Villain Steal the Heroines - Chapter 16: Am I an apostle of God?
He had a delightful smile on his old face, looking pleased with my decision-making up to this point and waiting to see how I would handle this situation.
Inwardly grinning with satisfaction and having successfully built up public anticipation, I nodded to the archbishop and continued speaking.
But this time, as I started speaking, I subtly activated my title『Ruler of Light』and a gentle warmth started spreading across the hall, with me as the centre of it all.
“Archbishop, according to what my mother always taught me, if someone makes a mistake, then their punishment should be something that not only makes the person genuinely realise their mistakes as to why they did it, but also make them take responsibility for it, all the while striving to improve themselves so that such a situation won’t repeat itself.”
The more I spoke, the brighter the smile on the archbishop’s face got.
“As it should be, Duchess Steeline has taught you well.”
He turned to my mother and gave her a nod of approval.
And everyone in the audience couldn’t help but look at me in a new light.
With the warmth that spread throughout the hall from me, even the people of the Greenberg family couldn’t help but have a change of opinion towards me.
It was as if I were the apostle of God, shrouded in a bright white light, spreading the love of God, the knowledge of life, and the guidance of salvation to everyone.
Except for the children, almost everyone present here today was an Aura user, or Wizard.
They all had the capability of detecting the activation of my title, but they couldn’t.
Because not only I activated my title very subtly with the help of a very little aura, but also because such was the beauty of an S rank title.
For all I know, probably only Archbishop and a couple others noticed its activation, but none pointed it out or stopped me from using it.
It was because they, too, wanted to see what I was up to and what I would do.
Although this all happened in the background, my mouth didn’t stop moving as words kept coming out of it like holy chants.
“Just like gold turns into beautiful ornaments after burning in fire and getting tempered through tough times, Selina should work hard and suffer like a normal person, earning her own food, shelter, etc., to become a better person. Because only when she suffers hardship would she be able to understand the true value of the things that had been provided to her.”
As I took a pause again, I noticed,
Silence!
There was a pin drop silence in the hall, and nobody said anything.
Satisfied with the reaction, I continued.
“So, with all that in mind, for her punishment, I think Selina should live like a normal person for the next two months. She should be deprived of all her status and privileges as the Greenberg family’s daughter.”
“Only then would she realise what it means to be a human and how to respect others. And it just so happens that my personal maid, Daisy, asked me for a leave of absence, and I need someone to take care of me in her absence, so how about letting Selina be my personal maid for the next two months?”
Of course, Daisy didn’t ask for any leave, but if I say she took it, then she definitely took it.
With that, I ended my speech and gave everyone a customary bow, backed away from the place, and stood beside my mother, waiting for everyone to react and for the Greenbergs to reply.
Whoa!
The moment I expressed my intention that I was done with my words and deactivated the Ruler of Light, everyone came back to their senses, and a loud commotion filled the hall as people stood up from their seats in awe.
Even the Greenbergs came back to their senses and couldn’t help but look at me with reverence.
Truly, I am indeed a genius.
─ Con man!
F*ck, who said that?
It appears that my inner voice said some nonsense, so I will refrain from bragging about myself and instead concentrate on the Greenbergs.
However, before the Greenbergs could say anything,
“Brilliant!”
Our oldie, the Archbishop, came towards me with his eyes shining like flashlights as he looked at me with the same awe.
But his reasons for awe were entirely different from others’.
“My vision wasn’t wrong, such knowledge and understanding of the world at such a young age. You’re truly the child personally blessed by the goddess.”
From my observation, I discover that the Archbishop was somehow barely controlling his excitement so as not to show it too much in public.
But I know for sure that he was ecstatic with joy and relief at my performance, which had exponentially strengthened his faith in my ability to influence the masses and left him with no doubts that I was the trump card, the game-changer, that the Church of Light desperately needed.
“Thank you, Archbishop; it’s all the goddess’s blessings.”
Clasping my hands together in front of my heart, bowing, and touching them on my forehead, I made a praying gesture to the goddess and also thanked the archbishop, as he did the same and prayed back to her.
The oldie was bright in the head and didn’t waste time chatting; instead, he turned and looked at the Greenbergs with us.
However, we couldn’t even open our mouths to ask if the Greenbergs agreed with the punishment or not because, the moment I looked at Stacey, she shouted.
“I agree!”
“Mother, Noooo!!!”
Following her was another shout, which was from Selina, who couldn’t believe that her mother would agree to send her to work as a maid for the Steelines’ child for the next two months.
Just thinking about the suffering she would have to go through if she worked as my maid made her body shudder involuntarily.
Her mind ran wildly, and she can’t help but have the disturbing image of herself as a sweet little girl being abused, bullied, and harassed by a mean bully like me.
However, this girl’s mind was really pondering matters too much for no reason because, at the moment, we were both almost seven years old. What could we do, even if we wanted to?
Noticing her expressions, I couldn’t help but have my eyebrows twitch as I immediately understood what kind of dirty, paranoid, and mentally disordered thoughts she was having.
Hey! Hey?
Is this girl serious? Has she even looked at herself, you f*cking 7-year-old kid? What kinds of teachings did they give you on the Greenberg estate?
No ass, no tits, talks like everything she says is going to be a sure hit.
She appears to be in desperate need of a lesson.
Unaware of my and Selina’s thoughts, Stacey ignored Selina’s plea, and she looked at me with hot eyes.
Same mother, same daughter – I can imagine what Satcey was thinking, but this time I really appreciate that she is thinking more of the same; otherwise, how could her daughter and family fall into my trap?
“I agree with your punishment, Luke. This girl really needs a lesson, and only you can teach her how to be a better person. Please accept this girl as your maid.”
Huh!?
“!!!!”
Everyone was taken aback when they heard Stacey’s words, but after a bit of thinking, they understood that it was indeed a reasonable decision.
On the one hand, it was indeed good for Selina to have some self knowledge under me, who has such a mature nature and is only 7 years old, making me perfect because it also eliminates something from happening between the kids.
Some people thought even ahead of it that if something did happen between children that shouldn’t have happened and in the future I forgive Selina, then we can have a good relationship between us, which would actually be a blessing in disguise for the Greenberg family.
But what can I say? I can only scoff inwardly at their naive thinking, though on the outside there was only a seriousness to my face far above my age.
“Then, I ask Aunt Stacey to pack Selina’s belongings and bring her back tomorrow after properly explaining everything, because if she behaved arrogantly again, I would not be as forgiving as today.”
“I understand, Luke; you don’t have to worry about it; I will properly explain it to this girl. She will really behave well and accept your punishment with all her heart.” Noticing my attitude, Selina said hurriedly, waving her hand.
Then she immediately stood up and added.
“We will now go back, if there’s nothing else.”
“Then please, aunt Stacey; unfortunately, I wouldn’t be able to escort you to the door.”
“There’s really no need for it; your words are enough.”
My heart was at peace, and a wave of contentment washed over me as I looked at the sight of this Greenberg family being so subservient in front of me.
After speaking to me, Stacey turned towards my mother and deeply bowed her head.
“Thank you, Chloé; you really gave birth to an excellent son.”
“It’s all right Stacey Greenberg, please raise your head; you don’t have to bow down anymore.”
Although my mother didn’t show it on her face, didn’t say anything to Stacey earlier, and even hesitated while making a decision, I know that she was certainly furious at Selina’s behaviour.
But my mother is my mother, and she also agreed with the punishment I devised for Selina, and also after today’s matter she drew a clear line between her and Stacey.
When Stacey heard my mother calling her by her full name, she understood that today’s matter was certainly not over and that a large crack had been formed not only in the relationship between her and my mother but also between the relationships of both families.
Now she really regretted spoiling her daughter so much and even considered believing that her daughter could complete the task.
However, when she remembered that one day she would be able to turn everything around and how, tonight, she got such a great opportunity in disguise, her bad mood instantly turned joyful and full of excitement.
Despite this, she managed to keep her inner excitement under wraps.
She then took the crying Selina and other Greenberg family members with her and, after a few final words and greetings, left, apologising to everyone for ruining the mood of the party along the way.
As I watched the Greenberg family leave, my heart was filled with excitement and contentment, but my mind could not help but formulate numerous ideas and plans for the future.