Struggling as a Villain

Although there is an option to bring the people of the Crimson Clan as their backup, considering the large population could bring attention to them, Richard suggested otherwise.

"Are you okay, young master?" Hearing his precious one\'s voice, Richard turned towards her and nodded.

Extending his hand to her, he found Lilia blushing a little as she held his hand and sat down on his lap.

The familiar warmth of his beloved fiancée made him sigh in relief. His muscles loosened up and he was finally able to expose his melted self.

With his face resting against her bountiful breasts, he found her hand softly running through his hair.

"Was it difficult?" She asked, her voice sounding calm and sweet; the exact tone one wants to be greeted with after returning home.

"Hmm...I was heartbroken...seeing her like that." Richard muttered. In front of others, he let his mask slip away just for a moment and everyone was apprehensive. Richard has learned through his experiences that if people are depending on you, regardless of what you are feeling, you need to maintain a bold and confident front.

Lilia was aware of how stressed her master was when he returned. She saw his expression and knew his state of mind.

"You did well...boosting their spirit and giving them hope." She praised him, feeling quite proud at how her master dealt with the situation brilliantly.

"You know...they will be hurt more if now something goes wrong, right?" After all, from what Richard could see, they all have already assumed that they have succeeded, and just need to snatch Rena away.

Although Richard would do his best to rescue Rena, he knew not everything could go just as planned.

"Yes, but it\'s still better than mindlessly rushing into the enemy\'s base and hoping for a miracle to happen."

Richard looked up at his woman before asking, "It\'s better to die with a plan rather than mindlessly?"

Maybe because he looked adorable she couldn\'t stop herself from kissing his forehead before she said, "It\'s better to have hope to survive rather than overwhelming frustration that could lead to demise."

"Look at you, twisting your words to make me feel better."

Lilia raised her brows, a teasing smile on her face as she asked, "Don\'t you feel better?"

Richard closed his eyes and snuggled more comfortably on his personal pillow as he muttered, "Mm, feels good."

A few moments of comfortable silence descended between them before Lilia asked, "Richard, is that girl trustworthy?"

"Lena?" He asked and heard a hum from the other one.

Heaving a sigh he told Lilia, "She said she has formed a Soul Bond with Bella, but just to be on the safe side, I asked Bella to form another one."

Encircling his hand around her waist, he added, "However, more than the Soul Bond what assured me was that sheer determination in Lena\'s eyes to serve Bella. The devotion you had once toward me, to serve me in any way possible, I saw it in her eyes."

"What are you trying to say that I no longer are devoted to serving you?" Lilia instantly asked with her brows raised.

Richard clarified, "You do, but along with that, I could see several other emotions in your eyes."

"Hmm? Like what? I am curious."

Without much thought Richard began to count, "I can see the love you carry for me, some fondness, slight obsession, slight complaint...and..." Raising his head, he whispered, "..a tinge of lust."

Lilia\'s cheeks turned red as she removed her eyes from her master who was reading her too much these days.

Richard grinned seeing that reaction before he picked up his lover in his arms and walked toward the bed, "I heard there is a heavy dinner being prepared..how about we break some sweat a little before that?"

Lilia had a shy smile on her face, the expression which was in stark contrast to that strict demeanor she adopts in front of others, as she muttered,

"Sounds like a good plan."

-------**------

"So it has been almost a year since I left, and you took over, eh?" Bella was not surprised to hear that even though she spent almost a few weeks on Clion, over a year passed on Earth.

"Yes, but now that you are back-"

"No, I am not." Bella interrupted her, "I won\'t be here for long, Lena. My home is now with my brother back in Clion. A world far away from Earth...so I will ask you to continue your rule over the Clan I made."

In the first place, Bella reached out to more people so she could find a person with the skills that she needed. That\'s why she had no intention of ruling over the clan anymore.

"But...My Queen, all those beings are united; the Seven Council Members of the clan and all those top elites are still with the clan and showing their loyalty up to this date because they know who is the pioneer of the clan."

Lena seemed disheartened to hear that her Queen wouldn\'t claim her throne. Even for a short while, she wanted Bella to rest on the top seat of the clan once again.

In the past, Lena might have been dismissed or maybe even kicked out of the room for speaking so much in front of her. However, the current Bella was different. She can now look at things from others\' perspectives as well.

Heaving a sigh she told her, "Look, Lena. Having a change of leaders often would leave a bad impact on the clan members. And in the first place, you are doing such a brilliant job as the leader, so why should I return?"

Lena was rendered speechless by the argument. She contemplated a bit before asking, a bit hesitantly this time,

"If I...help Mister Richard in rescuing Rena, will you consider returning...even for a short while?"

Bella\'s eyes narrowed, "You aren\'t going to help us otherwise?"

"No! That\'s not....regardless of your decision I will surely help my Queen. It\'s just a request in exchange."

Her shoulders slumped, the woman looking defeated.

Bella leaned back in her seat as a sigh seeped through her lips.

"I can\'t promise anything...but yeah, if everything goes fine I will think."

This was the first time Lena smiled visibly with her eyes turning starry in excitement. Just imagining her Queen sitting on the throne made her heart tremble in anticipation.

After that, the duo were involved in the discussion regarding the clan members and those whom Bella remembered. There were a few of those whom she initially met during her wandering days and they still were a part of the clan.

Bella\'s focus was on the negotiation with which Lena had to deal. She asked the silverhead about what she had in mind.

Lena provided a few points that she would present during the negotiation which would leave Jin with no other option but to accept their demand.

Hearing the conditions, Bella was surprised, "Wow...you are quite brilliant in this."

The other one shyly smiled, "It\'s your footsteps which I follow."

"..." Bella doesn\'t remember when was the last time for her being this intelligent.

*Knock*

"Dinner is ready." Appearing at the door was the pink-haired girl as she invited them.

Bellan nodded before she gestured, "Let\'s go?"

Lena nodded in response before the duo got up and began to follow Laila toward the deck.

En route Bella asked, "What about Brother?"

Laila blushed hearing her question as she shyly responded, "He said he would come a bit late."

Bella paused, her expression darkening as she realized the reason for his delay.

Lena and Laila turned to look at the raven-haired woman in confusion before Bella told them, "You two go ahead. I have something to do."

Her demeanor suggested that it was better if they didn\'t insist here. As such, Lailia and Lena immediately turned around and walked away.

Clenching her fist Bella remained rooted at her spot. She was aware that her Brother was with Lilia in the room, and despite the tension among the group, they were busy with their own business.

\'I won\'t let you have my Brother all for yourself...\' Despite the fear she had of her Brother, she turned around and bolted towards his room.

She would no longer be just his sister anymore.

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A/N:- Wanna see Richard in the big brother mode? Well, I had to address the situation with Bella sooner or later. Although the story isn\'t anywhere near the end, we are reaching there.

Anyway, drop a comment/review.