Reincarnated As The Villainess's Son

Chapter 147  [Blood Of Fallen] [3]

My once purple hair had transformed into a pristine white, peeking out from beneath the cap, and a black mask covered the lower half of my face.

A pair of glasses and the overcoat I wore concealed my features.

I nodded in approval, satisfied with the transformation, before turning away from the mirror and sitting on the cozy bed.

Taking out my phone, I glanced at the already dialed number.

"Haah..."

I exhaled deeply before pressing the call button.

The phone rang twice before someone on the other end picked up.

"What is it, Azariah?" A smooth yet sharp voice answered.

"The emperor threatened to kill me," I said, cutting straight to the point. "He told me to either marry one of his daughters from the concubines or die."

"I see," she replied, her tone flat, devoid of any concern. "Anything else?"

"Someone threatened to kill \'your lady\'s favorite tool,\'" I spat out, rubbing my temples in frustration. "And that\'s all you have to say?"

"You won\'t die until my lady wishes," she responded, completely disinterested. "We\'ll handle anyone trying to harm you."

\'...By \'we,\' does she mean the organization?\' I wondered, nodding my head slightly.

"Anything else?" she asked, sounding preoccupied with something else.

"I need a bike," I said, rubbing my face with my hand.

"Hmm, ask the lady at the main counter; she\'ll provide you with one," she replied.

"Why would she do that?" I asked, tilting my head in confusion.

"My lady owns the hotel," she revealed before abruptly hanging up.

"....."

Why the fuck did I not know about this?

"Sigh."

I sighed, getting up from the bed before opening the door and stepping out.

 The dim red lights illuminated the hallway as I made my way toward Oliver\'s room.

\'Let\'s take chubby as well,\'

I thought, walking slowly.

But I stopped, my gaze shifting toward two girls arguing on the side.

Changing my path, I walked toward them.

"What are you guys doing?" I asked, making them abruptly turn toward me.

"Who are you?" Aaliyah asked, standing in front of Ashlyn.

I lowered my mask to show my face.

"Azariah?" Ashlyn mumbled, and I waved my hand toward her.

"Can I talk with you for a second?" Aaliyah requested, her gaze locked on me.

"Sure," I shrugged, but she shook her head, her red hair swirling around.

"Alone," she replied, glancing at Ashlyn.

"I\'ll be right over there," Ashlyn said with a light smile before turning around and walking away.

"What is it?" I asked, leaning against the wall.

"I\'m asking Oliver for a date," she responded, her red eyes filled with determination.

"And?"

"Stay away from him today," she growled, pointing at my face. "Don\'t go around him like you\'re his mistress."

"That\'s rud—"

"Shut up," she snarled, her face twisting with anger. "You guys are always together, like your hips are attached to each other."

I opened my mouth to argue but thought better of it.

"Fine, whatever," I grumbled. "I won\'t disturb your lovey-dovey time."

"Thanks for your gratitude," she replied sarcastically, glancing back at Ashlyn. "And I have a favor to ask."

"What?"

"Can you please occupy Ashlyn just for today?" she pleaded, her eyes reflecting a trace of guilt. "I promised to go shopping with her."

"Fine," I shrugged again. "I\'m free anyway."

"Sigh..."

She sighed in relief at my answer.

"Are you going to buy him something?"

"Yes."

"Do you have enough money?" I asked, glancing at her. "You know it\'s an expensive city."

"It should be doable," she mumbled, though her voice was doubtful.

"I\'m sending you some money," I informed her, taking out my phone.

"I don\'t need your mone—"

"I\'m lending it, idiot. Return it when you can," I interjected, looking at my phone.

"And yeah, mention my name to the counter lady; she\'ll provide you with a bike. It\'ll be easier for you guys to travel."

...Hope you guys end up in a hotel tonight.

"Done," I mumbled after transferring the money and walking past her. "Have a good time."

"Hey." I turned back as she called out, her lips curling up in a smile. "Thanks, brother."

I smiled a little before walking toward Ashlyn.

"What did you talk about?" she asked, glancing back at Aaliyah.

I smiled, messing up her hair, and replied, "Come with me."

***

The sky above was thick with clouds, the sounds of vehicles passing in the background.

My eyes kept looking around, but I couldn\'t help glancing at Ashlyn, who was curiously walking in front.

The streets were clean, with us walking on a side pathway.

The city was bustling, a stinking mass of buildings spread wide in the area.

The smell of bakery filled the air, people walking around.

"Why is it so cold?" Ashlyn mumbled, repeatedly exhaling to create fog.

"You see the mountain there?" I grabbed her head and twisted it towards the north. "They are the Malycia Mountains, second largest in the world."

I also turned around, eyes on the hills that were visible even from here, a place thousands of miles away.

"Yeah, I\'ve heard of it," she replied, slipping through my grip. "The Eufrates River originates from here, right?"

"Yeah," I mumbled, continuing my walk, "and on the other side, you\'ll find paradise."

"Really?" She beamed, her eyes twinkling. "Has anyone seen it?"

"Nope," I shrugged, "it\'s impossible to reach the other side."

"Why?" she inquired.

"...Something stops people from reaching there," I replied, glancing back at the hills.

"I want to see it," Ashlyn mumbled, her golden eyes filled with eagerness.

"Maybe one day," I replied, and from the corner of my eye, I noticed a quiet coffee shop.

"You want some coffee?" I asked, glancing at her.

"Sure," she nodded, and we walked toward the coffee shop.

The shop was at the end of the street, a grass-turfed with carving, curling wooden beams decorating the front of the building.

The bell hanging on the door rang softly as I pushed it open.

"Welcome," a man with light blonde hair greeted us as I held the door for Ashlyn to walk in.

He wore a butler dress with rolled-up sleeves.

Inside, the shop had one counter where a man with red hair stood with a smile, and a few tables for us to sit down.

"What do you want?" I asked, pulling out a chair and helping her sit down.

"Whatever you want," she replied, her eyes darting toward the two men.

The blonde-haired man came toward us as he asked politely, "Your order, sir?"

"Two caramel coffees with extra sugar," I replied with a slight smile.

He nodded before turning back to his partner. "Arthur, two caramel coffees, please."

"On it!" the redhead replied.

"By the way..."

"Simson, sir."

"Right, Simson, can you suggest some good places to visit?" I asked, as he clearly looked like a local.

"What type of places?" he questioned.

"A church," Ashlyn chimed in, looking at him.

"There\'s one two blocks away," he replied before taking out his pen. "I\'ll make a small map for you."

"Add some other places as well," I said, and he nodded in response.

The other guy brought the coffee, placing it on the table. "Here\'s your serving."

They both looked at each other, a gentle smile adorning their faces.

"Are you guys friends?" Ashlyn asked, a curious look on her face.

"Couples," Simson replied, smiling.

"....Pardon." Ashlyn tilted her head, eyes filled with confusion.

"You heard him," I interjected, looking at her while they both nodded at me and walked away.

I lowered my mask as I drank the coffee, which felt tasteless as usual.

Ashlyn silently drank as well, her mind preoccupied.

We drank the coffee without saying a word, and only when we walked out of the shop with a pastry did she come back to her senses.

"Something you want to ask?" I questioned, making her turn toward me.

"What about babies?" she asked with a deadpan look on her face.

"They adopt one," I replied, shrugging.

"Don\'t their mothers scold them?" she inquired, eating a spoonful of pastry.

"Commoners usually accept them, but it\'s a big no among nobles," I explained, looking at the map I got. n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

"Why?" she probed further.

"Bloodline is most important in nobility," I replied, eyes on the streets. "If they can\'t have offspring to continue their bloodline, they\'re of no use to them."

"What happens to them?"

"Abandoned or killed," I replied, grabbing her hand to cross the street.

"So most nobles keep those relations hidden, and yeah, it\'s banned in our empire, even for commoners."

"That\'s why I never noticed them," she mumbled in realization. "I thought they were like you and Oliver."

I halted my steps before turning and looking at her, dumbfounded.

...Really?

"What?"

"Never say that again," I grumbled, shaking my head.

"Okay," she chirped before scooping some pastry and offering it to me. "Now open your mouth."

I leaned close, eating it from her hand.

\'Huh?\'

But my steps halted, and my heartbeat dropped the next instant.