Struggling as a Villain

Chapter 27: Chapter 26- Gorgeous

It was around six on the clock. Richard didn't venture long into the market and was already getting ready for the celebration.

The celebration had already begun but since Bellarine got some work, she said they would leave in half an hour.

Richard was currently standing in front of the large dressing mirror while a certain blue-haired maid helped him wear the tie that went perfectly with his formal suit.

Richard stood tall in a finely crafted three-piece suit of a rich wine colour, exuding an air of refined elegance. His attire featured a meticulously tailored waistcoat adorned with delicate embroidery, a sharply cut jacket with a high collar and broad lapels, and perfectly fitted trousers.

A crisply pressed white shirt peeked from beneath the waistcoat, complemented by a finely woven tie of the same wine hue, its intricate knot precisely centred at his throat. Polished burgundy leather shoes completed the ensemble, each detail underscoring his wealth and status, making him a striking figure in any gathering.

Once Violet was done fixing his tie she lowered her head and was about to step back when suddenly she hit the resting tool and was about to fall back.

Richard, in a fluid movement, supported her while with his hand pressed against her back and his body leaned toward her a little.

His golden eyes stared into her cold blue ones—throwing her into a daze as she found herself getting lost in the charm of the young man currently inches apart from her face.

Richard wordlessly pulled the maid back to her feet and released his hold from her.

"Be more mindful of where you go." Hearing his stern voice she was plucked out of her reverie as she vigorously nodded and apologized,

"For the unsightly display, I beg your pardon, my lord." Her voice was a little heavier than Lilia's and even though she seemed genuinely apologizing to him, there was an edge in her voice that suggested something else.

Richard didn't say anything to her and looked at himself in the mirror.

Violet carefully removed herself from his vision and stepped aside.

While he was fixing the strands of his hair, he asked Violet casually, "You must have hated me all those years no?"

"Ah?" She seemed surprised to be asked about the past which ushered a strange sound from her throat.

Richard looked at her with an unreadable expression before asking again, "The time when I used to torment you, you must have hated me to the core, no?" Redirecting his gaze back to the mirror, he added, "Or maybe you still hate me?"

"Something like that...!' She instantly voiced those words that signified how utterly absurd it was to think that Violet could harbour hatred toward her master.

However, Richard smirked at that, and his expression clearly showed how little he believed her.

"Between us, not many things have changed. You still are all silent and receive harassment without a word."

Drawing closer to the girl he stood just a few inches away. Their breaths collided, and his strong, manly scent just out of the bath overwhelmed her senses.

It was true. The reason why she gave so much time to do makeup and chose this dress was to impress her baby. She couldn't care less what others thought. All she cared about was her beloved's opinion.

He called her beautiful. He said he didn't want others to see her being this beautiful. Her Richard showed possessiveness toward her.

With a red face, she smiled in glee before assuring him, "I will do as my baby says."

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[In the palace]

The royalties and guests from different corners of the continent have arrived to attend the birthday celebration of the second Princess.

Amongst all the siblings, the second Princess is the most talented one, and she was being doted by her elder siblings the most. Naturally, the celebration would be grand.

Some foreign delegates arrived to attend the event as well. However, not everyone was here to just congratulate the princess for turning fifteen.

"Will she be coming today?" One of the men standing in a group asked the person beside him

The one who asked was the foreign minister of the Northern Empire who came here just to see a single person.

"I heard that she has already arrived in the Capital and would be coming here today." Accompanying the foreigner was the finance minister of Eldoria who was also looking at the entrance.

Not only these two but many have come here to meet that single entity and build a good relationship with her. And some came here just to look at the lady who was not only famous in Eldoria but in foreign lands as well.

Her devilishly charming looks have many people fall for her and numerous proposals from high nobles have arrived even though she was the mother of a child.

However, all of those proposals were rejected without a second thought. Even the Emperor of the Eastern continent gave her the offer to become the chief of the Royal Order and also his mistress. But that proposal was rejected without a second consideration as well.

That explains why there were so many people hungry to even gaze at the woman who was so widely known.

"She is here." No one noticed who said that, but upon hearing those words, everyone turned to look at the entrance. And the moment they noticed the lady walking inside, the whole ceremonial hall fell into silence.

The Duchess has arrived.

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A/N- Their relationship...ugh. I can't explain how wild it is going to be.

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