I Am The Game's Villain

Chapter 869: Sister, You Are So Lucky

Sylvia stood beside Aurora in the women’s formal wear section, but her attention was nowhere near the dresses displayed around them.

”Do you not think Jeanne is spending a little too much time around Eric?” She asked, turning toward her sister.

Aurora, however, was focused on the rows of gowns before her.

It was going to be an hour and they haven’t even picked a single one. There was the fact they were waiting for the others to join them but still, clearly they didn’t seem in any eagerness to shopping here.

Aurora moved slowly along the hangers, examining one dress after another. She checked the fabrics, the cut of the sleeves, the colors, and the way each design might suit Sylvia. Her attention was so complete that, for a moment, she seemed not to hear the question at all.

Then Aurora paused.

”This one would definitely look good on you, Sylvia,” she said.

She pulled out a blue gown with short sleeves and a beautiful neckline. The fabric was a deep royal blue, soft and elegant, decorated with faint silver stitching along the waist and hem.

Sylvia looked at it.

Then she sighed.

”Sister, are you even listening to me?”

Aurora smiled and returned the dress to its place.

”What is it, Sylvia?”

”I am talking about Jeanne,” Sylvia said, crossing her arms. ”You know. The Hero chosen by Eden from our Kingdom.”

”Yes,” Aurora replied patiently. ”What about Jeanne?”

”Goodness, Sister.” Sylvia looked at her in disbelief. ”Do not tell me you have not noticed how close Jeanne has become to Eric. She is acting differently around him. It is obvious even from a distance.”

Sylvia leaned closer.

”She behaves more comfortably with Eric than she does with you.”

Aurora considered that for a moment.

”Perhaps Eric does not approach her with the same intentions as most men,” she said.

Sylvia raised a brow.

”You think so? Then why would he try to get close to Jeanne in the first place if he was not interested in her?”

She looked toward the lower floor where Jeanne and Eric had disappeared earlier.

”At first, I thought he might simply be following Duke Scarlett’s orders. He is his son, after all. Perhaps the Duke told him to get close to Jeanne.”

”Perhaps,” Aurora said. ”But I imagine every influential family in Celesta has given their sons similar instructions.”

Sylvia’s expression darkened slightly.

”To get closer to the Hero of Eden.”

”Yes.”

”Because of her title and her status,” Sylvia said. ”Just like Milleia, I suppose.”

”No,” Aurora replied. ”Jeanne’s current status is much higher than Milleia’s.”

Sylvia looked at her.

”Jeanne was summoned directly from another world through Eden’s power. To the people of Celesta, she is not merely someone blessed by Eden. She is a Hero brought here by the will of Eden himself.”

Aurora’s expression became more serious.

”And the kingdom wants to keep her close.”

”Keep her close?” Sylvia repeated.

”To secure her bloodline within Celesta.”

Sylvia grimaced.

”Secure her bloodline.”

”There is nothing surprising about it,” Aurora said quietly. ”Many people believe divine blood runs through Jeanne’s veins. Or at least that the power of Eden has changed something within her.”

She glanced toward the dresses again, her fingers lightly touching the fabric of a pale gold gown.

”If Jeanne marries a noble from Celesta, then their children would be born in Celesta. They would carry the blood of the summoned Hero. That is exactly the kind of thought nobles would have.”

Sylvia looked visibly uncomfortable.

”Does Jeanne know about these plans?” she asked. ”You are her closest friend. I assume you told her.”

”I did,” Aurora answered. ”And Jeanne has no intention of marrying anyone here. She told me that she will help this world as much as she can. But once her role is finished, she intends to return to her own world.”

”And you support her?”

”Completely.”

Sylvia looked at her sister with slight surprise.

”That is strange. I thought you would try to convince her to remain, for the sake of the kingdom.”

Aurora frowned.

”I am willing to sacrifice parts of my own life for Celesta because I am a princess of Celesta,” she said. ”It is my duty. It is my responsibility.”

She turned toward Sylvia.

”But Jeanne has no such duty.”

Her eyes were serious.

”She did not choose to be summoned here. She did not ask to become Celesta’s Hero. I would never force her into a life she does not want simply because it might benefit the kingdom.”

Sylvia looked at Aurora for several seconds.

Then she smiled faintly.

”Well, it does not seem as though you need to convince her. She gets along very well with Eric.”

Aurora shook her head.

”I do not believe it is like that. I asked Jeanne directly what she thought about him.”

”And?”

”She said he was a good friend. Nothing more.”

Sylvia gave her a skeptical look.

”She could have lied. You do not expect a girl to admit easily that she is in love with someone, do you?”

”I believe she was sincere with me,” Aurora replied. ”And do not bother Jeanne about it.”

”I would not,” Sylvia said quickly.

Her voice softened.

”My situation is different from hers, but I understand the pain of constantly having marriage brought up.”

Aurora sighed softly.

She looked toward Sylvia, who had become visibly upset.

”Sylvia...”

”You found a good man,” Sylvia said. ”And I may be pushed toward becoming the Apostle of Lumen’s umpteenth wife.”

”Jayden is not a bad man,” Aurora said gently. ”He would not hurt you.”

Sylvia gave her a dry look.

”Sister, do you truly want me to become his eightieth wife?”

Aurora blinked.

”Eighty already?”

Sylvia let out a short laugh.

”See? Even you do not know how many wives he has now.”

Aurora did not immediately respond.

Sylvia crossed her arms again and looked toward the dresses with little interest.

The thought of being sent to Jayden did not frighten her because she believed he would be cruel.

That was not the problem.

The problem was the idea of becoming only another woman in an endless crowd. Another wife added to a long list, another name among dozens, perhaps eventually forgotten beneath the weight of the harem he continued to build.

Sylvia had been raised as a princess of Celesta.

She did not expect the world to revolve around her.

But she refused to become someone’s eightieth wife.

Especially Jayden.

Sylvia could admit that he was not truly a bad man.

He was powerful, and he had never openly acted cruelly toward her. But that did not mean she wanted to marry him.

Not when he continued trying to charm women wherever he went.

Not when he flirted so freely that even Aurora, who was already engaged to Rythvel, had become the target of his attention.

The thought alone made Sylvia’s expression sour.

”He is the Apostle of Lumen, Sylvia,” Aurora said. ”Having several wives is not unusual for someone of his rank.”

Sylvia looked at her without amusement.

”There have been kings throughout history who had more than a hundred wives,” Aurora continued.

”That is a very strange way to comfort me, Big Sister.”

Aurora sighed.

”Alright,” she said. ”Mother and I have found someone else for you.”

Sylvia’s eyes widened.

”Really?”

Hope immediately appeared in her expression.

If there were other marriage candidates, then perhaps she would not be forced toward Jayden after all. Almost anyone was better than becoming another number in the Apostle of Lumen’s harem.

”Yes,” Aurora replied. ”Discussions have already begun. We are working on it.”

”Who is he?”

Aurora smiled.

”That is a secret until the right time.”

”Sister...”

”But do not worry,” Aurora added with a light laugh. ”He is a good and kind man. And he has no wives.”

Sylvia’s mood improved almost immediately.

”Aren’t you the best sister?” she asked. ”I suppose you were the one who suggested actively looking for someone else?”

”Well,” Aurora said, smiling back, ”I could not allow my adorable little sister to remain this sad.”

Sylvia’s smile softened.

Then another thought came to her.

”What about Grandfather?”

Aurora’s expression shifted slightly.

”Grandfather would prefer for you to marry Prince Colton Arvatra.”

”Gods, no.”

Aurora raised a brow.

”You have only met him once.”

”And that was enough,” Sylvia replied. ”You were there, were you not?”

”I was,” Aurora admitted. ”But four years have passed since then. He has grown older, and he has matured. I saw him a couple of times.”

”Please do not start, Sister.”

Sylvia looked at Aurora with clear suspicion.

”If this is one of your clever plans to bring me to Arvatra so I can remain by your side and you will feel less lonely, then forget it.”

Aurora grimaced.

”I am not that manipulative.”

Sylvia continued to stare at her.

”I told you,” Aurora said. ”Mother and I already have someone else in mind. Grandfather agreed that if the arrangement goes well, he will allow it.”

Then she paused.

”But I suppose the chances have become higher now.”

”I hope so,” Sylvia said.

She looked away thoughtfully.

”Besides, I do not understand why they would marry me to Arvatra when you have already secured that alliance through Rythvel.”

Aurora nodded.

”And the same applies to Jayden,” Sylvia added. ”Carla is already strongly tied to Celesta as his first wife. She even gave birth to his child.”

”That is true,” Aurora said. ”But you are a princess. Your candidates must be worthy of your status.”

Sylvia’s eyes narrowed slightly.

”You mean princes from other kingdoms?”

Aurora did not answer immediately.

”Are you looking in Edenis Raphiel?” Sylvia asked.

”We have looked,” Aurora admitted. ”And we are still looking.”

Her expression became more thoughtful.

”An alliance with one of the princes from the Four Royal Houses of Edenis Raphiel would be valuable. But it is complicated. Every kingdom wants connections with them. Their hands are demanded from every direction.”

Sylvia sighed.

”Am I truly that bad-looking?”

Aurora laughed softly.

”No, you are not.”

She reached forward and gently pinched both of Sylvia’s cheeks.

”You are the prettiest sister and the prettiest princess. Anyone who sees you properly will fall for you.”

Sylvia smiled at that.

”I am glad we will attend the academy together,” she said. ”At least we will have time together before you leave for Arvatra forever.”

”Not forever,” Aurora replied gently.

Her smile became quieter.

”I will still visit you. I will visit Mother, Father, Grandfather, Alfred, Lucius, everyone.”

She looked at Sylvia with warmth.

”Celesta will always be my kingdom.”

Sylvia nodded slowly.

Then Aurora clapped her hands lightly.

”Now, enough of this discussion. We have more important matters at hand.”

She looked toward the dresses around them.

”You need a proper gown, do you not?”

”Well, yes,” Sylvia said. ”I already have one prepared for the entrance ceremony, but I would like to choose another one with you, Sister.”

Aurora smiled.

”You are such a spoiled child.”

”I am,” Sylvia admitted without shame.

Then her eyes brightened mischievously.

”And since I am here, let me choose one for you too, Aura.”

”I already have a gown for the entrance ceremony,” Aurora replied immediately. ”I will be wearing it.”

”Right,” Sylvia said, rolling her eyes. ”You chose it with Rythvel, I suppose.”

Aurora did not answer.

Sylvia blinked.

Then her eyes widened.

”What? Really?”

”I am his fiancée,” Aurora said simply. ”What did you expect?”

”Wait.” Sylvia stepped closer, now fully interested. ”Rythvel picked the gown for you?”

”No,” Aurora said. ”He selected several gowns and brought them to me. He had them displayed and told me to choose whichever one I preferred.”

She looked faintly embarrassed.

”I chose one. That is all.”

Sylvia stared at her sister as though she had just heard something unbelievable.

”Sister,” she said with a sigh, ”you are so lucky. You have no idea.”

Aurora tilted her head.

”You think so?”

”Of course.”

Sylvia took Aurora’s hands with earnest excitement.

”Rythvel thought about what you would need. He chose several gowns for you, gave you options, and let you decide for yourself. He did not force his taste on you or expect you to wear what he wanted. That is thoughtful. It is gentlemanly. He truly cares about what you want.”

Aurora wanted to add that Rythvel had not simply brought her a selection of gowns and told her to choose.

He had also offered to accompany her personally if none of the dresses pleased her.

He had told her that they could visit another store together. That they could take as much time as necessary. That he would help her choose something new if she wished.

Rythvel had never made Aurora feel as though she needed to accept something simply because he had chosen it.

He was always careful about what she wanted.

It had been three years since their engagement had begun.

Three years of conversations, formal gatherings, letters, private walks, diplomatic meetings, and moments they had spent together away from the eyes of their families. Aurora had been given enough time to understand the kind of person Rythvel truly was.

And she could say, without hesitation, that she had been fortunate.

Rythvel was not a man who spoke endlessly.

He was quiet by nature. He did not waste words, did not make grand declarations every day, and did not try to impress people through empty charm. But he paid attention. He remembered small things she said. He noticed when she was tired, when she was uncomfortable, or when she was forcing herself to smile during a difficult event.

He was thoughtful in ways that mattered.

And he had never placed a single unwanted hand upon her.

That alone was something Aurora valued more than she often admitted.

Rythvel respected her boundaries. He treated her as his future wife, certainly, but never as something he owned or had the right to claim. Even in private, he remained careful with her.

As a prince, he was responsible as well.

He understood the weight of his position and the burden that would one day fall upon him. He took his duties seriously without becoming cold or distant. Aurora had always found that admirable.

At times, she wished Alfred could be more like him.

Not in every way.

But in the way Rythvel understood responsibility. In the way he could set aside personal feelings when necessary. In the way he treated those around him with thoughtfulness rather than simply assuming they would remain at his side.

Rythvel was a good brother too.

He was especially attentive toward Arsethya because of her condition.

”Perhaps I should thank him again,” Aurora whispered.

She had already thanked him.

But she felt she should tell him once more that she had noticed his effort. That she understood how much thought he put into the small things. That she appreciated him.

”You should,” Sylvia said.

A very pleased smile appeared on her face as she watched Aurora.

She had rarely seen her older sister look this openly soft when speaking about someone. Aurora had always been composed, responsible, and careful with her emotions after all.

”Do not touch her.”

A new voice suddenly interrupted them.

Both Aurora and Sylvia turned.

Standing a short distance away was a breathtakingly beautiful young woman with vivid red hair. The color fell around her like fire, drawing attention even in a store filled with elegant people and expensive clothing.

She was accompanied by three other girls, each of them very pretty in their own way.

Aurora and Sylvia stared at the group in surprise.