Ascension Of The Villain

Iyana cautiously examined Vyan's blank face once the question left her mouth, her heart pounding in her chest.

He stared back, unflinching, and she began to wonder if she had just crossed into forbidden territory.

Is he embarrassed? Or worse, offended? Maybe I should have just said I have no guesses at all. Is it too late to take it back—

Then, unexpectedly, Vyan lowered his head, and Iyana's anxiety skyrocketed.

This is it. The moment of awkward silence that could end their currently amicable relationship.

But just as the tension reached its peak, Vyan burst out laughing.

Iyana blinked in confusion. Was this some new defense mechanism?

"What in the name of heavens?" Vyan managed between laughs, clutching his stomach. "A crush on Princess Althea? How did you even come up with that?"

Iyana's panic button was officially pressed. "What? You don't?" She blurted out, her mind racing.

"Oh, wait, are you perhaps just in your denial stage?" she continued. "You shouldn't deny your feelings too much like this, you know? She seems like a perfect match for you. I mean, yes, according to societal norms, she is way too old for you. But what does it matter if you two truly love each other?"

"Love each other?" Vyan wheezed, doubling over with laughter. "Seriously, Iyana, stop talking. I am going to die."

Iyana frowned, crossing her arms defensively.

Why are you laughing so much? Yes, you look absolutely adorable laughing, but that doesn't mean you will laugh at my expense! she thought, her cheeks puffing up and feeling a tad petty.

"Is it so stupid to think you like her when you literally purified a crucial economic river and gave her all the credits?" Iyana asked without fear. "Why else would you do that?"

Vyan struggled to compose himself, wiping tears from his eyes. "No, Iyana, no," he managed to say, finally regaining control. "I don't have a crush on Thea."

"Thea?" She arched an eyebrow, her heart doing a twist. "You have a nickname for her and you claim you don't like her?"

"It's just what I call her because," he paused, chuckling, "she has kindly bestowed upon me the esteemed title of a dear younger brother."

"Brother?" Suddenly, her heart did a happy cartwheel. "She sees you like a younger brother?"

"Yep," he confirmed, "and not to mention, I have sworn an oath not to eye anyone my friend fancies."

"But your only friend is Clyde," she blurted out.

"Why do you have to paint me as a social hermit?" he grumbled.

Iyana gasped and covered her mouth. "Oh, gosh, does Clyde like Princess Althea?"

Vyan nodded, and Iyana squealed, eyes twinkling with gossip-loving joy.

"They sound perfect," she cooed. "Spill the tea, tell me more."

"Aww, why? Don't you want to take a moment to mourn that you and I won't be in-laws?" Vyan teased.

"Nope, I am actually relieved," she chirped.

"Ouch, you cold-blooded woman," he pretended to wince.

"We haven't exactly been the best of buddies, have we?" she remarked.

"That doesn't mean we can't give it a shot now," he suggested.

"I think I might hurl if you suddenly turn on your so-called sweet charm," she joked.

"Please, it's just that you don't remember," he chortled lightly, looking at her with an affectionate gaze. "I have always been a sweetheart to you."

"Well, it's a shame I can't testify about that anymore," she quipped.

"Really? Maybe I should start proving it again," he said with a mischievous grin. "At least someone has to fill in the shoes since your fiancé couldn't be bothered—" Vyan blurted out before his brain caught up with his mouth.

You idiot, why did you mention Easton? he scolded himself internally, scrambling to apologize, "Oh, I am sorry—"

Iyana's lips curved up, a smile that was more bitter than sweet. "Why should you be sorry? It's not your fault my fiancé couldn't care less whether I am even alive or not."

"Well, not to be in his defense, but why would anyone worry about your existence while you are staying at the esteemed Grand Duke's estate?" Vyan retorted, trying to inject some levity.

"Please, you probably wished I would drop dead the moment I set foot here," she chuckled, her laughter surprisingly light-hearted despite the earlier tension.

Vyan couldn't help but grin back at her, and so they bantered on, their conversation turning unexpectedly pleasant as they took their sweet time finishing their meal.

Vyan really liked this peace between them; it was just like he had gone to the past—sharing laughter, feelings, gossips, and meals with her

He didn't regret the answer he gave to Clyde when he was asked whether he was in love with Iyana anymore.

However, little did Vyan know, he was about to be rudely awakened from this temporary peace and regret the answer he was so proud of.

The next morning, Clyde's frantic pounding on his door at the ungodly hour of seven dragged Vyan away from sleep.

Nevertheless, when Clyde announced his business, instead of his usual urge to throttle Clyde, Vyan dashed downstairs, only to freeze midway down the staircase.

There stood Iyana, looking like a sweaty, disheveled warrior fresh from a morning sword duel, surrounded by an absurd variety of flowers in the middle of the hall room.

Easton stood in front of Iyana, presenting a bouquet of flowers to her like he was auditioning for a romantic drama.

"My apologies, Iyana, for not visiting you sooner," he began, oozing charm that could probably convince even a rock to blush. "There really is no excuse for my negligence."

Iyana, caught off guard by the sudden floral bombardment, blinked in disbelief. "Your Imperial Highness, what is all this?" she asked, trying to process the unexpected flower shower.

"Just a token of my apology," Easton replied smoothly, flashing a charming smile. "Although I am not entirely sure of your favorite flower, I know you have a general fondness for them. So, I have brought you a whole assortment. I sincerely hope you like them!"

Iyana was left speechless, and nearby spectator Vyan was equally dumbfounded.

Suddenly, like a specter from a bad romantic-comedy drama, Clyde materialized behind Vyan and whispered, "Are you sure she is just a precious existence to you?"

Despite the provocation, Vyan didn't utter a word at first as he thought of all the bullshit he had spouted to Clyde last night.

"I mean, are you back to being head-over-heels for her?"

Vyan chuckled softly, a sound more like the rustling of dry leaves. "No, Clyde, I am not. My days of playing the lovesick fool are behind me," he said, running a hand through his tousled hair.

"Why do you say that?" Clyde pressed, narrowing his eyes in suspicion.

"After spending over fifteen months hating her, I cannot just flip the switch and be in love with her again. It's not that simple," Vyan replied, his voice tinged with exasperation.

He glanced at Clyde, hoping his friend would drop the subject.

"It is simple, though. Love is either there or it isn't," Clyde insisted, crossing his arms as if delivering a final verdict.

"Thanks for the brief philosophical talk, Clyde, but I am telling you it's not," Vyan responded.

"So why do you still care for her? Even when you were hell-bent on revenge, you couldn't stop," Clyde pointed out, his eyes boring into Vyan's.

Vyan sighed. "The answer is simple: she is a very precious existence to me."

"Oh, please, enlighten me how," Clyde shot him an annoyed tight-lipped smile, his patience wearing thin.

"Well, to begin with, she made my life much happier for the time she was a part of it. So, yeah, I am thankful for that," Vyan explained, his voice softening as he recalled the good times.

He continued, "Iyana and I may or may not have had some lingering romantic feelings back then, but that's all in the past now. I have gotten over it, and she does not remember it. So now, I just want her to find her own happiness."

"So you really don't love her anymore?" Clyde's voice softened slightly, curiosity replacing his earlier skepticism.

"Nope," Vyan replied, popping the 'p' for emphasis.

"And you just want her to be happy with another man?" Clyde asked, raising an eyebrow again, clearly not buying it.

"Yep. My feelings for her are as platonic as a handshake now," Vyan said, his expression resolute.

"Okay, fine," Clyde sighed, shaking his head. "But mark my words, Vyan. Love has a habit of turning up when you least expect it. So you will end up wanting to eat those words. Platonic, my ass."

As Vyan watched Easton gaze at Iyana like she held the secrets of the universe in her hands, he couldn't help but wonder if Clyde was onto something.

Maybe, just maybe, platonic love was not the only kind of love lurking around the corner of Vyan's heart, ready to make him eat his words like a humble pie.