The Villainess Returns with a System-Chapter 104: Robort’s Route

The scene Robert caused lacked grace, but Vivian would later learn it wasn’t without reason. Robert had established his own investment firm around the same time she was forming ViTech, his motives clear: he sought to achieve success in front of the family before she could.

Still, there were two significant distinctions between Robert’s and Vivian’s projects. Whereas ViTech innovated things from the ground up and started to rapidly create other companies and subsidiaries for the Conglomerate, Robert tried to recruit the small businesses that were trying to enter the big industrial league.

Still, Robert couldn’t match anywhere near the technological revolution Vivian launched, and he started to take drastic steps to interfere with the work of his clients, especially in the parts where he saw them not performing up to his standards, creating unnecessary struggle between him and his clients the more he tried to rush them.

Eventually, many complaints about him were sent to the Conglomerate, and the legal experts of the family advised him to pause his enterprise for a while until things cooled down. This made him more furious than ever, and as his father fell ill, he saw the position of deputy director going to Tristian Moore as the victory, which he had worked tirelessly for, getting snatched away by Vivian’s allies.

After causing the scene, Robert took his carriage and guard, leaving his mother behind, even though he stayed with her in another residence due to her current condition.

Robert’s carriage travelled to a distant location. He instructed his driver to continue until they crossed the Ralin River but to stop at the bridge. Robert alighted from the carriage and hurried to the bridge’s edge, accompanied by his escort knight, where he proceeded to vomit the contents of his stomach.

"You alright, young master?"

"Yes, Sir Aston. I’m... alright."

Shaken, sweating, and trapped in a prison of his poisonous thoughts, Robert looked up to watch the moon’s reflection but only to see nothing of its beauty. His eyes went bloodshot with anger as he gathered an aura star in his fist and...

"FUCK!"

... punched a chunk of the stone balustrade into the calm river water.

Knight Aston looked at Robert and seemed to have figured out that Robert had messed things up big since he wasn’t attending the party himself. He approached Robert slowly but noticed that the aura covering his hand had protected it from injury despite punching something this hard.

"Young master, vandalizing public property may land you in a bad situation with his grace if word were to get out," the knight spoke with worry.

"You!" Robert turned at the man with obvious wrath, "You too are threatening me, Aston?"

Seeing how blinded by rage Robert was, Aston tried to get a hold of his anger swiftly.

"Never, young master. How can I do such a thing? Our fates are intertwined the moment I decided to be your follower." Calmly, Aston bowed to Robert and didn’t display any wavering emotions.

"Then be a useful follower and go get rid of those who’re standing in my way! Those fucking pricks! The lot of them!"

Robert was no longer in his right mind with all his intoxicated emotions coming to the surface all at the same time. Aston knew what kind of person Robert was; while a kind gentleman on the surface, his heart was always malicious and dark to those whom he felt to be better than him.

For most of the time, Robert was antagonistic toward his elder brother, James, the default heir of the house’s noble title. While Robert could do nothing against James when he was around, the moment the eldest son abandoned the family and went abroad was the right chance for Robert to pounce on the position of heir. However, even without James blocking the way, it seemed that the heavens had decided to make a steady supply of obstacles between Robert and his dream.

First, his father is not an easy man to win; second, his sister was this generation’s rising star in House Moore; third, while siding with the Crown Prince should have hastened his rise to power, House Moore lost its relationship with the Prince when Vivian’s engagement was broken.

Now, with Robert not even being picked to be the figurehead in the absence of the lord from the conglomerate chair, his confidence and self-esteem took a blow heavier than expected. If James Moore were still around, the deputy position would have been his, no questions asked, the same if Vivian weren’t a woman.

This felt like favoritism for Robert. His outburst may have been foolish, but it was the last act of defiance he had to that unfair treatment. Now, he can do nothing other than bark some empty threats.

Sir Aston, a knight of unwavering principle, found himself grappling with a growing sense of regret. He had pledged his loyalty to Robert, a decision that now weighed heavily upon his conscience. Despite his internal turmoil, Sir Aston remained steadfast in his commitment. A knight’s word was his bond, and duty, above all else, was his guiding star.

He could only step forward to stand beside Robert and pat his shoulder, giving him a piece of advice he felt too precious to be spent on Robert:

"Sir, opportunities are fleeting; it is crucial to remain vigilant. However, if you are unable to consistently monitor for such prospects, it is advisable to surround yourself with capable and driven individuals. Their opportunities have the potential to benefit you in the long run."

Hearing the words of the knight, Robert paused and stared at him blankly. A usual Robert Moore would scoff at those deep pieces of advice as things the poor convince themselves with to continue being lazy, but this Robert, who was sobering up from his stupor, showed a glint of maturing.

"People with will and talent?"

The question lingered in Robert’s mind for some time, twisting itself into various answers and becoming something even Knight Aston wouldn’t dare imagine.

"I know now..." Robert muttered, then looked down without showing his expression to the knight, "You are right, Sir Aston. I was... too hasty."

Knight Aston looked at Robert with a strange feeling rising through his chest, unable to suppress those strange thoughts, but then, he forced them down again and bowed to Robert.

"I hope I have been of help to you, young master."

Robert faced Knight Aston with a fresh face rather than the sour one he had, as if turned to the complete opposite. He then looked up to the sky and thought for a while before nodding to himself as if he realised something.

"Father would soon send for me after what I did. He’d ground me for sure, so I need to avoid him for the time being," Robert said as if he had made a decision.

"Running from home, are we now, young master?" Knight Aston asked.

"Until I find an opportunity to turn the tables on Vivian, that is," Robert said and headed back to the carriage, "Tell the driver to take us to the Applewood Manor."

While it seemed like a destination out of the city, the knight paused after remembering what that meant.

"Young master, the Applewood Manor belongs to his highness if I am not mistaken," Knight Aston said.

"Yes. It makes for a fine hideout from Father at the moment."

"But... it is also where..."

"Yes, you told me to find someone with will and talent." Robert climbed into his carriage and continued, "I am going to find the best talent I know."

The idea was strange, no matter how Knight Aston tried to think about it, and it didn’t make him feel comfortable. Still, it seemed that Robert was finally starting to think instead of throwing tantrums, and giving him this opportunity was the least he could do for both his future and the future of his young master.

It was the worst-case scenario, the one I feared more than anything.

Robert’s route isn’t only a simple route of destruction, it is a coup d’état in House Moore and an entire route of obliteration to both Father and me.

If the player were to choose Robert as a love interest, the villainess half-sister would defy the love affair between the heroine and Robert, causing the latter endless problems with his father, the Count. Eventually, the rift would grow, and the villainess would end up trying to kill the heroine if not for the interference of Robert at the nick of time.

The villainess sister would then end up killing herself by mistake, and Robert would get blamed by his furious father, who loses all reason and tries to enact revenge on his youngest son.

Eventually, the count would end up causing too many incidents and would eventually be suppressed by the Kingdom and be arrested for his villainy. Robert then succeeds the count’s position at the young age of seventeen and lives happily ever after with Matilda.

That is the canon route for Robert.

The other route is the one where the heroine chooses a different love interest and then decides on Robert as a side fling.

Unrealistic as it is, this was a simple game played by lonely girls who had a reverse harem fetish. As far as the genre is concerned, this crazy plot is faithful to its goal and fans.

But in reality, how would this shit play out?

Well, don’t ask me. If it were up to me, I’d sit back, eat popcorn, and not get involved with any of that nonsense.

If Robert wants Matilda, I’m not going to interfere, even if Sir System starts to make backflips for me to stop it.

But... how the hell will this shit turn out to be if Matilda starts to two-time Prince Liam and Robert?

That would require balls of titanium as far as I am concerned. The question here is, is Matilda dumb enough to do that?

« Warning! The Brother’s Route has been Activated! »

Fuck!

She is!

Alright, calm down.

This is not the worst day of my life just yet.

I am still at the party, and everything is getting wrapped up. An hour ago, Robert stormed off and ruined the mood for everyone. He seemed particularly upset as if he was somehow promised the position of deputy and it was taken from him.

Looking at the woman who filled his head with all these delusions, Saskia was sitting all by herself, and a tragic atmosphere was surrounding her. I am not sure what to do with her now since I am sure she is silently crying all by herself without anyone noticing from the veil covering her face.

After she stopped consuming Gratia---the poisonous cosmetic that she was addicted to---Saskia moved to a different residence to receive treatment away from the eyes of the public. While Robert has spent most of his time with her, it seemed that there was a lot of tension growing between the mother and son. freēnovelkiss.com

While it doesn’t concern me, Father still deeply cares for the two. He is not a monster who doesn’t feel love for his wife and son, but his usual cold attitude doesn’t help in that regard.

As the party was practically over and everyone started leaving, I went out by my lonesome to get to my carriage, but along the way, I found Saskia standing by the gate of the main building.

"What do you mean he is not here? He didn’t even wait for me? The carriage has not returned to pick me up?" Saskia’s ringing voice was heard echoing with worry.

"I deeply apologize, my lady. There are plenty of carriages around the headquarters that you can use. I’ll order you an escort of five agents as well," replied the head of the conglomerate security.

"Agents? Are you serious? Agents are not knights? Do you want me to travel in the dead of the night without a knight?"

While it wasn’t any of my concern, I had to stop and attend to this situation.

"Stepmother, I couldn’t help but hear what happened," I said as I approached her, "I am accompanied by two knights. Sir Fabian can escort you to your residence."

Despite the ill relationship between us, it would be a problem for women of our status to travel without an escort knight. Doing so would invite trouble and shame the family name.

"Vivian." Saskia turned to me, uttering my name in a tone I couldn’t tell if it was of worry or relief. She then looked away from me but softly said, "Thank you."

"Don’t mention it," I replied a bit sharply, but since she was also not in the best health, I should be walking her to her carriage.

As we walked down the stairs, we didn’t exchange a single word, but it seemed from the way she kept turning to me that she had something to say. While I know how her poisonous tongue works, I wasn’t sure what she had in mind.

Will she try to demean me as she always does?

Will she criticize how I treated her son at the party?

There are moments in life that shake you to your core: earthquakes, meteors, and an unexpected tax refund. But nothing could have prepared me for the moment she looked me dead in the eye and said:

"I’m sorry."

I blinked.

Once.

Twice.

I even tilted my head like a confused puppy, waiting for the inevitable punchline. Maybe she’d follow it up with, "Sorry you’re such an ungrateful child," or "Sorry you thought I meant that?" But no, she just stood there like she had just handed me the holy grail of social interactions and was waiting for me to bow in gratitude.

"Excuse me?" I asked because clearly, I had heard wrong.

"I’m. Sorry."

Slower this time, like I was some simple-minded peasant incapable of understanding a royal decree.

I glanced around, half-expecting a hidden surprise, a team of scientists studying this rare phenomenon.

Was she being blackmailed? Possessed?

Did she hit her head?

Did I hit my head?

And the worst part? I had no idea what to do with it.

Was I supposed to accept it? Applaud her for this once-in-a-lifetime display of decency? Pin a medal on her chest and declare it Bitch Redemption Day?

Instead, I just stood there, gripping my reality with both hands, and muttered:

"Who are you, and what have you done with Saskia?"

"I said hurtful things to you after Natasha’s party," she said, and seemed to be actually meaning it, "I... wrongly accused you of many things."

Somehow, she seemed sincere. Like I can’t be fooled, I must tread carefully and not fall for this charade, but she kept going.

"I am sorry about what Robert did. I have taught him nothing but ambition. His actions today are... on me."

No! Don’t be like that.

I prefer the bitch you.

How am I supposed to act now?

"Alright," I said, trying to make a short reply to hide my puzzlement.

"You know... I have a confession to make," she said, facing the conglomerate headquarters and looking up at its grand architecture, "I’ve always wanted him to get sick, your father, I mean."

Just those words alone flipped everything in my head, and I had an urge piling up in me to take it out on that woman.

What do you mean you wanted Father to get sick?

I didn’t ask out loud, but I could feel my fist tightening, my teeth clenching, and I am sure the look on my face wasn’t the friendliest at the time.

"I never nursed him ever, you know that?" She said as if trying to get to a point.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"He never got sick as far as I knew him. Those aura users, at some point, develop immunity to the common cold and simple illnesses. They never get sick like the rest of us."

"So?" I asked.

"I never got the opportunity to take care of him... to be kind to him," she said and looked down before continuing, "I know it is dumb, I shouldn’t have told you that. I am not sure why I am saying that to you, even. You just felt like you would understand."

"Well, I don’t." I couldn’t even wait for a second to pass before replying like that.

Saskia nodded, almost as if she was anticipating how I would react. But this is not me we are talking about, it is about someone important to me and apparently to Saskia.

"Father would feel grateful if you returned home, though," I said, not knowing what possessed me to say it.

"I can’t." Saskia shook her head, "He mustn’t see me like that."

"Like what?" I asked and looked intently at her eyes under the veil, "I know your skin was ruined, but what of it? You will slowly recover, right?"

"But he... wouldn’t like it..."

"Get over it, woman. You’ve been his wife for around twenty years, haven’t you?"

"That’s not it... I just... I can’t bear being like that... not in front of him."

Seeing how she started acting like some teenage girl, I looked away and let out a long breath before looking back at her.

"Listen up, I won’t spend one more breath convincing you. Returning home will be good for both your health and his. My carriage is over there, I am heading home now. You either tag along or go on your way. Your choice."

That was the last bit of patience I could give Saskia, but contrary to everything I thought possible that night, Saskia dropped her resistance and meekly tagged along with me.

The only thing she said to me on the way home was a "Thank you," and that’s that.

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