Ascension Of The Villain

The difficulty level was cranked up a notch, thanks to the mages who had pulled an all-nighter setting up devious traps throughout the forest.

As the event was about to kick off, the clearing near the forest hummed with anticipation, only to fall into an eerie silence the moment the host, the Grand Duke, appeared.

Vyan entered, striding in with his typical nonchalance, seemingly unbothered by the hushed awe that enveloped the crowd. He felt the weight of countless eyes but shrugged it off, making his way to his waiting knights and Clyde without missing a beat.

Theodore, ever the stern commander, narrowed his eyes, likely composing a mental reprimand for Vyan\'s tardiness. Vyan shot him an apologetic look before turning to Clyde, who was brimming with news.

"His Majesty wants to see you," Clyde announced, his tone heavy with implication.

Vyan\'s brows knitted in confusion. "Why? What does he want now?"

Clyde shrugged. "I have no idea. But he looked serious."

With an exaggerated groan, Vyan muttered, "Great, just what I needed. Fine, I will go see what the old bastard wants. Get ready with the horses and everything."

"Roger that." Clyde gave a mock salute and turned to talk to Spencer.

Making his way to the shed where the emperor and empresses were comfortably settled, Vyan caught a secretive, maternal smile from Celeste, which he returned with a subtle nod before locking eyes with the emperor.

"Greetings, Your Imperial Majesties. I trust the festivities have met your expectations thus far?" Vyan said, flashing his signature, impeccably polished smile.

Empress Jade offered a tight-lipped smile, while Celeste positively sparkled with joy.

"Ah, Grand Duke, the festivities have been delightful! The special arrangements you made were particularly enjoyable," Emperor Edgar responded, his tone jovial.

Vyan knew the emperor couldn\'t partake in the main event with the other noble folk due to social norms and security concerns. So, to keep him entertained and buttered up, Vyan had arranged a private hunting ground for the emperor—a sort of preemptive peace offering before Vyan set his revenge plans in motion.

"I am honored to hear that," Vyan replied, widening his smile. "If I may, what prompted this summons, Your Imperial Majesty?"

"Oh, that." Edgar\'s green eyes twinkled as he motioned for Vyan to come closer.

Obeying, Vyan stepped onto the altar, bracing himself.

"I heard some rumors, by the way."

Oh, for heaven\'s sake, not him too!

"So, are you tying the knot anytime soon?" Edgar asked eagerly.

Vyan let out an awkward laugh, shaking his head. "Your Imperial Majesty, if I may be honest, it was just a one-night thing," he lied smoothly, because that was the quickest way out of this awkward interrogation. He definitely didn\'t want to go into details about the Freya situation.

"Oh, no, I got excited over nothing," Edgar\'s excitement visibly deflated. "Here I thought, since you advocate so strongly for women, you must not be involved in shallow affairs. That is why I was sure you must have spent the night with a woman you planned to marry," he sighed in disappointment. "But then again, I shouldn\'t be too surprised. You are a man at the end of the day. I understand."

It took every ounce of Vyan\'s self-control to maintain his smile in that moment.

"Although I should suggest you find a bride soon. You are of age, after all," Edgar advised, as if discussing the weather.

"I suppose I am," Vyan played along, crying internally, why in the world is everybody obsessed with finding me a bride? Does it look like I will never find one on my own?!

"Do you need me to find you a bride? I am like a father to you, after all."

Says the man who killed my actual father, Vyan thought, his blood boiling beneath his calm exterior.

"I wouldn\'t want to trouble you with that, Your Imperial Majesty. Honestly, I don\'t think I am ready for marriage yet. So, no wedding bells from my side anytime soon," he politely rejected the offer, still smiling.

"Well, worth a try," Edgar replied, smiling wryly. "Oh, by the way, do you have any guesses for today\'s winners?"

"If you were to ask me, I would have to be biased and say House Ashstone will win," Vyan joked, a glint of mischief in his eyes.

"Do you think the Imperial Family will give you no competition?"

"With Prince Easton leading? I am sure they will put up a good fight."

As Vyan continued to chat, maintaining his effortlessly charming facade, Iyana watched from the sidelines, rolling her eyes in exasperation. What a masterful performance this guy puts on.

"I swear, he has got Father wrapped around his finger," Easton commented from beside her, casting a skeptical glance at Iyana. "Would you still support your former knight after hearing all these rumors?"

"Who is to say they are true?" Iyana shot back, pretending like she didn\'t know the truth.

"There is no smoke without fire, Iyana," Easton said pointedly. "Besides, this topic is pointless. What I did want to ask you ask, is it true that you have achieved Aura? I had to learn it from His Grace."

Iyana raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. She had half-expected the question since Vyan had given her a heads-up about his slip-up. "What does it matter, Your Imperial Highness? It changes nothing. I am still planning to quit after the Monster Hunt Festival."

Easton fell silent for a moment, clearly taken aback. Then he asked, "So why did you tell His Grace about it then?"

"Because he happened to be nearby," she replied curtly, as if the explanation were as obvious as the sky being blue.

"Why—"

Before Easton could finish his question, the announcement for the start of the Monster Hunt Festival blared, cutting him off.

"Anyway, there is no point in discussing it further. I wish the best of luck to you," Iyana said with a thin smile.

Before Easton could return the smile, Iyana spun on her heel and strode away. As Vyan descended from the altar, their gazes intersected. There was no need for words; the silent exchange spoke volumes.

Her eyes conveyed a simple yet powerful plea: Come back safe.

It was a wish that felt more like a lifeline, as the forest prepared to unleash its unexpected horrors.