I Am The Game's Villain

Chapter 601 601: Parting With Layla

The rest of the day passed faster than I expected as we continued exploring the lively streets of Central Vedelia.

Honestly, Iʼd have preferred putting some distance between myself and Rodolf and John. But, of course, that wasnʼt so easy—Amelia and Cylien seemed pretty keen on spending time as a group. A ʼgirl bondingʼ thing, I guessed.

If I had to bet, Iʼd say John and Rodolf were hoping for some alone time with their girlfriends too, but luck wasnʼt on their side either.

As for Layla... well, if it were up to her, I was sure she wouldʼve dragged me off the moment we got here and spent the entire day glued to my side. But she was being considerate, probably out of respect for her sister-in-law.

Eventually, though, the sun began to dip below the skyline, casting long golden rays through the stone buildings and bustling streets. It was finally time to go our separate ways.

Rodolf and Cylien were the first to take their leave, slipping off quietly with a few goodbyes.

Not long after, John stepped back too, sensing Layla was about to leave.

”Well, I guess itʼs time to part ways, brother,” Layla said, giving John a sideways smile. ”Youʼre pretty lucky, you know. Ameliaʼs a gem.”

John smiled, not quite smug, but definitely proud. ”Yeah, I know I am.”

Ameliaʼs cheeks turned pink, though she didnʼt say a word—just looked down with a small, bashful smile.

Look at this guy…

Layla turned to her next. ”Iʼm leaving my brother in your care. He might seem cold and all insensible on the outside, but heʼs actually a sweetheart deep down.”

”Leave it to me!” Amelia replied immediately, sounding bright and confident—though John was already grumbling under his breath.

Then Layla looked back at John, her smile fading slightly as a sigh escaped her lips. ”Father was pretty furious when he found out, you know. Youʼre the heir to House Tarmias, and you made a decision like that on your own.”

Johnʼs expression shifted a bit. He scratched the back of his neck awkwardly. ”Ameliaʼs a good woman,” he said, a little stiff. ”She has the status... and everything else that comes with it.”

”Exactly. And I believe sheʼll make a wonderful Duchess one day,” Layla said. ”Donʼt worry. Iʼll talk to Father. Heʼll come around.”

And yeah honestly, if there was anyone in the world Jarett Tarmias would listen to without question, it was Layla. She had him wrapped around her finger since birth.

”Thanks,” John muttered.

”Just make sure the Dolphis House formally acknowledges the engagement,” Layla said.

John scoffed. ”That old man wonʼt really have much of a choice.” He was obviously referring to Reiner Dolphis.

”Hey!” Amelia elbowed him in the side, not too hard—but enough to get the message across.

Layla laughed softly, then leaned in and gave her brother a warm hug. ”Take care of yourself, John... and please—keep an eye on Edward for me, alright?”

”Yeah,” John nodded.

”I donʼt need him to babysit me,” I cut in, scoffing. Typical Layla, acting like I needed monitoring.

John shot me a glare that said, ʼTry meʼ.

”Honey, come on,” Layla said, laughing as she slipped her fingers into mine and gently tugged me away. ”You can have me now. Happy?”

”I wasnʼt mad to begin with.”

”Of course not,” she smiled, her eyes gleaming as she leaned against my side.

After parting ways with John and Amelia, Layla and I wandered off on our own, just the two of us.

The rest of the day slipped by like sand through fingers. We strolled aimlessly through Central Vedelia, letting the golden hours pass us by, lost in each otherʼs presence.

Eventually, as the sky turned a dusky violet and stars began to blink into existence, we found ourselves at the harbor.

Laylaʼs boat was already docked and waiting ready to carry her back to Celesta.

She turned to face me.

”It seems our timeʼs up, Honey,” she said quietly.

”Yeah, is is…”

”Do you want to see me again?” Layla asked.

I raised an eyebrow, meeting her gaze. ”Do you really need to ask that?”

A small laugh escaped her, but her eyes shimmered with something deeper. She reached out and gently cupped my face between her hands, thumbs brushing along my jaw and the scar on it.

”Then you need to come back alive,” she said. ”Forget the prophecies, forget the fate nonsense—I believe in you, Edward. If you truly want it, I know youʼll survive. Youʼll find your way back.”

I couldnʼt help but smirk a little. ”Well... I still want one more night with you. So yeah, Iʼll definitely come back. At the very least, for that.”

Layla laughed through her nose, then leaned in and kissed me.

It wasnʼt rushed. It wasnʼt dramatic. Just warm, slow. We stayed like that for a while—lips pressed together, eyes closed, breathing each other in. When she finally pulled back, her face lingered close, and for a second I thought she might say something else.

Instead, she smiled softly. ”Iʼll be waiting for you, Honey.”

With one last glance, she turned and walked toward the boat. She gave me a wave as she stepped aboard.

I raised my hand and waved back.

***

”Iʼll be waiting for you, Honey.”

Cleenah stood quietly, watching as Layla waved one last time to Amael, who returned the gesture with a soft smile. He stayed there, unmoving, until her figure slowly vanished into the distant horizon. Only when she was completely out of sight did he turn away.

A gentle smile tugged at Cleenahʼs lips. Seeing Edwardʼs spirit lifted again brought her genuine relief. Just yesterday, he had been at his absolute lowest but Laylaʼs arrival had changed that completely. Somehow, sheʼd reignited that flicker of hope inside him—the desire to live, to fight, to keep going. And that was all Cleenah had ever wanted for him.

She cast a final glance back at the fading shoreline before descending gracefully. In an instant, she reappeared on the ship, right behind Layla. The girl was leaning against the rail at the edge of the deck, arms resting on the metal as her gaze lingered on the tiny speck that Edward had become in the distance.

But Layla sensed her presence and turned around, eyes widening slightly in surprise when she saw who it was.

”Iʼve seen you before…” Layla said, her voice tinged with awe.

Cleenah gave a faint smile. ”Do you recognize me?”

”Cleenah… yes.” Layla nodded, eyes lighting up. ”Itʼs an honor to meet the Goddess whoʼs stayed by Honeyʼs side all this time. Thank you—for everything youʼve done for him.”

Sheʼd seen the memories—countless fragments of Edwardʼs past. And in many of them, Cleenah had been there. Her presence had anchored him, soothed him. Layla didnʼt know all the details, but she was sure Cleenah had done far more than either she or Edward truly understood.

Cleenah looked slightly taken aback, but nodded appreciatively. ”I should be thanking you, really. He was in a pretty dark place before you arrived.”

Layla didnʼt reply right away, just gave a quiet nod. But her eyes remained fixed on Cleenah, looking at her closely.

”Is something bothering you?” Cleenah asked gently.

Layla hesitated, then gave a sheepish laugh. ”Itʼs silly… but youʼre even more beautiful than I imagined. Honestly, even as a woman, I feel kind of drawn to you.”

Cleenah raised a brow, amused. ”Thatʼs not silly.”

Layla tilted her head, her smile fading slightly. ”Still… thereʼs this weird feeling. Like… have we met before?”

For a moment, silence stretched between them. Then Cleenah shook her head softly. ”Iʼve seen you many times—through Edwardʼs eyes. But weʼve never met, not until now.”

”Oh…” Layla replied, but her expression said she wasnʼt entirely convinced.

Cleenah let the moment linger a bit before finally shifting the tone. ”I wonʼt be here much longer, Layla. Thatʼs why I came to speak with you.”

Laylaʼs gaze turned serious. ”I figured as much. I saw hints of it in his memories—your behavior, the way you spoke to him.”

Cleenah nodded. ”Yes… and when Iʼm gone, itʼs going to leave a void in him. A deep one. Heʼll need people to help fill that space… to remind him heʼs not alone.”

”Iʼll be there for Honey,” Layla replied. ”And I hope the other women he chooses will be there for him too. If they arenʼt… then they donʼt deserve to be by his side.”

Cleenah let out a soft, amused chuckle. ”Edward has always had a sharp eye and good taste. I trust him. But still—try to guide him when you can. Heʼll need someone grounded by his side, especially with whatʼs to come.”

Layla nodded slowly. A thoughtful silence settled between them for a beat, until she spoke again. ”Edward… heʼll never accept your disappearance.”

Cleenahʼs smile faltered, and for the first time, something fragile flickered across her face. ”I know,” she whispered, a hint of sorrow threading through her words.

Layla hesitated. ”Is it… permanent?” Her tone carried the subtle hope of something more—a hint at reincarnation, rebirth, maybe even a second chance.

”Iʼve broken too many Laws,” Cleenah said, her gaze drifting away to the blue sky above. ”This will most likely be the last time Iʼll ever see Edward… or even remember him.”

Layla didnʼt speak, but her silence said enough. She understood what that meant.

”Itʼll take time,” Cleenah continued, her voice quieter now, almost to herself. ”But I hope youʼll help him let go… help him move forward. Iʼve done all I set out to do. And Iʼm at peace with it.”

Layla nodded silently.

A tender smile spread across Cleenahʼs lips. She stepped forward—then without warning, wrapped her arms around Layla in a sudden, heartfelt embrace.

Layla gasped softly, her body tensing in surprise. A strange warmth radiated from the goddessʼs touch, almost overwhelming. She couldnʼt tell if it was the sheer divinity of the being holding her, or something more intimate—something deeply personal.

”Iʼm sorry I wasnʼt there when I shouldʼve been,” Cleenah whispered against her shoulder. ”I will always love you, ******.”

Layla froze. Her eyes widened, breath catching. She hadnʼt quite caught that last word. It had been muffled, almost hidden.

”Wait—what did you say?” She asked, pulling back slightly in confusion.

But Cleenah was already stepping away, her expression unreadable now.

”Take care of Edward,” she said softly.

And with that, her form shimmered—then vanished completely, leaving Layla standing alone on the deck, stunned and still holding the fading warmth of herself.