I Am The Game's Villain

Chapter 325 [Event] [Dolphian Kingdom Under Ruins] [11] The Dolphis Royal Family

”Dear, how are you?” A vision of elegance, the Queen, adorned in regal attire, tenderly asked, her delicate hand caressing her daughterʼs hair. Her own eyes, a captivating bottle green, mirrored the enchanting gaze of her daughter, Amelia Dolphis.

”Iʼm not a child anymore, mother,” Amelia replied, feeling a slight flush of embarrassment.

”To me, youʼll always be my child,” the Queen declared, enfolding Amelia in another loving embrace.

In the VIP seats of the stadium, Reiner Dolphis observed the heartwarming interaction between his wife and daughter with a smile playing on his lips.

”Why are we even here?” Adrian, indifferent to the familial moment, voiced his boredom.

”Your conduct, son,” the Queen admonished, her gaze piercing as Adrian begrudgingly uncrossed his legs.

”Why did you summon us, Mother, Father?” Ameliaʼs curiosity sparked.

”Isnʼt it obvious? Weʼre here to celebrate your success in the first round!” The Queenʼs smile brimmed with pride.

”Oh, please, did you really doubt us? Weʼre Great Nobles, for Edenʼs sake,” Adrian scoffed, irritated at the implication of doubt.

”Accept our congratulations graciously, Adrian. Show some decorum befitting your status,” Reiner reprimanded sternly.

”Dear, forgive me, but youʼre the last person I want to hear about decorum from. Your antics often leave me cleaning up after you,” the Queen retorted, a hint of exasperation tainting her tone, much like Ameliaʼs.

”If youʼre worried about me ruffling feathers, what about Alea? Sheʼs probably out there in Edenis Raphiel, causing a stir amongst those arrogant fellows,” Reiner pointed out.

”Well...” The Queen found herself unable to refute Reinerʼs observation about Aleaʼs penchant for inciting irritation wherever she went.

”Why are you here, Father?” Amelia voiced the question lingering in her mind.

”Well, that...” Reiner chuckled before responding, ”I wouldnʼt miss my childrenʼs exam for anything in the world!”

”Really? Itʼs a crucial meeting regarding our future and Edenis Raphiel, Dear. You attended last year, and forgive me, but I find it hard to believe youʼd pass up such an opportunity,” the Queen countered, her smile carrying a hint of significance.

”Ugh... you already know why. I just canʼt stomach those individuals,” Adrian admitted. While his childrenʼs exams were indeed a significant factor, his aversion to the rulers of Edenis Raphiel played a substantial role. Last year, he had caused quite a stir by retaliating against the taunts of the Great Rulers of Edenis Raphiel.

Despite the importance of the discussions at hand this year, Adrian opted to forego the journey to Edenis Raphiel. With his children undergoing exams, and surprisingly, the other Heads concurring, they deemed it prudent to keep at least one Head in Sancta Vedelia for safety measures.

”Edenis Raphiel... sounds enchanting...” Amelia muttered, her eyes gleaming with fascination. As a Great Noble of Sancta Vedelia, she possessed the privilege to enter Edenis Raphiel at will, albeit with numerous restrictions and prerequisites. However, she had only ventured there thrice, the last visit occurring three years prior, accompanied by her brother, Adrian.

Adrian, observing his sisterʼs fascination with a mixture of amusement and longing, couldnʼt help but inwardly yearn for a return to Edenis Raphiel himself. The allure of the land was undeniable—the breathtaking landscapes, the captivating architecture, the allure of the markets, and even the charm of the residents—it all seemed straight out of a fairy tale. As a man, he harbored a secret desire to one day settle there and immerse himself in its splendor. Yet, as the future Head of the Dolphis House, he understood the impracticality of such a dream.

”Who did you send in your place, Dear?” The Queen asked.

”Iʼve already told you... Itʼs Karl,” Reiner replied.

”Oh, not your cousin again! I expressly asked you to choose someone else!” the Queen erupted, her frustration visible.

”Karl may be my cousin, but heʼs more than capable of handling those troublesome individuals,” Reiner defended.

If the people of Sancta Vedelia were often criticized for their perceived arrogance by other nations, then the inhabitants of Edenis Raphiel, nestled near the gods themselves, resided in a realm of unparalleled conceit. Their lineage traced back thousands of years, their abode in the sky near the Monolith of Eden only amplifying their sense of superiority.

”I simply donʼt trust him... and you know that,” the Queen expressed her exasperation.

”Iʼm aware, and so is Karl. Your lack of trust wounds him deeply, you know?” Reiner said.

”I couldnʼt care less about his feelings, Reiner. I am the Queen, understood?” the Queen asserted firmly.

”Y-Yes, of course,” Reiner acquiesced vehemently.

Ameliaʼs gentle laughter filled the air as she observed the exchange, while Adrian, growing weary of the discussion, announced his departure for the ongoing Second Round of exams. However, before they could leave...

”Wait, one last thing,” Reiner interjected, halting their exit.

”What now, Father?” Adrian turned back, his irritation evident.

”Itʼs about the Second Round... I just want both of you to know that Iʼm proud of you,” Reiner interjected suddenly, his gaze serious.

”Yes,” their mother chimed in, her hand resting on her husbandʼs shoulder as she looked at her children with warmth. ”We have every confidence in you.”

”Wait, do you know who weʼre up against?” Adrian quickly caught on, reading the unspoken tension in his parentsʼ expressions.

”Huh?” Ameliaʼs gaze darted between her parents, finding no immediate answers.

”Your concern and hesitation speak volumes. Looks like weʼre in for the real deal this time, huh?” Adrianʼs grin widened.

Reiner let out a sigh of exasperation. ”Just be cautious and focused. Both of you,” he urged, his gaze shifting to include Amelia.

Ameliaʼs heart raced as Reinerʼs gaze settled on her, a sense of anticipation building within her.

ʼAm I up against a strong opponent already?ʼ She thought, her mind racing with possibilities, though she had expected such challenges to arise in the Third Round against other stronger groups.

”Itʼs time for me to prove myself to Alicia,” Adrian declared, his fist meeting his palm in determination, unaware of the true identity of his upcoming opponent.

His parents exchanged a knowing glance, understanding the upcoming conflict.

”Not Alicia again. Just leave her be,” Amelia said, her annoyance evident.

”Sheʼs my fiancée, Amelia. You donʼt get to dictate that,” Adrian retorted, his tone sharp with defiance.

”Sheʼs not a possession, Adrian. Remember that,” Amelia shot back, her frustration with her brotherʼs attitude towards Alicia surfacing.

Though their parents had agreed to the engagement, Amelia despised witnessing her brotherʼs behavior towards Alicia and rarely voiced her objections until now.

”Well, youʼll have plenty of time to take care of your sister-in-

law after the marriage, donʼt worry,” Adrian remarked with a smile, earning a simple scoff from Amelia.

”Dear, Amelia, are you alright?” The Queen suddenly approached her daughter, a hint of concern in her voice.

”Am I?” Amelia responded, her confusion evident.

”Youʼre not. I know you well, daughter. Something has been troubling you for a few days now,” the Queen observed with a gentle smile.

”Thatʼs...” Amelia faltered, unable to articulate her thoughts.

Only one face dominated her thoughts—the handsome black-

haired man with piercing red eyes. Each time his image surfaced in her mind, his final words echoed in her ears.

As a Princess of Sancta Vedelia, Amelia had encountered numerous suitors from various lands, but John was different from the start. He exuded an air of nonchalance towards Sancta Vedeliaʼs nobility, despite being a Half-High Human. His lonely look only further piqued her maternal instinct. Initially, she felt ashamed and incredulous at the notion of developing feelings for a criminal, but she eventually came to accept the truth.

However, when she confessed her feelings to John, he rejected her, despite harboring his own emotions. She wasnʼt oblivious to his sentiments.

”Iʼm fine...” Amelia forced a smile before swiftly exiting the room.

Meanwhile, Adrian glanced down at the ongoing matches of the Second Round. Among them, Celesteʼs and Lykhorʼs group garnered the most attention as they effortlessly dismantled their opponents.

Though he felt a twinge of pity for not facing them himself, he acknowledged the presence of other strong opponents. His gaze briefly flickered over Alvara, Victor, and Rodolf before he departed. Ideally, he hoped to conserve his energy for potential encounters with them in the Third Round, but fate had its own plans.

”Do you think theyʼll be alright?” the Queen voiced her concern.

”Iʼm more worried about Amelia, to be honest... facing Duncanʼs granddaughter and that boy,” Reiner admitted.

”And Adrian? I fear for him, Dear...”

”Ahaha, donʼt worry. The little Raven Princess is still recuperating, and Aleaʼs nephew stands no chance against Adrian,” Reiner reassured her confidently.

”Our Goddess, Anuket, watches over him,” he added with a smirk.