Struggling as a Villain

There was a personal jet that Lena owned in which they were traveling. Since Vegas was far away, everyone decided that it would be better to fly there.

Lena hasn't informed anyone about Bella's return since she was told to keep it a secret. However, the core members of the clan were told about her return since they would surely ask the Leader about this sudden negotiation. And also, the base where Bella and the others would be staying always remains under close watch.

So rather than hiding it and getting caught accidentally, it was better to inform them beforehand.

Sitting inside the plane, Carl could be seen staring at the distant Korean lands intently.

Richard heaved a sigh and told him, "We aren't abandoning her, Carl; we are taking another step towards her freedom."

The shaved-headed young man nodded with a sad smile, as he said, "I know...but it pains me to leave her like this. Even in the corner of her mind, she must be hopeful that I will come and rescue her."

It wasn't like only Carl was feeling guilty; not being able to save her even though she was just a few meters apart had kept Richard's heart heavy as well.

However, taking any hasty step would cause Rena the most, and Richard could not afford to let her suffer anymore.

"Just these few days more and we will get her back, buddy." Ben comforted his friend as he leaned forward and patted Carl on his shoulder.

Soon Lilia arrived before her master, holding a few cups of tea and some biscuits on a tray.

Richard gave her a thankful smile and extended the tray to the other two.

"You guys talk, I will be back." Saying so, Richard got up from his seat and, along with Lilia, moved toward the cockpit.

Bella's gaze traveled towards the duo for a moment but then she returned her focus to Laila and Akira.

"Hmm, what do you want to ask?" Richard asked as he stood before the brunette and took a long sip of the milk tea.

It was refreshing.

"I was just curious... that's what you told her to calm her down." Lilia didn't have to specify who this 'her' was as Richard easily guessed.

Richard heaved a sigh before telling her, "Years ago, I read Bella's diary just to tease her and found she has a perfect date plan that she would love to follow with her ideal partner."

Lilia was slightly confused, "You mean she has planned how she wants to go on a date?"

Richard nodded, "Yup, she has been planning about it since she was six years old. And now, she wants to spend a day with me following the same date plan."

"..." Lilia was...rendered speechless. She was thinking a bit too extremely about it so she was slightly ashamed of her thoughts.

Richard was confused, "What happened? Is it that shocking?"

"N-No...it's quite romantic. I was wondering tho, is Lady Amelia aware of your relationship with your family members?"

Lilia was already aware that the Duchess doesn't hold only familial love for her son, but she sees him as a man as well. She never had a husband in life nor any romantic connection since all her attention always remained on Richard.

And now, it seems she shared her genes with her daughter, and Bella was all devoted to her Brother as well.

Although Lilia digested the fact since she has always been close to Richard, the same cannot be said for Hawkbridge.

"I...haven't told her explicitly but I think she has guessed it." Richard voiced, his tone carrying uncertainty.

Lilia raised her brows, "Hmm? How could she have guessed it?"

Richard told her, "One of those days when we were staying all together, I slept alone, and in the morning when Amelia came to wake me up, my mother was all wrapped around me."

Taking a brief pause, he added, "Naked."

"..." Okay, she indeed might have guessed that the relationship between the two was not normal.

However, "You need to tell her about the Duchess, Lady Bella, and...about Emily as well."

Richard looked at Lilia with his brows raised, "Why do you think I have already forgiven her?"

Lilia seemed uncertain, "I mean...you are not going to abandon her, right?"

Hearing her words, Richard's eyes went towards the blond girl who was curiously looking out of the window with a starry expression on her face.

Lilia or anyone else doesn't know that Richard nearly had sex with her that night in Lilia's home. And Richard had decided to give her another chance, since for Emily there was no one but him left in this world.

"You are right...I cannot abandon her."

Lilia hummed, "However, you must know that Lady Amelia would be your first wife, so she should be aware of every lover you have or she will be hurt later."

Richard nodded before he paused and asked her, "What about you? It doesn't affect you?"

Lilia sighed, "I have already told you; as long as you allow me to stay by your side, I will be fine."

Richard exhaled a soft breath as he cupped her cheek and told her, "Don't be so lenient, Lili, you have all the right to speak your mind."

Lilia...couldn't, or it would only increase the burden on her master.

...

After the conversation with Lilia, the brunette maid was invited by Laila to play some games. Since Ben and Carl had fallen asleep, Richard sat down beside Emily.

*Dhak*

Feeling the movement on the seat beside her, the blond girl turned to look at him, "Should I erect a barrier around this vehicle?"

Richard raised his brows, "Why do you think I will only approach you when I need your barrier?"

Emily was embarrassed, "You don't need it?"

Richard shook his head, "There is an artifact installed in the plane that will protect us if needed."

While he said, his eyes went down at her neck, and he spotted a familiar ring hanging there, "You still have that ring?" It was the same engagement ring that Richard returned to her.

Emily touched the ring and softly said, "Don't know why, but despite having hatred for you at that time, I couldn't bring myself to throw it away. Initially, it was in a box, but recently, I started wearing it as a pendant."

Closing her eyes while pressing her hands on the ring, she said, "It makes me feel safe."

Richard fell into a daze looking at her relaxed expression and how fondly she had treasured the ring.

Bringing his hand closer to her face, he removed the hair strands blocking his few, urging Emily to open her eyes and blink at him innocently.

Wordlessly, he leaned forward and under Emily's surprised gaze, he claimed her lips.

'Sweet...' Her fluffy lips tasted sweet and comforting—making his body relaxed and heart race. He was feeling comfortable and equally excited.

Since they were sitting on the backmost seat and the others were busy, no one noticed how Emily had gone silent because her lips were sealed by the one she adores.

She melted in her seat as Richard aggressively pried his tongue in her mouth, and coiled it around her shy one. Experience more content on empire

His eyes were fixed on her closed, quivering ones as he relished the beautiful sensation.

Amidst the kiss, suddenly the alarms began to blare.

With an annoyed look, Richard parted his lips from hers and asked in a cold voice, "What is this?"

His tone made everyone silent instantly, as Lena informed them as she walked out of the cockpit, "A mutant bird is chasing us." Even Lena was shaken up.

Richard expanded his senses and saw the beast approaching, "It's just a pest. Why is this alarm so damn loud?!"

His voice boomed through the plane, and instantly, the pilot turned the alarm off.

Heaving a deep sigh, Richard raised his hand. In an instant, several glowing spell circles appeared, floating steadily above the moving plane. The turbulence of the aircraft, the shifting air—it all seemed meaningless against the sheer control he wielded.

Lena watched the screens, her heart pounding. Even as the plane swayed and jolted, the flow of mana remained calm and unbroken. The spell circles thrummed with power before massive, fiery lances—each the size of a towering pillar—emerged, burning brighter than the sun.

With a flick of his wrist, the lances shot into the sky like deadly comets. Their heat was so intense it left streaks of fire trailing behind.

Through the cameras, Lena saw the A-rank beast, a winged predator of fearsome size, screech and twist in midair, trying to escape the relentless onslaught. But there was no room for escape.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

One lance struck its wing, tearing through flesh and bone with terrifying ease. Another pierced its chest, and then another, and another, until the creature's roars turned into a dying wail. Flames erupted around it, consuming its massive body as lance after lance stabbed through it like molten spears of judgment.

Lena's breath caught. This wasn't just magic—it was devastation. The beast, a terror that could have wiped out armies, was reduced to ashes in midair.

Lena turned to look at Richard, as she muttered under her breath, 'Okay, he is strong.'

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A/N:- Thanks for reading.