I Am The Game's Villain

I looked up from my thoughts as my little girl, Tihana, tugged at my sleeve with her bluish-white hair and big round amber eyes.

"Why are you so sad?" she asked, her innocent concern making me smile.

"Well, you\'re quite the perceptive one, aren\'t you?" I chuckled, patting her hair gently.

"Ehehehe~" Tihana closed her eyes in delight, reveling in the attention.

"Papa, me too!" Annabelle appeared by my side and leaned her head on my shoulder.

"Of course," I replied, giving Annabelle an affectionate pat on the head as well.

"Big sister! You\'re always with Dad!" Tihana pouted, feeling left out.

Annabelle playfully stuck her tongue out. "Well, the big sister gets all the perks."

"Nooooo!"

As I watched my daughters bicker with each other, I couldn\'t help but feel a sense of joy and pride. They were growing up so fast, and being a father was the most rewarding role I could ever imagine—or so any biological father would have thought!

"I\'m really becoming more of a dad than a God," I mused, grateful for Aunt Belle\'s help in taking care of Orlin. 

"H-Hey! It\'s starting!"

"Who are you going to vote for?!"

"Definitely Milleia! She\'s too hot!"

"I prefer Carla though!"

The voices of my fellow classmates echoed around us, discussing the hot topic of the day - the Miss Eden competition. It was a contest to decide the most beautiful girl, and the anticipation was building as the event was drawing to a close.

"Anna, take Tihana with you."

"Yes, papa!"

Tihana pouted as I handed her over to Annabelle and they vanished.

"Let\'s see who will win before the storm," I thought to myself, eager to find out the outcome of the competition.

….

….

I made my way toward a specific auditorium in the second-year building and was immediately overwhelmed by the sea of people. The students were filling the corridors and halls, buzzing with excitement.

Ignoring the commotion around me, I pushed through the crowd, and as soon as they spotted me, they made way without hesitation.

Nice.

Upon reaching the giant auditorium, I saw plenty of people chatting excitedly. The stage, however, was empty for now, awaiting the candidates of Miss Eden who would soon make their appearance.

"Edward?"

"?"

Damn.

Jayden approached me with a smile. "You\'re interested in the winner too? I personally think it will be Carla."

"I see," I replied casually.

Jayden seemed to hesitate for a moment before speaking up again. "I saw Layla here. I see that you managed to rescue her. It\'s amazing. By the way, she was looking for you."

I tried to walk away, not wanting to encounter Zeus again, but then I accidentally bumped into a stunning girl.

"..." My mouth hung open as I stood there, completely taken aback by the breathtaking sight before me.

Her wavy black hair was elegantly tied back, cascading gracefully behind her head. She wore light makeup, different from her usual style, and instead of the flashy blazer uniform, she had on the more modest pinafore elegant uniform.

Layla\'s cheeks flushed a little as I stared at her, and she shyly twirled her hair with her fingers. "How do I look?"

"..." Jayden, who was standing next to me, had his mouth open wide, and I was sure he might even drool if he kept staring like that. Everyone around us couldn\'t help but gaze in awe.

"Aah!" Without saying a word, I instinctively grabbed Layla\'s arm and led her away.

Having her near Zeus was too dangerous.

"Out of my way," I said sternly to the people staring at us as we headed to an isolated corner.

Once we were sure no one could hear us, I looked at Layla, who was gazing back at me with a faint smile, without saying a word.

"What was that all about?"

"About what?" Layla asked innocently. "I-Is something wrong? Do I not look good?" She panicked, quickly checking her clothes. "I wore the other uniform and even covered my legs and thighs with black stockings. My body lines aren\'t even visible. Isn\'t that good?"

"No, rather it\'s too good..." I replied awkwardly. "But I thought you didn\'t like that uniform...?"

The last time I suggested her to wear the pinafore uniform because it gave her an innocent vibe, she refused, saying that Alfred wouldn\'t see her body otherwise.

Anyway, what happened in just a day? There was a stark contrast between the Layla I spoke with near the lake and the one I encountered after rescuing her.

"You said that this uniform suited me better, right?" Layla poked my chest, tilting her head a little.

"And you rejected my suggestion."

"Well, I changed my mind."

"Good then," I smiled and tried to walk away, but Layla gripped my blazer.

I looked at her questioningly, and Layla just stared back at me. "How do I look?"

At first, I was puzzled, but then I sighed and smiled. "You look really good."

"Really?" Layla asked again, her eyes filled with a hint of expectation.

"Yes," I said, patting my beating heart. I then walked away, trying to contain the fluttering feelings inside me.

I don\'t understand her anymore...

….

….

"The next candidate is Lyra Kertalir!" The commentator of Miss Eden announced loudly.

I let out a tired yawn, feeling exhausted from this never-ending competition. Thankfully, we reached the last candidates, and as expected, they saved the best for the end.

Lyra stepped out in a stunning red gown, eliciting cheers and gasps from the audience, enchanted by her beauty.

I glanced over at Simon, who was seated in the front row. He looked at Lyra with a wide smile, clapping his hands in admiration. Lyra winked at him playfully and gracefully walked away.

"""Wow!"""

"I\'m voting for her!"

Several people took out their phones and opened the app created especially for Miss Eden, quickly casting their votes for Lyra.

"..."

Kleah—Gladys\'s words kept swirling in my mind. I couldn\'t help but think about everything she said. I\'m still struggling to understand what\'s really going on.

Was she with that despicable guy on Earth?

Did she know that he was responsible for my family\'s death?

If she did, then why would she join Ante-Eden?

I don\'t f*cking understand.

I need to find Ephera or at least the others to gather more information.

Lost in my thoughts, I noticed Miranda talking with Lea a few rows ahead of me. I smiled and decided to approach them. "What are you two up to?"

"Kyaaa!" Miranda let out a girly shriek and blushed as all eyes turned to her.

That shriek took me by surprise...

Lea glanced at me and grinned. "I\'ll leave you two to chat, Myra."

"W-Wait!"

"Why the heck aren\'t you taking part in the competition?" I plopped down on the table and asked Miranda.

Miranda shot me a glare, her face still flushed. "Why should I?"

"Next up is Carla Roger!" The commentator\'s voice boomed, grabbing our attention as Carla sashayed onto the stage, rocking a gorgeous green gown. Her eyes were totally locked on Jayden, who seemed a bit unsure about joining her on stage.

"She\'s stunning…" Miranda mumbled.

"Come on, you should\'ve joined, Miranda. You\'d have got just as much praise," I suggested.

"No... I don\'t have their charm," Miranda replied.

I looked at her and couldn\'t believe she actually believed that. How could she think so low of herself?

"And now, the moment you\'ve all been waiting for! The Daughter of Raphiel herself!"

Cheers erupted from the crowd at the announcement.

"Milleia Sophren!"

-WOAAAAAAAAH!

I turned my gaze towards Milleia, who glided across the stage with grace, rocking a beautiful blue dress that had everyone\'s eyes glued to her.

Milleia scanned the audience, seemingly searching for someone. Her gaze first landed on Jayden, then on Alfred, and finally, her eyes locked onto mine. She beamed a wider smile.

"I think she\'s into you," Miranda mumbled. "Lucky you, Edward."

"Jealous, Miranda?"

"W-What?" Miranda was clearly caught off guard. "Why would I be jealous of her?"

"You sure about that?" I raised an eyebrow.

Miranda smirked and looked away. "If I were to be jealous of someone, it\'d be her."

"Oh, hold on! We got a last-minute surprise candidate!" The commentator shouted, catching everyone\'s attention.

I followed Miranda\'s gaze and my eyes nearly popped out.

"The last one is another Daughter of Raphiel! Layla Adriana Tarmias!"

What the heck?

Gasps echoed through the room as Layla stepped forward, looking like a freaking goddess in a white wedding dress. The off-shoulder gown clung to her body, and her black hair was elegantly tied up, making her look absolutely ravishing.

I couldn\'t tear my eyes away from her.

Layla stared at me with her glowing red eyes, and with a flick of her hand, she tossed a small bridal bouquet in the air. The bouquet twirled gracefully before landing perfectly in my arms.

"..."

Layla gave me a mischievous grin before waving her hand and leaving me to deal with the following embarrassment.

"U-Um…" I stammered, unable to say anything and face anyone.

The commotion that followed was louder than ever.

"Hey, wait, Miranda!" I shouted, trying to reach her as she stormed out of the hall. "Move aside!"

"This jerk!"

"Layla should\'ve been mine!"

"I can\'t believe this…"

"Wasn\'t she into Alfred?"

"M-Maybe he tricked her?"

Holding back my desire to lash out, I continued.

"Miranda!" I spotted her and quickly caught up.

"D-Don\'t talk to me right now…"

"Why?" I grabbed her arm and turned her to face me, but Miranda spun around on her heels and leaned in closer. Before I knew it, she planted a quick kiss on my cheek, leaving me utterly speechless.

After what felt like ten seconds of shock, she pulled away. "B-Because!" Miranda covered her flaming face with her hand. "I-I\'m jealous!"