Reincarnated As The Villainess's Son

Lorelei Kingdom was really something else.

A kingdom underwater, with a race hated by a Primordial Goddess herself.

'…They really are living a hard life.'

And perhaps they would be persecuted, or maybe massacred because of me.

'....'

I let out a sigh, rubbing my forehead that felt heavy.

Even though I knew I shouldn't blame myself for what their future held.

Yet… in the end, this was their life because of me.

I blinked, staring at the ceiling that glowed like crystal.

Lyssa had provided all three of us separate rooms to rest.

There was no such thing as sunlight here, so I wasn't sure if it was day or night.

Even though we were separated, I was still keeping an eye on the other two.

'It would be a pain if Lyssa tried to kidnap them or something along the line.'

But left alone, I couldn't help but wonder.

'….What the hell am I supposed to do now?'

There was almost no point in coming here, as I didn't find a single clue for the 'key.'

All I got was another burden on my back.

'Was Verena aware of this?'

…She really might be into all this.

And what about Chione?

I need more information about her from Inna.

'hm?'

I tilted my head toward the door as I felt someone arrive there.

I stood up, and the door was knocked once.

"...."

Opening the door, I found two of the princesses standing outside.

The teal-haired princess Kaelia and the healer Aradia.

I looked at them for a second without saying anything.

Kaelia was aloof as ever, and I really couldn't wrap my head around what she was thinking.

Aradia, on the other hand, looked tense, her hands clasped together in front of her.

"…Can I help you?" I asked.

Aradia spoke first. "May we come in?"

I stepped aside and let them pass.

The door closed behind them with a soft click.

The room felt smaller with the two of them inside.

'…Why the stare?'

I was decently dressed, but I could still feel their gaze on me.

Aradia hesitated before speaking. "Mother asked us not to bother you."

"And you didn't listen to her." I said, taking my seat on the bed.

She gave a small, embarrassed smile. "Yes."

"So, what do you need?"

She bowed her head slightly. "…If you choose anyone of us." She mumbled. "Please don't choose Kana."

Oh, an older sister looking after a younger one?

"I am not choosing anyone." I replied. "And even if I did, I won't bother with that brat."

Aradia let out a breath she looked like she had been holding for a long time.

"Thank you," she said quietly.

Kaelia, who had been silent until now, clicked her tongue.

"Don't thank him yet," she said. "He hasn't agreed to anything."

I glanced at her. "You're free to leave if you're just here to doubt me."

Kaelia didn't move. "I'm here to make sure you don't force my sister into doing something shady."

"I have beautiful lovers." I replied calmly. "I am more than happy with them."

Kaelia looked at me with disgust, while Aradia's shoulders dropped a little.

"…Anything else?" I asked, looking at them.

Kaelia moved forward to stand right in front of me.

She looked into my eyes, and for a split second, I saw something in them.

A dead look… just like my mother.

"If you need a sacrifice." She said emotionlessly. "Than make sure to choose me."

With that, she turned and walked away.

Aradia bowed slightly before she walked out as well.

Left alone, I couldn't help but think about the game once again.

In the game, Aradia was the one who was kidnapped.

Kaelia and Kana moved toward the Asura Kingdom to find her.

The one who kidnapped Aradia was a friend of the villainess-maker of core two.

He had found her after the massacre of the Aljanah family, when she was there to investigate.

'….The Asuran Duke's son.'

I thought, rubbing my face instinctively.

There were so many people that I needed to kill and bury.

But first….

'..I need to prepare for stronger opponents.'

Looking up, I stared at the ceiling.

'…I am waiting for you, Morningstar.'

---

[Half a day later.]

It was time to return to the Aljanah household.

Lyssa wasn't ready to tell me anything, so there was no point in staying.

Elijah and Aimar walked by my side, with Elijah's face filled with concern.

"….What's up with you?" I asked, walking down the hallway to meet Lyssa.

He shook his head. "Nothing….I just have a bad feeling."

"....."

I didn't respond as we reached the throne room, where Lyssa was already present.

She smiled softly. "Leaving already?"

I stopped a few steps away. "I will stay if you tell me about the key."

Lyssa tilted her head. "Sadly, I only want to trade."

"..."

That's not a trade, for fuck's sake.

"…Figures," Aimar muttered.

Elijah shifted beside me. "Lady Lyssa… what happens now?"

Her gaze slid to him.

"Now?" She looked back at me. "…I don't know."

"...."

I kept my silence, not looking away from her.

"Anyway." She said, clapping her hands.

The gate opened up, and three more people walked inside.

Kana, Kaelia, and Aradia, along with Levia.

Kana and Kaelia stood with us, while Aradia moved to her mother's side.

"…What's the meaning of this?" I asked, tilting my head.

"Lady Nora asked me to send two of my daughters." She responded with a smile. "…I am just fulfilling a friend's wish."

I frowned at her words. "Nora did?" I asked. "Why?"

Lyssa's smile didn't change. "I don't know."

My brows knit together, but I didn't bother asking anything else.

Instead, I began to walk out of the building.

"Where the hell were you?" I asked as I walked past Levia.

The girl only smiled slightly.

"Just accept my daughter." Lyssa said, making me halt. "And I promise to give you everything that the mermaids hold."

"....."

I turned to look at her one last time before I walked away.

As tempted as I was to get the weapon of Anastasia…

…I was not marrying anyone for it.

---

[Aljanah household.]

The lake surface flickered as I walked over it while holding Levia's hand.

It didn't take me long to reach the surface as I let go of her hand and looked back.

Kana was with Elijah as she brought him along, while Kaelia traveled alone and Aimar was in a bubble.

"We should meet with mom first." Levia said, glancing at me.

I nodded slightly. "Lead the way."

Levia turned and started walking toward the path leading into the Aljanah estate.

Aimar popped out of the bubble, coughing. "I swear, I hate every one of you."

Kana laughed, still gripping Elijah's sleeve. "You looked funny floating."

Elijah gently pulled his arm back. "…Please don't do that."

Kaelia had already moved ahead, silent as ever.

No one spoke for a while.

The Aljanah household came into view, and before long we were in front of it.

But my steps slowed when I walked inside.

Because there were some unwanted guests sitting on the front sofa.

Orelena was the first to stand up when she saw us.

Avril came running and hugged me tightly. "Azariah."

I remained confused as I looked at Avril. "…What are you doing here?"

She let go of me when I didn't hug her in return.

Avril stepped back, her smile turning a little awkward.

"…You didn't know?" she asked softly.

"No," I replied honestly. "I really didn't."

She glanced over her shoulder.

Only then did I notice a woman sitting with them.

….Nora.

"…Ah," she said, noticing me at last. "You're back."

"What is going on?" I asked, looking at her.

But my gaze shifted as I noticed Killian walking toward the princesses.

He bowed like a gentleman in front of Kana and Kaelia.

Huh? What the fuck was going on?

"Welcome," he said. "The journey from Lorelei must have been tiring."

Kana blinked, clearly surprised by the sudden courtesy.

"…Uh. Thanks?" she replied, glancing back at Elijah as if asking whether this was normal.

Kaelia gave Killian a brief nod. Nothing more.

Avril moved from my side and began greeting the others.

Though I was still staring at Killian.

He didn't seem to notice me, as his eyes remained on the princesses.

'….What in the actual fuck is he doing?'

I felt irritated at his behavior, but I kept my cool.

My gaze turned to Tyshara, who looked visibly uncomfortable.

I rubbed the back of my head as I stared at Nora, who stood up.

She walked toward me in the same seductive way as before.

With a smile, she said. "Would you give me some of your time?"

"...."

I looked down at her as I tried to understand her plan.

Slowly, I nodded my head and let her lead the way.

She brought me away from the main hall into a more empty room.

Inside, there was only one table and two chairs.

She sat on one and gestured for me to sit on the other.

I sat down as I looked at her. "…What is it?"

She smiled softly.

"You need the key right?" She asked gently.

"I will give it to you."

Her smile grew bigger.

"If you make a deal with me."