A Villain's Way of Taming Heroines

Evora, who had long appeared disinterested, suddenly had a spark in her eyes.

"This object..."

She gazed intently at the grey bracelet on Ravenna's wrist, an unmasked flame of greed burning in her pupils.

"Intriguing."

The Elder Princess chuckled softly, "Is this the inspiration you provided her?"

"Yet, the creation is a testament to Ravenna's own abilities."

Ansel observed that lovely yet aloof visage, a slight smile playing on his lips, "I certainly lack the skill to craft such an item."

"Skill, hmph... Your little puppet indeed possesses a unique and remarkable talent in this regard."

As the conversation turned to this, Evora sneered for reasons unknown, "But she always harbors impractically foolish delusions."

Ansel's brows lifted slightly, "...Has she mentioned anything to you?"

"What else could it be but an upgraded version of her mad grandfather's ideals?"

The woman waved her hand dismissively, "Nonsense about... the domestication of alchemical devices and such."

The young Hydral watched Ravenna crafting arrows for Seraphina, his eyes narrowing slightly, "Has she spoken to you of this often?"

"Not particularly. She's intelligent enough to know that after realizing my disinterest in such folly, she ceased to mention it, lest she provoke my ire."

The Elder Princess lazily stroked her foot along Ansel's thigh, "I've considered several times simply destroying the Tower of Babel outright, given their limited value."

The fate's hand almost pushed Ravenna into consigning the Tower of Babel to the abyss, but what caused Evora to abandon such a thought?

Ansel caressed Evora's delicate and smooth instep, her toes slender and the bones at the junction with her instep slightly pronounced, giving her entire foot a distinct and elegant outline.

"But you refrained from doing so, why?"

The fiery woman let out a contented purr, "Because, well~ I'm curious to see what your prized puppet is truly capable of. Consider it... a favor in your regard, sparing them."

Ansel chuckled, "Should I be grateful to you then?"

Evora, lying on her side and propping her cheek, glanced over with a narrow and seductive gaze, reminiscent of a fox looking back, yet her allure was not one of subservience but rather a commanding blaze.

"Then you may... continue touching," her red lips curved into a smile that did not conceal her desire, "I find it quite pleasurable."

Ansel did as she suggested, continuing to play with the foot in his hand, though his thoughts were elsewhere.

Just as when he tamed Seraphina, he constantly reviewed past events, analyzing the actions of fate to discern its purpose.

Until he confronted Ravenna, intending to transform her into the ideal monster, fate had always acted with the destruction of the Tower of Babel and Ravenna's exile as its goal.

Being under Evora's control was never a good thing; provoking this fierce and tyrannical woman to destroy the Tower of Babel was not difficult, and Ansel could not possibly wrest the Tower from Evora's grasp. Therefore, after snatching the Tower from Evora through that game, fate's path was temporarily blocked.

Moreover, Ansel declared his plan to Ravenna with unyielding intensity, forcing fate to temporarily change course to prevent Ravenna from falling into a rational abyss and becoming a tool under Ansel's control.

Thus far, everything remained within Ansel's control.

According to the original plan, Ravenna would either resolve to confront Ansel with reason, accelerating her descent into a rational tool devoid of emotion, or, through frequent contact with Ansel, like Seraphina, she might completely turn emotionally towards him.

The former was Ansel's initial plan, unaffected by Seraphina's influence, while the latter was … a trial he was willing to undertake because of Seraphina.

During this process, a significant upheaval occurred—Ansel was unwittingly driven by fate, and in the process of venting his stress, he overexerted himself, leading Marlina to detect something amiss. And Marlina, unbeknownst to him, subtly informed Ravenna of this possibility.

At this juncture—

"Ansel."

Evora's voice, tinged with dissatisfaction, interrupted Ansel's reverie. She frowned at him, a silent reprimand in her gaze: "Be gentle."

"... You seem to be mistaking me for a servant," Ansel responded with a wry smile.

"We stand as equals. If I can command you thus, then you may do the same to me on another day, use me as a maid, and I shall harbor no resentment," Evora retorted, her chin lifted defiantly.

"That should be acceptable, shouldn't it?"

"I have no interest in indulging in such trivial games with you, Evora."

"Such a bore you are when it comes to me," she clicked her tongue in annoyance.

Evora's foot lashed out towards Ansel's face in a fit of pique, but he caught her ankle just in time, her pale sole nearly brushing against his cheek.

"Aren't you the capital's renowned ladies' man, Mr. Ansel?"

"... I don't recall ever earning that moniker. Three years ago, I was but a child, dear Miss Evora."

"Ha! A child?"

She scoffed, bursting into laughter. She locked eyes with him, her lips parting in a teasing gesture. "You were a devil even then, Ansel — long before that."

"Is that so?" Ansel tilted his head slightly, "I appear so wicked in your eyes, Evora."

"What of it? What's wrong with being wicked?"

Her legs entwined around his neck, her supple waist lifting her torso into an intimate proximity with Ansel.

"Compared to the nauseating halo of your youth..."

She whispered into his ear, "The man you've become now, is utterly... irresistible."

"The empire's fate in your hands is indeed a troubling thought, Evora."

Ansel sighed, "I dread to think how burdensome I will become."

"Who said anything about burdens? Sitting beside me on the throne, watching them squirm to please us—it's delightful, isn't it?"

Evora released him, her ideological divergence instantly cooling their closeness. The rising indifference, even disgust on her face, betrayed her lack of genuine affection for Ansel and underscored the nature of divine species.

Or perhaps... it was Ansel who was the true anomaly.

Ansel remained silent, his gaze shifting from the image of Seraphina drawing her bow to the petite scholar perched silently upon the floating cannon.

Fate had unjustly made Ravenna aware of his peculiarity.

Because this would deepen her bias towards herself.

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