Reincarnated as the Last Villain

Midnight.

Ravengarde was quiet. The kind of quiet that wasn't peace, but held its breath before war.

Vaenira walked the upper corridor alone, silent as her name.

Beneath her cloak, she carried a sealed envelope — waxed in black glass, the mark of Zerath's personal seal. Delivered not by crow or spy, but by shadow itself.

She had found it on her pillow.

No blood. No sound. Just the message:

"Kill Kael. Or I will."—Z

She stood outside Kael's door now.

No guards. He never posted any. Trust or arrogance — it didn't matter.

She could end this tonight.

[Dilemma Triggered: Blade or Warning]Choice 1: Kill Kael and return to Zerath — regain power, status, and command.Choice 2: Warn Kael — betray Zerath, but risk losing all trust in Ravengarde.

She entered.

The door creaked. Not loud. Just enough.

Kael stirred, hand instinctively resting on the hilt beside his bed. But he didn't wake.

He looked… tired.

Not from battle.

From hope.

From carrying too many broken people who couldn't carry themselves.

Vaenira's fingers curled around the blade beneath her cloak.

It would be quick.

He wouldn't even—

"Do it," Kael said.

Her breath caught.

He was awake.

His eyes opened slowly, calm. Tired. Honest.

"If you're going to kill me," he whispered, "do it now. At least I'll die believing you made the choice yourself."

She froze.

Zerath would offer her everything — the Shadowguard, the obsidian ring, a seat beside the throne.

Kael offered her nothing.

Only a war she didn't ask for, a seat at a table that might burn, and a chance to become herself again.

She lowered the blade.

Then tossed the black-sealed letter onto Kael's chest.

"He sent it," she said. "Zerath. He wants you dead by sunrise."

Kael looked at the letter. Then at her.

"Why didn't you do it?"

She turned away.

"I think I wanted to know what kind of man you are.Now I know."

Council Interruption

By morning, the council chamber was in chaos.

Word had spread — Vaenira had entered Kael's quarters with a weapon.

But Kael protected her.

"I trust her," he said.

Serana glared. "She almost slit your throat."

"Then she chose not to."

"That's not trust," Duran spat. "That's suicide."

The room cracked open — again.

But this time… Kael slammed his fist on the table.

"Enough," he growled. "We're not building a perfect kingdom. We're building something better than what came before."

He turned to Vaenira.

"You still want a seat at this table?"

She nodded.

"Then earn it. Help me find the traitor who set fire to this hall. Help me stop Zerath from burning what little hope we have left."

[Trust Update: Vaenira – 61%]Kael's relationship with Vaenira now marked as: Bonded AlliesNew Trait Unlocked: Whisperfall SurvivorPerk: Shadow Loyalty – Cannot be turned by fear or coin