Otome Game Mob Villain

Chapter 540

"What do you mean by 'a  so close ' and ' what a shame '? I don't really get it, Rafa."

"You're so cold, Rid. Since you wouldn't come to see me, I came to see you instead."

Despite her words, she murmured cheerfully and leaned against the terrace railing.

The night breeze ruffled Rafa's white hair, and under the moonlight, she looked incredibly beautiful.

But I couldn't let her charm deceive me.

She was the one in charge of the shadows in the former Grandork family, a person with power and influence second only to Elba.

It was precisely because Rafa declared her support that the fox clan's nobles recognized Amon as the next clan leader, leading to the establishment of the new Grandork family.

However, one could also argue that her support for the new regime was merely a result of her agreement to the deal I made with Amon during the "Battle of the Gap Fortress." In any case, she was someone I couldn't let my guard down around.

As I braced myself, Rafa glanced around the mansion with a nostalgic expression.

"Still, it's quite bold of Amon to let you all use my uncle's mansion."

"Huh? What do you mean by that?"

"This mansion, you see, is a special place filled with my father Gales' guilt, or something like that, and the hopes of the nobles."

When I tilted my head and asked for clarification, she narrowed her eyes mysteriously and explained.

According to Rafa, this mansion was supposed to be demolished when Greas was condemned.

However, Gales, thinking of his younger brother, decided to keep it under the Grandork family's management instead.

Elba and Marbas strongly opposed keeping it and pushed for its demolition, but Gales stubbornly refused.

In the end, the mansion remained and became a sanctuary for the remnants of Greas' faction who had secretly survived.

"In other words, for many of the nobles who support Amon, this mansion holds special significance. By offering it to you, Ridd, and your group..."

"It's a way for Amon to subtly reaffirm the importance of the Baldia family to the entire fox clan, not just the nobles."

"I'm glad you catch on so quickly. When I was about your age, Lidd, I used to play with my uncle in this mansion often."

Rafa said this while looking down at the courtyard from the terrace, her voice tinged with nostalgia.

About my age, huh?

Well, everyone has a childhood.

But I can't help but wonder what Rafa was like as a child.

"Fufu, when I was little, I was a lot like Citri is now. That girl might grow up to be like me."

"Like you, huh? Haha, I can't really imagine that."

Citri is such a quiet girl, so it's hard to picture her with the same bewitching aura as Rafa.

I let out a wry laugh and cleared my throat before changing the subject.

"So, what brings you here? You didn't just come to see me, did you?"

"Well, actually, there's something I'm a bit troubled about."

As she said this, she pulled out a letter from her pocket and handed it to me.

"Go ahead and    open it i"

"Alright, if you say so..."

I unfolded the letter as instructed and saw that the sender was 'Gabriel Santos.'

*"Ah, the beautiful Rafa Grandork. I cannot forget you for even a moment.*

*Morning, noon, and night.*

*Why are you so beautiful?*

*And why do you make my heart flutter so?*

*Yes, I have been yearning for you all this time.*

*Please accept my feelings.*

*If you don't, I fear I might burn up from longing.*

*Please, please accept my courtship, and let us become a couple who will shoulder the future of the fox clan together.*

*If not, I fear these unrequited feelings might turn toward your sister.*

*Ah, please accept my feelings,*

*Rafa Grandork."*

Reading this made me feel embarrassed for some reason.

"Uh, is this a love letter?"

"Yes, it is. And it's from the heir of the Santos family, the leading noble of the former Grandork faction."

"Ah, I see. That's a problem."

Wanting to marry Rafa and take on the future of the fox clan together—that likely means he wants to remove Amon from his position as clan leader and seize power.

Amon is recognized as the clan leader largely because Rafa fully supports him.

If Rafa were to support someone else, it could spark a major factional conflict within the fox clan, potentially leading to civil war.

The sender, Gabriel Santos, probably understands this situation and sent her this letter with that in mind.

Still, that part about "your sister"—is he referring to Citri?

"By the way, Gabriel is 23 this year, I believe."

"Huh?!"

I couldn't help but let out a shocked exclamation.

To write such a shameless letter and then mention that his "unrequited feelings might turn toward Citri"—what a despicable person.

For the record, Citri is the same age as Mel, which means she's currently seven years old.

This Gabriel guy is essentially saying he might develop feelings for someone 16 years younger than him.

"So, he'll stop at nothing to seize power in the fox clan, is that it?"

"That's right. Well, Gabriel is a cute fool, but his father, Remos Santos, is quite the schemer. And, you know, it's not a good idea for me to make any big moves right now. That's why I'm finding this whole situation so bothersome."

Rafa shrugged and shook her head with a sigh.

Right now, Amon is the  tribe leader, working to rebuild the fox clan.

If Rafa were to step forward now, it could strengthen the voices calling for her to become the clan leader instead.

That could easily ignite a new conflict.

But the Santos family...

If I recall correctly, they...

As I was lost in thought, I suddenly sensed someone nearby and snapped back to attention.

Before I knew it, Rafa's face was right in front of mine.

"Wh-what is it?"

"You look so handsome when you're thinking. By the way, there's one simple way to solve this problem."

"Oh? And what might that be?"

I had a feeling it wasn't going to be a good idea, but I asked anyway.

She narrowed her eyes and smiled.

"If you and I were to announce our engagement, that would solve everything. Political marriages aren't uncommon, and once we do that, no one will say a thing."

"Rejected."

I answered immediately, but her smile didn't falter.

"My, how cold."

"Sorry, but I'm already married, and I love my wife. I have no intention of using such methods."

"Is that so? Well then, I'll leave it to you and Amon to handle this."

As Rafa said this, her ears twitched slightly.

"It's been fun, but it's about time for me to go. Well, Lidd, if you change your mind about my proposal, you know where to find me."

"No, I mean..."

I was about to firmly refuse again when the door to the room was knocked on loudly.

"Lord Ridd, are you all right? I sensed the presence of some unsavory individual."

It was Diana's voice, but it carried a sharp edge—no, a very sharp edge.

"Ah, just a moment!"

I called out toward the door from the terrace, and a cold night wind swept through the area. By the time I noticed, Rafa's figure had vanished without a trace.

She's as elusive as a ghost.

I stepped back inside from the terrace and opened the door to explain the situation to Diana.

"I see. So it was Lady Rafa. No wonder I sensed something suspicious."

"S-suspicious? Just so you know, there was nothing improper going on."

"Is that so? But, Lord ridd, what is this?"

"Huh?"

As she said this, she pulled out a small piece of paper that had somehow been slipped into my chest pocket.

On the paper, written in small letters, were the words: *"That was fun. Let's meet again ♡"* Along with what appeared to be Rafa's lipstick mark.

"Wh-wh-what?!"

"Lord Ridd, you're far too careless. If Lady Fara were to find out, she would be very worried. Given the circumstances, I think we need to have a little talk."

And so, I ended up sitting    in seiza-style on the bed while Diana lectured me.