BJ Villainess Chapter 306

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Clyde strode across the mansion after sending Theresa off with a maid. As soon as he reached a place where no one could see him, he clutched his chest, gasping for breath as if he had been holding it in.

 

“Is that woman really Theresa?”

 

Only two pieces of information remained in his mind as if everything else had been wiped clean. His name is Clyde. And the name that made his throat tighten just by thinking of it: Theresa Squire.

 

Who could that name belong to, lingering in the corner of his memory like a brand, refusing to be forgotten? He was more curious about the owner of the name than about his own identity and past, and finally, that person appeared.

 

It was a somewhat absurd eccentric he had desperately wanted to know about, lying spread out as if soaking in the rain alone in the desert, who turned out to be Theresa Squire. But… to be honest, he could tell she was special the moment he saw her. His heart raced uncomfortably; her beautiful face kept catching his eye, and his nape stiffened oddly.

 

It was intensely unpleasant. He couldn’t understand why that woman was making him so confused. And what did she say again? Marriage? Kiss?

 

“Ha.”

 

It was laughable because he could tell just by her actions that they weren’t really married. He was almost driven mad by how pathetic he felt for having his heart skip a beat at such a half-hearted lie.

 

Clyde couldn’t accept the fact that he was so aware of someone. Nor did he ever want to reveal this feeling, especially not to her.

 

Thinking rebelliously like a teenager, Clyde entered his room, repeatedly running his hand over his face and sighing. He wanted to rush out and demand the truth, asking what their real relationship was, but his pride wouldn’t allow it. So instead, he just paced his room out of stubbornness, growing more anxious by the minute.

 

Clyde was curious about her. The moment she held him replayed in his mind. Recalling how she clung heavily to him, as if deeply relieved, made his insides feel like they were melting.

 

When they embraced as if only the two of them existed in the world, the growing grass and trees seemed to reflect her emotions. No, it was undoubtedly a reaction to her feelings.

 

Holy power is very sensitive and finicky, highly influenced by the caster’s mental state. So, for her feelings toward him to instantly create such a beautiful scene… What on earth could that emotion be?

 

He kept walking to the door, almost stepping out several times, but then turned around and paced back the other way.

 

“This is driving me crazy.”

 

Clyde felt like he would go mad if he stayed here any longer. He needed to leave, to get far away to the point it would be impossible to go to her right away. In the end, he made a drastic decision to abandon his home and leave.

 

Motie had come to ask if it was okay to give Theresa some alcohol, only to find him dressed in outdoor clothes. “Are you going out?”

 

“I’m going to visit godmother, so make sure that woman doesn’t leave the house. Get her whatever she needs.”

 

“Understood.”

 

Clyde used holy power to open a portal and instantly moved to a planet ruled by the Ananuka family. Unlike Signio, this planet was very prosperous because strict regulations prevented the reckless use of its energy. That’s why he liked it here.

 

Clyde didn’t really enjoy the excessive atmosphere of the Signio planet. He much preferred the modest and warm atmosphere of this place. Although he couldn’t remember, he thought maybe the dimension he originally lived in was like this.

 

As he entered the Ananuka mansion, he encountered the gatekeeper who had guarded the place for many years. The gatekeeper, wearing a magnificent suit of armor, broke into a broad smile as soon as he spotted him.

 

“Young Master! Why has it been so long since your last visit?”

 

“What do you mean, long? I was here last month.”

 

“Before you were selected as the Thirteenth Knight, you used to come every week. This is your home; you should visit more often.”

 

“I’m already pushing it. Even though I’m now the emperor’s knight, it’s not good for me to visit my family’s home too often.”

 

“What? Who dares to say such a thing to you? Tell me who, and I won’t let them get away with it!”

 

“I’m saying it’s not a good look.”

 

The people here were all warm and kind, especially fond of Clyde. The reason was simple. It was because Clyde was very young. Even an ordinary person without Holy power would live nearly a thousand years in this dimension, so a young man in his twenties like Clyde was just a baby in their eyes. Though his temper was fierce, everyone saw him as just an adorable little thing.

 

Clyde hated being coddled like that, but he was also grateful. Because of their warm nature, they had accepted him into the Ananuka family just because he shared their trait of silver hair, even though he was an outsider who had lost his memory. Even after his adoptive parents passed away, he remained the youngest master of the Ananuka family. The fact that he hadn’t aged since might also be due to the influence of this dimension.

 

“Oh my, Young Master!”

 

“Young Master Clyde is here!”

 

“My, you’ve gotten even more handsome since I last saw you!”

 

Clyde was constantly stopped by people who were delighted to see him as he made his way to the floor where the godmother resided.

 

“Get lost, all of you!”

 

Everyone burst out laughing at his gruff response, like grandmothers watching their grandchild’s antics.

 

This was a fight he could never win as long as he couldn’t close the age gap with them. In fact, he had a feeling that even if he looked like a grandfather, they would still treat him the same way.

 

But somehow, this feels familiar. Had he always been surrounded by people and doted on like this in the dimension he originally lived in? …Thinking that made him not want to know much about his past.

 

Clyde finally managed to shake off the clingy vassals and arrived at his godmother’s parlor. It seemed she had already received word of his arrival, as the Duchess Ananuka, Luin, greeted him with a smile on her wrinkled face and open arms.

 

“I thought you wouldn’t be able to come because you were busy, but you’ve surprised me with your visit.”

 

Clyde bowed and hugged Luin, who was visibly growing weaker by the day. “You smell like dirt. Have you been outside for a long time again?”

 

“Scolding me as soon as I arrive? I’ve just made some delicious snacks; let’s enjoy them together.”

 

The two headed to a table where refreshments were prepared.

 

Luin watched Clyde take a sip of tea with soft eyes before speaking. “I’m curious about what brought you here so impulsively.”

 

To those who didn’t know him well, Clyde might seem very impulsive and spontaneous. But those who knew him well could quickly recognize the strict and clear rules that governed his actions. One of those rules was never to visit his family while on official duty.

 

Currently, the Emperor of Signio had left with all the knights except Clyde to punish a planet that had defied his orders. Clyde was not included in the mission. This was because one knight had to remain on Signio, and the emperor was very concerned about the search for the intruder who had infiltrated the imperial palace.

 

The emperor had said like a prophecy on the day Gufel perished.

 

“That woman will surely appear again.”

 

And just as he predicted, the intruder reappeared. As soon as Clyde sensed the strong holy power, he headed to the desert. The problem was that an unexpected situation arose.

 

Luin showed a curious expression. “So, this stranger is from the same dimension as you? And you think that’s true?”

 

“The woman’s name was one that remained in my memory.”

 

“Oh my.” Luin guessed that their relationship was far from ordinary and subtly probed. “What was your relationship with this stranger?”

 

“She said we were friends.”

 

Friends who kissed and were married. He wasn’t sure if that made any sense, but that’s what she claimed, anyway. Clyde recalled her ridiculous statements and snickered sarcastically.

 

“She couldn’t have just been a friend. If her name was one that stayed in your memory, she must have been special.”

 

“Special? No way. She’s just a strange woman.”

 

Luin hid her smile with a handkerchief, pretending to wipe her lips at his rather harsh response. It was clear Clyde was thoroughly upset, and judging by his reaction, she could easily guess the nature of their relationship.

 

“Really? She sounds like quite an interesting young lady.”

 

Clyde scoffed, and Luin laughed at his reaction.

 

Just then, a servant knocked on the door and announced, “Madam, Lady Frea is here.”

 

At the mention of Frea, the only remaining candidate for Empress after Gufel’s demise, Luin’s smile faded.

 

Frea was Luin’s daughter. It wasn’t unusual for a child to visit their mother, but Luin wasn’t pleased with her daughter’s visit. She could already guess what her daughter would ask without hearing it.

 

“Let her in.”

 

As soon as permission was granted, the door opened, and Frea, as transparent and beautiful as an ice flower, entered with a stern face.

 

“Mother.”

 

“If you’re going to call me mother, don’t ask me to offer the Ananuka planet to the emperor.”

 

Ananuka was rich in holy power and was very well-managed. It also had the largest population and was the most prosperous of the great families.

 

Frea pleaded with Luin. “Ananuka has grown too large, to the point where it now overshadows the Signio planet. It means our family poses a threat to the imperial family.”

 

Luin understood Frea’s concerns. But what would happen if she gave up the planet to stay in the emperor’s favor? What would become of the people who had lived here all their lives?

 

“If we do as you say, we will never have a home.”