I Am The Game's Villain

Chapter 403  Alicia Engaged Again

"I thought you wouldn't come, Amael," Elizabeth said as she approached me.

"I wish I hadn't," I grumbled, scanning the room and feeling the toxic tension in the air.

Why couldn't Cyril and Alvara just take their frustrations out on each other and knock themselves out? It would make things so much simpler.

"You're exaggerating again," Elizabeth chided gently.

"Maybe…" I muttered, carefully avoiding her gaze. How could she act so normal after everything that had happened between us? Twice now, we had been together—intimately—yet there was nothing romantic involved. And here she was, speaking as if nothing had changed, as if everything was perfectly ordinary.

It left me feeling pathetic, like I was the only one who was overly conscious of the situation, of what had transpired. Same thing with Celes and that kiss or whatever it was…

Was this normal now? To act like it didn't matter, like it was just another meaningless interaction? Despite my awkwardness, I was certain Elizabeth had noticed my strange behavior around her. Yet she didn't comment on it, pretending as if she hadn't picked up on my discomfort. For that, I was oddly grateful.

"Elder brother…"

Elizabeth and I both perked up at the sound of Alicia's voice. She was part of our Inter-Class group, along with Cyril, and now she stood before him. Cyril who was lounging as if he owned the entire academy.

"My dear younger sister," Cyril greeted her, a smile curling his lips. "Do you wish to say something to your elder brother?" His tone was friendly enough, but there was an edge to it, a dangerous undertone that made Alicia's expression falter.

Was she really that terrified of him?

"It's about the people with you… There have been female students found in the corridors suffering from anemia," Alicia began, her voice wavering slightly. "The bite marks, and from what the other students have said…they're your classmates, Elder Brother."

"Hmm. And what of it?" Cyril replied, completely disinterested.

"The female students are in a state of—"

"Did they say anything against it? Were they forced, or did they cry?" Cyril's voice turned icy, cutting through Alicia's words. His casual demeanor didn't falter, but the temperature in the room seemed to drop several degrees.

I noticed Alicia's shoulders trembling slightly before she quickly composed herself, trying to maintain her courage.

"No, but…they were in danger and—"

"Aerin, Aerin, Aerin," Cyril repeated mockingly, tilting his head back with a chuckle. "If she has a problem, she can handle it herself. Why is she sending my own sister? Did she think I'd be more reflective if my dear sister asked me?" His crimson eyes glowed with an eerie light as he stared down Alicia.

"What do you think, Alicia?" "..." Alicia bit her lip, completely silenced by her brother's oppressive presence.

"Oh, and Alicia," Cyril continued, his tone suddenly taking on a sickeningly sweet lilt. "I've engaged you again."

"...!"

The room fell into a stunned silence.

Alicia's eyes widened in shock, much like mine and Elizabeth's. Was he serious?

"Percy Moonfang. He's certainly a better match than that weakling Adrian," Cyril added with a chuckle, his voice tinged with satisfaction as if sealing Alicia's fate was just another casual decision.

Our eyes naturally shifted toward Percy Moonfang, who was seated among Alvara's group. With his sharp senses, he must have overheard the conversation, but his reaction was as indifferent as ever. He didn't seem bothered, nor did he deny the engagement.

So it was true—they were really engaged?

What the hell was going on?

I had foolishly thought that after the disaster with Adrian, Cyril might back off, but instead, he had already arranged another engagement for Alicia, all without any of us being aware.

"G-Grandfather…" Alicia's voice trembled as she whispered, clearly asking if the Head of the Raven House had agreed to this.

"Of course he agreed. It's all for the prosperity of our House," Cyril replied, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "Something must be done to counter the Tepes House's new alliance."

Alicia seemed to be hit with the harsh reality of her situation, and without another word, she turned and began to walk away. He completely silenced her protest for his men's doings and shattered her will in a minute.

"Alicia." Cyril's voice was cold, devoid of any warmth that one might expect from a brother addressing his sister. She stopped and turned around, her face pale.

Cyril's crimson eyes darkened, glowing ominously. "This time, I won't be lenient. The engagement will be finalized after the war, followed immediately by the marriage," he declared.

"Yes…" Alicia's reply was a whisper, barely audible, but it was enough to bring a satisfied smile to Cyril's lips.

"Don't disappoint me, Alicia," he added.

"Well, looks like Junior is doomed to an arranged marriage. But I guess it's still better than being stuck with Adrian," I muttered under my breath, letting out a weary sigh.

Elizabeth, however, didn't share my indifference. She was staring intently at Percy, who sat apart from the others, hands tucked into his pockets, his expression unreadable.

My own gaze drifted to Victor, who looked like he was on the verge of stepping in to confront Cyril. But Selene was holding him back, speaking to him in low tones. Meanwhile, Sirius was watching Cyril with an expression that was hard to decipher.

"You're disgusting!"

Oh no.

I shifted my focus back to Cyril, who was now facing Celeste, another member of our Inter-Year Group. She stood before him, her eyes blazing with fury, while Cyril, in stark contrast, wore a pleased smile.

"Celes, did you finally come to claim your place beside me? Come, take a seat," Cyril taunted, patting the chair next to him with a satisfied smile.

"Shut up! Aren't you ashamed of yourself? Treating your own sister like she's nothing more than a tool!" Celeste spat, her voice laced with contempt and anger.

Cyril exhaled slowly, shaking his head as if Celeste's outburst was nothing more than a minor annoyance. "More than my sister, Alicia is the Princess of the Raven House. She has a duty to fulfill for the good of the House. She will do so by securing an alliance with the Moonfang family. As a princess yourself, Celes, you should understand that much." n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

The way he spoke was infuriatingly calm and collected.

"T-That's…" Celes stammered, her voice faltering as she struggled to find the right words. Her usually sharp mind seemed to be betraying her, leaving her at a loss for how to respond.

"Unless you have some problem with Percy? Did he do something to you? "Cyril asked.

"That's not it!" Celes snapped back, her voice more assertive this time. "I'm just saying, at least consult Alicia before making such decisions." Her eyes narrowed into a fierce glare, one that spoke volumes about her disapproval.

"Consult my little sister?" Cyril threw his head back and laughed, a harsh and mocking sound that echoed through the stadium. But as quickly as the laughter came, it vanished, replaced by a steely, cold gaze. "Who do you take me for, Celes?" Celes's expression contorted in anger, her lips curling into a scowl as she clenched her fists so tightly her knuckles turned white. Frustration boiled within her, and with an audible click of her tongue, she spun on her heel and left.

She really can't help but stick her nose into everything, can she? But then again, that's exactly what makes her the Leading Main Heroine.

Even in the Game, she was always getting herself into trouble because of her insatiable curiosity and tendency to meddle. And it was Victor's job to clean up the messes she left in her wake. As much as I found that side of her somewhat endearing, I couldn't help but wish she would exercise a little more restraint. After all, Victor wasn't around to cover her back anymore—not with how close he had become to Selene. The way Victor had gravitated toward Selene had taken me by surprise.

I had never played through the Villainess route of Selene's character, so I hadn't anticipated just how deeply Victor would fall for her. But I had to admit, Selene deserved some credit for making such an impression on Victor.

"Is everyone here?" Gamir Teraquin's voice rang suddenly.

I turned my attention to the professor who had just entered the room. Gamir Teraquin, the very image of aristocratic arrogance, stood before the class with his usual disdainful expression. Of course, it had to be him overseeing this class. "As you know, in three days, we will all be heading to Vanadias for the decisive exam of this semester. It will be your last exam before Sancta Vedelia falls into a state of war. But that does not mean you can afford to slack off. Consider today's class your final training session before the exam."

Vanadias. The capital of the Teraquins' racist kingdom. Damn it.

I don't know how long I'll be able to restrain myself there.

Gamir flipped open the leather-bound book he carried, scanning its contents with a bored expression before looking up. "I will personally call on the students who will be fighting first," he announced.

"Group A, John Tarmias."

That guy first?

"Go on, John! You better win, and I'll give you a reward if you do!" Amelia's voice rang out, filled with sweet encouragement. She flashed a radiant smile at John, her affection for him clear in her eyes.

John nodded back at her, a small smile on his lips. "Ugh…" I am jealous.

"And against Group C, Earth Tepes."

Huh?