Villain's POV: The Heroines Want Me!

Chapter 18: Chapter 18- Political Schemes

Chapter 18- Political Schemes

Looking around him, Rize could see many workers going in and out of the Villa in a hurry. At the same time, he also saw several individuals standing outside talking in groups. He could immediately tell they were guests and very rich ones at that.

They were clad in suits and dresses that exuded wealth. Their jewelry, watches, and phones were all very expensive, giving them an air of superiority without them even doing anything.

’I don’t recognize their faces, so they’re probably just a bunch of randos.’ Rize thought to himself as they started walking through the path toward the entrance. On their way, a few of the guests stared at them silently before they started whispering to each other.

They clearly recognized Geralt as he was one of the most important people under the royal family’s wing. However, seeing the boy, they could not recognize him. He seemed completely odd.

”Hm, who is that kid?”

”Is he Geralt’s son?”

”Is that guy even married?”

”I don’t know... The boy doesn’t look like him.” They said to one another in secrecy as they watched the two head inside.

”They seem to be interested in us, sir,” Rize said as he looked over his shoulder.

”Don’t worry about it. Everyone in this circle knows one another, so they naturally would be curious if they see a new face. Your face is completely new, so you better not cause trouble, as they do not welcome strangers.”

”Yeah...” Rize muttered. ’Well, they aren’t my type of people at all. I hate glamorous idiots. They’re performative and arrogant beyond reason.’

As they stepped inside, the two found themselves in a large open hall. Its walls, floor, and pillars were carved out of marble and other rare stones. Decorations filled every place, with tables and chairs filling the space.

At the very top of a large staircase on the other side, there were several beautiful chairs stationed in order. Each one had golden linings and was decorated with gemstones and beautiful carvings.

Countless workers were going about their job, getting the venue ready for the ceremony. Rize could see the nervous looks on their faces as they tried to hurry themselves back to work.

There were a few guests inside, exploring the place since it was certainly a once-in-a-lifetime kind of opportunity to be this close to the royal family and be inside one of their residences.

”Wow, this place is beautiful,” Rize muttered. ’And this isn’t even their palace. Just a random villa... They must have infinite money.’ Rize frowned.

”Keep your eyes ahead and don’t look around too obviously. That’s not how you trace your surroundings.” Geralt whispered to Rize.

”Yes, sir.” Rize nodded and stopped acting like a curious kid. He was never in a place as luxurious as this one, so everything felt very foreign to him, if he could even call a palace in a fantasy world ’foreign’.

”So, what should we do, sir?”

”Just explore the place, get something to drink, and relax till the event begins. It should start soon as guests start arriving.” Rize said.

”Oh, Geralt. Is that you?”

As the two stood there, one of the guests approached Geralt. He was a younger man, possibly in his early 30s, with handsome features, a bald head, and a wide smile. He appeared to be of some sort of nobility, judging from his attire.

”Mr Claus. It is an honor to see you again.” Geralt shook his hand with a respectful nod.

”Where have you been? I haven’t seen you in forever.” He said. ”Are you doing well?”

”As good as I could be, sir.”

”That’s good to hear. Hm, is this your child?” Claus stared at Rize as he raised an eyebrow.

Rize gave him a respectful but quiet nod as he remained to the side, deciding not to engage in their interaction.

’Geralt is probably considered a noble in the eyes of many with how close he is to the royal family. I wouldn’t be surprised if he had more influence than they did... Or how would you explain a nobility approaching a ’worker’.’

”He’s my apprentice. His name is Rize.”

”Good evening, sir,” Rize said.

”Oh, what a respectful young man,” Claus said as he crouched down to Rize’s level. ”It is rare to see kids like you around here. But enjoy your night.”

His words seemed friendly and peaceful. However, for some reason, Rize felt that the man’s smile was a bit off. Even as he tapped his shoulder, Rize could swear he gripped his shoulder a bit harder than needed.

”Anyway, enjoy your nights, you two. Geralt, let’s have a drink at some point and catch up.” He said as he walked away.

”...” Geralt nodded as he turned to Rize.

”What is his problem?” Rize asked. ”He gave me a really weird vibe.”

”That’s Timothy Claus, a second-grade noble from the north. His family made their name by owning chains of brothels and red district hotels. He is as nasty as they come.”

”Brothers and hotels, huh?” Rize asked as he started rubbing his hand in his clothes instinctively. ’No wonder he gave me that weird feeling. He probably does shady stuff that nobody knows about.’

”Most of the people here created their names through family business, connections, or both. They’re all here for one single goal... Create useful connections and perhaps get one step closer to the royal family. The closer they get, the better it is for them.”

”I see... So all of this is just one big political party, and the goal is to improve their positions?”

”I see you’re catching on quite well. Yes, nobody really cares about the ceremony itself. They’re here to show that they’re favoring the royal family. That’s about it.”

’I’m not surprised. Everyone here looks so sleazy and cunning in one way or the other. I can’t imagine how people even enjoy doing this kind of lying constantly.’ Rize shuddered.

”Umm, sir, can I go get something to drink?” Rize asked.

”Yeah, the drinks section is that way. They should have something for kids.”

”Yeah... I will be back in a moment.”

’With the kind of headache this place will be... I might need a beer.’ Rize rubbed his forehead as he walked through the door and found himself in a new area that looked like a cafeteria. It was quite cozy with faint lighting and a very comfortable atmosphere.

There were a few guests inside talking and drinking in their own seats. Rize walked through the cafeteria to the counter. There, he saw a few other children laughing and talking to the side.

Giving them one glance, he could tell from their appearance that they were rich. However, he didn’t really care much beyond that. They weren’t important characters in the story.

”Excuse me?” He called for the bartender. ”Can I get a soda with ice?”

”Right away, sir.” The man said.

Rize sat there, tapping his finger on the table.

”And then when he tried to tell me that I cannot burn that thing, I fired him!”

”Hahaha, no way!”

”How did your father allow that?!”

”My father doesn’t really care. Haha, he just fired him!”

Rize was forced to listen to the conversation of the kids next to him. He didn’t know the full details, but purely from their obnoxious laughs, he could tell that it was very dumb.

’These spoiled brats.’

”Sigh...” He sighed instinctively. However, he never expected his sigh to catch their attention as they turned to look at him.

”Hey, you.”

”Hm?”

”Yeah, you, I’m talking to you. What’s your name?” One of the boys asked.

”...” Rize stared at them for a second. ’Why is this idiot talking to me now?’

”Are you deaf? I said What is your name?”

”Rize.” Rize finally replied. ”How can I help you?”