Struggling as a Villain

It happened all in a panic.

Richard returned to Clion and found Amelia struggling to breathe. Her condition made him panic and his senses turned numb until Bellarine shook him and made him realize the severity of the matter.

Amelia needed him. It's about her life and death.

"Ri-Richard…it's too unbearable…" Amelia was crying, holding onto him as she felt her insides burning and her body failing to keep going.

She felt she was dying from within, a sensation that was nowhere as painful as any of those training sessions.

Richard felt his heart trembling at the sight, as he soothingly whispered, "Just a few minutes, Amelia. Please, for me and our child…please…" For someone who couldn't even see his loved one shedding a single tear, Richard was facing quite the situation.

Any opponent in the world wouldn't have been able to make Amelia cry this much, however, here, the being giving her such excruciating pain was their child, their essence.

Amelia clung to him with her dear life, as she prayed the pain to subdue, even just a little.

"Richard…the baby isn't calming down…" Bellarine voiced, much to Richard's concern.

"What do you mean?" He asked, his voice laced with frustration.

Bellarine had tears in her eyes as she said, "The heat it is producing would kill Amelia with the baby still inside her…we need to do something."

That news shocked everyone inside the room, and the most shaken up was Richard.

Rena asked in urgency, "Can't you do something to calm it down? Like how you did with Richard?" She knew she wasn't making sense but seeing Amelia in that much pain was making her heart heavy in anxiety.

It wasn't just her; Lilia and Violet also looked excessively tense since this was the first time they faced this kind of situation, and Amelia's condition was worrying them.

Bellarine shook her head, "No words or spell could work for this…unless the baby doesn't control its flames on its own, there is no hope."

All those years when the women of Scarlette house had to bear the child of Elemental humans, tried all kinds of methods. Potions, lullabies, and even some ancient rituals, but none of them worked—resulting in so many deaths.
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That's why Bellarine knows that unless the baby itself doesn't want it to, those flames won't subside.

The clock ticked by, and the only sound that could be heard was Amelia's sobs as she held Richard's hand tightly.

Richard looked at her womb with a cold look, but before he could have said anything, Amelia pulled him and said, "I want this child, Richard…I want him…please…"

The plea in her eyes eclipsed the pain she was experiencing, even if it was just for a moment.

Richard was reminded of how fondly Amelia talked about the baby, and her dreams to become an ideal mother for her baby.

All those small garments and toys she had asked him to bring…the story books, the cradle his mother brought…everything just overwhelmed his mind, and Richard suddenly switched to his Elemental State.

Everyone in the room gasped as Richard, without allowing his flames to hurt Amelia, kissed the crown of her head before getting up.

Proceeding towards his mother, he said, "Mom,"

Bellarine nodded and removed herself from the space.

Richard took a deep breath before crouching before Amelia and planted his head against her belly.

A second passed, and another. Everyone held their breaths, hoping for a miracle to happen here.

And a miracle did take place.

"...huh?"

Suddenly the illumination from Amelia's belly began to subdue.

"How…in the…" Lilia muttered. She couldn't believe her eyes, that even after trying to communicate with the child for the past five minutes, she or anyone else couldn't do anything. And here, the moment Richard connected with the baby…it stopped burning.

Richard got up from the ground, his form returning to human shade before he smiled at Amelia.

"Mom…please deliver the baby."

Bellarine was stunned, but she immediately moved and asked for Violet and Lilia's help.

Rena, who somehow collected herself, took out her phone and began recording the birth of the young one.

Richard sat there beside Amelia, throughout her delivery. She cried and yelled but never begged for the pain to stop. Since she knew…beyond the pain was someone waiting for her.

°°°°°

"*Sniff* *Sniff*" In the corner of the room, a certain pink-haired girl sat, crying.

Soon the door of the room parted and revealed a certain black haired girl. Her red eyes held pity and fondness for the girl who was crying as she approached the bed.

"Here you are…crying again." Ruby heaved a sigh as she rested the vial of potion and a box of med kit on the bed before holding Rose's shoulder, "Now come on, look at me."

Rose slowly turned towards the other one. Her eyes were red, and several bruises on her face signified that she had gone through a gruesome battle.

"Ruby…I*hicc* I am sorry…even though you got me the opportunity…"

"Shh, let me first apply the medicine." Ruby poured the liquid on cotton and slowly began cleaning the younger one's wounds.

Ruby got Eleanor's permission to remove the current teaching unit of Rose if the pinkette could defeat one of the Apostles.

… However, because of the difference between their experience, Rose was defeated.

And now, she was guilty that even after Ruby requested so much, Rose ended up proving that Eleanor was right about her getting rigorous training.

While Ruby applied medicine to her once fluffy cheeks, she said, "Eleanor has changed your instructor. Now, Lady Junisha will teach you."

Ruby's eyes widened, as she asked, "Really?"

Seeing the child-like excitement from her melted Ruby's heart, as she nodded, "Yes, really. So don't slack off and do whatever she asks you to."

Rose suddenly held Ruby's hand, and asked, "Ruby…are we really going to fight Richard?"

The raven-haired remained silent for a moment, before she gave a stiff nod, " There is no escape, Rose…we have to fight in this war."

Tears welled up in her eyes, as Rose asked, "...I don't want to die…"

Ruby smiled at the girl, "We cannot run away, Rose…since if we try to escape, we won't be spared."

With her eyes drawn down, she added in slight frustration, "We are just slaves here, bound to be doomed in this war…and the saddest part…no one would cry for us."

Rose didn't say anything after that, as the injuries started to feel less painful.

°°°°°

A/N:- Thanks for reading.