Struggling as a Villain

"How did you travel so far in such a short time?" Just two days ago, they had returned to the past and Emily thought everyone would need some time to reconnect with their old lifestyle.

Although she was far from displeased upon reuniting with her sister, Emily couldn't help but feel amazed that Eleanor traveled over a continent to reach out to her.

"I wouldn't have come here so soon, since I have various preparations to do myself." Eleanor said after she rested the cup back on the saucer, "However, remembering him, I knew you would take some action without telling anyone."

With her gaze turning a little stern, the violet-haired teenager added, "I am talking about Richard. You were planning to do something about him, right?"

Hearing those words, a frown spoiled her angelic face as Emily said, "I am going to break off the engagement with him and also would warn him to stay away from me and us."

Her aura seemed to have come alive when the topic of conversation diverted towards Richard.

Eleanor hated Richard with a fiery passion. However, among Ethan's four lovers, Emily held the deepest grudge against him.

However, as much as Eleanor wanted to test her ancient spells on Richard to see how tolerant he is to torture, she couldn't do it. Not now, that is.

"Emily, I want to ask you something."

Eleanor held the blond one's hand as her tone became a little quieter, "Have you ever met Richard apart from family gatherings before? Like before joining the Academy that is?"

Emily's frown only deepened but not because she was displeased with Eleanor's query; rather, she was thinking deeply about her question.

It has been a long time since she joined the academy—considering she has spent seven years ahead of the present time—that's why she had a hard time recalling if she had met Richard before enrollment.

However, Emily couldn't find any occurrence where they had to meet in person on their initiative.

Emily always had a bad impression of Richard. The way he used to treat his servants and also, how he always boasted his background and his family—she loathed it all. She heard rumours that Richard was a frequent customer of prostitution houses as well—further elevating her disgust. That's why, in the past, she never considered meeting him unless it was mandated by her father.

"No...I haven't. But why does it matter? We both know that he is an obstacle who can hurt Ethan for his twisted reasons."

"Exactly, those twisted reasons I am trying to discern here."

Eleanor's words further confused her as Emily asked in a slightly annoyed tone, "What are you trying to find here? Richard is a self-centred, arrogant prick who knows nothing about empathy and compassion."

"And are you sure about that?"

Emily could no longer remain seated as she sprang to her feet and with a frown she asked, "What's wrong with you? Have you dropped some components of your head while travelling through time?"

Eleanor didn't show any irritation nor she seemed impatient like Emily. Rather she took a piece of cookie and calmly munched it.

Emily grumbled at the cold response which made her seem the bad person here.

This wasn't how she imagined her reunion!

Once Eleanor finished the cookie, she asked Emily in her usual tone, "If you have calmed down, then try to remember how Richard died."

Emily sighed in exasperation. Again, this was about Richard.

She sat back down beside Emily and said, "Once Richard realized he had defeated Ethan, he felt an unexpected emptiness. With no life goal left, and in a moment of twisted clarity, he ended it all by plucking his own head off."

Emily couldn't forget that day when she cried her heart out beside a burnt and broken Ethan who had lost in battle against Richard.

Unlike Ethan, who comes from a commoner's background and who has never trained seriously in his life, Richard has been provided with everything necessary to become a strong warrior.

That battle was in a way useful for Ethan since after that, he trained double the amount of his usual routine and became quite strong in no time. However, this time around Emily would find another way to motivate Ethan, rather than letting him get hurt by that menace.

Emily remained silent. The first time since she arrived a tired look wrinkled her perfectly well-proportioned face. This tiredness was the accumulation of war and bloodshed she had faced.

Pinching the bridge of her nose, Eleanor said something which she knew that Emily wouldn't like, "Lily...I know it would sound unreal, but there is a definite reason for Richard's death. He didn't kill himself just because he was messed up in his head."

Emily chose to remain silent and allow Eleanor to speak whatever was going on in her mind.

Eleanor was the brain of their team, and if she had something she needed to convey to Emily before her meeting with Richard, it had to be crucial.

Collecting her thoughts, Eleanor looked into Emily's eyes and held her hand tightly as she uttered, "When the fight broke out I was there. When the battle was going on between Ethan and Richard, I was there. And when Richard died, I was watching as well. And since I wasn't in a relationship with Ethan at that time, I was able to look at the situation more rationally and unbiasedly."

With her tone turning a little heavy she asked, "And you know what I saw in Richard's eyes when he saw you crying for Ethan..."

No...Emily didn't want to hear. She wanted to close her ears and run away. However, fate and Eleanor both were cruel to her,

"Richard was heartbroken Lily. He...he realised that the person he loves would never love him back that's why seeing you in Ethan's arms made him what he became, and seeing you cry for Ethan, broke Richard completely."

With another sigh, Eleanor concluded, "That's why Emily, you need to be quite careful tomorrow."

********

"Fuccccccccckkkkkkkkk!!!!" Shouting at the top of his lungs wouldn't be helpful, he knew, but there was nothing Richard could have done in this situation other than shouting.

Who knew, that trying hard to access his bloodline magic would set the whole indoor arena on flame?

Connect with your ether, track your etherflow and let the world burn—was his mantra but he never expected that the last part would actually become true.

Currently, he is trying to find an escape route to get out of this place before he falls unconscious. However, as much as he tried to leave the flames, the red fiery fire followed him even more

It was like they were playing catch with him but Richard was not really in the mood to play at all!

'Shit...am I going to die again?' Standing in the middle of the gym, Richard couldn't help but feel a surge of concern. Around him, live flames flowed like a ferocious flood, their heat intense enough to scorch an entire town in one devastating sweep. The crackling firelight cast eerie, dancing shadows on the walls, and the acrid scent of smoke filled the air.

What the redhead failed to notice was the fact that until now he has yet to receive a single burn from the flames.

Amidst the chaos, both in his surroundings and his mind, suddenly a gap was created in a straight path by the wind and that path connected Richard with a familiar woman.

Bellarine stood there, with her eyes widened in shock.

Richard dashed towards her and maybe just for a moment the old soul of Richard had taken over, he didn't think twice before hugging the lady, "Oh god, thanks for coming."

Bella hugged her son back but the shock from her face had yet to fade. Behind her stood numerous servants who were mages as well however until Bellarine didn't arrive these flames didn't budge at all.

And the reason why these flames held such unique strength was something that only the Duchess knew.

'Richie....when did you....'

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A/N:- I hope the description of the scenes is understandable. I am new to this genre so give me some time to develop my skills.

Now I can receive power stones so if you have any, drop 'em.