Ascension Of The Villain

"What do you mean you lost Ronan? He is fifteen years old. You know he can handle himself," Easton let out, his tone unbothered.

"Yes, he is fifteen and not an adult," Vyan gritted out, annoyed at Easton's attitude. "Don't you realize the area we are in right now?"

Easton looked around for a moment before the realization sank in. "Oh."

This was the part of the forest consisting of mostly B-grade monsters—the most dangerous monsters in this hunt—and as good of an archer Ronan was, this would be too much for him to handle all alone.

Maybe Vyan could manage to find Ronan by using some spells, but…

He glanced at Easton and said, "Anyway, you don't need to concern yourself with Ronan. He was my responsibility; I will find him on my own."

He couldn't use magic in Easton's presence. So, the best option was to get rid of him and go solo.

Surely, Easton wouldn't bother to accompany him, especially not after their confrontation just now—

"No, I will help," Easton's firm voice cut in. "Setting aside the fact I don't trust you, Ronan is my brother. I cannot go on with the hunt with the weight of him missing in my mind."

So much for going solo, Vyan thought with an internal eye roll.

"Alright," Vyan agreed. "You go this way, I will go this way."

"No, we will be going together." As Vyan gave Easton a confused look, he further explained, "I mean, how will we communicate with each other in this giant forest if one of us does happen to find Ronan?"

"Instead of letting one another know, isn't it more important to find Ronan quicker? He could be in danger," Vyan questioned, giving him an irritated look.

"But—"

"You know what I suggest?" Vyan interjected. "How about you go inform the guards and ask them to dispatch a search party for Ronan, while I continue looking for—"

"More like, continue to hunt," Easton was the one to interrupt this time. "You want me to get out of the forest so that you can look for Ronan and at the same time continue hunting, right?"

Vyan shot him a what-the-fuck look. "No. Why would I want that?"

"I don't know. It's possible for you," Easton shrugged. "In fact, now I am thinking it's one of your tactics to get me to stop hunting."

Vyan scoffed. "I didn't even ask you to look for him with me. You are the one who volunteered."

"That's because you were trying to make me feel guilty. You manipulated me to volunteer, otherwise, I would feel terrible for not putting any effort into finding my brother."

"Then, don't! Don't look for your brother if you don't care about him," Vyan snapped, anger flashing in his eyes.

Here he was actually concerned for Ronan, and this guy was rambling on about some master plan. Vyan could admit it was a good and legitimate plan, but no, he was not scheming right now!

"Who are you to accuse me of not caring for my brother?" Easton also got angered. "Just because you have built a somewhat good bond with my siblings doesn't mean you care for them more than me."

"Oh, so you are saying you do care, then?" Vyan let out a mocking chuckle. "When was the last time you talked to them for more than two minutes? Because I sure as hell don't remember your siblings talking about you fondly."

"That's because I was busy—"

"That's all you ever are," Vyan jeered, his tone downright harsh and taunting. "For your family, for your fiancée, being busy is what you always are."

Those words snapped something within Easton.

In an instant, he brought out his sword and pushed Vyan against the nearest tree, his face flashing with rage.

Vyan's back thumped against the tree trunk, but he didn't flinch, his eyes boring into Easton's without a flicker of fear.

"Your Imperial Highness," Vyan sneered, "do you not feel a pang of shame, holding a defenseless man at your mercy?"

Easton stood mere inches from Vyan, and leaned in. He pressed the blade dangerously close to his skin, a thin line of blood beginning to appear. "Shame?" he growled, his eyes blazing with a fury that seemed almost feral. "Not in the slightest. People like you deserve nothing less."

Vyan's lips curled into a defiant grin, a chuckle escaping him despite the danger. "Then, you leave me no choice."

"What—"

Just then, Easton felt something sharp pin against his own throat. His breath hitched as he looked down at the sharp dagger, pressed against his skin.

"Move back, Your Highness," Vyan said, his voice threatening.

"Defenseless was what you called yourself just now, wasn't it?" Easton couldn't help but snicker.

"I was going to pretend to be like that until the end, but you are the one who forced me to bring it out," Vyan responded, bringing the sharp blade closer. "Now, move back. Every second you are wasting by holding me here is probably letting Ronan get involved into further danger."

Easton narrowed his eyes and let out a scoff before backing away.

"Letting Ronan get involved into further danger?" a voice boomed through the forest, and the two of them immediately looked at the source.

Duke Preaton was standing at a distance, his face a mask of boiling fury.

"What do you mean by that? Where is Ronan right now?" Eryndor demanded.

"Ah, greetings, Your Grace," Easton gave him a curtsy bow and said in an hesitant tone, unsure of how to say it, "It seems like Prince Ronan has gotten lost somewhere. He was just with us a little ago, and we are about to find—"

"I saw Ronan with him." Eryndor looked at Vyan with such a disgusted, loathesome look that it made Vyan feel like he was standing in a court and he was being declared as the guilty criminal.

He felt about as small as an ant in front of Eryndor.

"I... yes, he was with me," For some reason, Vyan couldn't continue to keep his eye contact with that man and lowered his gaze. "Prince Easton and I were talking and Ronan was right behind me. I didn't notice when—"

Vyan was cut off by a sharp sting across his cheek.

"How dare you be so careless about losing my heir?" Eryndor shouted. His face was red with anger as he fumed. "You should have paid more attention if you were going to take him with you!"

Vyan was shocked and frozen at the sudden assault. He couldn't believe he was just slapped like that. How long has it been since something like this happened to him?

On the other hand, Easton's eyes were wide at the turn of events. He wasn't sure what to say or what to do.

"I knew it! I told Ronan to accompany me, but no, he was stubborn and wanted to be with you. I warned him that you were incompetent, but he didn't trust me. And now look at the situation! As expected, you got him lost," Eryndor accused, his voice only getting louder. "Did you do this intentionally, huh?

Were you jealous of Ronan?"

As Eryndor swore off, Vyan didn't utter a single word, as if he had reverted back to those days—when his superiors yelled at him and he stayed quiet. As if he back to being just Vyan.

"Why aren't you talking, huh? Have you gone mute now?" Eryndor was about to raise another hand at Vyan when a voice cut through.

"Grandfather! What are you doing?" Ronan screamed, standing at a distance, then he ran straight towards them. He jumped in between the two of them. "Why are you talking to Vyan like this?"

The light in Vyan's eyes were back as soon as he saw Ronan, relieved that he was okay, and saw how Ronan was standing up for Ronan—just like how Iyana used to.

Was that how people who care for you stand up for your sake? He wondered about that. And suddenly, he was out of the traumatic zone he was swimming in.

"And where the hell did you go?" Eryndor demanded, his anger still not calmed down. "And what is that in your hand?"

Ronan, who had a fluffy white rabbit in his hand, clutched it closer to his chest. "It's a rabbit. I only went chasing it; I didn't get lost," Ronan replied strongly.

"What?" Eryndor let out, baffled.

"And also, wherever I went, it wasn't Vyan's fault. I was the one who ran after this rabbit without telling him. Why would you be blaming him for my carelessness?" Ronan's voice was firm and his eyes were unwavering.

Despite being the sweet, soft-spoken child that he was, he was not afraid to speak up against his grandfather.

It made Vyan feel ashamed that why he wasn't able to speak up. Why did he become the Vyan from the past?

Vyan placed a hand on Ronan's shoulder and gave him a small smile. "I will handle this now. And I am glad you are safe."

He stood in front of Eryndor, putting Ronan behind him, and said, "Your Grace, as you can see that Ronan is safe and I admit it was my mistake for letting him out of sight. But I don't think you had any right to hit me like that."

Eryndor gritted his teeth and crossed his arms over his chest, saying, "So what? You are my grandchild."

"Grandchild? Really?" Vyan let out a bitter, mocking laugh. "You haven't even acknowledged me yet, and suddenly I am your grandchild?"

"That's—"

"Please be mindful of your actions from now on, Your Grace. Such lowly acts don't suit you. You may be the Duke of Preaton, but I am also the Grand Duke of Ashstone. I am not merely your grandchild whom you can berate and hit as you please."

Eryndor narrowed his gaze, observing the unyielding look in Vyan's eyes, and scoffed. "Those are some big words coming from a boy who comes from such a disgraceful family."

Vyan's eyes flickered with anger as he took a step closer and warned, "Don't you dare utter a word against my family."

Eryndor didn't back down and challenged, "What if I do? What are you going to do about it?"