Struggling as a Villain

"Hey...." very quietly, Nora called out as she entered the infirmary.

On the bed, there sat a familiar blond girl who was looking out of the window. Upon hearing Nora's voice she turned her head and smiled at her, "Good morning."

Emily had a soft smile on her face, and despite her condition, she didn't show any sign of weakness when Nora approached her.

Taking a stool to sit beside the bed, the elven princess held Emily's hand fondly and asked, "How are you?"

Nora naturally was aware of the fact that Emily has taken the role of telling the truth to Ethan before he ends up breaking his morals and committing something irreversible.

Elizabeth initially intended to tell Ethan the truth, despite knowing the consequences. However, Emily didn't want Elizabeth to lose her memories for the sake of the future.

There were many factors Emily had to consider before making this decision. And most of all, among the four, Ethan only relies on Elizabeth so far so snatching her away from him would be unfair to Ethan.

"I...am doing good, I guess?" Emily replied unsure, before raising her hand and adding, "Just that...I lost my powers and will be returning home tomorrow."

Nora's eyes widened, "You mean....your Divine essence or..."

A sad smile lifted the edges of her lips as the blond replied, "I am no longer a magician, Nora. I am a normal human, now."

Nora's eyes parted wide in shock and disbelief. Not only her divine essence but the very gift of ether was snatched away from her?!

One might not understand how big of a thing it is, but ether is like limbs to magicians. Their life support and something on which they hold their pride.

And Emily was snatched away from that gift even though her awakening wasn't a part of the divine blessings but something that she naturally attained.

"How can they do this..." Very seldom it was seen for the elven princess to show anger. However, right now, she looks furious, "All you did was to protect Ethan...and make him see what is right and what is wrong for him. And they....!"

"Nora," Emily's soft voice quieted the other one.

Tears welled in Nora's eyes, making Emily sigh as she extended her hand weakly and held hers.

"Soon...I might not remember those moments we spent in our last lifetime, so can you promise me one thing?"

Sniffing aloud, the girl nodded and heard Emily asking, "Once the war is over, come and meet me. I don't want to die as a loner."

Nora couldn't stop herself from wailing aloud this time.

Emily can feel it....the absence of ether all of a sudden from her body has taken quite a toll on her.

It won't be long before her life energy gets exhausted, and Emily meets her makers. That's why, she wanted to spend the last days of her life with someone whom she genuinely called her friend.

While on the other side, Richard was experiencing elation after reuniting with his family members, Emily was submerged in the ocean of grief and loneliness.

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"Does it hurt?" While slowly applying the pain-relieving ointment on her forehead, Richard asked.

Although the healer used their spells on her, there were still some bruises which needed some natural recovery time to get healed.

Lilia smiled softly before slowly shaking her head, "Not much," Truth be told, she had experienced much worse while she was a trainee. However, seeing her master being so kind and attentive was a very nice feeling that's why she didn't reject his help.

Richard moved his finger around her temple and asked, "Do you feel any disturbance in your ether flow?"

Earlier, when Richard had a conversation with the healers, they said that Lilia was hit by a certain burst of Light Energy, which nearly broke her spine and affected her bone marrow. Although they didn't mention anything about her ether flow, Richard was worried. After all, disturbance in ether flow means slow death. Almost like cancer.

However, thankfully, she shook her head and assured him, "My ether flow wasn't affected thanks to the timely barrier I erected...." Her voice was still quite rough and slow, but Richard showed no sign of impatience and only allowed her to talk the bare minimum.

Lilia remained silent for a moment before she asked, "What...about Allen?" The person has risked his life while protecting the Duchess, which earned him Lilia's respect and sympathy.

Richard heaved a sigh, "I don't think he can continue to be a mage. The headmaster said that divine energy struck him and his Aembr connection went haywire."

Lilia released a short breath hearing that.

Richard held her hand and assured her, "It's not your fault Lilia. And about Allen, then he will be now under Scarlette's house's care. Until he is alive, I will make sure Allen doesn't face any problems."

Lilia smiled at that before she slowly raised her hand and cupped his cheek.

Richard held her hand as he heard, "How...are you...Richard?"

Richard blinked in confusion, "I am fine. Totally fit and healthy." He wasn't lying. All the injuries Vornyx inflicted were healed when he was in his elemental form. That form is truly interesting and broken.

However, Lilia didn't mean it like, and soon she clarified, "I want to know....if you..." Bringing her hand to his chest, she asked, "...are okay?"

Lilia knew the person she met four days ago and the man she was greeted with after coming back to her senses, were not the same. Although her master still retained those kind and caring traits, something died within him after spending those months in the Endless Hold.

She could see that he had gone through things which a sixteen-year-old boy shouldn't have. And then there is this strange energy she was feeling from him...that gave a very ominous presence, even though her master tends to not harm her.

Richard remained silent hearing that, unsure how this person always pries through the layers of nonchalance he creates and catches him hiding something.

Holding her hand against his cheek, he leaned in her touch, and with a deep sigh, he said, "It was....difficult. Terrifying at times....many nights, I remained sleepless...staring at a wall thinking of the worst possible things happening to you guys.

I have nearly died a couple of times...and the only regret I felt in those moments was to not be able to save my family and say my goodbye to you and Amelia."

With a brief nod, he looked into her eyes and added, "It was difficult, Lilia, but when I saw them alive and well, I felt all those days of struggle were worth it."

Lilia smiled, this time without holding back and softly uttered, "You did great, Richard. I am proud of you."

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A few days passed by while they recovered. Richard was spending time with one after another.

Duke Hawkbridge arrived at some point and was dead serious about knowing the whole situation. He and the general public only got the news that a Demon descended from the Dark Star and along with numerous priests, Richard and Ethan defeated the Demon somehow.

In that confrontation, Duchess Bellarine got injured, and that's why she hasn't returned to her Dukedom.

Despite the man's insistence, Amelia stubbornly said that she wants to be with Richard for the time being. That's why after staying here until yesterday he returned...

...only after giving Richard a 'suggestion' to not let Amelia get under such unfavourable situations again.

Richard was asked by the Headmaster to return to the Academy as soon as he could. This surprised the Scarlette heir, given he expected himself to be expelled. However, Marcus always considered Richard as his student and was ready to take him back...

...well, he promised that Richard would be punished for being absent and several other things as well.

Regardless, it was a fact that Richard's life was back on track with all the people he loved, safe and healthy around him.

Now, the most concerning thing was to introduce everyone to each other.

Bellarine might be aware of Amelia as a potential fiancée but she still doesn't know that Richard has already confessed to her.

Then there was Bella who was looking at the other three with a gaze that said she can pounce on them with the intention of hurting them, any moment.

Lilia was aware about Bellarine and Amelia's relationship with Richard. However, she was curious about this sister of his who appeared out of nowhere.

And then there is Amelia, who only knows that Richard is in a relationship with Lilia.

There are many things Richard needs to sort out and this time he wasn't going to hide anything.

About his past, his present and what he has planned for the future, they have all the right to know about it.

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A/N:- Thanks for reading.