A Villain's Way of Taming Heroines

"An... Hy, Hydral—"

"You’re looking a bit bedraggled, Princess Suellen."

Before Diana could finish speaking in terror, Ansel interrupted, addressing Suellen as "Princess."

— Proclaiming the legitimacy of the girl who had just been wantonly humiliated and tormented by Diana.

"...Pardon my appearance, Master."

Without facing Ansel directly, Suellen’s words were astonishing.

"Hmm… mind your words, Princess Suellen."

The young Hydral took a step back, his expression serious and stern: "How could I ever disgrace a member of the royal family?"

With trembling hands, Suellen lifted her skirt to wipe her face vigorously, trying to remove the filth, then smiled at Ansel: "Apologies, Mr. Ansel, I was a bit disoriented and thought of a dream I had last night."

"A dream?"

"Yes, a very, very joyous dream."

"But dreams always end," Ansel advised. "If you wish to turn that joy into reality, you must strive earnestly, Princess Suellen."

"Yes, I will keep your teachings in my heart."

"Lord Hydral..."

At this moment, Diana finally had a chance to speak. She first performed an impeccable lady’s curtsy to Ansel, then adopted a naturally gentle demeanor, speaking softly: "I deeply regret not knowing you were coming to the capital and hence not being prepared."

"Ah, it’s no matter. I was only here briefly for some business and will leave soon."

Ansel smiled: "I intended to meet Princess Suellen first, then see you, Duchess Diana, but I see you two were... having a gathering."

"Hehe, Suellen and I share a deep bond."

Enjoy new stories from empire

Diana, unfazed by the filth on Suellen, walked over and linked arms with the girl. In a sweet voice, she said, "She even taught me a beauty secret yesterday."

The young Hydral couldn’t help but smirk. "Oh... is that so?"

He cast a curious glance at the girl he had marked. "Do you and Duchess Diana share a close relationship, Princess Suellen?"

"...No."

Suellen softly replied, "I want to kill her right now, dismember her, and feed her to the dogs."

Ansel spread his hands slightly towards the unperturbed Diana. "It seems Princess Suellen is not in the best of moods."

Before Diana could respond, he lightly tapped his staff on the ground, suddenly remembering, "I nearly forgot the main matter... now is not the time for idle chatter."

"The Empire is in chaos. I believe both of you are well aware of this."

Caring about the people’s welfare, Ansel sighed, "Rebellions in the North, wars in the West, silence in the Eastern ports, only the South remains relatively stable."

"The citizens of the Empire are displaced by the fires of war. Neither the princess nor the duchess would want to see this, would they?"

Although his words were posed as a question, no one answered.

For in both the girl’s and the woman’s eyes, a fierce and morbid fire had ignited.

"Her Majesty’s disappearance is no excuse for the Empire to remain without a leader. Someone must act as regent."

Despite saying it was not the time for idle talk, Ansel stated this casually, as if deciding what to eat for dinner.

"The other scions of the Flamefeast Bloodline scattered or fled after Her Majesty disappeared. Now, only the two of you possess the courage and determination among the Flamefeast Bloodline in the capital. Thus..."

With his hands resting on his staff, the young Hydral tilted his head slightly, a faint smile playing on his lips. "The future regent should indeed be chosen between the two of you, shouldn’t it?"

"I believe..."

While Diana was still trembling, Suellen had already spoken, her voice obedient, "You need to understand the other dukes’ intentions more thoroughly. If you rashly decide on this matter... they might turn against you, Mr. Ansel."

"No, no, no, Princess Suellen, you and Duchess Diana are the most perfect candidates for regent that anyone would choose to support."

Lacking foundation, devoid of influence, and not yet a threat, thus easily manipulated as puppets.

The other dukes, fearing the return of the tyrannical Empress and coveting the highest seat of the capital, had not yet made any direct moves towards that position.

But Ansel had chosen this moment to ignite the powder keg.

"…I see."

Suellen nodded slightly. "So, what you mean is that Duchess Diana and I should rely on our own abilities, correct?"

"Indeed," Ansel replied with a smile.

"Wait, then you—"

The crucial question was actually raised by Diana.

"Lord Ansel, whose side… are you… on?"

At this critical juncture, the stance of Hydral, who could most decisively influence the Empire’s situation, was pivotal.

Was he supporting his slave, his plaything?

"Me?"

The devil, who roamed freely between the scales, casually fiddled with the weights.

"I am, of course, merely a witness, and only a witness, who will do nothing more than observe."

Diana struggled to conceal her excitement and bowed deeply. "Thank you for your concern for the citizens of the Empire, and for your impartiality, Lord Hydral."

Ansel couldn’t help but laugh. He glanced at Suellen’s miserable state, and his laughter grew even more hearty.

"Impartiality… well said, Duchess Diana."

He tilted his head slightly, his voice gentle. "As an impartial witness, I think… since you have so warmly entertained Princess Suellen, it’s only fair that she… reciprocates, don’t you think?"

"…"

Both Suellen and Diana were taken aback.

"Of course, no problem!"

Surprisingly, Diana was the first to react. She laughed coquettishly and gently squeezed Suellen’s hand.

"Lord Hydral is right. Little Suellen, you mustn’t disappoint me with your return gift."

Suellen gazed quietly at the woman in front of her, a slow smile spreading across her lips.

"Alright."

She shook off Diana’s hand and slowly placed her own on her skirt.

Then, with a face flushed with a sickly red, the girl, devoid of malice or anger, offered a sweet and sincere smile from the bottom of her heart.

"You know what to do, don’t you?"

"Oh, and be sure to tell me how my body tastes, dear Aunt Diana."

*

The freshly cleansed Suellen knelt before Ansel, her slender waist and suddenly flaring hips visible, along with the most striking feature: the Hydra tattoo covering a large portion of her alabaster back.

"I don’t recall branding you there," Ansel raised an eyebrow, asking with interest.

"I took the liberty of having the maid apply it. Also..."

The girl paused. "I didn’t want to show others your mark on that place when displaying your favor, so I chose this to signify my subservience to you."

With her hands folded and forehead pressed against them, Suellen whispered, "It was presumptuous of me. Please forgive me, Master."

"There’s nothing to forgive. If you like it, keep it."

Ansel stood up, casually placing an item on the table.

"I must be going, Suellen. Are you confident with what comes next?"

"I won’t let you down, Master."

Still kneeling, Suellen did not lift her head. "Never."

"Good faith."

The devil squinted and chuckled softly, crouching slightly to let his hand drift slowly between Suellen’s delicate hair and neck.

"I’ll be watching you, my dear Suellen."

"Always watching you."

Suellen, still curled up and kneeling, did not rise even after the gentle touch on her back had vanished for nearly half an hour.

She knew Ansel had left, but she remained on the ground.

He’s… toying with me.

Her heart moaned, yet strangely, she felt no anger. Her body even began to tremble gradually.

He wants me to despair, to feel pain under Diana’s rule, to recognize my lowliness in his eyes, and that without him, I would be nothing but a worthless plaything.

He even knows that I can realize this.

What cruelty... possessing an irresistible power over everyone, yet still maintaining such malevolence and cruelty?

These strange thoughts surged through Suellen’s mind and body, and after a violent shudder, she collapsed weakly to the ground.

"Ha... ha..."

The iris girl lay on her side, her eyes unfocused, yet unable to conceal the morbid light within them.

Excellent... truly excellent, Ansel, devil, continue to use me, dominate me.

*

Why did Ansel incorporate Suellen into his fold? This is a question of significance.

Is it to better control the Empire? No, Ansel has no need for pawns, and even if he did, Suellen would not be his choice.

Is it merely to toy with the ambitious young girl? Ansel long ago ceased to play with women purely for the sake of amusement, and besides, he currently lacks the leisure for such pursuits.

So, what is the true reason Hydral marked this seemingly ordinary young princess?

"Flamefeast... Flamefeast."

Under the sky of the Western Lands, Ansel gazed upwards, as if contemplating the world, and murmured softly, "What are you planning to do?"

Do not forget, this seemingly ordinary young princess, in the original future, was the hidden wolf who seized the power of Flamefeast from the monsters… Ephesande and Evora.

But this alone does not fully account for Ansel’s keen interest in Suellen.

The true reason for Ansel’s intense scrutiny of Suellen is singular.

Suellen possesses no talent, no spiritual essence; she is devoid of any special attributes, so how did she manage to usurp the power of Flamefeast?

When Ansel initially uncovered this answer, he was in a stupor for nearly half a month.

For the entity that enabled Suellen to seize the power of Flamefeast was the same as the assassin who struck down Annelisa—

They originate from the same source.

*