Struggling as a Villain

The situation with the brothel came to an end. Richard did what he deemed right without any intention of getting even more affection from the heroines.

Not only Emily's but Eleanor's affection meter has shown development as well. And now it looks like this;

[Cravenford Emily's affection: -120-> 10]

[You can now look at her current thoughts once a day.]

[Archalchemist Eleanor's affection: -120->-100]

The new feature which was added to Emily was something he would be able to utilise for each character who has positive affection for him. And further development would unlock more features.

This time since he wasn't given a quest to raise her affection, there was no reward. However, the System mentioned that once he reaches a certain threshold of affection meter, he would unlock a hidden reward.

Well, until there was a reward, regardless of class or use, he would be able to somehow help Bella.

"Young master, is it really okay to stay here?" The reason why the maid asked this was because the Scarlette family has a mansion in the Cravenford jurisdiction as well.

However, since that mansion was on the outskirts and took two hours of ride to reach, Richard decided to stay at a hotel.

"It would be convenient to teleport back tomorrow." The teleportation portal was near the main city, that's why he suggested it.

The maid didn't say anything and continued to monitor her surroundings as they walked inside the establishment.

Richard was still wearing the hood to save himself from unnecessary hassle.

As they reached the counter, he asked the receptionist, "Two rooms and your best dinner meal. How much." He had been moving around a bit too much since afternoon and earlier he did some kind of wizardry which he didn't know but it exhausted him greatly.

Putting on flames on a wide scale is currently his speciality until he doesn't get a hold of his magic. And that...needs some time.

The receptionist glanced at the maid before raising her left brow, "The couple's rooms are cheaper and we provide complimentary services as well~"

Lilia narrowed her eyes and was about to say something like 'Do what you are told to' but then, her master's words rendered her speechless,

"I wouldn't mind, but the lady might die of embarrassment."

"---!!" For once, she couldn't believe that her master, who usually harassed her and cursed her, was currently flirting with her! And what's with that side glance and that smirk? You are making Lilia all conscious of how shy she can be!

"See." Richard leaned sidewise to let the receptionist see the profoundly blushing maid.

The receptionist giggled before she took out two room keys and handed them to Richard, "10 silvers for rooms and 20 bronze for food."

Richard handed her a gold coin before walking away.

The receptionist smiled ear to ear as she bid them farewell, "Have a lovely stay, mister and missus!"

...hearing that Lilia barely stopped herself from falling to her knees.

Richard chuckled at her behaviour as he ascended the stairs and found his room without much trouble.

However, just as he was about to walk in, Lilia called out,

"M-Master, if you don't mind can I go in first?"

Richard raised his brows from under his hood as he asked, "Weren't you being shy until now? What's with this aggressiveness?"

The faint redness on her cheeks deepened as she lowered her head until her chin was stabbing her chest before she responded, "For security purposes, my lord."

Richard already knew that, but who could say no to a prey who was showing her vulnerable neck to the predator?

With a hum, he pushed open the door and left a little space for Lilia to pass.

With her breath stuck in her throat, she narrowly passed by him and felt his manly scent overwhelming her.

'Aren't I sexually harassing her?' Richard would have pulled himself if he had noticed displeasure on her face. But well, it seemed she wasn't that bothered so he was teasing her to his heart's content.

Lilia made a quick check-up of the room to see if there was any secret door or if someone was hiding. She peeked through the window and found the opposite building didn't have any windows. Under the bed and inside the wardrobe, there was nothing suspicious.

Once she was done, she finally walked out and with her head lowered, she uttered, "Please proceed, my lord."

"Until dinner doesn't arrive, stay here," Richard commanded her before treading in.

The shade of her cheeks again began to turn rosy as she thought of all kinds of things her master could demand if he was in the mood. When she was being hired, Duchess Scarlette clearly told her that she might have to take care of her son's nightly needs.

However, until now, Lilia was thankful to be only verbally abused. Although her master's temperament towards her has improved, Lilia wasn't prepared to get intimate with him(yet).

But well, not like she has any option. She joined of her own free will so she must-

"Are you overthinking things again, you perverted maid? I want you to teach me something that's why I invited you."

His cold tone and straightforward words brought her back to her senses.

Her face couldn't have been any more red. Richard was slightly concerned if she was suffering from some kind of disease. However, he didn't say anything and gestured at the chair across from him for her to sit.

"E-excuse me..." Shy she was, stuttering was added thanks to his last remark.

Richard ignored her maiden-like behaviour and asked her, "How do you manipulate ether?"

The sudden shift of conversation surprised her and helped her sober up as well.

She tilted her head in confusion before responding, "I subconsciously do that, my lord."

Her answer was annoying but he expected that. Everyone who has naturally awakened, controls ether subconsciously so there is no point in getting angry.

"Okay, let's restart. How did you take control over ether when you were in your initial phase?"

Lilia was still not sure why her master was asking such a thing but she didn't ask him any more questions and answered him,

"Initially, my mother used to train me in the four fundamental techniques that can be used by any ether user. In that, telekinesis helped the most." Taking out a bronze coin from the pouch she added, "If I feel the ether flow and try to direct it at something out of my body, then it becomes quite uncomfortable for me."

"Yes! That...I also want to know about it." Hearing her master's excited voice, she was a little surprised but didn't show any reaction which could have hurt his pride.

But...he looked so adorable with those sparkling eyes~

"Lilia?"

"Ah, yes." Not good, she got distracted.

Coughing, she added, "Then I changed my perspective from applying ether as a source to the object which I intend to lift and started to think that my arms are growing. Like an extension."

"And when I did that..." Suddenly the coin began to levitate a few inches above her hand, "...I was able to succeed."

Richard ooh-ed at that and smacked his fist on his palm, "Now I get it. So you think of it as a part of your body and try to extend it rather than pushing it out."

"Indeed, my lord."

Richard thought for a moment before he closed his eyes and told her to let the coin levitate.

She didn't respond verbally to disturb his concentration.

Richard dwelled deeper in his consciousness. After what happened in the bathroom and the brothel, he concluded that taking control over his ether was a very important task.

In the first attempt, because of his panic to not get suspected by his mother, he somehow discovered his etherflow. The network through which ether flows across the body and reaches every fabric of one's being.

The connection was visible. The veiny structure seemed like blood vessels through which a lava-red liquid was flowing. He knew this wasn't blood since this was thicker and seemed more alive.

He lifted his hand and channelled his ether into his lifted hand.

'Not expel but extend...' He thought of an extension. Something like a string phasing through his skin and advancing.

Sweat began to accumulate on his face as his brows grew closer to maintain concentration. The process was slow and the moment he began to extend his ether, his gut began to convulse.

His body trembled and his hand shook but he didn't let go.

'Just a little more...' The string was extending, he could see it. Nothing was visible in his consciousness apart from his own self and the string.

Just as he thought he had made contact with something, a sudden yelp made him open his eyes—only to see something levitating.

"Holy shit..." With a smile of amusement and elation, he looked at his poor maid who was currently levitating in the room while holding her skirt.

He broke the connection and leapt to catch the maid in his arms.

"Ah.." She exclaimed upon feeling the warmth enveloping her.

"I did it! Can you believe it? I finally did it!" His child-like excitement made her smile as she whispered in a soothing tone,

"Yes, my lord...you achieved what you desired."

Lilia didn't know what changed but somehow she liked this new version of her master.

*********

A/N:- Hold your horses, Richard. Bella ain't gonna like it.