I Am The Game's Villain

Chapter 375: [Elizabeth's Engagement Party] [10] Engaged

Chapter 375: [Elizabeth's Engagement Party] [10] Engaged

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"I thank everyone for accepting my invitation to today's great event," Duncan Tapes spoke loudly, drawing everyone's attention.

I stood beside Elizabeth near him.

"After my son's and daughter-in-law's death, I thought I'd never be happy again, but I soon realized I was mistaken. The moment I saw my two granddaughters, I knew joy again. They have both grown up beautifully, and today, the time has come to entrust one of them, Elizabeth, to a trustworthy man. I vouch for him. Son of Kleines Falkrona and Alea Olphean, younger brother of Connor Olphean and Christina Olphean. You must have all heard of him already, I'm quite sure," Duncan chuckled.

Well, you bet they heard of me. I had been in the news for two weeks in a row. Quite embarrassing, to say the least.

"Amael Idea Olphean," Duncan said, pointing toward me.

They all turned to look at me.

I smiled awkwardly, not enjoying this embarrassing presentation.

"Well, I am happy that Elizabeth and I finally ended up together. It was our wish, and I can't thank Lord Duncan enough for fulfilling our wish," I said shortly.

"I am also happy and proud to have such a wonderful fiancé. Amael and I have grown quite close in the academy, and our ideals match perfectly. There couldn't have been a better match for me. Thank you all for blessing us on this occasion," Elizabeth said, doing much better than me.

Then, a beautiful woman approached.

"Aunt," Elizabeth smiled upon seeing her.

To her, she was Aunt Priscilla, but to us, she was Professor Priscilla.

She approached us with a small knife.

"Your arms," she said with a smile.

"Are you going to cut off my hand, Professor? I'd appreciate it if you'd refrain from that—"

"Come on, Amael," Elizabeth nudged me with a smile.

"Right," I smiled wryly and stretched out my arm, as did Elizabeth.

Priscilla first held Elizabeth's wrist, giving a slight cut and drawing blood. Then she took my left wrist and did the same, pricking it for blood.

"I, Priscilla Tepes, beseech the Crimson Goddess to bless this couple with your eternal light and unlimited blood. Watch over them and protect them."

When she finished, I widened my eyes, seeing the blood on both my wrist and Elizabeth's wrist blending and swirling together, drawing a pattern around my left wrist and Elizabeth's right wrist. It looked like a red bracelet of blood.

I could see Claudia nearly crying upon seeing this. The old woman sure has feelings when it comes to her granddaughter.

When she noticed my gaze, though, she glared at me.

I grimaced at that.

At least show me a fake smile.

Duncan Tepes sighed in relief after finally entrusting his granddaughter.

I looked at Elizabeth, who was watching the red blood tattoo on her wrist with an unreadable expression.

"Are you finally changing your mind, Elizabeth?" I asked.

Elizabeth giggled softly. "Not that. It just feels strange. I had thought this day would come one day, but I didn't expect it so soon and with someone strange like you."

"I will take that as a compliment," I replied.

Though I could understand her. It hadn't even been a year since I arrived, and now I was engaged to the Princess of the Tepes House. Everything had escalated quickly.

It must have been the same for her. She was suddenly getting engaged to someone she didn't love, and her life was decided just like that, all because of an incident.

Here I was, speaking about breaking off the engagement every day, thinking she would be happy and pleased about it. But Elizabeth might suffer the most from that.

She was a woman, a Princess of the Tepes House. She had unfortunately lost her purity to me.

Let's say I break off the engagement. What would other people think of the Tepes House, especially of Elizabeth, who would be seen as already "touched"?

"Now, the ceremonial kiss," Priscilla said suddenly, interrupting my thoughts.

My cheeks twitched at her words.

Ceremonial kiss?

There is no way such a thing exists. It's only during marriage, not engagement—

I was thinking that until I saw Elizabeth's slightly red cheeks and awkward smile.

Are you kidding me?!

A ceremonial kiss exists?!

"Let's get it over with, Amael. The sooner, the better..." Elizabeth said.

"R-Right," I nodded.

Priscilla stretched out the knife between us as Elizabeth and I faced each other.

Elizabeth started, kissing the bloodied blade softly and tainting her lips red.

When Priscilla looked at me, I understood and also kissed the bloodied blade.

"Now," Priscilla said with a wide smile, her eyes sparkling with excitement like all the others. The women had melting expressions as if they were seeing their two most beloved idols

kissing, while the men, especially elves, were glaring at me.

I also noted some of the guys from my acquaintances.

Amelia had the same expression as any random girl, with shining eyes.

Celeste was looking with a conflicted expression.

As for John, he was glaring at me.

Give me a break.

Wait, is he holding a phone?

Is he filming?!

This fucker-

"Amael."

Elizabeth called my name, and I turned to face her. She was a head shorter than me, her crimson eyes fixed on me with an intensity I couldn't ignore. I felt a pang of guilt, realizing I had been looking elsewhere like an idiot instead of giving her my full attention.

It was her engagement day. Like any girl, she probably had dreams of a grand and joyous celebration, but things hadn't turned out the way she had hoped. I felt a responsibility to make her as happy as possible, even if my efforts weren't entirely genuine.

I had tried to help Selene avoid antagonizing Victor and steering clear of the Villainess Route, but in doing so, I had ended up sacrificing Elizabeth's happiness. In hindsight, maybe I shouldn't have involved myself so deeply. Victor was a smart and understanding person; I

could have reasoned with him.

Pushing those thoughts aside, I wrapped my arm around Elizabeth's waist, pulling her closer to me. Her eyes widened in surprise as I took the lead. I smiled, but I could tell she saw through the slight guilt in my expression. She wrapped her arms around my neck and closed her eyes, trusting me to guide the moment.

My heartbeat quickened as I closed the distance between our lips and kissed her tenderly. Unlike our previous, more aggressive kisses born out of excitement, this one was pure and gentle. Our relationship was complicated, but I wanted to give her a semblance of romance this time, to show her that there was nothing wrong with us.

Her blood-moistened lips kissed me back, and I felt a rush of warmth spread through my body. My cheeks and body heated up just like Elizabeth's. The familiar, exhilarating feeling threatened to engulf me, but I bit her lip gently, eliciting a soft moan from her.

"Hn~"

I used sheer willpower to push aside all lustful thoughts and regain control over myself. Elizabeth seemed to do the same. We were synchronized this time, controlling our impulses together. After a long kiss, we pulled back, our heads retreating. I had a refreshing smile on my bloodied lips, satisfied that, for the first time, I had managed to control that urge.

Elizabeth also smiled, her cheeks flushed. "I think we did well this time," she said. "Thank God, otherwise everyone would have witnessed your great fitness," I teased. Understanding my implication, Elizabeth's pale cheeks turned beet red as she punched me in

the gut. "Idiot."

"Hitting your fiancé right after the engagement? I won't be a henpecked husband, I tell you,

Lady Elizabeth," I retorted.

"Oh, that's surprising since I have always been the one leading," she replied with a

meaningful smile.

"Ugh..." I groaned. Spare me.

That night, she was clearly the one in control, and it looked like I was the victim. When I

averted my gaze in embarrassment, I felt a soft sensation on my lips once more. It was a quick kiss, yet a very impactful one. I looked at Elizabeth in surprise.

Elizabeth smiled wryly, the smile I was used to seeing-a bit shy but serene and charming.

"Thank you, Amael."

She didn't say why, but I knew. If she felt better, then I had done well enough to make her

happy. I wasn't really good at this sort of thing, so I felt quite satisfied that I did well with

Elizabeth.

"You are welcome," I replied.

"Hm." She nodded meekly, staring into my eyes. I stared back at her crimson eyes, a bit

enthralled by them.

||||

""

"Ahem."

Hearing a cough, I blinked and looked at Priscilla. She had a wide smile, feeling even a bit

guilty for interrupting us. Looking around, we noticed that everyone had been watching us the whole time. Elizabeth still had her arms coiled around my neck, while I had my arms

around her waist, holding each other closely.

We had completely lost ourselves in our own world.

God, kill me.

I couldn't stand the flushed and melted expressions of everyone around us. Elizabeth and I gently separated ourselves, but the silence persisted. Fortunately, Duncan spoke up, breaking the tension. "Now that the long ceremonial kiss has ended, we can proceed

to the feast! Enjoy yourselves!" Though his first comment wasn't necessary, I was grateful for the distraction.