Crushing flags and claiming the Villainess

Cedric was sitting at the dining table with his wife as they were having dinner and a peaceful chat.

Just as Austin thought the Council didn't even bother telling them about what the foreseer saw and the possible attack on Eryndor.

"You will be coming to his graduation ceremony, right?" Cedric asked Sophie as he sliced the steak into small cubes for her.

Sophie seemed hesitant, "...I don't want to spoil his special day."

Cedric heaved a sigh...if she continued to think like that, their relationship would never heal. Unless she appears before Austin often, they would never start talking again and things would only get worse as time goes by.

After a brief moment of pause, he said, "Be selfish then. You want to see your son graduating from the academy, right? So just be selfish and come with me."

A soft breath escaped her lips as she shook her head slightly. There was still a year left so she couldn't tell how things would be then.

So rather than rejecting her husband's request, she chose to remain silent.

Just as Cedric handed the plate of perfectly diced steak to his wife, a third person entered the dining hall, urging the duo to turn towards the person.

"A-Avy..."

"...huh?"

Both of them were shocked, and it was a natural reaction upon seeing their daughter—who refused to step out of her room for years—suddenly appear in the dinning hall.

She was wearing her usual night gown and a blank expression on her face.

Averis wordlessly took the seat on the right of the King and said, "I want to talk to you two."

Cedric calmed himself down and said, "Yes, please tell us." He was already quite content with the fact that she broke out of her isolation and approached them.

"Tell us, Averis. We will help you in any way possible." Sophie assured her, barely containing her elation.

The silver-haired teenager looked down, her hands resting on her lap, and a brief moment of hesitation appeared in her eyes. However, she has already thought about it carefully.

"I want a few tutors...who can help me prepare for the academy." Looking at her father, she said, "I want to join the Valorian Academy."

Cedric was taken aback by that request.

He turned toward his wife and found her to be as baffled as him.

"Averis...you want to be with your brother, huh?" Cedric asked; remembering that it was Austin who suggested her joining the academy.

At that time, Cedric hardly believed that Averis would get over her depression and return to the world so soon.

However, he was wrong.

"D-Don't just assume anything you want. I am not doing this because I want to be with him!" Averis's face turned red, the panic in her voice making her appear amusing, but neither the King nor Queen dared to laugh.

Crossing her thin arms on her chest she said, "I just don't want to stare at those walls anymore! I will join the Academy and show him his place by getting a better position than him. That's all."

"But it still means that you are going there for your brother, no?" Cedric teased, couldn't suppress the grin anymore.

Sophie squeezed her husband's hand, shaking her head at him as if to say 'Don't say that or she will change her mind'.

However, Averis didn't say anything about that and after getting up she said, "Assume whatever you want...I just want a few capable instructors who can help me get prepared for the assessment." Saying so, she walked away.

Cedric finally laughed out loud; both happy and amused how his daughter was trying hard to appear tough and uncaring about her brother.

A beautiful smile adorned the Queen's lips as she said, "They might have been separated for years, they still share a strong bond." She couldn't express how happy she was to see that they have forgiven each other and have patched things up.

Cedric held his wife's hand gently and assured her, "Things will improve between you and our son too. Just give him some time."

Sophie lowered her head and didn't say anything. Well, all she and her husband could do at the moment is to hope.

"Sir," Suddenly, Robert called out and stepped toward the table.

For him to disturb him during his dinner meant the matter was serious.

The blond man turned towards his loyal butler and took the letter from him.

Using the knife, he parted the seal from the envelope before taking out the letter.

He read the content of the letter and his frown continued to grow deep.

Sophie grew tense and so did Robert.

After a minute, he finally took his eyes away from the letter before he heard his wife asking, "Who sent it?"

"Austin...he sent a warning." Handing the letter to Robert he said, "Gather the ministers."

"Now, sir?" It was already past sunset so it was unnatural for a meeting to be held at this time.

Cedric told him, "Once you read the letter you would know."

Robert didn't delay any longer and walked away while reading the letter ...and as he continued to read further his steps began hurried—he almost started running.

The demonic army was approaching.

Eryndor was a potential target.

°°°°°°°°°°°

Sebastian was currently massaging his young master's stiff muscles.

He was in Austin's room, sitting on a chair while applying a pain relieving balm to his stiff calf.

He was already asleep when Sebastian arrived here.

Sebastian has no idea where his young master goes to train since he never leaves his room...but he could tell that he was growing. His presence, day after day, has started to take the shape of a seasoned warrior.

Day by day he was losing his teenage innocence and was embracing a warrior's creed.

Practically speaking, it was for the best that Austin was transforming into someone who can protect himself and the ones he adores.

....but as someone who has been with Austin since he was just a child, Sebastian feels that this cruel world has burdened his young master with countless responsibilities.

And the fact is...there was no return from this. Even if they win this war...nothing would remain the same.

Sebastian has a feeling that a wave was approaching.

A wave which would change everything. Many people who were close to his young master might leave his side....even Sebastian himself.

'I just hope...you are prepared to face what is to come, young master.'

°°°°°°°°°°°

A/N:- Thanks for reading. This arc might be a little bit long, like ten chapters, but this is the beginning of the end. So yeah, be prepared for...something unexpected.