I Am The Game's Villain

Chapter 870: Small Trouble in Crown and Silk

Nearly an hour had passed since Samara and the others had entered the women’s floors of Crown and Silk.

The time had gone by pleasantly.

They had wandered through the elegant displays, moving from one section to another as they admired the dresses arranged beneath the warm lights. There were gowns in every imaginable color, delicate summer dresses, formal outfits for noble events, and modern designs that blended the fashion of Edenis Raphiel with the newest styles spreading across the world.

As expected, Lunishia and Tihana were the most interested.

They moved excitedly from one display to another, pointing out dresses, comparing colors, and imagining how each outfit might look on them. Whenever Tihana found something she liked, Lunishia would immediately insist on finding something similar for herself.

Their wheeled shopping boxes were already filled with a growing collection of dresses.

A pale-pink gown lay folded beside a bright red summer dress. A blue skirt had been placed on top of several blouses, while shoes, ribbons, and hair accessories were carefully stored in separate compartments.

Samara and Tessara followed behind them more quietly.

Neither of them had chosen a single dress.

Samara did not seem particularly interested in clothing, though she occasionally stopped to look when Tihana asked for her opinion. Tessara, however, had seemed curious at first. Her dark-green eyes had lingered on several dresses, and she had looked at the flowing fabrics with a faint, thoughtful expression.

Yet she had not picked anything.

”Do you not want to choose a dress?” Samara asked her.

Tessara looked toward a display of pale gowns before lowering her gaze.

”I would prefer for my King to choose them,” she said softly. ”Otherwise, I do not see much interest in wearing new dresses.”

”You can ask him, then,” Samara replied.

Tessara shook her head.

”I do not want to bother him.”

Then she glanced toward Samara.

”You do not want to ask him either, do you?”

Samara did not answer at once.

Tessara’s meaning was obvious.

Edward was upstairs with Layla.

Layla was one of the women closest to him, someone he loved deeply, someone who would become his wife. No matter how much Edward cared for Samara, Tessara, Olga, Lunishia, and the others, there was still a distance between them and the women who had already claimed an undeniable place at his side.

Samara looked away.

”I do not think Nyr would be bothered if you asked him,” she said.

”Do you wish to ask him, Samara?” Tessara asked.

Samara remained quiet for several seconds.

Then she replied in a low voice.

”No. I am fine.”

”I do not believe you are,” Tessara said.

Samara turned toward her.

”How would you know that?”

”Because I am not satisfied either,” Tessara replied.

Samara stopped walking.

Her eyes fixed on Tessara’s face.

”You are not satisfied?”

Tessara shook her head, a shy smile appearing on her lips.

”I am grateful for what I have,” she said. ”I am grateful that my King saved me, gave me a place beside him, and allowed me to remain with him.”

Her fingers tightened lightly around the fabric of her sleeve.

”But I wish to be closer.”

Her voice was quiet and turned even quieter.

”I want to know him more deeply. I want him to look at me the way he looks at Layla. I want to feel the same warmth and affection he gives Alvara. I want to be wanted by him, not only as a Banshee who serves him, but as a woman he chooses. A woman who lays naked mind and body by his side.”

Samara’s pale cheeks turned faintly red.

”Tessara, enough,” she said quickly.

She glanced around the store briefly.

Tessara did not look embarrassed.

”Is that wrong?” She asked.

She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, her expression calm and strangely charming.

”That is for Nyr to decide,” Samara replied.

”I believe my King loves you very much, Samara,” Tessara continued.

Samara’s eyes widened slightly.

”If I were in your place,” Tessara said, ”I would have already gone to him. I do not think he would refuse you if you truly insisted.”

”Tessara,” Samara said again. ”Please.”

Her cheeks had become completely red.

Tessara watched her for a moment.

Then she stepped closer and gently brushed one of Samara’s black locks behind her ear.

”I am envious of you,” she said.

Though she was smiling, there was something dark intent within her eyes.

Samara looked at her.

”Envious?”

”Yes.”

”There are other women you should envy before me,” Samara replied.

Tessara shook her head.

”No.”

Her dark-green eyes lowered.

”You lived inside Edward. You felt his emotions, his memories, and his pain. You know parts of him that none of us can truly understand.”

The words carried no resentment.

Only longing.

”My King refuses to open all of his memories to us,” Tessara continued.

As Banshees, they could share memories with their contractor. The bond between them and Edward allowed glimpses into one another’s thoughts, emotions, and experiences.

But Edward was careful.

He had shown far more of himself when he had been within Amael’s body, allowing Mary, Annabelle, and Samara to witness things he would normally keep hidden. Yet in his original body, Edward’s own mind was much stronger now. He could open and close his memories as he wished, deciding exactly what the Banshees could see and what remained locked away.

That did not mean he did not trust them.

It simply meant that he carried burdens he did not wish to place upon them.

”He does not want to burden you with them,” Samara said quietly.

She looked toward Tessara with understanding.

”Olga has already suffered enough. He would not want to darken her or your new life with his pain.”

”I know,” Tessara replied.

Her expression softened.

”But I still want to know him.”

She placed one hand over her chest.

”I want to understand his pain. I want to carry part of it with him, even if it hurts.”

Her eyes held a quiet devotion.

”Because I believe it would bring me closer to my beloved King.”

Samara looked at Tessara for a long moment.

”You never loved anyone in your previous life, did you?” She asked quietly.

Tessara shook her head.

”It would be an insult to the love I hold for my King if I used that word for any relationship from my past,” she replied.

There was no hesitation in her voice.

No sadness, either.

Only certainty.

Samara’s lips curved into a faint smile.

”Would you say otherwise in your own case, Samara?” Tessara asked.

The question made Samara fall silent.

For a moment, her eyes lost focus as memories rose before her.

Her life before becoming a Banshee had not been kind.

Her parents had been an elf and a vampire. They had brought her into the world, but she had never truly felt loved by them. Their presence had been distant, cold, and fleeting. It seemed they already felt something was off with her. Then they were gone, leaving her in the care of her aunt and uncle.

At first, Samara had believed she would be safe with them.

But she had been wrong.

Her uncle had tried to violate her.

Samara had killed him.

After that, her power began to worsen.

It grew more unstable, more dangerous, as though her grief, fear, and anger had become a curse that could no longer be controlled. People around her suffered. Some died. Her aunt, terrified of Samara and the power she could not understand, had thrown her into a deep well.

Then she sealed it.

Samara had been left alone in darkness.

There had been no light. No escape. No one coming to save her.

Her power continued to rage from within the well, but she had no way to free herself. She remained there until the darkness, the isolation, and the agony eventually consumed her.

She died alone.

Later, during the Banshee Trial, Samara had been forced to live through that nightmare again.

She had been dragged back into the same fear, the same darkness, and the same helpless despair.

But that time, Edward had been there.

He had stayed with her until the end.

He had not turned away from her pain. He had not abandoned her when she became dangerous. He had stood beside her, allowing her to rewrite the ending of the life she had once lost.

With him there, she had not died alone.

Since then, Samara had been able to control her power.

Not because the darkness inside her had disappeared completely, but because Edward was beside her. Because she did not want to hurt him. Because for the first time, she had someone she wished to protect rather than someone she feared losing.

She had never felt anything like that before.

”No,” Samara said at last.

She looked at Tessara with a quiet smile.

”I am just like you.”

She had never loved anyone as deeply as she loved Edward for sure.

”Hey! You little brat! How dare you bump into me?”

The sudden voice cut through their conversation.

Samara and Tessara both turned.

A short distance ahead, Tihana had stepped backward, rubbing the bridge of her nose. In front of her stood an elderly man dressed in gold from head to toe. Gold rings covered his fingers, a gold chain hung over his chest, and even the decorations on his coat seemed designed to draw attention to his wealth.

His expression was furious.

”You came out of nowhere,” Tihana replied, frowning at him.

”I agree,” Lunishia said, stepping beside her. ”You were the one walking too quickly into us.”

”What?”

The old man glared at both of them.

Then his eyes moved over their clothes.

They were dressed casually, certainly, but their outfits were still high-quality and expensive. Their hats, dresses, and accessories had all come from prestigious brands.

The man did not seem to care.

”Since when are peasants allowed inside a place like this?” he sneered.

”P-Peasants?” Lunishia repeated. ”Are you blind, old geezer?”

She looked genuinely stunned.

Tihana’s expression darkened.

”I will have you thrown out immediately,” the old man said, looking around for staff members.

”Hey,” Tihana said, glaring at him. ”You talk too much, old man.”

She crossed her arms.

”If you wanted an apology, then sorry. Can you leave now?”

The old man’s face turned red.

”How dare you raise your voice at me?”

He lifted his hand.

He was clearly preparing to slap Tihana.

But before his hand could reach her, Lunishia caught his wrist.

Her fingers closed around it tightly.

”Do not touch her,” Lunishia said.

She was smiling.

But the smile did not reach her eyes.

”Let go of me!” the man shouted. ”Guards! Get rid of this woman!”

Several guards rushed toward them.

They appeared to be the old man’s personal guards, dressed in formal uniforms and moving forward with the clear intention of pulling Lunishia away.

Lunishia’s expression changed.

Her eyes narrowed.

Vertical slits appeared within them.

Samara was already preparing to intervene as well.

Then a soft voice echoed through the store.

”I do not believe there is any need to take this so far.”

Everyone turned.

Aurora stood nearby.

Even without an elaborate royal gown, she carried herself with a regal dignity.

The old man opened his mouth, ready to protest.

But the moment he truly looked at Aurora, he stopped.

There was something about her that made it obvious she was not someone he could insult carelessly.

Two guards in shining golden armor immediately stepped forward in front of Aurora.

”Princess.”

The old man’s face went pale.

Aurora’s expression remained gentle.

”I believe there is no real issue here, is there?” She asked with a soft smile.

The old man swallowed.

”N-None at all, Your Highness,” he said quickly. ”My apologies.”

He did not wait for another response.

He turned away immediately, retreating with his guards as quickly as his dignity allowed.

Lunishia released his wrist and watched him leave.

”Thank you for helping,” she said. ”Though I was about to punch him. A shame.”

”I believe that would have made the situation worse,” Aurora said with a quiet chuckle.

Then she lowered her gaze toward Tihana.

Her expression shifted slightly.

Something about the child seemed strangely familiar.

But Aurora could not place it.

Tihana, however, knew exactly who stood before her.

So did Samara and Tessara.

Only Lunishia seemed unaware of Aurora’s identity.

Perhaps that was why she looked so casual.

”By the way,” Lunishia asked, raising a brow, ”are you really a princess?”

”Show respect to the Princess—”

One of Aurora’s guards stepped forward.

But Aurora lifted her hand.

”I will be fine,” she said. ”Remain nearby and watch over us.”

The guards bowed.

”Yes, Princess.”

They stepped back.

”Sister.”

Sylvia approached from behind Aurora.

The moment Tihana saw the two princesses together, her eyes widened.

”Wow...”

Aurora and Sylvia looked breathtaking side by side.

Their beauty was different, but equally striking. Aurora carried a quiet elegance and composed warmth, while Sylvia’s presence was brighter, more youthful, and impossible to ignore. Even dressed casually, there was no hiding that they were royal.

The commotion had drawn attention.

People throughout the floor began to look in their direction.

At first, their eyes were drawn to the two Celesta princesses.

But then they noticed the group standing opposite them comprised of Samara, Tessara, Lunishia and Tihana.

It was difficult for people to simply walk away.

To the customers watching from a distance, it looked like an unexpected gathering of people from the highest levels of society.

”Thank you for helping us,” Samara said.

Her calm voice broke the silence.

She took Tihana’s hand and gently began leading her away.

Tihana did not resist.

But she continued looking back at Aurora, her eyes filled with curiosity. Something about the princess seemed to interest her, though Tihana did not say what it was.

Then a sudden golden light erupted beside Aurora.

The flash was so bright that several people nearby raised their hands to shield their eyes. Samara and Tihana stopped as well, turning back toward the light.

When it faded, a boy stood beside Aurora.

He appeared to be around Tihana’s age.

His hair was short and golden-blond, bright beneath the store lights, while his eyes were a clear sapphire blue. His features were delicate enough that someone might have mistaken him for a girl at first glance, but there was also an obvious resemblance between him and Aurora.

That was only natural.

He was Aurora’s contracted familiar.

”Ruma?” Aurora asked, visibly surprised.

It was unusual for him to appear suddenly without warning. Ruma did not materialize unless he sensed danger or felt that something was wrong.

But there did not appear to be any threat.

Ruma did not answer immediately.

Instead, he stood half-hidden behind Aurora, staring at Tihana.

Tihana stared back at him with open curiosity, her hand still held by Samara.

”Hey, Ruma,” Sylvia said.

She stepped behind him and ruffled his golden hair with more force than necessary.

”What is it?”

Ruma flinched slightly, but he did not take his eyes off Tihana.

”That girl...”

He lifted a hand and pointed toward her.

Aurora and Sylvia both looked at Tihana.

”She is like me,” Ruma said quietly.

”Like you?” Aurora repeated.

Then her eyes widened slightly.

She looked more carefully at Tihana.

There was only one thing Ruma could mean.

Tihana was a familiar.

And not an ordinary one.

For a familiar to possess such a stable, human form meant she had to be extremely rare and high-ranked. Most familiars could not appear so completely human, especially not with the clear intelligence, emotions, and presence Tihana possessed.

”She is a familiar too?” Sylvia asked.

Ruma nodded.

”Tihana,” Samara said quietly.

There was a note of warning in her voice.

She tightened her hold on Tihana’s hand and began pulling her away again.

Tihana gave Ruma one last curious look before allowing Samara to lead her onward.

”Hm.”

Lunishia had remained behind.

She looked from Ruma to Tihana’s retreating figure, then smiled knowingly.

”It seems that boy likes our girl.”

Aurora stared at her.

”Pardon?”

”Is that true, Ruma?” Sylvia asked.

She was already laughing.

Ruma’s face became red.

He quickly looked away and tried to hide more completely behind Aurora.

Lunishia sighed.

”Unfortunately, he is aiming too high.”

She paused.

”Not to sound insulting.”

Then she turned and followed Samara, Tessara, and Tihana.

Ruma’s shoulders slumped as he watched them leave.

Sylvia looked at him with amusement.

”Come on. You are not going to give up that easily, are you, Ruma?”

Aurora looked down at her familiar.

”What is wrong, Ruma?” She asked gently. ”Do you truly like her?”

It seemed almost like love at first sight.

Ruma nodded faintly.

”She has a familiar scent,” he said.

His sapphire-blue eyes remained fixed on the direction Tihana had gone.

”It is comforting.”

Then he looked up at Aurora.

”Like you.”

Aurora’s expression softened.

She smiled and gently patted his hair.

”What are we waiting for, Aura?” Sylvia said eagerly. ”We need to help them.”

”Sylvia,” Aurora replied, giving her sister a warning look, ”they are children.”

She glanced toward the direction Tihana had disappeared.

”And you heard her. We should not force anything.”

Sylvia sighed.

”Poor Ruma. If I were his mother, I would not hesitate.”

Aurora grimaced slightly.

”You are not his mother.”

”I know,” Sylvia said.

Then her eyes brightened again.

”Alright, let us not bother them. But they are still on this floor, right? We can simply look around near them.”

Aurora gave her a dry look.

”You mean follow them.”

”Not follow them,” Sylvia corrected. ”Observe them.”

”You mean stalk them.”

”Come on, Sister.”

Sylvia caught Aurora’s arm and pulled her gently.

She was clearly enjoying this far too much.

Aurora could tell that Sylvia was not truly doing it only for Ruma’s sake. She wanted to have fun with her sister. She wanted a normal, playful moment together, something beyond dresses, politics, marriage candidates, and the responsibilities waiting for them at the academy.

”At least let us learn her name,” Sylvia said.

”No,” Aurora replied.

She checked her phone briefly.

”I already requested a private room upstairs so Jeanne can try on dresses. We will receive it soon.”

”Not immediately, Aura. And Jeanne is still busy downstairs.”

Sylvia smiled persuasively.

”Just until then.”

Aurora remained reluctant.

Then she looked down at Ruma.

He was still watching the direction Tihana had gone, his expression quietly hopeful despite the disappointment in his eyes.

Aurora sighed.

”We make no contact,” she said. ”And we do not get too close.”

Sylvia’s smile became victorious.

”Understood.”