Reincarnated As The Villainess's Son-Chapter 148 [Blood Of Fallen] [4]

The bell of the church rang slowly at a rhythmic interval.

The exterior was adorned with intricate stone carvings, depicting angels, each etched by skilled hands long ago.

Tall, arched windows lined with delicate stained glass decorated the sides.

The massive wooden doors at the entrance were bound in iron, their surface polished to a deep shine.

People in groups walked inside the church to pray.

And I stood outside the church, eyes vacantly looking at the open door.

"Are you not going in?" Ashlyn asked, her curious gaze on me.

"....No." I replied, shaking my head. "I don't feel like going in."

The last time I entered a church, I almost died without a chance of fighting back.

And no matter what, I don't want to go inside and risk my life.

"What happened?" She asked, playfully slapping my arm. "You turned silent all of a sudden."

"....Nothing in particular." I replied, a bleak look on my face.

"Just give me five minutes," she muttered as she twisted her body towards the church. "You won't have to wait for too long."

I looked at her departing figure walking away from me, and I couldn't help but call her out, "Ashlyn."

She immediately turned around, eyes blinking. "Yes?" freēwēbηovel.c૦m

I just kept my gaze on her before replying, "...Nothing...Just wanted to call you."

She smiled, her lips parting, her voice a whisper, "I will be right back."

She blended into the crowd entering the church as I looked around, finding a bench placed at the forefront of the church.

Walking close, I sat down on the bench before placing my head between my hands, looking down at the ground.

'El.'

[....Yeah.]

'What the hell am I supposed to make out of it?'

When she fed me... I felt it. I felt the sweet flavor of the pastry, even though I shouldn't have.

I thought I could only taste food when Christina feeds me, but.... I was wrong.

'What should I do, El?'

I asked again, gulping down, my throat felt dry, like ice shoved in it.

[I don't know. You are the one who should make the choice.]

'...'

.....Why?

Why does this keep happening to me?

For once, when I thought I should be selfish... cruel... ruthless, my shitty luck throws this at me.

'...Is this happening because I saved her?' I wondered, but I quickly dismissed that notion.

No way that's the reason. In the first place, I didn't lose my sense of taste because of them.

It happened because....

.....I killed my family?

'....What does that have to do with my taste?'

I grimaced, rubbing my temples, leaning on the bench.

...I want my other side of memories back. I want to know what happened on earth.

....I want to know what forced me to kill my parents and Senara.

"...Sigh."

A cold, misted breath escaped my lips as I gazed at the cloudy sky.

....Should I let Ashlyn die?

She was an important character in the game, and a lot of people want her dead, including my mother.

She holds a lot of value for the church, and the only reason they haven't contacted her is because they aren't sure.

....That she is the one they want.

'Come to think of it, she is only one-third of the whole.'

I thought, my eyes darting towards my side as I looked at her walking out of the church.

'...Even if she lives, a long, painful life awaits her.'

I sighed, pressing my hands on the bench to get up.

"You know, there is a quote written inside." As soon as she closed in, she chirped, "Saying, 'Love gods the most, they are the only worthy ones in your life.'"

"Aren't gods narcissistic?" I commented as we walked towards the street.

"Don't say that." She scolded, "You will be in trouble if someone hears it."

"Whatever." I shrugged.

"Anyway, what is love to you?" She curiously asked, stepping closer.

"I don't know." I replied after thinking a little, "What about you?"

"Hmm, my mother used to say it happens when a cupid comes and shoots an arrow in your heart." She replied, a smile lingering on her beautiful face, "Maybe that's when love happens."

"Wow, you are childish." I commented with a chuckle.

She let out a soft giggle as well, eyes on me, "Where are we going now?"

"The central mall or the garden of flowers." I mumbled, taking out the map that I got.

"Let's go to the garden!!" She exclaimed happily, grabbing my hand and starting to walk.

"No, let's go to the mall." I replied, tugging her closer to stop.

"Garden first, mall later." She said, her golden eyes pleading.

"Mall first." I replied, shrugging.

"No—."

"Yes."

"No—."

"Let's flip a coin then." I suggested, taking out a coin from my pocket.

"Sure." She replied, coming closer as I flipped the coin in the air. "Heads!" She called.

The coin landed on my palm as I looked at it and mumbled, "It's heads."

"Yes!" She beamed in happiness, jumping up and down, "I won!!"

But before she could celebrate further, I grabbed both her shoulders, shaking her vigorously, "We have to assign heads to something."

"Huh?" She blinked innocently, "We didn't?"

"No." I lied with a straight face, "Now, let's do it again."

"Hmm?"

But my hands halted as I felt my phone vibrate.

"What happened?" Ashlyn asked, but I shook my head and took out my phone.

"Christina?" I mumbled, looking at the person that called me.

And from the corner of my eye, I could see Ashlyn's mood dampening as she took a step back away from me.

"....."

I remained silent at her behavior as I picked the phone up.

"Hello, Az." Christina mumbled, her soft voice tinged with uneasiness.

"Did something happen?" I asked, a swell of concern in my chest.

"Can you do me a favor?" She finally replied with a sigh.

***

***

"Why are we here?" Ashlyn asked as we walked inside a luxurious hotel.

Upon entering, we were greeted by the sight of a vast, open lobby bathed in warm, golden light.

The floor was an expanse of marble, inlaid with patterns of gold and black.

Above, a massive crystal chandelier hung from the high ceiling, sparkling with thousands of tiny lights.

Moving towards the counter, I replied, "To book a room."

"Why?" She asked, grabbing the hem of my shirt to not get lost.

"To take some rest." I replied, looking at the man standing opposite the oak counter.

The man gave a professional smile as he asked, "How can I help you, sir?"

"How much for a room?" I asked as Ashlyn stood by my side, looking around curiously.

He glanced at both of us, a knowing smile curling up on his face. "Do you want the room on an hourly basis?"

I pointed my finger as I spat, "Answer what I asked. How much for a da—."

"Wait!" Ashlyn exclaimed, grabbing my extended finger, "Why the whole day? Wouldn't it be better to pay for the hours we spend?"

"Ashlyn, you are not understandin—"

"Like you understand anything, always wasting money." She interjected before looking at the counter man, "We will pay for how many hours we spend."

The man's smile widened even more as he looked at me and whispered, "For how many hours should I book, sir?"

I just looked at Ashlyn without replying to him.

Under my gaze, she became pressured as she fumbled, "Two hours? ...No? How about three hours? No? ....Let's be on the safe side and make it four."

She then turned and looked at the man with a smile, her voice chirping, "We will book for four hours!"

The man looked at me, his eyes filled with admiration like he had found some hidden master.

"Book the room for two days." I said, looking at the man who kept admiring me.

"Wait, why—."

I pinched her lips together with my hand to keep her shut.

Come on, is she really that innocent?

Doesn't she get what he is talking about?

"Az!" I turned around as I heard my name from behind.

My grip on her lips loosened as Ashlyn stepped back.

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With her blue hair fluttered around, Christina walked towards me.

But what piqued my interest was the girl walking beside her.

Her pale skin contrasted with her black velvet frock.

The dress, adorned with lace, fell just above her knees, its flowing skirt moving gracefully with each step.

Her long, raven-black hair cascaded down her shoulders, framing her striking features—deep, smoky eyes and lips painted a bold, blood-red.

But what was odd was that she wore detached handcuffs, the cuffs worn almost like bracelets.

I looked at Christina for an explanation, but she didn't look happy for some reason.

"Huh?" I let out a startled voice as a cluster of white started to emerge from my side.

It quickly took the form of a child.

Willis jumped down, slowly walking towards that girl, his lavender eyes shining, no, I mean it, they were literally shining.

He stood in front of her, hands spread wide as he exclaimed, "Pick me up, mama!"

"..."

What a shitty son I have.