I Am The Game's Villain

Chapter 370: [Elizabethʼs Engagement Party] [5] Cylien And Rodolf

”Please, be careful,” a woman murmured softly.

She had long silver hair and radiant leaf-green eyes, exuding an air of royalty. Despite being in her twenties, she appeared much younger, easily mistaken for one of the princesses. Her kind smile was tempered with a serious demeanor as she looked at the youths gathered around her.

”You worry too much as always, mother,” Cylien replied with a smile.

Cylien was dressed in a stunning elven gown that, while modest, drew everyoneʼs eyes to her. She was breathtakingly beautiful. Her blond hair was intricately braided, and her eyes, much like her motherʼs, held a certain kindness.

”I will take care of them, mother. There is nothing to worry about,” said another young woman, slightly older than Cylien, with features strikingly similar to their motherʼs. She had the same silver hair, also braided, but her green eyes each had unique shades. She bore distinctive marks drawn below her eyes.

Namys looked at her older daughter, Aerinwyn, and smiled. She had no doubts about her daughters but rather about her nephew, who walked confidently with his parents, a slight smirk playing on his lips that made all the elven women blush. His father, Namysʼ older brother, had a serious expression, while his mother, Edea Elaryon-who also taught Aliciaʼs class-looked proud. Edea had represented her husband and Namys during the Great Nobles Meeting a few months ago to discuss Utopia and Bride Teraquin.

Aerinwynʼs gaze briefly rested on Lykhor. Indeed, she couldnʼt be entirely sure he wouldnʼt cause problems. Thankfully, Alvara did not seem to be participating in todayʼs event, so Lykhor might behave himself.

On the other hand, Kendel Teraquin, the eldest sibling, was present with his mother. He had a cold and serious expression as always. Like Cyril, Kendel had been seldom seen since graduation.

”Itʼs even more complicated since itʼs Aleaʼs sonʼs engagement. I heard he picked a lot of fights with Elves. Many nobles hate him,” Namys sighed.

What she said was true.

Amaelʼs countless disparaging remarks toward the Elves had seriously angered many high- ranking nobles, whether in the Teraquin Kingdom, directly affected through Allen, or in the Elaryon Kingdom, who disapproved of Amaelʼs behavior toward them.

It was as if he were bullying them, and now no one could stop him since he was the Prince and Heir of the Olphean House.

Cylien could only stay silent in the face of her motherʼs worry. She had witnessed Amaelʼs insults toward her kin and didnʼt know how to process it. He was clearly irritated by the Teraquins and even by Lykhor in some way, which didnʼt help matters.

”Yo, Cylien.” Suddenly, someone approached and grinned at Cylien.

It was, of course, Rodolf.

There could only be him to brazenly greet an Elven Princess like that.

”Rodolf?” Even Cylien seemed surprised.

”Come, letʼs talk,” Rodolf motioned with a tilt of his head to walk away.

Cylien, with a conflicted expression, looked at her mother, who seemed exasperated. She glanced at Jefer for help, but he appeared to be lost in his own world as usual.

In the end, it was Aerinwyn who made the decision. ”Come back later, Cylien.”

”Yes, elder sister...” Cylien, overwhelmed by her sisterʼs stern gaze, nodded meekly.

Her sisterʼs gaze clearly meant that Cylien should hold herself with dignity around so many nobles and not do anything that might endanger their reputation.

----

....

”Wow, your sister sure is scary as always, huh? Iʼve seen her a lot last year. I guess thatʼs how the strong act? When youʼre strong, you have the right to act cocky, right?” Rodolf asked with a grin at Cylien.

But Cylienʼs mood had slightly soured after the brief interaction with Aerinwyn.

Her elder sister had already told her countless times to break off whatever relationship she had with Rodolf, as it wasnʼt good for her future. By ”future,” Aerinwyn obviously meant a future where Cylien would be married off to a high-ranking Elven noble house. There were already many suitors, and Cylien had a sneaking suspicion that her elder sister and mother had already made plans for her future husband.

She knew it was her duty as a princess and that she would fulfill it. The problem was the constant feeling of being overshadowed by her elder sister, which gnawed at her. Her mother was kinder, explaining things gently, but her older sister always added the necessary harshness to make Cylien understand her responsibilities. Despite her best efforts, Cylien could tell by the way Namys looked at her that she was still seen as a child.

”One day, surely, Iʼm going to beat her for good. Then youʼd be free,” Rodolfʼs words reached her ears.

Cylien chuckled a bit, but there was little warmth in it. It was a laugh of exasperation. ”You are really...amazing, Rodolf.”

Despite her words, Rodolf didnʼt feel happy, as Cylienʼs tone was dry and tired.

”You donʼt understand at all, do you? You know it will never work between an Elf and a Werewolf. Iʼm sure you know it deep down... so please stop looking after me,” Cylien said, turning away. But Rodolf grasped her arm.

His yellow eyes looked at her, his usual cheerful expression gone. ”What was that date about then?”

He was referring to the date at the beginning of the year. He had asked her out, and Cylien had clearly accepted. She could have refused if she had been so certain it wouldnʼt work out. Cylien lowered her gaze. Why did she accept it? Only her sisterʼs face came to mind.

”I donʼt know... maybe I wanted to feel rebellious for once,” she said bitterly. ”Rebellious, huh? Sounds good to me,” Rodolf said, recovering his usual grin.

Cylien looked at Rodolf and couldnʼt help but blush a little, noticing how handsome he was. Despite all the negative feelings she had, Rodolfʼs cheerful attitude seemed radiant to her.

”You really are something, arenʼt you?”

”Of course I am,” Rodolf said, letting go of Cylienʼs arm. ”Your sister doesnʼt scare me at all. What about mingling races? I know Elves are all about racial supremacy or whatever, but I donʼt care about that. The fittest wins. Tell your sister to send all her suitors to me. Sheʼll quickly know that Iʼm the most capable one.”

Cylien rolled her eyes. Of course, Rodolf was going to talk about fighting.

”Always fighting with you,” Cylien said, exasperated, but she recovered her smile.

”Yeah, but it would be too boring if they came one by one. Just send them all against me at

once,” Rodolf said.

Cylien chuckled amusedly before she turned around to leave.

”Is that all, Cylien?” Rodolfʼs voice rang from behind.

Cylien found it a bit cute how Rodolf expected something more. With a shy twirl, she smiled.

”How about another date next week?”

Rodolf was caught off guard, his mouth hanging open, but then he grinned. ”As you wish, but

ask your three friends not to follow us around this time.”

”I know!” Cylien laughed, knowing exactly who he meant.

Amelia, Celeste, and Elizabeth had been notorious for spying on their last date, especially Elizabeth, who had been dragged into the group during her project with Amael. ”Hm?” Cylien blinked as she observed Rodolf one last time. For a moment, his appearance shifted to that of a handsome, brown-skinned man with long, tied-back locks hair. When she blinked again, it was Rodolf looking at her, dumbfounded.

”M...arl...ene...” He muttered weakly, scratching his head in confusion.

Cylien looked at him coldly, not really upset but still a bit annoyed. ʼHe really has the gall to call another woman after I propose a date!ʼ