Stuck as a Villain! - Chapter 196: Where are you going?

The distance between the Capital of Ranghaur to Carta, where the Albeck Dukedom was situated, was quite far. That was why Seth and his mother decided to use teleportation to save time and reach Carta early in the morning before breakfast.

Since the distance from the church to the mansion was around seven kilometers, they boarded the carriage and sat side by side.

Well, Seth was intending to levitate all the way back to the mansion to save time and get some of his work done but his mother shot down such an idea since she wanted to spend some time with her son. Alone.

“Mother, you know it’s quite inappropriate for you to be so intimate with your son, right?” At the moment, Valarie was practically glued to Seth with their shoulder pressed together, and Valarie holding Seth’s hand.

“Doesn’t matter, what others think. It’s my way to show my love and affection toward my child.”

A deep sigh escaped his lips upon hearing that. Forget about other mothers, this same lady doesn’t treat her other children in the same manner she does with him.

Valarie’s sword-like brows inched closer as her aquamarine eyes flashed with complicated emotions.

“Do you find your mother, bothersome? Maybe it is because you have found yourself so many beautiful lovers?”

‘It’s not appropriate for you to pout and be jealous like that, Mother…’ Seth wanted to retort, but her adorable reaction prevented him from saying anything in such regard.

Bringing the other hand, he draped it over their connected ones before speaking, “No woman in the world can take your place, Mother. You are an irreplaceable being in my life.”

Her pout disappeared before a blooming smile lifted her charming lips. Hugging his arm affectionately, she said,

“It’s the same for me, Seth. You have been and always will be, the most important person in my life.”

Seth felt a little complicated hearing such words from a married woman; however, he didn’t bring anything against it. Valarie must be too emotional to realize how she placed Seth even above her husband.

Or more like, it was Seth who was never able to understand her feelings…

*****

The distance of an hour flew within minutes for Valarie as she chatted with her son about casual things. She didn’t dwell on serious matters like national defense and the recruitment process the Pristine Academy was adapting from this year.

‘I almost forgot that there is a farewell party tomorrow….’ Seth has received an invitation even though he missed the final exams and most of the class this month.

It was a crime for him to miss school this much—more so when Ciel was still getting accustomed to her new post as the Student Council President.

Seth was skeptical about whether he should attend the party as he disembarked the carriage and saw a familiar brunette waiting for him at the entrance.

“W-Welcome back, young master.” Although it has been a little over two weeks since Seth left, it felt Lara has missed him a little too much in these days, that she was even stuttering while greeting him.

However, Seth didn’t tease her in front of others and the lady beside him before he replied, “I am home.”

The trio along with the other maids moved inside the mansion where the silver-haired, weak-looking man stood in the reception with a soft smile on his face.

“Welcome home, Val, Seth.” Christopher looked pale and docile as ever—which made Seth slightly concerned about his health.

“You didn’t have to wait for us here. Have you taken your medicine?” Seth supported his stepfather who was on the verge of falling before he led him to the sofa.

“I did, thank you for asking. Although it was slow, I have managed to move around quite a bit.”

Seth sighed at that, “Why do you even need to? There are maids and servants can-”

“Don’t try, Seth. He just doesn’t listen to anyone when it comes to pushing himself.” Valarie sounded a little too harsh, which made Seth wonder,

‘Are they fighting?’

Seeing the wry smile on Christopher’s face, Seth grew even more suspicious.

However before he could say or ask anything, a small ball of energy ran into him,

“Big Brother!”

Seth moved just in time to receive the little girl in his arms before lifting her off the ground.

“Mou~Big brother, I am no longer a small kid.” Even if she complained, the way Liliana encircled her small thin arms around his neck and was smiling ear to ear, it didn’t seem she actually meant what she said.

“Is that so? But Big Brother wants to spoil Lili. Is that not acceptable?”

Liliana timidly glanced at her mother, knowing how her mother always told her to be careful about her etiquette. However, seeing the content smile her mother wore at the moment made Lili, cheer up instantly.

“If Big Brother wants to, then Lili shall be a little lenient this time.”

Seth raised his brows at that, “Lenient eh? I wonder who is teaching Lili, such complex words?”

“Ehehe~” Lili giggled at that as she rubbed her cheek against Seth’s; affectionately.

“Lili, where did you run off-ah!” Suddenly, a certain blond girl entered the reception area before her eyes widened upon seeing the person, who was holding Lili.

“Elli, don’t you have to greet your elder brother?” Valarie gently reprimanded such a reaction from the girl, who was about to turn fourteen this year.

Eleanor collected herself soon before bowed slightly with her right leg bent and her skirt hem being pinched by her fingers as she said,

“Welcome home, Big Brother. I hope you succeeded in your ventures.”

Seth hummed before responding, “Eleanor, I heard you are going to attend the Pristine Academy this year. Any reason for this sudden decision?”

Pristine Academy offers students to attend three years of high school between the ages of thirteen to eighteen. However, most students only get enough experience to clear the entrance exam after reaching the age of sixteen. That’s why most students start high school at that age.

It was the same for Seth.

Hearing his words, Eleanor bit her lips as she diverted her eyes.

Seth didn’t have to read her mind to know the reason.

However, he chose to not disclose it.

“Whatever you do, just don’t push yourself too hard. There is nothing in the world more important than your health and well-being. Keep that in mind.”

Eleanor’s heart raced a bit hearing those words from her mostly-apathetic brother. However, she didn’t allow her emotions to show on her face before she nodded and accepted his words.

“I will keep that in mind.”

After the atmosphere calmed down a bit, Valarie suggested,

“How about we have breakfast together?”

Lili’s eyes brightened at that—much to Seth’s regret as he responded to his mother,

“I apologize but I have some urgent matter I need to settle, Mother. It’s about the school. Headmaster needs some documents by evening.”

Seth looked down at his saddened sister before coaxing her,

“Sorry, Lili, but I promise I will play in the garden with you in the evening. How does that sound?”

Although Liliana still felt a little disheartened that she could eat on the same plate as her brother and feed him her favorite pancakes, she wasn’t a stubborn and spoiled child to not understand Seth’s circumstances.

“I understand, Big Brother.”

Valarie also seemed a bit disappointed but after being coaxed by her husband she nodded and headed toward the dining space.

*****

After some minutes, Lara decided to serve her young master some coffee, even though it was early morning.

She was aware of his liking and disliking and being disturbed during his work was something he hated passionately.

That was why, she could be seen currently standing outside his room while holding the tray and hesitating whether she should enter.

However, upon thinking closely, her master likes coffee while working, and if she doesn’t knock or say anything, she won’t disturb him.

‘….but still, making so many excuses to myself just because I want to see young master Seth some more…’

Although Lara felt guilty, she pressed the door and walked inside.

Seth was doing his work diligently, without batting an eye at her.

Lara felt slightly sad seeing that he hadn’t talked to her even once upon arrival. However, she knew more than anyone, how her young master’s roles require his utmost attention.

Pushing away her own emotions, she decided to leave the room…

….only to find her wrist being held and her body being pulled into a strong embrace.

Her supple body was in the hold of a person whom Lara could never reject. His strong arms held her waist while his head rested on her shoulder.

The shock from this sudden embrace had yet to subdue before his voice rang in her ears,

“I lied to my family for you. And here, you are trying to avoid me? How cruel of you, Lara.”

*****

A/N:- This one was long. Drop a comment if you liked the interactions.