When the Villains Unite - Chapter 15; Part 1

It had only been a few days since Damian returned, but I was already packing for our trip. I knew I would have to get a head start since we were going away for three weeks. I could have ordered one of the maids to do the work, but I was too excited about going on vacation. Packing and organizing by myself was part of the thrill.

It would be my first time traveling outside of the Empire with the Orca brothers. The moment the word “travel” came out of Bellamy’s mouth, I couldn’t stay still. Part of it was the anticipation of our trip, but it was also because I had nothing else to do.

Bellamy returned to working at the palace once Damian returned.

Damian informed us that he completed escorting the Crown Prince, but it turns out he left Kane in the middle of nowhere. For that offense, Damian was forced to work overtime until our scheduled departure. His offense was tantamount to desertion in military culture, so overtime was a generous punishment.

A few days ago, he was grumbling about having to spend his days training the Imperial Knights. Damian should be thankful his boss has a soft spot. If it was the Emperor, Damian wouldn’t be allowed to even return to the mansion.

“I’ll have to buy clothes when we arrive.”

There is no need to pack so much Imperial clothing when it would mean parading around as a stranger to the area. It would also considerably lighten the load.

Since Vidos belongs to the Duke of Orca, most things that are available in the Empire will be available there. Still, I’m disappointed with how short my packing period has been. I tossed the bag next to my closet and flopped down on the bed.

“Oh well… I’ll have to get rid of that.”

Frustrated with the Orca brothers, who would jump at the mere sight of me holding anything odd, I was forced to get rid of my special collection in secret.

Needless to say, Damian’s dildo has been thrown into the fireplace to melt, and the pornography was reduced to ashes.

There was one thing I had overlooked: Spiritualism, enshrined in the annex that was now like a museum. The knowledge in it was engraved in my mind, and I have put most of it to practice…. It was time to say goodbye to the book.

“Miss, the Duke is here.”

“Ah, yes.”

My intentions to proceed with the burning ceremony were interrupted by Bellamy’s arrival. Alas, I’ll have to save it for another day. It was a shame to give up so easily since it was a book I’d grown fond of. However, I’d be in trouble if the Orca brothers found out I read it.

I went downstairs to have dinner with Bellamy, delaying my tasks.

“I’m just stopping by for a quick dinner, some asshole… no, officer…. Lost some classified documents today and I need to return to the Imperial Palace to investigate.”

“So, when will you be done?”

“I don’t think I’ll be back until after midnight, so go to bed first. If I can’t come back, I’ll send Damian home early.”

“And tomorrow, too?”

Bellamy quietly nodded.

Hmm… When they leave the mansion tomorrow, I’ll have nothing to do. This means I can hang out in the annex at my leisure until tomorrow evening. I only need to burn one book anyway, so it shouldn’t take much time. I might as well just spend my whole day there.

I thought it would be fun to indulge in some old memories. Of course, many of those memories were with the Orca brothers.

I remembered that some of my personal records, like my diary, were still in the annex. The last time I snuck over to see my room, I was so focused on running out of time that I didn’t see anything else. Since they’ll be coming home late tomorrow, wouldn’t it be okay to reminisce?

“Do you want me to come home for dinner tomorrow?”

“No, I can eat alone.”

After a moment of silence, Bellamy seemed to think I was upset.

I shook my head at the thought of him taking time out of his day to comfort me. The leaking of classified documents is a major problem for Imperial security. Bellamy worries a lot about nothing. I don’t have separation anxiety, and if he is working hard and can’t come home faster, I’m not going to be depressed.

“I’ll call Aria if I get bored, so don’t worry about me.”

“Okay. If anything happens, call Sebastian right away.”

I nodded, knowing what he meant.

In truth, Aria was too busy with her wedding preparations right now to see me. Saying I’ll call for her was just a lie to ease his worries.

Thinking of her made me think of Ashik, who was probably in his honeymoon phase right now. I’m jealous of his relationship at the moment. How nice would it be to see your lover every day at the palace?

I had never seen the Orca brothers at work. Bellamy had worked from home, but his concentration would drop every time and he would play with me. Thinking about how he would sometimes make out with me in the middle of the workday… it certainly was not helpful for productivity.

“Why are you laughing?”

I don’t know why my thoughts went in this direction, but seriously, the thought of Damian working by the Crown Prince’s side made me laugh. With his position as the Crown Prince’s escort knight, he would probably be stiff in his speech and behavior. In front of me though, he was just a playful, big dog who always wagged his tail.

“I can’t imagine Damian being serious.”

“He’s definitely not serious.”

That was to be expected; he is more nonchalant than a serious man.

Bellamy thought for a moment, then spoke again.

“Nor is he as cheerful as when he is at home. I’d say he is fed up with everything. Apparently, there isn’t much to do as an escort knight for a peaceful Empire.”

“Damian? No way…”

“It’s just not in him to stay still. If he can swing his sword, he would be better.”

“What about friends? Is he still shy?”

I seriously asked Bellamy, and he smirked.

“Rose, Damian is not a child. You don’t have to worry about that, he’s doing fine.”

He was talking about Damian when he was actually worried about me being home alone. But how could I not be worried? That bright kid would rather die than stay in the palace!

Of course, I was exaggerating, but it was obvious Damian hated it. I’ll have to stop by the palace sometime soon to see what they are up to.

The Orca brothers are so outspoken that other nobles believe they are bad-tempered. If only they were half as nice to others as they were to me.

“Damian isn’t the only one. Do you think I haven’t heard about how the Duke Orca is known in social circles as being able to kill others with just a glance?”

“Well, it would be scarier if I smiled.”

Technically, he’s like a hedgehog who puts up thorns to avoid being hurt.

He cut off a turkey leg and placed it in my bowl, easily brushing off my concerns over his reputation.

“How could that be true? Show me.”

I provoked him, chewing on the turkey leg. After a few moments of silence, Bellamy cleared his throat.

“… I can’t just show you it like that.”

“Ah…”

Yeah, I knew he wouldn’t be able to show it to me anyway. It was a mistake to ask him to show me his “killer smile,” so I easily acknowledged it.

It was a mystery to me how a smile on an otherwise expressionless face could strike fear into the hearts of others. I wasn’t even sure there was someone with such an ability.

Bellamy lightly chuckled, continuing to put food onto my plate. I wonder if he is laughing it off to get out of answering. There was a lot to take in, so I just let it go. He has a history of violence against Ashik, so it wasn’t too hard to imagine.

The situation at the Imperial Palace must have been as urgent as Bellamy feared because he didn’t return to the mansion that night. Whoever lost the confidential documents must be scared out of their mind. I felt sorry for them, but they deserved it, so I’ll keep my opinions to myself.

Damian entered the manor shortly after 11 o’clock. He isn’t a man who tired easily, but he was visibly exhausted from the all-nighters he pulled upon his return from the expedition.

He went straight to me for a hug, but when he saw me in my nightwear, he said he’d be right back before freshening up.

He said he was sweaty from training all day…

I meekly lay on the bed, waiting for him to come.

“Sis, have I kept you waiting?”

“Yes, a lot. Come here and give me a hug.”

In truth, it had only been about twenty minutes, but I unnecessarily grumbled and threw my arms around him.

Kofi