I Am The Game's Villain

Chapter 866: Crown and Silk

Crown and Silk

Edward raised his gaze toward the name displayed across the front of the enormous building.

The store occupied an entire corner of one of Lioren’s most prestigious streets. It rose several stories high, its front made almost entirely of glass and pale stone. Golden lettering gleamed above the entrance, while enormous screens beside the doors displayed models wearing elaborate gowns, royal coats, formal uniforms, and jewelry that likely cost more than most houses.

There was no mistaking what kind of place it was.

People did not enter Crown and Silk to buy ordinary clothes.

They came to purchase the most expensive and refined outfits available in Edenis Raphiel. Formal gowns for royal events. Coats tailored for noble heirs. Ceremonial attire for influential families. Clothing made not merely to look beautiful, but to announce wealth, status, and importance before its wearer spoke a single word.

Crown and Silk was one of the greatest luxury brands in all of Edenis Raphiel if not the Brand for special occasions.

The people walking through its doors made that clear enough. Nearly every customer wore an elegant coat suit, a noble gown, or clothing that had clearly been custom-made. No one seemed dressed casually. Even their attendants looked immaculate.

Several guards stood near the entrance as well, dressed in dark formal uniforms and watching the surrounding street with careful attention.

Edward lingered on the building for a moment.

Then he slowly turned his head toward Layla.

She was smiling.

"What is this?" He asked.

Layla’s smile only grew brighter.

"This is our first destination, Honey."

Edward stared at her.

"...."

For several seconds, he said nothing.

"God, Honey," Layla said with a light laugh, grasping his arm. "Do not look so upset."

"I am not upset."

"You are very clearly upset."

Edward looked back at the store.

Layla leaned closer to him.

"Belle told me that if I did not bring you here by tricking you, you would never willingly come to buy proper clothes."

"Who am I? A beggar? I have enough clothes," Edward replied.

"Clothes for the entrance ceremony, silly Honey." Layla rolled her eyes. "Belle said you were likely planning to enter that ceremony dressed casually, as though you were only walking outside to buy milk in the morning."

Edward grimaced.

Of course it had been Belle’s idea.

She had already told him many times that he needed to visit a tailor and have a proper coat prepared for the entrance ceremony. She had insisted that, as the Utopian King, he could not simply appear in whatever he felt comfortable wearing.

Edward had answered vaguely at the time.

He had not said no directly, but he had made it obvious that he had no interest in spending an unreasonable amount of money on a coat he would wear for only one evening. Formal clothing was uncomfortable, restrictive, and far too expensive for something that would likely remain forgotten in a wardrobe afterward.

Besides that, it was for something he didn’t care about, the Entrance Ceremony.

"I do not think this is necessary," Edward said.

He was already preparing to turn around.

"And this is not exactly a place where Tihana and Orlin can enjoy themselves—"

"Wow, look, Orlin!"

Tihana’s voice interrupted him.

She was standing near one of the large display screens at the front of the building, her eyes sparkling as images of dresses moved across it. One particular dress caught her attention: a pale pink creation with flowing layers of fabric, delicate silver details, and small glowing stones embedded throughout the skirt.

"Do you think that dress would suit me?" She asked.

Orlin looked at the screen.

"I think so," he said.

But his own attention was somewhere else.

Another display showed a formal outfit for boys: a dark navy jacket with silver buttons, a pale shirt, tailored trousers, and a small cape hanging over one shoulder. It was far more elegant than anything he normally wore, yet Orlin seemed quietly drawn to it.

Lunishia moved toward the screens as well.

"Oh! There are so many pretty clothes!"

Olga followed behind her, her gaze shifting from one image to another with quiet interest.

Even Tessara seemed curious, though she tried to hide it. Her eyes lingered on a display showing soft-colored dresses, and she stood a little closer to Lunishia as though she had not realized she was moving.

Samara was the only one who didn’t seem to care much standing besides them.

Layla turned back to Edward with a triumphant smile.

"See?"

Edward looked at the children and the women already becoming interested in the store.

Then he sighed.

"We can find somewhere else for them," he said.

The place screamed troubles unfortunately. Too many wealthy people and gazes drawn toward them.

Layla shook her head.

"Honey, Lioren is known for this. People come here to order and buy custom-made clothes. Anyone who wants the best designs, the best fabrics, and the greatest fashion brands comes to this island."

"According to Belle," Edward said, knowing immediately whose words they belonged to.

"According to Belle," Layla confirmed cheerfully.

"Belle certainly has nothing better to do."

"She does," Layla replied. "That is why she handed the responsibility to me."

Her smile softened as she looked at him.

"I want Honey to look very good that night."

Edward continued to stare at her.

Layla squeezed his arm.

"Honey, you came here to make Tihana and Orlin happy, right?"

Edward did not answer.

"Do not worry. They will only take our measurements first, then we can try some clothes. It should not take too long."

(It will definitely take long, Master.)

[Good luck, Master.]

Jarvis and Brain spoke almost at the same time.

Edward’s gaze shifted downward.

Neither of them looked particularly sympathetic.

They both knew from experience how a shopping trip with Layla could end.

In that specific regard, Layla was much like Ephera. Whenever she found clothes she liked, she would insist that Edward try them on, studying him with a bright, satisfied expression as though he were a mannequin created solely for her amusement.

But Layla could be worse.

Ephera would become excited.

Layla would nearly drool whenever Edward wore something she found particularly attractive and she would try to immediately make out with him.

And this was not an ordinary day of shopping.

They were preparing for an important ceremony.

Edward did not want to imagine how long Layla intended to keep him inside Crown and Silk.

"Honeeey~" Layla said again, drawing out the word as she pouted.

"I still have not chosen my own dress," she continued. "Please accompany me and help me decide."

"You really planned everything, did you not?" Edward asked with a groan.

"I did," Layla replied, giggling.

Edward closed his eyes for a moment.

Then he gave up.

Layla was right.

He had not come to Lioren solely for his own enjoyment. He had come to spend time with the people he loved, especially Tihana and Orlin. If the children were curious about the store, then there was no reason to drag them away simply because he disliked shopping.

He did enjoy being with them.

Even if he hated the idea of spending hours standing still while Layla made him try on endless outfits.

"Whatever," Edward said at last.

He had already lost the argument.

Layla’s smile immediately brightened, as though she had expected nothing less.

Without another word, she took his hand and led him toward the entrance of Crown and Silk. The rest of the group followed behind them, with Tihana and Lunishia looking increasingly curious about the store.

The building was even busier up close.

A long line of customers waited near the main entrance, most of them dressed in expensive formal clothing. Some appeared to be nobles accompanied by assistants, while others were wealthy visitors carrying invitations or reservation cards. The guards checked each person carefully before allowing them inside.

But Layla did not lead Edward toward that line.

Instead, she walked to another entrance beside it, where a shorter queue moved much faster. The people standing there were clearly from a different category of customer: royals, high-ranking nobles, influential families, and guests who had arranged private appointments.

Layla took out her phone.

She held it toward the guard at the entrance.

The guard scanned the screen.

Then his eyes widened.

Displayed clearly on Layla’s reservation was the emblem of the Falkrona Sovereign House.

"We reserved an appointment specifically for us," Layla explained casually.

Edward slowly turned his gaze toward her.

Layla ignored him.

She had planned everything down to the smallest detail.

Or perhaps Belle had.

Edward suddenly remembered Belle’s words before she had left that morning.

’Have a good day, Edward. Take your time.’

At the time, he had not thought much of it.

Now he understood why she had looked so pleased with herself.

"They are all with us," Layla added, gesturing toward the others.

The guard looked at the group behind Edward, Layla, Tihana, Orlin, Lunishia, Olga, Tessara, and Samara, then quickly nodded.

"Of course, my Lady. Please enter."

Layla stepped through first.

Edward followed.

But as he tried to pass, the guard lifted a hand toward Edward’s chest, blocking his way.

"I am sorry, but—huh?"

His hand froze in the air.

Before he could touch Edward, an unseen force stopped his wrist. The guard felt as if something had gripped him tightly, preventing even the smallest movement forward.

Edward did not even look at him.

He simply walked past.

The guard panicked.

The man in the black hoodie had been suspicious from the moment he arrived. His hood hid most of his face, his clothing did not match the strict formal dress code, and he was entering one of the most prestigious fashion establishments in Edenis Raphiel.

The guard could not simply allow him inside without checking or at least asking him to remove that coat of his.

He reached out again, intending to pull back Edward’s hood.

"What the—?!"

His second hand stopped as well.

Samara walked behind Edward, her expression calm and unreadable. She had not even spared the guard a glance, yet he could feel the invisible pressure around his arms.

"Do not touch him," Samara said quietly.

Her tone was not loud.

It did not need to be.

The coldness in it made the guard’s face turn pale.

Samara continued past him, following Edward into the building.

Tihana looked at the frozen guard and giggled.

"Do not touch Dad if you do not want trouble."

"Well..." Orlin said, looking at the man with a slightly apologetic expression. "Sorry."

Then he followed his sister.

Tessara was the last one to walk past.

At first, her presence was almost soothing. She moved quietly, holding her hat close, her expression gentle and calm. But as she passed the guard, her dark-green eyes shifted toward him.

For only a second, something in her face changed.

The calmness vanished.

The guard froze.

She had not moved. She had not spoken. She had not threatened him in any visible way.

Yet the expression he saw in her eyes made the blood drain from his face.

Then, almost immediately, Tessara’s gentle expression returned.

She looked away from him and followed the others inside.

The guard remained where he was, his hands slowly lowering as the pressure around his wrists disappeared.

He did not try to stop anyone again.

Inside the building, Layla approached one of the staff members waiting near the private entrance. The woman immediately recognized the Falkrona emblem on Layla’s phone and bowed politely.

"Please follow me," she said.

She led them away from the public showroom and toward a private elevator at the back of the building.

The doors opened with a soft sound.

Everyone entered.

As the elevator began rising, Tihana pressed closer to the glass wall, watching the lower floors disappear beneath them. Through the transparent panels, she could see vast rooms filled with gowns, suits, shelves of accessories, and customers walking between displays.

The elevator continued upward until it reached the highest floor.

When the doors opened again, the staff member guided them into a quiet corridor.

It almost resembled the hallway of an expensive hotel. Soft golden lights illuminated the walls, framed paintings of old fashion designs hung between the doors, and the floor was covered in a deep red carpet that silenced their footsteps.

The staff member stopped in front of a large door.

Then she opened it.

Beyond it was a wide private room that looked like a luxurious dressing salon.

Rows of formal coats and gowns stood arranged along the walls. Some were already displayed on mannequins, while others were protected behind glass cases. Mirrors stretched from floor to ceiling, and several private changing rooms were built along the back wall.

"Wow," Tihana said as she entered. "What is this place?"

"My Lords. My Ladies."

Several staff members appeared from the inner rooms at once.

They stood in a line and bowed politely.

"By Lady Belle Falkrona’s request," one of them said, "we are here to assist you."

Edward looked at the number of people waiting to serve them.

There were at least ten.

His expression immediately darkened.

"I do not need ten people to help me get dressed," he said.

"Gosh, Honey," Layla said, giggling.

Before Edward could stop her, she reached up and pulled down his hood.

His silver hair fell free.

The surrounding staff froze.

Layla smiled as though she had just introduced him at a pleasant social gathering.

"Allow me to present Edward Falkrona," she said. "Though you may know him better as the Utopian King."

For a moment, no one spoke.

The staff members stared at Edward in utter shock.

Their eyes moved from his silver hair to his pale features, then to the silver eyes that were already beginning to look annoyed.

Recognition spread across their faces one by one.

They had expected important guests.

They had expected members of a great sovereign house.

But they had not expected the Utopian King himself.

Several people gasped.

"Hey," Lunishia said, snapping her fingers in front of them. "Hello? Are you still here?"

The staff members finally broke from their shock.

They began stammering apologies before bowing even lower.

Then, in sudden panic, several of them dropped to one knee.

"Your Majesty!"

"Please forgive us, Your Majesty!"

Edward didn’t bother to answer that.

"Rise," Layla said before he could respond. "Edward is not here as a king today. He only needs a perfect coat. Can you help him with that?"

"O-Of course!" The head staff member answered immediately.

He stood so quickly that he nearly lost his balance.

"Please, Your Majesty. We will begin by taking your measurements."

"Good," Layla said. "I will need one as well. And I think the boy and the girls should have something too."

The head staff member hesitated.

"Miss, our reservation was listed for only two people..."

"What?" Layla asked, tilting her head.

The man immediately began sweating.

"No, I mean, of course, we can accommodate everyone. It is only that—"

"It is fine," Edward interrupted before Layla could turn this into an all-day event.

"Prepare clothes for the two of us. The others can choose anything they want from the public floors below."

Tihana’s eyes brightened.

"Yeah!"

The private room already felt too serious to her. She wanted to explore the huge public floors she had seen through the elevator, where countless clothes were displayed for anyone to browse.

"Yes, Your Majesty," the head staff member said with obvious relief.

He immediately sent four staff members to accompany Tihana, Orlin, Lunishia, Olga, and Tessara downstairs.

"I do not need a dress," Samara said.

Her tone made it clear that she did not care about shopping.

She would have preferred to remain here.

But Edward shook his head.

"Sorry, Samara. Go with them and watch over everyone."

Samara looked at him.

Among the group, she was the only one Edward trusted to remain level-headed if something went wrong.

Tihana and Orlin were still children and Enigma Beasts besides. Olga was too young to supervise anyone, and Lunishia was far too carefree to be trusted with responsibility.

Tessara was another possibility, but she was the one who most needed attention herself.

That left Samara.

Perhaps Edward was being overly cautious.

Perhaps nothing would happen at all.

But he wanted a peaceful day with his family. If assigning someone to watch over the children could prevent even one unnecessary problem, then it was worth doing.

Samara sighed softly.

Then she nodded.

"Understood."

She turned and joined the others as they left the private room.

"Come on, Honey," Layla said.

She took Edward’s hand again and pulled him toward the fitting area.

Edward let out a quiet groan.

The real trouble was about to begin.