, she couldn't invite him to come along as well.

Left alone, Richard was thinking of roaming around the mansion and looking at the Dukedom, when suddenly,

*Bam*

Gideon slammed a bottle of wine on the table and said, "Come and pour me one. I need to ask a few questions."

Richard looked at the man's dead serious eyes and realized that this was going to be one hell of a conversation.

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A/N:- These are a few slice-of-life chapters before we dive into the main arc. Thanks for reading. Drop a comment.