Ascension Of The Villain

"You wouldn't dare," Vyan said, his voice low and laced with venom.

Celeste's expression hardened. "Don't test me. I would."

A mocking smile tugged at his lips. "Oh, Your Imperial Majesty, you are the one who shouldn't test me." His eyes glinted with challenge. "Because trust me, if I go down, I am not going down alone. I will make sure to drag you and your precious kids along with me. So," he shrugged, "go ahead—make your choice."

Her face blanched, but she didn't back down. "Vee, there is no way you will get Aster out without exposing yourself."

Vyan's smile grew wider, sardonic. "And you would know that how exactly? Some sudden divine insight, perhaps?" he questioned, tilting his head in a mocking manner.

Celeste's eyes flashed with frustration. "Okay, then. Fine, tell me what is your plan," she demanded, the desperation creeping into her voice.

"Oh, sure, sure," he chirped, "Let me tell my plan to my aunt," he grinned, "who is a lying, backstabbing traitor." His grin dropped into a straight line with a nasty glare. "Does it look like I have been bitten by a mad dog? Why the heck would you think I would tell you anything?"

"Vee, I only want the best option for everyone. Trust me, Vee, I don't want to hurt you."

"Too late," he whispered, his voice laced with the raw pain of betrayal, "you already did."

Celeste felt her heart break. "Vee, you don't get it—"

"Oh, I do get it perfectly. You don't want the best for everyone. You are just hoping to save your skin at our expense at this point," he accused. "But if you think for a second that I am not serious about dragging you and your kids down along with me, then you are in for a big surprise.

So, make a decision—do you want to do nothing and get your nephew saved or do you want to go against your other nephew and get yourself and your kids killed?"

Celeste's resolve faltered, visibly shaken.

"Or you know what?" Vyan added. I will give you a better option: I will kill you right now, spare your kids, and go on with my plan."

"No, no," she spoke up frantically. "I will take the first option."

"Good choice." Vyan stepped back from her, turning away. "I will get going now."

"Vee—" she tried to call out.

"Oh, and one more thing." He glanced at her over his shoulder, mid-step on the stairs to the pavilion. "Don't call me that anymore. You see, it's a family nickname."

Celeste's face crumpled, but Vyan didn't look back again.

———

Vyan was on his way out of the Crystal Palace, crossing the hallway. His thoughts were occupied when he almost collided with a whirlwind of motion—Katelyn, fresh from her archery training, her neck-length black hair in disarray. She looked like she had just declared war on a target dummy and won.

"Hey, good morning, Kate," Vyan greeted, forcing a cheerful smile on his face.

Instead of responding to his greeting, her green eyes immediately zeroed in on his bleeding hand, narrowing with a mix of irritation and concern.

"Honestly, Vyan," she huffed, already pulling out a handkerchief. "Can't you go a day without getting yourself maimed? You get kidnapped twice in the same week, and now, there is a nasty cut on your palm. At this rate, your limbs are going to look like a patchwork quilt."

Vyan laughed lightly. "Well, I hope you are good at embroidery then. I would want to look good, you know, even if I am a patchwork quilt."

Ignoring his remark, Katelyn grabbed his hand, wrapping the handkerchief around the wound with a tight, decisive knot.

It wasn't the most gentle, but it was effective, and he knew she really cared. There was familial love in the way she tightened the handkerchief.

Vyan's thoughts drifted to his aunt—how he told her that he would drag her children with him if need be. As if.

He could never harm his cousins, not even with his darkest threats. They were still family. He had only said it to keep her on the toes, make her think twice about meddling in his affairs.

"Hey, about that day," Katelyn mumbled, her tone soft now, "I have been feeling… guilty, alright?" she began awkwardly. "If I hadn't guided you to that damn tunnel entrance, you wouldn't have ended up... you know, abducted. And perhaps, I should have kept an eye to make sure you weren't followed by anymore." She let out a heavy sigh filled with guilt and looked up with a sad look.

"Did that person hurt you? Torture you or something?"

Vyan chuckled softly, surprising even himself with the warmth that bubbled up despite his recent encounter with her mother.

He reached out and ruffled her already wild hair, much to her annoyance. "Don't worry about me, Kate. I am fine. A little kidnapping never killed anyone," he teased, watching her eyes roll. "Besides, if you hadn't taken me there, I wouldn't have had the chance to figure out a few things... things I am actually grateful for."

Katelyn blinked up at him, caught off-guard by the sincerity. For a moment, her bratty façade dropped, and a genuine smile flickered on her lips. "Well," she grumbled, cheeks flushing slightly, "Just try not to get yourself in any more life-threatening situations, okay? Some of us would like to keep our cousins in one piece."

Vyan chuckled again. "No promises, but I will try not to turn into a patchwork quilt anytime soon," he quipped, his smile turning into a teasing smirk, "since I can tell you would be horrible at embroidery. I mean, look at the way you sloppily tied the handkerchief."

With a mock scowl, Katelyn nudged him with her elbow, but the corners of her mouth betrayed her amusement. "Shut up, you ungrateful troublemaker."

"Oh, I am a troublemaker? And what are you?"

"Please, I am an angel compared to you," she scoffed.

Vyan laughed at that, unable to deny the claim. He truly was a troublemaker, given the trouble he was about to stir very soon. Something that might even shake the entire capital. And he was looking forward to it.