Ascension Of The Villain

The next morning, the morning sun cast a muted glow through the high windows of House Preaton's reception hall, illuminating every dust particle floating in the air, as if to highlight Vyan's growing irritation.

His foot tapped restlessly against the polished floor, while Clyde leaned back beside him, arms crossed, one brow raised in silent amusement at Vyan's obvious impatience.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the door swung open, and Eryndor entered with his usual air of austerity. His gaze swept over them, settling on Vyan with a faintly disapproving frown, as though Vyan's very presence was an offense to his perfectly ordered day.

"What do you want, Your Grace?" Eryndor's voice was clipped, devoid of any warmth.

Vyan barely restrained a grimace, not surprised at how Eryndor was back to his usual self after his rare display of emotions yesterday in front of a stranger.

Whatever. Either way it didn't matter to Vyan.

Taking a steadying breath, he met Eryndor's gaze. "I need your assistance about something. Apparently, you have had connections with an acupuncturist named Jin for a long time and he is someone who doesn't treat anybody unless they are vouched for by someone he knows."

"Master Jin?" Eryndor's brow arched. "And who exactly requires his… specialized services?" The question carried a laced skepticism, as if already judging the nature of the request.

Vyan hesitated, unwilling to reveal more than necessary. "Someone close to me."

Eryndor's expression shifted, and a faint sneer curled his lip. "Someone close to you? Tell me, why are you keeping someone mentally unstable around you in the first place?"

The jibe hit Vyan like a spark to tinder. His wine-red eyes flared. His fingers clenched, jaw taut with controlled fury. "You know what?" he snapped. "I don't need your help."

Without another word, Vyan stood up and strode toward the door. He didn't bury his pride and hatred to come here only to get trivialized by his grandfather.

Clyde followed quickly, glancing between Vyan and Eryndor with the slightest shake of his head.

Just as they were about to reach the entryway, Clyde paused and looked back. After a moment's hesitation, he turned to Vyan.

"Give me a minute," Clyde said quietly.

Vyan, still fuming, didn't bother questioning him and walked ahead.

Clyde watched him leave, then turned back and retraced his steps to find Eryndor still in the hall, standing by the window with a hardened expression.

"Your Grace," Clyde's voice broke the silence, and Eryndor looked over, his brows knit in a mix of irritation and curiosity.

"What is it, Magnus? Have you come to apologize on his behalf?"

"No, why would I?" Clyde frowned. "His reaction was valid. Rather, I have come to ask why you keep saying such… insensitive things to him."

Eryndor stiffened, clearly unprepared for the question. "That boy," he said dismissively, "needs a reality check. He is as stubborn as a mule and just as faint-hearted. What good would coddling him do?"

Clyde shook his head, a sympathetic smile softening his features. "You think he doesn't know that? You think he is not aware of his flaws? But here is the thing—I know you care about him." He has seen that clearly in his eyes during the Monster Hunt Festival. "You wouldn't have agreed to meet him without knowing the reason why if you didn't. So why do you always feel the need to provoke him like this? Don't you want him to—" Clyde hesitated, knowing the words would sting but saying them anyway, "—to like you?"

Eryndor's expression faltered, and for a brief second, his stern mask cracked. He turned to the window, gazing out, the sunlight casting sharp shadows across his face.

"It's… not that simple," he admitted, voice lower than before. "I don't know how to—express myself the way you all do. This isn't my way."

Clyde took a step closer, his gaze intent. "Then maybe it's time you find a new way. He is not a child, Your Grace. He knows about the way you treated the rest of your family, and he doesn't want to fall victim to that, unless you have any intention to change yourself. Because trust me, rules and regulations are all good—as long as you explain why they should be followed; words of affirmation can make a difference you can't even imagine."

Eryndor looked back at him, visibly uncomfortable, but the weight of Clyde's words seemed to sink in. "You really think it's… as simple as that? Changing myself after the way I have been for the past seventy-five years?"

Clyde chuckled lightly, shaking his head. "Maybe not that simple. But you don't need to change everything. Perhaps, just show the effort—show that you care. Don't let him think that you don't even consider him a grandchild of yours. Because he has gone through a lot and is still going through a lot. So, just stop trying to push him around for once. Think of his feelings, even if it is uncomfortable for you. He is not here to spite you or ruin your perfect morning; he is here because he needs you. Treat him like a grandson should be treated."

There was a long pause, and Eryndor's gaze softened, though he wouldn't admit it out loud. "I will… consider your words," he said quietly, the closest he could come to gratitude.

Clyde gave him a satisfied nod. "That's all I ask. Just consider them."

With that, he turned and left Eryndor alone. Clyde knew Vyan would probably never know about this exchange, but maybe, just maybe, it would plant a seed in Eryndor's mind, a nudge towards something better.

As he rejoined Vyan outside, he couldn't help but feel a flicker of hope that this family, as fractured as it was, might still find its way back to each other when the head butler came to call them back in.

Vyan didn't need to be nudged by Clyde once to go back inside. Because he was desperate and he had no time to waste.

His apparent end was coming near, and he had to make an arrangement for Aster—so that Aster would be just fine, even if Vyan wasn't there anymore.

———

Master Jin's house was shrouded in a chill as Vyan and Eryndor stood side by side once Eryndor finished convincing Master Jin to hear Vyan out.

"Play nice, you two," Clyde had chirped when they were getting down from the carriage, and ever since then, Vyan has been maintaining a polite facade in front of the master acupuncturist. After all, he couldn't afford to get on his bad side, especially when he was so selective about his clients.

It wasn't that Jin did partiality in choosing his patients or that he only treated the wealthy ones, it was just that he was cutting back on his work, preparing for retirement. That was why he didn't usually see clients unless they had some sort of known urgency.

And since it was a request from his childhood friend himself, Jin couldn't turn down Vyan.

At the far end of the living room stood Jin, carved from the years like stone, seventy winters tall and unbowed. He greeted Vyan and Clyde with only the barest nod.

Vyan's voice finally broke the silence, "Thank you so much, Master Jin, for agreeing to this. There is someone close to me, and I need him to get better as soon as possible. And it goes without saying that you are my best bet," he began. "You see, this person has suffered a lot, and that has naturally badly affected him mentally. He has been in solitary confinement… longer than anyone should bear."

Jin's dark eyes remained fixed on Vyan. It was a silent invitation to continue.

"He is hollow now," Vyan murmured, his voice subtly catching. "He barely speaks to anyone. Just stares into nothing, trapped in a world that doesn't exist. He is drowning in the past, in a time where he still believes his family is alive, where he is still young. He cannot accept that the people he used to know back then have either grown up or aren't breathing anymore. He does not react to anything around him anymore, does not… even know the world has moved on without him."

Jin's voice was barely more than a murmur, yet it carried a weight that echoed through the house. "How long has he been in solitary?"

"Sixteen years," Vyan replied. "He has not seen a ray of sunshine in all those years. And… it has even caused him to lose his ability to walk."

The number hung between them, like a phantom stirring the shadows. Jin could already anticipate it was going to be one of his longer projects.

However, it was Eryndor who spoke up next, the dawning realization in his eyes cutting through the fog.

He turned to Vyan, his eyes wide with shock. "Sixteen years… and still believes his family is alive… And he has been in solitary confinement… and the thing from back then…"

Vyan glanced at him, a flicker of nervousness in his eyes. He didn't expect Eryndor to still be listening in on them. That's why he was so carefree in telling all the symptoms and backstory. "Whatever you are thinking, it's not—"

Eryndor swallowed, a hesitant pause, as if daring to disturb the quiet with a question that he could scarcely bear to ask. "Vyan, are you… are you talking about Aster?"