I Am The Game's Villain

Chapter 864: Are My Hands The Wrong Ones?

"You are certain you do not want me to come with you?" Edward asked Alvara.

They stood together in the private section of Clover Skyport, an area reserved for royal families, high-ranking nobles, and distinguished guests. Unlike the crowded public platforms beyond the security gates, this part of the skyport was quiet and spacious.

Several airships floated in the distance, their engines humming softly as they moved through the pale blue morning. Some were sleek passenger vessels bound for other regions of Edenis Raphiel. Others were large diplomatic ships, marked with noble crests and guarded by uniformed attendants.

That morning, everyone in Edward’s household had woken early and come to the skyport together.

They all had plans of their own.

Alvara was leaving to visit her family.

After giving the matter some thought the previous night, she had decided that she wished to see them. It had been too long since she had last been home, and there were things she needed to discuss with her mother in person.

She had made quite an abrupt appearance along Edward just the previous day after all and it could have put her mother in quite a tough spot with the other Heads.

Edward had wanted to accompany her.

If not for the plans he had already made, he would have gone without hesitation.

But only a short distance away, Orlin and Tihana stood near Edward’s private Utopian airship. Both children were visibly excited, looking up at the elegant Utopian vessel as though it were the greatest wonder in the world. Lunishia stood with them, keeping a patient eye on their excitement while making sure neither child wandered too close to the boarding stairs.

Edward had promised them a small trip.

A simple day away from the mansion, with only their family.

He could not break that promise.

Not when he had already spent far too much of their lives absent.

Not when he knew he had failed to do enough for them as a father since the day they were born.

Alvara smiled faintly at him.

"If I said that I wanted you to come, would you truly come with me, my love?" she asked.

Edward lingered his gaze longer toward the children before he turned back to Alvara.

"I did not expect you to leave so quickly," he said.

The decision had surprised him.

After deciding the previous night to return home, Alvara had immediately contacted Tanya and asked her to send an airship. Her family’s vessel had arrived early that morning, leaving Edward barely any time to adjust to the thought of her departure.

"I need to speak with my mother," Alvara replied.

"About our wedding?" Edward asked.

A delicate blush appeared on her cheeks.

"So impatient, my love."

"Did we not speak about it yesterday?" Edward said, stepping closer to her. "Or perhaps you are simply embarrassed to discuss it alone with your mother."

"Who is embarrassed?" Alvara asked, narrowing her eyes at him.

There was no real anger in her voice, only mild indignation.

"My mother knows perfectly well that I love you."

Edward lifted his hand and gently tucked several strands of mint-green hair behind her pointed ear.

"You do?" He asked quietly.

"I do," Alvara answered.

Her cheeks became warmer, and despite herself, her long ears perked slightly.

Edward noticed immediately.

A faint smile touched his lips.

"What are you smirking about?" Alvara asked, clearly catching the expression.

She poked the pommel of her closed umbrella lightly against his chest.

"Nothing," Edward replied.

Alvara gave him an unconvinced look.

"Just admiring my beautiful wife," he added.

"Not yet," she said at once.

She tried to move toward the boarding stairs of her family’s airship, but Edward caught her gently by the arm before she could take more than a step.

Alvara let out a small sound of surprise as he pulled her back against his chest.

His arms wrapped around her back, holding her close.

"M-My love..." Alvara called out.

Her face became visibly red.

She was not entirely comfortable showing too much affection in public. Normally, when she wanted a private moment with Edward, she would open her umbrella around them, hiding their expressions from the curious eyes nearby.

But the umbrella was still closed in her hand.

There were attendants around them. Staff members moved through the private section. Guards stood at a respectful distance. And Edward’s children were only a few dozen feet away.

"That is a rather cold farewell," Edward said softly, looking down at her.

"Farewell?" Alvara replied, trying to sound composed despite the way her voice had softened. "I am not leaving for a year, my love. I will be there waiting for you, as you promised."

"As promised," Edward said. "I will speak with Tanya about the urgency of our wedding vows."

Alvara looked up at him, her lips curving into a gentle smile.

"I doubt my mother will believe it wise to discuss our wedding immediately after we have only just returned home," she said. "Especially after you suddenly appeared again and caused such a commotion, my love."

Edward gave a quiet, amused breath.

"If it were only up to me, I would have married you immediately without seeking anyone’s approval."

His pale hand rose toward her face, and his thumb brushed lightly across her lower lip.

"But you wish for a true elven wedding," he continued. "You wish for your mother to be there. So I am being very cooperative, Freydis."

"Do not be so cold," she said. "She wants me to be happy. She simply does not want to leave me in the wrong hands."

Edward’s silver eyes narrowed slightly, though amusement remained in them.

"Are my hands the wrong ones?"

He cupped her cheek with his right hand.

For a moment, Alvara could only look into his eyes.

There was something almost entrancing about Edward when he looked at her like that, calm, intense, and entirely focused on her. Her thoughts briefly disappeared beneath the intensity of his gaze.

Then she shook her head lightly.

"No," she whispered.

Edward leaned closer.

The remaining distance between them vanished.

His lips pressed softly against hers.

Alvara closed her eyes and accepted the kiss. Her lashes fluttered faintly, and the color in her cheeks deepened. It was not a long kiss, nor one meant to draw attention, but it held enough tenderness to make her forget the people around them for a few quiet seconds.

Then Edward slowly loosened his arms around her.

Alvara stepped back.

A small smile remained on her face as she pressed the handle of her umbrella. With a soft mechanical sound, it opened above her, the white fabric spreading into its familiar flowery shape.

She lifted it slightly and gave Edward a small wave with her gloved hand.

"I will be waiting, my love," she said.

Then she turned toward the boarding stairs.

"Not even a goodbye, Freydis?"

Layla’s voice came from beside her.

Alvara paused only briefly.

Layla had stepped forward from near Edward’s airship, a sigh already on her lips as she watched Alvara with mild disappointment. Her tone was playful, but there was an obvious hint of complaint behind it.

Alvara looked at her without much expression.

"There is no need," she replied.

Then, without waiting for Layla’s reaction, she climbed the stairs and entered her family’s airship.

Layla watched her disappear inside.

"Honey," she said, turning toward Edward with an exaggeratedly wounded expression, "Alvara is quite mean to me."

"I wonder why," Edward replied.

Layla stared at him.

Edward did not wait for her response.

He walked away from the departing airship and headed toward Orlin and Tihana, who were still waiting beside the Utopian vessel with Lunishia and also Samara. The children immediately brightened when they saw him approach.

Tessara and Olga had already boarded and were waiting inside.

He was obviously going to spent the day with his Banshees as well and also because he wanted them enjoy outside a bit.

"Why did Alvara not come with us, Dad?" Tihana asked as she hurried toward Edward.

She had been waiting near the boarding stairs with Orlin, both children already excited for the day ahead.

"She went to visit her family," Edward replied.

Tihana nodded slowly, though she still seemed a little disappointed. She wanted to know more the mysterious and very beautiful elf Princess.

Layla stepped closer, smiling softly at the child.

"And Alvara is not exactly the type who enjoys going on outside trips with a large group," she said. "She prefers spending time with fewer people, especially those she loves most."

Edward glanced at Layla.

"You understand her quite well, do you not?"

Layla gave him a small, knowing smile.

"I have had enough time to get to know your beloved elf, Honey."

Her eyes sparkled with amusement.

"I mean the green-haired one, not the golden-haired one."

Edward motioned for Tihana and Orlin to climb aboard.

The children did not need to be told twice. They hurried up the boarding stairs, their excitement returning immediately. Lunishia followed behind them, while Samara came after her, making sure neither child moved too quickly near the edge of the deck.

Edward turned back toward Layla.

"My marriage to Freya is political," he said. "We have not even done anything remotely close to making it official."

There hadn’t been a grand wedding though perhaps the sacred symbolism of her becoming the Priestess of the Holy Tree of Ymir whereas he becoming the Guardian of it was enough and made it up as a wedding.

Then, lowering his voice slightly, he added:

"And that is not even her real body."

"Is that so, Honey?" Layla asked.

There was an innocent softness in her voice, but the smile on her face made it clear that she did not entirely believe him.

"You still seem to hold her in very high esteem."

Edward did not answer immediately.

Layla knew him better than most people did.

She had begun to recognize the quiet differences in the way Edward treated those around him. He did not always show affection openly. In fact, he often hid it beneath indifference, dry remarks, or a cold expression. But Layla had learned to notice the details he likely assumed no one paid attention to.

There were people Edward considered family.

His women. His children. Parent. The people he had chosen to keep closest to him.

Below them were his close friends, those from Earth, especially. Layla had placed John among them without hesitation. There were also a few people Edward clearly considered special, even if he had not made them part of his family.

And, strangely, Freya seemed close to that category as well.

On the surface, Edward and Freya’s relationship looked purely political. A union built upon mutual interest, necessity, and whatever benefit each side could gain from the other. Edward treated her with much better than anyone with whom he had a neutral stance with, yes, but that alone was not unusual.

Yet Layla’s instincts told her there was something more beneath it.

Not necessarily romance.

Not yet, perhaps.

But there was an attention Edward gave Freya that he did not offer freely to everyone. As though he was still assessing her. As though he was waiting to understand something about her before deciding where she belonged in his life.

Layla could not explain why she felt that way.

And unfortunately, Edward did not appear ready to explain it either.

"She is a goddess who curses Eden and Nihil," Edward replied dryly. "That is enough reason for me to hold her in high esteem."

Layla giggled.

"Oh, Honey."

She sighed fondly and slipped her arm around his as they walked up the stairs together.

The moment they stepped onto the deck, two familiar robots came flying to them.

[Master, we may depart whenever you wish.]

(Master, please give us an exact destination before—)

"Just move," Edward said.

He paused, then looked at Layla.

"Lioren," she said.

(Right away, Princess! Setting course for Lioren!)

"Wow," Tihana said, turning toward Layla with wide eyes. "Are there good things to do there?"

"You will see," Layla replied with a smile.

Tihana seemed satisfied with that answer, though her curiosity only grew.

Edward said nothing.

He trusted Layla’s choice. If she had suggested Lioren, then she had likely planned something for the children, or perhaps for all of them. He did not particularly care where they went, as long as the day remained peaceful and his family enjoyed it.

[Master, Lioren is a place well known for—]

"Brain, will you shut up?"

Layla turned toward the floating screen with a smile that did not reach her eyes.

The small expression displayed on Brain’s facescreen instantly became neutral.

Then, without another word, he slowly floated away.

(Heh~)

Jarvis gave a low creepy snicker near Edward’s feet.

The strange machine watched Brain retreat with obvious satisfaction. Its display showed a crooked smirk beneath curved, delighted eyes emoji.

Edward looked down at it, somewhat annoyed.

Then he kicked it away.

(Kyaa!)

Jarvis spun across the deck with an exaggerated cry before landing near one of the railings.