I Am The Game's Villain

Chapter 190 [Event] [Celesta Twinsʼ Birthday] [3]

”Oh, youʼre already here?” Elona greeted them as she emerged from their mansion, adorned in a stunning grey dress that left Jayden momentarily mesmerized.

”Yes, Elona, you look beautiful!” Milleia exclaimed.

”You too, Milleia!” Elona replied, genuinely admiring Milleiaʼs beauty. With her long blue hair tied back, complemented by her light pink eyes and her elegant blue dress, Milleia was truly a sight to behold. ”And Jayden, youʼre looking good too!” Elona added with a grin, taking note of Jaydenʼs blue suit.

”Thanks,” Jayden responded. ”You look beautiful as well.”

As they chatted, Simon emerged from the mansion, dressed in a formal suit, though his expression seemed troubled.

”Simon...” Elona attempted to call out to him.

Simon, noticing their presence, simply nodded at them before entering one of the Falkrona House carriages. ”Please proceed.”

”Yes, milord,” the coachman acknowledged, and the carriage set off.

Sensing Jaydenʼs and Milleiaʼs inquisitive gazes, Elona changed the topic. ”Oh, by the way! Brother is joining us!”

”Huh?!”

”R-Really?!”

Jayden and Milleia were taken aback by the unexpected news.

”Yes,” Elona confirmed with a smile.

”Iʼve tried to contact him, but he never responded. Iʼm glad,” Jayden remarked.

”Yes, he even ignored me...” Elona muttered, though she didnʼt hold it against him. She sensed that something had happened while she was unconscious, but she couldnʼt quite put her finger on it.

”Hey!” Another carriage approached, and Carlaʼs head appeared from the window.

”Carla!” Jayden moved toward the carriage and assisted Carla as she disembarked. Carla, wearing a breathtaking green dress, captivated Jaydenʼs attention, and he found it difficult to tear his eyes away from her, admiring her beauty.

”Jayden.” Carlaʼs brother, who was also inside the carriage, greeted his brother-in-law with a smile.

”Mathis.” Jayden shook his hand with a smile. Over the course of a month, they had conversed extensively and become good friends. Jayden then turned his attention back to Carla and took hold of her hand. They were now engaged and had no need to hide their affection any longer.

”Elona.” The lively conversation came to a halt as an elegant man emerged from the mansion, dressed in a classy grey suit.

”Father.”

”Whereʼs Simon?” Thomen inquired, searching for his foster son.

Elonaʼs expression grew awkward as her father asked the question. ”He... left earlier.”

”I see.” Thomen nodded, seemingly unfazed, and then turned his attention to Carla and Mathis. ”Carla. Mathis.”

”Uncle,” Carla and Mathis greeted Thomen, whom they had known since childhood.

”Well, why donʼt we all share the same carriage?” Carla suggested. ”My carriage is spacious enough for all of us.”

Elona glanced at her father, who nodded in agreement before entering a separate carriage.

Thus, Jayden, Milleia, and Elona joined Carla in her carriage, while the knights of the Falkrona army and the knights of Duke Roger formed a protective guard around the carriages as they made their way toward the Celesta Royal Palace.

…..

…..

…..

”Lord Falkrona,” the knights stationed at the entrance of the palace respectfully greeted Thomen and the others accompanying him.

They were guided to an upper floor, making their way towards a specific hall. The knights guarding the doors bowed their heads and promptly opened the tall doors, which emitted a distinct cracking sound.

As the doors swung open, a bright light spilled out from the hall, revealing Thomen and the rest of the group. The hall was already filled with important nobles and their children from the Celesta Kingdom, all of whom turned their attention towards them as they entered.

”Iʼm so nervous...” Milleia murmured, feeling overwhelmed by the numerous gazes directed her way.

”I feel the same,” Jayden admitted, still unaccustomed to being the center of attention.

Ever since the news broke about Jayden being the Apostle of Lumen and Milleia being the bearer of Raphielʼs bloodline, they had become the focus of attention at the academy. However, the intensity was amplified here, with not only students but also middle-aged men and women and high-ranking nobles present.

”Stand tall, Jayden. Remember, youʼre my fiancé!” Carla nudged Jayden playfully, prompting him to straighten his posture and face the crowd with a determined expression.

”Oh, Lyra!” Milleia exclaimed, spotting Lyra in a beautiful brown dress. Lyra was engaged in lively conversation—or perhaps even flirting—with Simon, who had transformed from his previous sullen demeanor to one of pure delight.

Over the past month, Simon and Lyra had also become engaged, as Lyra had persistently worked to lift Simonʼs spirits. Both Thomen and Lyraʼs father approved, recognizing the promising future that lay ahead for their children.

”Milleia!” Lyra exclaimed, embracing Milleia upon seeing her. The three of them shared a warm exchange, catching up on the latest developments and eagerly anticipating the upcoming celebration.

****

I stood in a stockage room within the palace, facing Aurora who looked radiant in her golden dress.

”Amael,” she spoke.

”Yes.” Thanks to Auroraʼs help, I had managed to sneak into the palace while disguising myself, evading the knights who patrolled the area. With my blindfold concealing my identity, I was able to move about without drawing too much attention.

”Iʼm glad you came,” Aurora said with a smile.

”Did you doubt that I would?” I asked, curious about her expectations.

”I had my doubts,” she admitted. ”But I hoped that you would.”

”And why did you call upon me? Did you fear something might happen on your birthday?” I inquired.

”Yes, but before that...” Aurora approached me, her hand reaching out to touch my blindfold. ”Shall we end this little charade?”

I was surprised by her suggestion, but I complied and removed my blindfold. My hair returned to its natural grey color. ”When did you realize?” I asked, intrigued.

”When Elona mentioned you to me, I had my suspicions, and they were confirmed when you appeared in the dungeon and that child,” Aurora explained.

”Why did you pretend not to know until now?” I questioned, curious about her motives.

”Because... I enjoyed our friendly conversations these past months,” Aurora confessed.

”I see,” I responded, not showing any particular reaction. ”So, do you still require my assistance?”

Aurora nodded earnestly. ”Iʼm not asking for help as Amael, but as you, Edward. Of course, you have the choice to refuse. But Iʼm concerned for everyoneʼs well-being, and I know you care for Elona, donʼt you?”

”Youʼre right, Aurora. However, I wonʼt be playing detective for you,” I declared firmly.

”I understand,” Aurora said reluctantly, understanding my decision.

”Then...”

”Wait,” Aurora interrupted me, grabbing hold of my arm.

”What is it?” I asked, curious about her sudden hesitation.

”Thank you, Edward. Thank you for everything,” Aurora expressed her gratitude with a genuine smile.

Looking at her, I couldnʼt help but return the smile. ”Itʼs a shame, isnʼt it, Aurora?”

”Hmm?” Aurora raised an eyebrow, puzzled.

”If I had maintained my disguise for a few more weeks, you...” I trailed off, allowing her to finish my sentence.

”I would have fallen in love with you,” Aurora completed my words, nodding in agreement. ”Given a little more time, I would have fallen in love with you again, Edward.”

”Itʼs a pity,” I remarked.

A month ago, when I was still heavily influenced by Edwardʼs persona, I had felt love for Aurora. However, as the memories of my past life resurfaced, my feelings towards her gradually diminished, especially considering her engagement to another and the changes in my own perspective.

”A pity indeed,” Aurora concurred, her sapphire eyes fixed on me. ”If only you had been like this when we were engaged...”

”It wouldnʼt have worked either,” I interjected, surprising Aurora with my response. I continued, undeterred. ”Our engagement wouldnʼt have succeeded because, above all else, the Kingdom is your priority, Aurora.”

Even if I didnʼt believe Brandon entirely, if what he said about me being not compatible with Eden was true then there might come a day where I wouldnʼt be welcomed in the Celesta Kingdom which is a sacred place worship of Eden, anymore. 

And if Aurora had to choose between her Kingdom and me....

Yeah. 

It wouldnʼt have worked.

Auroraʼs eyes widened briefly before she lowered her head in agreement. ”Yes. The Kingdom comes before anything else.” She said and left the room.

Aurora embodied that kind of personality.

The first time she called off our engagement, it wasnʼt solely because she was repulsed by me, although that was one of the reasons.

No.

The main reason she ended our engagement was her fear of the potential impact on the reputation of the Celestaʼs Kingdom if she were to marry someone like me.

And now, she was betrothed to the First Prince of the Arvatra Empire. This alliance was set to mend centuries of animosity between our two nations. The importance of this engagement was crystal clear to Aurora.

She was undoubtedly a better fit for the role of Heir than Alfred.

Now...

I made my way to the end of the room, swinging open the cupboard door and yanking the person inside by the arm.

”H-Hey!”

”What are you doing here?” I inquired, my gaze fixed on the girl who possessed a beauty rivaling that of her sister, with whom I had been conversing until now. ”Sylvia.”

Sylvia, dressed in a stunning emerald-green gown, shot me a glare with her mesmerizing emerald eyes, her fingers gently caressing her arm. ”T-Thatʼs my question, Edward! What were you discussing with sister?”

”You were spying on us, werenʼt you? You must have overheard,” I remarked with a scoff.

Sylvia looked away momentarily before locking eyes with me once more. ”Aurora... she told me that you had changed, but it seems she was right all along.”

Silence hung between us for a moment.

I hadnʼt spoken to Sylvia in years, so her confusion was understandable.

”What were you doing here?” I repeated, circling back to the original topic.

”T-Thatʼs...” Sylvia stammered, clearly flustered by my insistence.

”What were you doing here, Sylvia?” I leaned in closer, adopting the same commanding stance I used to have with her.

”Oh, stop that! Iʼm not a child anymore!” Sylvia exclaimed, covering my face with her hand, embarrassment flooding her as she reminisced about our past interactions.

”Then?” I removed her hand and pressed her for an answer.

Sylvia reached into the void and pulled out a photograph. ”Itʼs because of him!”

It was a picture of Jayden.