Im'the son of the Villainess's at the Academy

the night breeze carried the lingering scent of fine cuisine as Jin walked ahead, the sleek black of his coat catching moonlight like obsidian glass. His stride was silent but commanding, and despite the buzz of students still out enjoying their evening, the moment he passed by, whispers broke like waves against rock.

Rina, walking beside him, glanced at him briefly—then away. Her heart fluttered uncomfortably. The events of the evening still played in her chest: Jin's teasing, his warm breath at her ear, the strange way he could switch from cold arrogance to almost unbearable tenderness.

Ahead, the group of six moved as a cohesive unit through the Academy's outer plaza, the ground slick from a recent cleaning spell, reflecting their shadows like a moving portrait. Jin's voice broke the quiet:

> "Rina," he said, not turning, his tone as smooth as silk pulled tight. "I need to say something. About Sarafina Frost."

That name alone made Rina's expression tighten. She remembered the silver-haired girl's condescending eyes.

Jin continued, calm and indifferent, "She'll probably figure out the nature of our relationship soon—if she hasn't already. That doesn't concern me."

He turned his head slightly, his crimson eyes sharp beneath his lashes.

> "But you should understand something clearly. Yes, you're part of the Rotschy family now, but the Rotschys do not interfere in Frost-Amberhart rivalries. Your family and hers have been competing long before I entered the picture. That's your war, not mine."

Rina blinked. The words struck a strange chord—cold, yes, but not heartless. Not from Jin.

> "The Rotschy doctrine is simple," he said, hands in his pockets. "We remain detached. We do not bow to politics or alliances. We are bound only by strength, legacy, and silence. The world and its games? They're noise. And I do not care for noise."

He paused, letting his words settle before delivering the final strike.

> "You are the heiress of the Amberharts. That means it's time you carry that name with the weight it deserves. I can make you stronger, Rina. I will. But I won't fight your battles."

Rina stopped walking for a moment. The others—Ethan, Leona, Lilia, and Nox—looked between her and Jin in tense silence.

Her thoughts twisted like smoke: *So this is what it means to marry a Rotschy. Cold. Boundless. Unapologetically alone.*

But then—*Why does it still make me want to be stronger?*

She caught up to him, her gold eyes burning beneath long lashes.

> "So, you're saying I'm on my own?" she said, voice low. "You'll stand beside me, but never with me?"

Jin tilted his head, considering her. His voice lowered, but it held no apology.

> "I'll stand where I choose," he said simply. "That's the difference between heroes and villains, Rina. Heroes offer promises. Villains offer truth."

Her lips parted slightly in surprise—part of her wanted to argue, to spit out something sharp. But instead, she found herself exhaling in frustration, one hand curling into a fist.

Leona was the first to break the silence, her arms crossed behind her head casually.

> "Honestly, he has a point," she said, smirking. "But Jin, you really know how to drop a cold truth like you're handing someone a glass of poisoned wine."

Ethan chuckled lightly. "I told you both not to judge him before meeting him," he said, glancing at Lilia and Nox.

Lilia gave an exasperated sigh. "Okay, fine. He's not what I expected. I thought he'd be some greasy narcissist, all acne and ego."

> "Instead, he's a demigod in leather," Nox added dryly.

> "With a mouth sharper than his sword," Lilia mumbled.

Ethan nodded in agreement, watching Jin and Rina walk side by side again.

> "What surprised me the most," Ethan said softly, "was the way he walked into class that first day. It was like… the air got heavier. I couldn't move. That's not normal."

> "It's presence," Leona said. "And I've felt it in his house, too. The Rotschy estate isn't just elegant—it's terrifying. Beautiful and terrifying."

> "Speaking of which," Lilia added with a mischievous grin, "I'm still not over the fact that your mansion has a dedicated cellar of the world's finest liquors, and *you* don't even drink. Meanwhile, I drank myself unconscious at your wedding."

Jin looked over his shoulder at her, amused.

> "That's correct," he said, deadpan. "And I still let you sleep in one of the royal chambers, though you snored like a dying dragon."

Leona laughed out loud.

Rina, for her part, was still lingering on his earlier words. His refusal to fight her battles should have angered her—but instead, it ignited something else. A flicker of will.

> *If he won't stand with me… then I'll stand alone. And one day, maybe—just maybe—I'll make him regret choosing the sidelines.*

She didn't know if that was pride, vengeance, or love speaking.

Or all three.

She turned her head slightly toward him.

> "You really think I need your help to become stronger?" she asked, tilting her chin defiantly.

Jin's smirk curved like a blade.

> "No," he said. "I think you'll *demand* it. That's the Amberhart way, isn't it?"

Rina narrowed her eyes, but she didn't look away.

She would rise. She would face Sarafina Frost on her own terms. And Jin—her enigmatic, cruel, beautiful husband—could either watch from his throne, or eventually be pulled from it.

One thing was certain.

The games had only just begun.

....... 

Heat: Today I am free, I do not have any homework or shopping. I will start publishing many chapters today.