Reincarnated As The Villainess's Son

Chapter 141  Sylvania [1]

[Ethan's POV]

"Are you listening, Ethan?"

"Y-yeah, I am."

My vacant gaze, which had been staring at the ceiling, abruptly turned toward Professor Daphne.

Her sweet voice, coupled with that slight smile, was enough for me to determine that she wasn't happy.

"Did something happen?" she asked further, as the whole class now looked at me. "You've been absent-minded in class for a while now."

I shook my head gently as I replied, "Nothing happened, ma'am."

"Try to be more attentive." Seeing that I wouldn't answer, she quickly ended the conversation before going back to the lesson.

"Sigh."

I sighed as I looked back at the empty seat beside Ashlyn and Miley.

'How did he get permission to just leave?'

I thought, turning back. He's been missing since yesterday after lunch break.

From what I know, students aren't allowed to leave the academy unless it's absolutely necessary.

But…

He's gone, with no particular reason, and no one stopped him either.

'Did he ask his mother?'

Quite possible, after all, he's someone who would cry for his mother's help whenever he wanted something.

'I don't understand why she even talks with him.'

I glanced back at Ashlyn, who sat quietly studying with Miley. n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

I've talked with her, and I can say for sure that she's a sweet and kind girl.

Not only does she behave politely, but she helps others as well.

Yet she's closest to that guy, the one she should be the most wary of.

'Come to think of it, isn't she someone special?'

I remember Vidar mentioning it once—someone related to the angels.

...Maybe I should ask Vidar about Ashlyn when I see him again.

If that guy is getting close to her for his own selfish reasons, I have to warn her about him.

...Maybe I should ask Vidar about Ashlyn when I see him again.

If that guy is getting close to her for his own selfish reasons, I have to warn her about him.

'It would be satisfying to see all his plans fall apart.'

That way, I could at least see some misery in his eyes before I kill him.

"What are you thinking so hard about?" My train of thought stopped as the girl with brown hair sitting beside me whispered.

"Nothing," I replied, smiling lightly at her.

Ruby shifted closer as she whispered again, "Is it about the anonymous money you got?"

"....."

I quietly took out my phone and checked my bank balance.

'Still the same.'

I thought, looking at the money in my account.

…I could easily buy a house in an upper-middle-class area with this much money.

...But I don't know who sent it.

"Was it sent by mistake?" I mumbled, looking at Ruby, who sat close to me.

"I don't think so," she replied, a thoughtful look on her face. "If it was, you would have gotten a notice already."

"Yeah." I nodded as well, placing the phone on the desk. "Show me the notes, please."

She picked up the notebook and passed it to me. When I took it from her, my hand overlapped with hers.

"Sorry," I apologized awkwardly.

"I-it's fine, don't worry," she fumbled, quickly hiding her blushing face.

'Cute.'

I thought, smiling and shaking my head as I looked at the notes.

Maybe it's because she's a head shorter than me that she feels cuter when she's embarrassed.

But as I thought about what happened to her family, my smile vanished, and my mind drained of happiness.

...She's gone through a lot because of that guy.

Even her family was nearly destroyed.

"Ruby." I gently called, glancing at her.

"Yeah?"

"Do you hate Duchess Esmeray?" I asked softly, making her flinch in response.

She looked around before glaring at me. "Don't say that; someone might hear you."

"Your answer?" I pressed further, not backing down.

She leaned back, her eyes dropping to her hands as she mumbled, "I don't."

"Huh? Why?" Frowning in confusion, I asked.

"Whatever happened to my family wasn't her fault... I have no reason to hate someone who is beyond me," she stated as if it were the most obvious thing.

"I see," I mumbled, hiding my own disappointment.

That's odd.

How could she just say something like that?

Doesn't she understand that parents are responsible for how a child turns out?

And if the parents can't pay their debts, then the children have to.

It's been like this for a long time.

'....Everyone fears and respects that woman.'

And it comes as no surprise because I know how terrifying that woman is.

...I don't know if I could ever win against her.

'But I need to kill him.'

The only weakness I can see is her son.

...I will kill him.

But before that, I want him to know what loneliness is.

I want him to at least feel the pain I've gone through.

And if he repents for his mother's mistake, I will be merciful enough to give him a quick death.

Ring!!!

The bell rang, ending the class and forcing me out of my trail of thoughts.

I looked around in confusion as Daphne didn't leave the class, and Professor Lauryn entered.

"Come out, those whose names I'm about to say." Standing in front of the class, Lauryn instructed.

The class quieted down as we waited for her to continue, "Miley, Ethan, Ashlyn, and Ruby—come out."

'What happened now?'

I grimaced as I stood up from my seat, and so did the others.

"What happened?" I asked Miley as we moved down from our seats.

"Why are you asking me?" She shrugged as I moved towards Ashlyn. "I have no idea."

"I see." I nodded before shifting my focus to Ashlyn. "How is your sister?"

She smiled gently, replying, "She's fine now."

"...If you need any help, just ask me," I offered as we moved out of the class.

"Why would she ask you?" Miley chimed in, glancing at Ashlyn. "She's got suitors now."

"Hey!!" Ashlyn yelled, glaring at her. "I told you not to mention that."

"...Why are you being so aggressive?" Miley grumbled. "You were the one who asked me for advice."

"That doesn't give you the right—argh, whatever." She groaned in frustration, walking faster to catch up with Aaliyah, who came out from another class.

"What happened?" Ruby curiously questioned, looking at Miley.

Miley hesitated for a while before shaking her head. "Nothing special, just something that happened between Azariah and her."

"....."

Her words were enough for me to know what they were talking about.

'...Did he propose to her?'

My skin crawled thinking about it.

Is she really that important to him? Is he going so low as to propose to a commoner?

'Or does he want her body?'

As we moved out of the first-year building, I thought, feeling disgusted.

Maybe that's the reason he's so close to her.

'If that's the case then I should really help her.'

"Christina?"

"Huh?"

I abruptly shifted my focus to Ruby as she mumbled her name.

"There."

She pointed, and I looked in that direction only to find her standing with one of the second-year students.

"I'll be right back."

I quickly excused myself as I rushed toward her. She also noticed me as she looked back.

"Ethan?"

My heart skipped a beat as she called my name, confused.

"You remember my name?" I grinned, asking as I walked close to her.

"You did become famous after saving so many people at the stadium," she replied as she started to move towards the second-year building. "So what do you want?"

"How have you been?" I asked, walking beside her.

"Fine," she replied. "Anything else?"

'She's beautiful,' I thought, holding my breath.

She doesn't wear too many accessories, but only her earrings and necklace are enough to complement her beauty.

"Amm, do you know why we were called out?" Trying to continue our conversation, I asked.

"How would I know?" she replied, her tone flat. "If that's all, go back to your class."

"Why are you like this?" I asked, smiling a little.

She looked at me for a moment before replying, "...Have I not been clear about not wanting any ties with you?"

"Why?" I demanded, halting my steps. "All I want is to be friends with yo—"

"And I don't want that," she interjected sharply.

"Why?" I asked again, suppressing my urge to yell at her.

She sighed before her gaze sharpened. "Who the fuck are you to ask?"

"Huh?"

"Don't think I can't see your pathetic attempt to get close to me." She growled, her voice venomous. "And do yourself a favor and stay away from me."

I stood there dumbfounded as she walked away without looking back.

"What's with her?" I grimaced, turning back, walking toward Professor Lauryn.

...Did something happen to put her in a sour mood?

'Did that guy do something to her?'

I quickly shook my head as I walked towards the main building.

...Patience.

I shouldn't be too forceful when talking to her from now on.

...She will understand one day that I am better than that guy.

"Hmm?"

My steps halted as my gaze fell on one of the empty classes through the window.

A burning feeling rose in my chest as my gaze fixed on the purple-haired boy slamming the silver-haired girl against the wall, holding her close.