Struggling as a Villain

In total, eleven underage girls came out of the brothel once Richard burned down half of the establishment and asked his maid to rescue all the innocents.

The customers who were using aphrodisiacs were left inside to handle their own safety while the prostitutes who were forced to take part in such disgust were saved.

Richard heard from them that they all were sold here by their parents or slave traders. And in the name of services, they were forced to handle several men in a day who always remained high on drugs. Many prostitutes have died because of excessive abuse and some were killed by customers who take frequent drugs.

'Haah...different world same garbage people.' Sighing under his breath, Richard was about to ask Lilia to call the city council officer so he could discuss things with him.

But then suddenly, "What is happening here?" A familiar voice entered the scene, gathering every eye in her direction.

Richard didn't have to turn to look at her to know who she was. However, sensing another pair of eyes boring holes in his back had him intrigued—urging the Scarlette heir to look at the person.

'Ho~' He inwardly whistled upon seeing the Alchemist here.

The smartest and possibly the one against whom he has to be most cautious. The brain of the hero's party and the person who would be inventing several world-revolutionizing artefacts in the future.

Eleanor, a.k The Alchemist was present in person before him.

The soldiers who arrived with Emily were sending the civilians their way and some soldiers went inside the burnt establishment to check if there were any survivors left.

Emily first assessed the condition of the prostitutes who were standing with tears staining their faces. Then her attention went to the children who were hiding behind the women.

"These...." Emily's eyes were parted wide a little as she discerned the reason for their presence here.

"You got that right Princess, they all were sold to the brothel and the city guards didn't even bother to stop them." The hooded figure walked up to Emily and stated in a mocking voice.

This voice...

"R-Richard?" Emily might be a little dizzy because of the heat and the sun but she couldn't be mistaken about this voice.

And as she thought, once he removed the hood, the familiar fiery crimson mane and the piercing golden eyes greeted her.

"Y-You...knew about it..." Her voice shook as she looked at those eyes that held disappointment.

"Yes, I do. And guess what? It took just a few minutes of wandering through the market to uncover this blatant daylight crime." His demeanour spoke volumes about how disappointed he was in her.

However, Emily couldn't rebuke him nor could say anything in her defence. It was a fact that just a few hundred meters away from her house this criminal act was being undertaken and until now, no one had taken any action.

She could only lower her head and under his surprised gaze, she said, "I am thankful for what you have done for our people's safety. I am truly grateful, Sir Richard."

Her gratitude held credibility and sincerity. Eleanor didn't stop her from lowering her head in front of Richard since she knew, what Richard did was a noble cause and Cravenford indeed were at fault here; even though Emily wasn't to be blamed specifically.

"Well, I hope you take things more seriously from now on."

For a moment Emily thought that Richard was referring not only to her responsibility towards the people but the relationship she had with him as well. However, before she could have raised her head to look at him, Richard walked past her.

In a daze, she traced his back with her eyes with only one thought going inside her head,

'Why did I never notice the real him?'

******

[At night]

"Mister Albert, you do know what kind of trouble it would bring you, once you present your suspicion to the lady, right?"

A person who wore black clothing from top to bottom and only the section around his eyes was visible, asked the butler in an anxious tone. Without looking at the man's face, one could tell how petrified he was.

In contrast to the man, Albert remained composed, showing no hint of dread. His confidence was unwavering; he knew exactly what needed to be done and why it was crucial. Failure to act now could make the situation irreversible.

"For your services." Albert handed the spy a leather pouch of gold coins which the man hesitantly took.

Albert adjusted his glasses and as he began to walk away, he assured the spy, "Don't worry, your name wouldn't come up in this."

The spy couldn't feel relieved even though Albert assured him. After all, the person in question was none other than the Crimson Witch of Calamity.

'Forget it...I will just leave the nation...' Deciding the best and safest option, the spy disappeared into the darkness.

Albert didn't stop even once which showed how confident he was. Without any subject to delay he soon reached his destination.

*Knock*

At this hour, the Duchess majorly remains in her office unless she has to report to Capital.

There was a pause from the other side before the doors parted even though there was no one standing on the other side.

"Excuse me, my lady. There is something I wish to tell you." Albert took a step in and with a bow, he asked the lady.

Bellarine didn't remove her eyes from the file she was working on before humming in response.

Albert, for the first time, showed a little speck of hesitation now that he was in front of her.

However, he didn't waver from his resolve and took out the scroll of reports he had received from the spy.

"I would accept any punishment for this." Stepping forward, he rested the scroll at the corner of her table before stepping back.

Bellarine took her eyes off the parchment before glancing over the scroll for once before she continued her work and asked him, "What do you intend on proving by spying on my son?"

Albert took a deep breath and uttered without stuttering, "I think...young master Richard is under someone's control-"

*Shlint*

A chill of dread ran down his spine as he felt something scorching graze his cheek and crash into the wall behind him.

His breath seized in his throat as Lady Bellarine's blazing red eyes locked onto him, burning with a murderous intensity that froze him in place.

"Choose your words wisely, Albert. I am not in the mood to give a second warning."

Albert's forehead was drenched with sweat. He has never felt death from so close.

The veteran of the battlefield who has received several honours and titles through her ten years of life on the battlefield. And when that person was showing ill intent towards him, there was no denying to say that Albert was terrified.

However, in between his devotion to his job, and his own life, Albert chose the latter.

"It's nothing. Sorry for taking your time, Your Grace." Leaving those words, he walked out of the room while inwardly taking an oath to not bring up this topic in front of her again.

Once Albert left, Bella continued her work some moments before with a heavy sigh, her eyes drifted towards the small photo frame and the person in the picture made her heart feel lighter.

She didn't need the report from Albert to know what Richard did all day. However, despite sensing changes in his attitude, Bellarine didn't show any sign of being suspicious.

The colors of her cheeks began to turn red and a feverish expression adorned her charming face as she leaned herself towards the picture and whispered,

"They won't understand you, but your mama...she will always be your ally."

A sigh of relief seeped through her full red lips as she traced the picture and continued, "I heard you broke your engagement. Do you have a better option in mind, babe?"

Suddenly she giggled and the crazed expression on her face intensified as she pulled back and said, "Don't tell me, my Richie wants to be his mama's boy for the rest of his life!"

If anyone had seen her like this, then they might have gotten either dazed in admiration or run away in panic.

She didn't care about who got to know this side of hers. All she cared that Richie should never seen his mother like this or he might-

"No! Richie won't ever leave me!" She shook her head and denied all those possibilities.

She looked back at the picture and found her heart becoming calm.

She hugged the photo frame to her bosom and with her eyes closed, she spoke in an excited voice, "Just come back to me now. Mama can't wait to see you~"

***********

A/N:- If I say Richard won't go for her route...what would be your reaction.

Send some PS and comments this way.