Reincarnated As The Villainess's Son-Chapter 233 [Festival Of Love] [1] [Old Relation]

"Well, it's such a pain."

I grumbled as I looked around the place, my eyes squinting to adjust to the light.

A bright board with a delicate design illuminated the path to enter the place, the sun already close to setting.

A name was engraved on it that glowed with crimson, with a heart shape made on the side.

"Festival Of Love," I mumbled to myself, reading the name, "What a cringe name."

[It's not bad.]

'It is for me,' I replied as I walked inside the place.

[Stop being so moody all the time.]

'I am not moody.'

[You are.]

'I am not.'

[Then just for today, be happy without complaining about anything.]

'...'

I turned silent as I looked around the place.

It was packed with people, mostly upper-class commoners who had permission to enter.

They all looked happy, some roaming around with friends and some with their girlfriends.

The stalls were strictly placed on both sides, letting everyone check them as they passed towards the main festival.

[I didn't hear a yes.]

'...You do know what happens today, right?'

I asked with a tired sigh as I continued to walk further inside.

[Ah, right—the proposal.]

'...Yep.'

Every year during the festival, people who like or have crushes on someone propose to them.

Call it a tradition or a way for young people to confess their love.

Either way, the one who is screwed here is me.

[What are you worried about? It's not like anyone will propose to you.]

'...I hope so.'

I replied, even though I know someone definitely will.

Sighing again, I stopped at an intersection, with the left side for the festival hosted for commoners and the right side by the students of the academy.

Turning right, I walked towards the main entrance while taking out my phone.

Showing my ID on my phone to the guards, I walked inside.

[...You look a lot different than before.]

'...A lot.'

I replied as I glanced at my phone, which had my ID along with my photo.

'...A lot.'

I replied as I glanced at my phone, which had my ID along with my photo.

Skinny, depressed, messy hair roughly combed, and dark circles under my eyes.

...I looked like shit before.

'At least I look good now.'

[...You look more than just good.]

'...'

I ignored his words as I finally looked around.

The place was beautifully arranged in a large area; different students walked around talking happily.

A large stage was built in the middle of the open area, with hundreds of chairs placed just in front of it.

"...Fuck." I cursed softly as I immediately recognized what the stage was for.

...Guess your love.

And for some reason, I have a bad feeling about this.

Letting out another sigh, I looked around the place until my gaze landed on a beautiful girl with golden hair highlighted with platinum, surrounded by a few noble students.

"..."

My gaze met with Ashlyn's, and she smiled brightly, trying to walk towards me.

But I quickly turned around, walking in the opposite direction.

[...Are you going to ignore her now?]

'Just for today.'

Even though I know it won't change anything, I still wanted to avoid talking with her.

She is the only one I'm pretty sure would try to propose to me, and to make it worse, Christina isn't around.

So...

...Just for today.

I want to ignore her.

'Anyway, El, you are talking a lot today.'

[Oh, I just remembered something funny.]

'Share with me.'

[...No.]

'Oh, okay,' I replied, not bothering to press him.

"Children's party, come out," I whispered as I arrived at the place where sweets were placed.

A cluster of white, crimson, and gold appeared around me before they turned into three different children.

"Papa!" A little girl with blonde hair shouted as she jumped at me.

"Iffa!" I replied with a bright smile as I hugged her.

'She chose a good name.'

I thought as I thanked Arianell in my mind; her naming sense is far better than mine.

[It's still bad.]

'She likes the name, so it doesn't really matter.'

"She is always clinging to you," Willis grumbled as she wrapped her tiny hands around my neck while I supported her with my hand.

"Why are you always jealous, brother?" Olivia whispered softly as she walked towards me, grabbing my hand.

"Hmph, I don't care," Willis pouted as he turned around, walking towards the sweets on the table.

"Papa!"

"Daughter."

"Where is Aria?" Iffa asked as she looked around the place.

"She is busy," I replied, looking at her. "You can meet her later."

"Hmm." She cutely nodded her head in response, her greenish eyes curiously looking around.

"Are you not going to eat?" I asked as I looked towards Olivia.

"I don't like sweets," she replied, shaking her head.

"But you do eat pancakes that I make, no?" I asked, looking at her weirdly.

"It's different when Father makes it," she replied, shaking her head.

"I see." I replied, gently patting her head.

She closed her eyes while she quickly held onto my hand as soon as I stopped.

"How many kids do you plan to make?" I turned to look back as I heard a familiar voice.

"The fuck are you wearing?" I asked, frowning as I looked at Aimar.

Instead of any good dress, he wore a black hoodie and simple black jeans.

"What's wrong with it?" he asked, looking at his clothes.

"Everything," I grumbled, while ignoring Iffa patting my head, "Who even wears a hoodie at a festival?"

"Fuck."

I abruptly turned my head to look at Iffa, who gently whispered in my ear.

"Don't say that," I quietly explained, "It's a bad word."

"Fuck," she whispered again, giggling as she did.

"That's how you're going to raise your child, huh?" Aimar commented, standing beside me.

"Shut up," I grumbled as the little girl kept on giggling.

"Give her to me, Father," Olivia said, looking up at me.

"Just don't go far," I said as I placed Iffa back on the ground.

Olivia nodded as she grabbed Iffa's hand and walked towards Willis.

"...So, why are you like this?" I asked, looking at him.

"Well, I still look better than you," he replied as he observed me.

I did the same, fixing my black suit with a plain white shirt inside.

"Does it look bad?" Glancing up at him, I asked.

"No, you look handsome," he replied with a light chuckle, "Any news about Daqan Town? It's been more than a week since we returned."

"They are doing fine," I replied, shrugging, "The church has taken hold of the situation."

"I see," he replied, looking down at my hand, "...And that weapon, it's with you, right?"

"Yeah," I replied, clenching my hand slightly.

"Be careful with it," he advised softly, "It seems dangerous."

"I know." Moving back, I leaned against the table as I asked, "...So, who are you going to propose to today?"

"No one." With a sigh, he replied, leaning beside me.

"...Why?"

"Just don't want to be heartbroken," he whispered softly, his voice tinged with sadness.

"What about Miley?" I asked as I turned back and picked up a cupcake.

"You know, she visited Oliver only twice in all those months," he replied, and for once I didn't feel any warmth in his voice as he talked about her, "...That alone is enough for me not to like her."

I quietly nodded as I took a bite of the cupcake.

...It tasted bland.

Why did I bother?

"What if someone else proposes to you?" I asked, placing the cupcake back.

"I will reject her," he replied, shrugging, "I find it hard to love myself; how can I love anyone else?"

I gently smiled as I patted his back, "Everything will be alright; I am here for you."

"Well, only you are my own in this world," he replied as he smiled back.

"...Is that a proposal?" I jokingly asked as I slapped his back, "Bro, how am I supposed to react to it?"

"Shut up," he grumbled, glaring at me, "That was just a slip of the tongue."

"Are we going to kiss now?" I asked with a bashful smile, "Please be gentle."

He turned to glare at me, but his eyes widened slightly as he looked past me.

"Why so quiet?" I asked, tilting my head in confusion, "You're acting like Christina is standing behind me."

...He slowly nodded his head.

Just to be sure, I repeated my words, "...You're acting like Christina is standing behind me."

He vigorously nodded his head.

'...Ah, fuck.'

I sighed as Aimar turned around and walked away.

"So you like it gently." A soothing voice echoed, making me slowly turn around.

Christina looked at me with a bright smile that didn't reach her eyes.