I Am The Game's Villain

Chapter 362  Alicia's Situation

Connor Olphean died.

It happened less than a year ago, and since then, everything changed with Elizabeth, a change that everyone noticed. She was absent for a few days and returned with a warmer smile, devoid of the coldness she once exhibited. She abandoned all competition with the Teraquin House and Raven House and instead focused silently and diligently on her classwork.

Elizabeth, who had always shown some restraint in getting along with Celeste and the others, suddenly became close to them again, reminiscent of how she was when her parents were still alive. Celeste and Amelia, who were the closest to her, happily accepted this change and refrained from asking too many questions. They understood how close Elizabeth had been to Connor and did not want to upset her with inquiries.

Days and weeks passed, and Elizabeth genuinely started caring for her friends and showing kindness to strangers, something she had never done before. Even with Connor, she had maintained a semblance of her ruthless aura, but her interactions with the lively Celeste and Amelia transformed her further. This change, something even Earth couldn't achieve, required the combined influence of Connor, Celeste, and Amelia.

Yet, Alicia knew something was wrong.

This drastic change in just a few days was too strange and unnatural. She wasn't the only one who thought so. Everyone who knew Elizabeth even a little bit understood that her new demeanor was merely a facade, a mask she wore perhaps to protect herself psychologically and to shield others from her true self. It was as if she had purposefully sealed away all the aspects of her previous self deep within her mind, and as time passed, that facade became her new identity.

But Alicia couldn't find any comfort in this. From her perspective, Elizabeth was doing more harm than good to herself. She was trying to overwrite her own existence, and this was clearly distressing for Alicia.

As Alicia fought Elizabeth, she struggled to keep her emotions in check.

Again, that same defensive stance.

Elizabeth, who had always been the aggressor, was now perpetually on the defensive, waiting for the right moment to counterattack.

After hundreds of exchanges, Alicia halted the sparring session, stepping back.

"You've progressed a lot, Alicia," Elizabeth smiled as she lowered her rapier.

But, as always, Alicia didn't react much to Elizabeth's compliments. She wasn't sure if Elizabeth genuinely meant her words or if they were merely expressions of sympathy. The Elizabeth she knew rarely praised people and only those she considered worthy. Now, she was offering praise to everyone.

For Alicia, these words felt empty, as did Elizabeth's smile.

Seeing Alicia remain silent as she removed her protective gear, Elizabeth sighed wryly and began taking off her own protective top.

"Do you want to eat together, Alicia? I'll also call Selene. It's been a while since we've done that together," Elizabeth offered.

Alicia remained silent, untying the ribbon that held her blonde hair and letting it flow over her shoulders. Her crimson eyes met Elizabeth's with their usual aloof expression. "Indeed, it's been a while," she muttered before walking away without giving a proper answer. But Elizabeth knew very well that Alicia had clearly rejected her offer.

Elizabeth watched Alicia's retreating figure for a moment before lowering her gaze to her hand holding the rapier. Her left hand was trembling slightly for some reason. Noticing this, Elizabeth clenched the hilt tightly, stopping the trembling.

"I'm leaving as well."

"Yes, Milady."

***

Alicia walked silently towards the Ravenia Palace.

As a Great House Princess, she had access to the unique teleportation mana circle, which transported her from one capital to another. Within moments, she found herself in the Ravenia Capital. As always, a carriage had been prepared for her, and she gazed emptily out of the window until they reached the palace.

The Ravenia Palace stood tall and dark in the center of the capital, an imposing sight that everyone dreamed of seeing from the inside at least once. However, Alicia, who had seen its corridors and rooms countless times, had grown weary of it. The grandeur that once might have awed her now felt monotonous. She wished she would never have to return to this palace again.

Since her parents' separation, Alicia had sided with her mother and lived in another mansion in the capital, under secret guards. Despite the separation, she remained a royal of Ravenia. It was surprising that both James Raven and Lazarus Raven allowed her to live outside the security of the palace.

Initially, James Raven didn't accept this arrangement and proposed to live elsewhere himself, but to his dismay, his wife refused. She didn't want to set foot in the castle again. Ultimately, with Lazarus Raven's acquiescence, James Raven relented but asked for his daughter to visit home once a month. This was his way of staying connected with her, ensuring her well-being, and holding onto a small hope of mending their relationship. Yet, over the years, no progress had been made. Nôv(el)B\\jnn

Still, merely seeing his daughter and talking with her brought him enough happiness. He asked the same of his wife, but as expected, she flatly refused.

As Alicia walked the path leading to the castle, the knights, upon seeing her, quickly bowed. It was a familiar yet rare sight: Alicia Raven walking through the castle like a stranger.

Alicia could have refused her father's request, but she was still a Great noble of Sancta Vedelia, a Princess of one of the eight great houses, and with that came responsibilities. She wouldn't dodge her duties, which is why she agreed to visit the castle on some occasions. Moreover, she didn't want to create any more problems. She knew her grandfather and brother well, after all.

This sense of duty was one of the reasons she had accepted the engagement to Adrian in the first place. The idea had come from her oldest brother, Cyril, who discussed it with their grandfather, who unsurprisingly accepted. Alicia, whether she had a say in the matter or not, had no intention of refusing it, despite her mother's reluctance.

Alicia knew that her mother would have caused an uproar if Alicia had truly expressed a desire not to engage Adrian. To avoid this, she remained silent.

"Where is my... father?" Alicia asked before entering the castle.

"He's in the training area, Milady, with his guest," the knight replied.

"Guest?" Alicia frowned slightly before nodding and walking off.

Around the castle, various facilities were installed, including training areas and other equipment, all for the royals. Alicia used to train there before she left the castle with her mother.

As she pondered her father's whereabouts, she felt a slight fluctuation in the air emanating from a peculiar small stadium that resembled a giant room. She walked towards it, sensing even more mana rippling through the air. One of the presences was undoubtedly her father's, but the other, which was quite unique and powerful, belonged to someone else. It felt familiar, yet different and stronger this time.

Arriving in front of the metallic door, she knocked.

With no answer, she hesitated a bit before knocking once more. She really wanted to get this over with quickly, as always.

Just as she was about to knock a third time, the door rattled and opened, revealing a very handsome young man, probably the most handsome she had ever seen.