Ascension Of The Villain

The midday sun bathed the expansive gardens in a warm glow as the nobility gathered for the Monster Hunt Festival, everyone enjoying the luncheon arranged for them.

The luncheon itself was a masterpiece. A long table groaned under the delicacies from every corner of the realm—succulent roasted meats, vibrant salads, an array of cheeses that would make a mouse weep with joy, and desserts that looked almost too beautiful to eat. Almost.

The noble families mingled, exchanging pleasantries and the latest gossip, their laughter ringing out like a chorus of bells.

Amidst the festivities, Jade stood with her son Izac, the empress-consort's face contorted in barely concealed disdain.

"Can you believe the audacity of that woman?" Jade spat out, her voice dripping with venom, as she glared at the red-haired woman happily chattering away with some noble ladies.

Izac stopped fiddling with a decorative tassel on his elaborate coat and looked up. "Which woman?"

"Celeste, the gall of her, joining the Monster Hunt Festival!" Jade erupted. "Does she think she can roam around freely just because she now has her insufferable nephew? As if his charm could erase the stench of her incompetence!"

His brows furrowed in confusion. "Her nephew? Oh, right, the grand duke," he realized, only to scrunch up his nose again. "What has he got to do with it, though?"

Jade's eyes scanned the crowd, catching sight of Vyan mingling with the guests. "He may act all nice, but he is a double-faced snake, you know that, right?"

There was something about him that always made her uneasy from the first time she laid her eyes on, something she couldn't quite put her finger on.

"Yes, so?" Izac responded.

"It was him who insisted, Izac. He insisted to the emperor that Celeste should be part of the festivities." Apparently, she needs to 'experience' the event for some supposed 'benefit' to her health. As if some fresh air can recover her."

Izac shrugged, clearly unimpressed. "So what? She is just another pretty face in the crowd. Why do you care so much, Mother?"

Jade's eyes narrowed as she took a deep breath, trying to maintain her composure. "You don't understand, do you? It's not about her being there. It's about what it represents. Celeste is trying to show her rebellion against me, that she is not afraid of me anymore."

Izac yawned, stretching his arms. He was full after having a nice meal, and his mother's talk of politics was making him sleepy. "It sounds like a lot of effort for nothing. She is going to shiver under your gaze like she always does, Mother. Having the grand duke on her side means nothing."

"Don't be so naive, Izac," Jade snapped, her patience wearing thin. "Having the grand duke on her side means everything. Don't you know he is currently one of your father's favorites?"

Izac's eyes flickered with a hint of understanding, but he quickly masked it with another careless shrug. "Well, if they are that much of a threat, why don't you do something about it? You are the empress-consort, after all."

A sinister smile curved on Jade's lips. "Oh, I will. But it needs to be subtle. I can't afford to act rashly. They both will slip up, and when they do, I will be there to make sure it's their last mistake."

Izac nodded absently, clearly losing interest again. "Sure, Mother. Whatever you say."

As the music and laughter filled the air, Jade's mind churned with plans, and an announcement rang out about the equestrian display starting in an hour.

Whispers erupted all around, especially among the women.

"Ah, the equestrian display. I have missed that!" one woman exclaimed, her eyes gleaming with anticipation.

"Indeed," another replied, fanning herself delicately. "It's always amusing to see the handsome men riding the horses and showing off their skills."

"We have to thank His Grace for reviving this tradition," a third woman added, her tone laced with admiration.

"No doubt. He is so brave to start up the tradition of Monster Hunt again, considering this was the festival that brought the end of his family," someone murmured, a hint of somber respect in her voice.

A fourth woman leaned in, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Well, it wasn't the festival. It was the greed of the previous Grand Duke and Duchess. If only they had stayed within their limits…"

"Honestly," another chimed in, her voice tinged with a mix of awe and skepticism, "if I were in His Grace's place, I would have never had the courage to restart this festival."

"Of course, he gets his courage from his parents at least," a sharp voice interjected. "They were brave enough to try and assassinate the emperor, right?"

"Come now," another woman chided gently, "we shouldn't speak of him that way. While his parents may have committed atrocities, it's not his fault, right?"

"Right, even his older brother could have been involved, but not him," the first woman agreed, her voice softening. "What did he know? He was only five back then. Poor kid."

"Let's just hope the poor kid you are sympathizing with does not end up pulling a stunt like his parents," a final voice said, a note of dark humor creeping in. "Because you know, blood is thicker than water."

Celeste's ears pricked up at the nearby conversation, and she paused, half-hidden behind a tall column, to listen.

Her heart clenched at the harsh words. Despite the gossipers' hushed tones, the weight of their suspicions hung heavy in the air.

She wanted to correct them immediately, scream out that her sister and brother-in-law were not criminals, and neither was her nephew. But… she knew she couldn't do it. She would only be laughed at without any proof.

She turned away, her thoughts darkened by worry and a truth she feared to admit.

As if summoned by her silent distress, Vyan appeared in front of her, his smile subtle but genuine. "Tia, eavesdropping on hot gossip? You know it's bad for the soul."

Celeste's face softened, her worries momentarily forgotten. "In that case, I can take a bit of damage for my favorite nephew," she replied, her voice soothing despite the lingering unease. "How are you faring so far? You are not overworking yourself, are you?"

"Nope. I am fit as a fiddle and twice as sharp," Vyan quipped, his eyes twinkling with a mix of mischief and affection. "And you, Tia? Is the health potion from Harvey working well?"

"Yes, it's working like magic. I don't think I have ever felt this good in such a long time," she said, a touch of warmth blossoming to her smile.

"That's great. Have you been enjoying the festivities, by the way?" he inquired.

"Yes, yes. How can I not when you have put in so much effort?" she praised warmly, patting his cheek lightly. "Though I must say, since the equestrian display will begin soon, I find myself hoping to see you among the riders."

Vyan raised an eyebrow, a smirk forming on his lips. "Ah, but what fun would it be to join the display when I can stand back and critique everyone else?"

Celeste frowned slightly and chided, "I understand your duties, Vee, but remember, this is also your first time attending this festival. You should allow yourself some enjoyment. It's not every day we revive traditions of such grandeur and significance."

He sighed theatrically, though his eyes remained soft. "You are right, Tia. Perhaps I can find a way to enjoy myself without completely abandoning my post."

"Good," Celeste said, her smile returning as she gave his arm a gentle squeeze. "Vee, this festival is as much yours to enjoy as it is ours. Don't let the weight of the past or the present keep you from it."

"I will keep that in mind," he assured her. "In fact, if my mood strikes, I might actually participate in the—"

Just then, out of the corner of his eye, he noticed a glint of silver hair that could only belong to one person.

Excusing himself from Celeste's side with a quick murmur, Vyan made his way through the throng, his movements subtle and graceful. He made sure that nobody tracked him.

"Thea." He approached Althea, whose face was uncharacteristically somber and concerned. "What's the matter?"

Althea's eyes flickered up to meet his, and Vyan was struck by the intensity of the worry etched on her face. He just knew she was bearing bad news.

"Vyan, I just got the news from my informant. Our plan…" Althea glanced around to ensure no one was within earshot before speaking again, her voice tight with anxiety. "Everything has gone to hell."

Vyan exhaled slowly and asked calmly, "By everything, you mean…?"

"Yes, Princess Maria won't be able to escape tonight," she announced, her eyes boring into his with seriousness.

"What? Did she change her mind? What happened?" Your source for fiction: m-vlempyr.

Althea's eyes darted at Easton somewhere in the crowd, then back at Vyan. "Well," she sighed, "Easton happened."