I Am The Game's Villain

"This is our date."

"R-Right..." Rodolf awkwardly set his phone aside and glanced back at Cylien, who now wore a satisfied smile.

"You know, I was pretty sure you would've ended up rejecting me," Rodolf admitted, his fingers absently toying with his glass.

"Why such defeatist thinking?" Cylien inquired, raising an eyebrow.

"Well, I thought you might already be head over heels for another guy," Rodolf confessed.

"Another guy? Who could that be?" Cylien's smile held a touch of intrigue.

Rodolf chuckled slightly. "I'm talking about Earth, of course. He's your childhood friend, isn't he?"

Cylien was momentarily taken aback by Rodolf's words but then shook her head. "I'm not his only childhood friend, and while I find Earth charming, saying I'm head over heels for him is quite the stretch."

"Really? Who knows what might happen when he comes back?"

Cylien arched an eyebrow playfully. "You might be the only man discussing another man in front of the girl you invited on a date."

"Oh, don't worry about that," Rodolf laughed. "The simple fact that you accepted my invitation shows that you're not indifferent to me, right?"

After a moment of silence, Cylien nodded. "Indeed."

"Then, when will that guy come back?" Rodolf asked, his curiosity getting the better of him.

"Who knows? Maybe Celeste or Elizabeth knows something?" Cylien replied coyly, flashing a mischievous grin. "Is it possible that Rodolf Moonfang is worried?"

"W-What? No way," Rodolf blustered, his voice louder than intended.

However, the truth was that he did have concerns about losing Cylien to Earth, given their close relationship.

But then Cylien's gaze suddenly fixed on something happening behind Rodolf.

Rodolf turned around and spotted a small commotion brewing nearby. His bright yellow eyes narrowed as he observed an elf and his two friends ganging up on a cute half-elf girl.

"Where have I seen that guy before?" Rodolf wondered, furrowing his brows as he gazed at the familiar elf. He struggled to recall until it finally clicked – it was Jiren, who had been in his class last year. Since Jiren hadn't struck him as particularly noteworthy, Rodolf had forgotten about him. However, Cylien recognized her new classmate immediately, her gaze reflecting disapproval as she watched the situation unfold.

The half-elf girl, Blaire, timidly offered an apology. She wanted to explain that they had bumped into her, not the other way around, but the moment she heard the name 'Teraquin,' her entire body quivered. She knew exactly what that family thought of and could do to Halves like her.

"I-I'm sorry! I apologize, Milord!" Blaire quickly bowed her head, her face drained of color.

Jiren and his two friends, however, merely snickered at her pitiful display. This was their first time asserting their superiority over someone like this, and they reveled in it. Onlookers watched the scene unfold, and even those with more courage halted their steps upon hearing the name of a Great House. Moreover, Halves weren't highly regarded by everyone in Sancta Vedelia, and some even supported Jiren's behavior.

Then, in a swift and brutal motion, Jiren slapped Blaire across the face. The impact was forceful enough to redden her cheeks, and blood dripped from her lips as she fell to the ground.

"Learn to speak to higher races," Jiren taunted with a sneer.

Blaire, now trembling and teary-eyed, closed her eyes and patted her reddened cheeks, muttering her apologies.

Rodolf gave a sidelong glance at Cylien, who appeared unruffled, before deciding to intervene.

"Sorry isn't enough," Jiren declared, raising his hand once more as if to grab Blaire by her hair.

But just as his hand was about to make contact, a voice interrupted, "Oy, what are you doing?"

Jiren spun around, his annoyance evident, but when he saw the very familiar face of Rodolf approaching with his hands casually in his pockets, he froze in his tracks.

"O-Oh my!"

"Handsome!"

"Who could that be?!"

The commotion had escalated to the point where everyone inside the restaurant could hear it. The girls present couldn't help but squeal in delight as they laid eyes on the handsome man in a classy suit who had entered the scene.

"R-Rodolf..." Jiren instinctively took a step back along with his two friends as Rodolf approached.

"I was on a freakin' date with a hot girl, and you came along to spoil my nice time," Rodolf muttered, clearly annoyed as he looked down at Blaire. "All for what?" He asked, raising an eyebrow at her. "For a girl who can't even fight back."

"N-No, Rodolf, that girl bumped—" Jiren began to explain, but Rodolf cut him off with a dismissive wave of his hand.

"I don't give a damn about that," Rodolf snapped, looking down at Jiren. "Are all elven males this spineless?"

Jiren shuddered, unable to respond. He tried to form words, but nothing came out. The sheer force of Rodolf's presence left him speechless.

"Blaire," a new voice suddenly interjected.

Rodolf glanced toward the newcomer, his eyes narrowing slightly. This man was unquestionably the most handsome figure present after Rodolf himself. His dark hair and unique amber eyes marked him as distinct, and despite the chaotic situation, nobody dared to intrude on the circle formed around him, Jiren, his two friends, and Blaire.

Rodolf didn't know this man and had never seen him before, but those amber eyes triggered a faint memory from last year. Moreover, there was an unsettling calmness in the man's expression that demanded attention.

***

"Blaire," I called out to Blaire who was looking down at the ground, her face soaked with tears that fell onto her simple dress.

I hadn't been particularly concerned about random maids or anyone else, but Blaire was different. She was the one who had taken care of Christina all this time, and Christina had a genuine fondness for her.

As Blaire's gaze met mine, she rushed to her feet and threw herself into my arms, sobbing. "M-Milord! I-I...!"

I patted her back gently, trying to offer comfort. "It's okay," I whispered soothingly.

But Jiren, who had been engaged in a tense standoff with Rodolf, turned his attention toward me. "W-What are you looking at—"

"Enough!" A voice intervened, and Celeste emerged from the crowd along with Amelia and Elizabeth.

I was already surprised to see Rodolf there, but now these two as well? I even noticed Cylien observing from the sidelines.

Celeste glared at Jiren with anger flashing in her eyes. "Don't you have any shame?!" she yelled at him. "She's already apologized! Why did you hit her?!"

"Celeste... please calm down," Elizabeth urged, grabbing Celeste's arm. Their presence was already drawing too much attention, and news of four princesses from Great Houses at the shopping mall would undoubtedly cause a commotion.

"I can't, Amaya!" Celeste retorted, biting her lip in frustration. "This guy's been doing this since last year!"

"Oy, what are you all doing here?" Rodolf's voice cut through the awkward atmosphere, directed squarely at the trio of girls.

"I wonder the same thing," Cylien chimed in, approaching with her arms crossed, her disapproving gaze fixated on the girls.

Celeste's anger had dissipated and now she felt awkward. "I-It's not what you think!"

"It was just a coincidence. We were planning to eat here," Amelia chimed in, her smile forced and uneasy.

Elizabeth remained silent but offered a similarly strained smile.

"Coincidence? I see," Cylien responded with a raised eyebrow, then turned her attention to Jiren. "Another despicable act, Jiren. Should I inform the Student Council or perhaps the Presidium about your actions?"

Jiren laughed nervously and raised both hands in a placating gesture, then turned to his friends. "C-Come on, guys. Let's go."

As Jiren and his friends began to walk away, Cylien heaved a sigh of exasperation, preparing to discuss the situation with Celeste, Amelia, and Elizabeth. However, before she could speak, I spoke up.

"Apologize."