I Am The Game's Villain

Chapter 843: Gathering in the Veyra’s Forum Crown Terrace [6]

As time passed, the Crown Terrace gradually began to fill. More invited guests arrived through the glass doors, guided inside by the attendants and security knights. David and Thomas eventually joined the gathering as well, along with many nobles and important figures whom neither the Sancta Vedelia group nor the Celesta group recognized.

The atmosphere became livelier as conversations rose around the room. People moved from one seat to another, greeting familiar faces, exchanging respectful words, and quietly observing the influential guests gathered in the terrace.

Victor, Jeanne, Jayden, and Milleia received the most attention.

It was hardly surprising. Victor was the Apostle of Nihil, Jeanne was Celesta’s Hero, Jayden was the Apostle of Lumen, and Milleia was the Daughter of Raphiel herself. Many nobles, ministers, and royal representatives approached them one after another, offering greetings and attempting to make a good impression.

Much to Victor’s happiness, Jennyfer eventually arrived as well, accompanied by her parents.

He noticed her immediately.

Unfortunately, they could not openly go talk to one another. There were too many people present, too many watchful eyes, and Jennyfer’s family was not exactly unaware of the attention surrounding their daughter. Still, when her gaze met Victor’s from across the room, she gave him a small, flirtatious smile and raised her hand in a subtle wave.

Victor returned it before he could stop himself.

Beside him, Selene’s crimson eyes shifted toward him.

She said nothing. Her expression remained calm, almost perfectly composed, yet the faint coldness in her gaze was impossible to miss.

Victor quickly looked forward again as though he had done nothing.

Jayden, meanwhile, seemed genuinely happy to have his family near him. His older sister Jennyfer had joined them, along with his parents, Philip and Laura. They looked tired from the journey and the crowded day, but their faces remained warm with pride as they greeted Milleia.

They treated her as though she already belonged to their family.

In truth, Milleia had spent plenty of time at Jayden’s home in Celesta. She had been invited there often, sometimes visiting alone and other times arriving with her mother. Jayden’s family had long since grown used to her presence. Laura had always welcomed her warmly, and Philip had never made any effort to hide how much he liked the idea of Milleia becoming part of the family for good.

Milleia would have brought her mother to the event as well. Yet for now, her mother had chosen to remain in Celesta. She was comfortable there, attached to the home and life she had built. Milleia wanted to keep her close, especially with so many changes happening around them, but she did not want to force her mother into a journey she did not wish to take.

"So," Philip said suddenly, his smile widening as he turned toward Milleia, "when is Miss Milleia going to marry my son?"

Milleia froze.

"T-That...!"

Her mind completely short circuited. She had not expected such a direct question, especially not in the middle of the Crown Terrace with nobles all around them.

Laura sighed heavily and reached for Philip’s ear.

"Dear, stop bullying the poor girl," she said, pulling him lightly.

"I am only curious," Philip protested, rubbing his ear. "My son is the great Apostle of Lumen, after all. Of course, I want to know when he plans to marry such a lovely young woman."

"Father, you are embarrassing me," Jayden said, scratching the back of his head with an awkward laugh.

"You should not be embarrassed, Reinhart," Jennyfer said with a soft giggle. She flicked Jayden’s forehead lightly. "Everyone is proud of you."

"I know," Jayden replied, smiling at his sister.

"They are right, you know," Arete added from the seat behind him. She had given up the place beside Jayden so his family could sit near him. "You are always underestimating yourself."

"Well said, Arete," Philip declared with clear approval. "Honestly, son, you should be delighted to already have a wife like her."

"Right?" Arete said, resting her cheek against one hand. "But sometimes I feel like he does not care enough."

"That is a completely wrong feeling," Jayden replied, rolling his eyes.

"Oh? Is it?" Arete asked, her smile sharpening slightly. "Then why were you staring so much at the dark green haired girl and the auburn haired girl when they arrived?"

Jayden paused.

"That was because I have not seen Miranda in a long time," he explained. "And the girl beside her was unfamiliar. I was only curious."

"Gahaha!" Philip laughed loudly. "My son is a great man after all. Of course beautiful girls will catch his attention."

Laura closed her eyes and let out another tired sigh.

"I honestly do not mind how many wives you have, Reinhart," she said, her voice becoming serious as she looked directly at him. "But I only hope you will never let any of them down."

Jayden’s expression softened.

"Never, Mother," he replied without hesitation. "I love every one of them. I would never abandon or neglect them."

For a moment, Laura simply looked at him. Then she nodded, appearing satisfied by the sincerity in his voice.

Jennyfer tilted her head, still clearly puzzled.

"Still, how do you manage sixty seven wives?" she asked. "I cannot even imagine remembering everyone’s needs, birthdays, moods, arguments, and everything else."

"Well," Jayden began with a thoughtful expression, "it takes a lot of planning."

Jennyfer immediately raised a hand.

"You know what? Forget I asked," she said, shaking her head. "I do not want to hear any more about my younger brother’s love life."

She leaned back in her seat, trying to appear uninterested. A second later, however, she stole a quick glance toward the back of the terrace where Victor sat with Selene, Rodolf, and John.

Her eyes met Victor’s for the briefest moment.

Then she looked away again, a faint color touching her cheeks.

She wanted to go to him. She wanted to sit beside him and speak normally, without pretending there was nothing between them. Yet she preferred to keep things quiet for now, especially with her loud father only a few seats away.

Philip would never let the matter rest if he realized Jennyfer had feelings for the Apostle of Nihil.

Philip’s attention soon shifted toward Jeanne, who was seated nearby in conversation with Rubina.

"Oh, that must be the great Hero of Celesta," he said, his eyes widening with immediate interest.

Before Laura could reach out and stop him, Philip had already risen from his seat and started walking toward her.

"Lady Hero," he called with a wide, welcoming smile.

Jeanne paused in the middle of her conversation and turned toward him. Her expression remained polite, though a little puzzled by the sudden approach.

"It is a great pleasure to meet you," Philip said, standing proudly before her. "I am Reinhart’s father."

"Reinhart?" Jeanne repeated, blinking in confusion.

The name meant nothing to her. She quietly searched her memory, but she could not think of anyone she knew by that name.

"Oh, right," Philip said, suddenly realizing his mistake. "You know him as Jayden. He is the Apostle of Lumen."

"Oh..." Jeanne said, finally understanding.

Her gaze moved briefly toward Jayden, who had already stood and was hurrying toward them with a look of pure shock.

"I am sorry, Jeanne," Jayden said, attempting to take his father gently by the arm and guide him back. "My father is just a bit too energetic sometimes."

"Please, Lady Hero," Philip said without allowing himself to be moved away. "Marry my son. He will take very good care of you."

"Father?!" Jayden nearly shouted, his entire face turning red in utter embarrassment. He quickly pulled him away.

Even Jayden, who had somehow gathered sixty seven wives, did not have the shameless courage to make such a proposal in the middle of a public gathering.

Ever since his father had reunited with him and had learned what an extraordinary person his son had become, Philip had turned into Jayden’s most enthusiastic supporter. He spoke of Jayden’s accomplishments with endless pride, praised him to anyone willing to listen, and seemed entirely determined to act as the greatest wingman a son could possibly have.

Jeanne simply stared at the father and son pair, uncertain how she was supposed to respond.

She had received confessions before. That was nothing new. Yet she had never had someone’s father personally ask her to marry his son.

"God, this is embarrassing," Rubina sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "We should send that entire peasant family out of the terrace."

"Rubina..." Eric grimaced at his sister’s blunt remark.

"Why are you defending him, Brother?" Rubina asked, turning a sharp glare toward Eric. "If you are friends with that horny monster, I am cutting all ties with you."

"Where did that even come from?" Eric grumbled. "I am not friends with him, Ruby."

"You had better not be. He is a creep," she said, folding her arms with a cold scoff.

Jeanne glanced between them, still looking somewhat awkward.

"Did something happen?" She asked carefully.

"Nothing," Rubina replied with a dismissive shrug. "He just gives people creepy looks."

"That is what most men do when they look at beautiful women, Ruby," Eric said with a sigh. "You should be used to it by now."

"Then all of them are trash," Rubina retorted immediately.

"You should take an example from Jeanne," Eric said, nodding toward the Hero. "She handles it far more calmly than you do."

"That is because she is too indifferent," Rubina replied, glancing at Jeanne sitting beside Eric. "If you are not clear with men from the beginning, they will keep coming back and pestering you because they think they have a chance."

Jeanne looked at Rubina, then turned her gaze ahead as she considered the words.

"I do not know," she said quietly. "I prefer to ignore them and avoid unnecessary conflicts."

That was how she had always handled such situations. She did not enjoy confrontation, and she had no desire to create scenes unless someone forced her hand. Ignoring unwanted attention often felt simpler than turning it into an argument.

"See, Ruby?" Eric said with a pleased smile, nodding as though Jeanne had proven his point perfectly.

"Die, Brother," Rubina replied.

Eric’s smile faltered.

Jeanne let out a soft laught watching them.