The Villain's Redemption

"Really? You agree?" Mo Li beamed. He tried his best not to approach her and held her hand.

"Yes." Actually, she wasn't at a disadvantage at all. Moreover, keeping Mo Li close is actually the best-case scenario right now. Since she wasn't sure if he was an enemy or an ally, it would be best for her to keep him close.

"Good. Let me send a letter to the emperor then…" Mo Li said as he strode out of her room. However, before he could reach the door, he turned towards her and smiled. "By the way, the church is already aware that you will come here. By now, they should already know that you are with me. My people are here to protect you all the time however, let's not forget that the church had some powerful people in their sides too."

With that, he winked at her and left the room.

What was that wink for? Rhea didn't say a word. She lowered her head and thought about the people from the church. Mo Li was right. They actually have a lot of powerful knights with them. Just like Mo Li, some knights could use elements and some of them could even use magic.

After a few minutes, Mo Li informed her that they are going to enter the palace tomorrow and met with the emperor. He also said that people from the church would be there.

Slowly, another night passed without any problems. Of course, Rhea was already expecting this. The church is in an extremely tight spot right now. Hurting Rhea inside the empire could actually mean that they are waging a war against the royal family.

Unless, of course, they frame her which would make her look like a criminal.

Rhea already considered this and even created some possible scenarios inside her head- like the usual things that her brain does.

"Are you ready?" Mo Li held her hand as he led her out of the villa.

"I am."

"The Royal Family can be a bit… bold."

"Thank you for worrying about me your highness but I can handle myself." She immediately assured him.

"Actually, I wasn't worried about you," he chuckled. "I was worried that you will anger them to death."

Why does it sound like she was some villain that could anger people to death? Rhea snorted as he got into the carriage with Mo Li. "Tell me about the King."

"Ah, his Imperial highness Kitto is not a very good man. However, he is a brilliant King. Someone that would never let his people suffer."

"But you said, he isn't a very good man?"

"No. He is not a good man." Mo Li rested his elbow near the window and look at the streets outside. The click-clacking of the horses that pulled their carriage echoed. Then he continued, "He has his pride and greed. He had five wives and a total of nine sons and five daughters."

"That's fourteen children. How many people are alive now?"

"My… it seems that you are aware of the toxicity inside harems?"

She only snorted in response.

"Five are alive." Mo Li said. "The crown prince and the fifth prince. And three princesses."

"Five?" Now, this was a bit surprising. Who would dare kill nine of the emperor's kids? These people's lives are actually so complicated!

"So, including you, there will be three men that are going to fight for the crown."

"That is only if I will join them."

She nodded. Right, he was planning to spend the rest of his life following her around. What a boring plan. Rhea's thoughts were interrupted when the carriage suddenly came to a halt. Surprise, her body sprang forward. However, Mo Li was quick to catch her in his arms.

"What is going on?" she heard Mo Li hollered at the coachman outside.

The two heard a knock before one knight slowly opened the door. "Your highness there are…." The knight paused as he met Rhea's eyes, then he lowered his head and continued, "There are people ahead of us waiting for the goddess. They refuse to move."

It took Rhea a few seconds to realize why the knight avoided her gaze. It was because she was actually in Mo Li's arms!

She immediately cleared her throat. "Please let me go, your highness."

"Oh, my apologies." Mo Li said.

"I thought this is a secret meeting with the Royal Family?" Rhea said, her voice was the exact opposite of the one that she used when she was alone with Mo Li.

"Someone must have spread the information…" Mo Li answered. Obviously, this was all planned by Rhea. He frowned and looked at the beautiful woman wearing her long, white dress. "I will take care of this." However, before he could take a step out of the carriage, Rhea tugged her arm.

"Your highness, I think you have done enough," Rhea said. Mo Li's acting surprised her. It was as if they have been working together for a long time! "Let me… see everyone outside."

"But…"

Rhea only gave him a warm smile. "They are here to see me."

"Then let me escort you."

Mo Li walked out of the carriage first before he held his hand to help her down into the carriage. The moment she took a step outside of the blue carriage, the people ahead of them that were restricted by the knights started calling her goddess.

"Goddess! Please save us!"

"Goddess! Please protect us!"

"Goddess! Please save my son, a demon bit him!"

"Goddess!"

"Hey who pushed me! Stop pushing! Stop!"

"She's coming!"

"Goddess! Help us!"

Seeing how chaotic everyone was, Rhea praised Mo Li inwardly. This is the power of rumor. "Everyone…Let me apologize for letting you wait," she smiled. Almost immediately, the place turned quiet. "As you know… I am here to visit the empire. I wanted to help everyone, but my abilities are limited. Today, I will have a conversation with the emperor to help the villages surrounding the empire. After this, I am planning to continue helping the villages in remote areas until I reached another empire. For now…. Let me send you some blessings."

She didn't wait for anyone to react as she raised her hand towards the heavens and close her eyes. Obviously, she was just doing this for dramatic purposes. She then chanted some fake enchantment then clap her hands, breaking the talisman that she created earlier.

Alright… why does it feel like she was swindling everyone?

....

A manhwa is coming! Follow me on instagram: @blips01 for more updates!