Ascension Of The Villain

"Good riddance," Vyan let out an exaggerated sigh once he got Izac settled in a royal carriage, bound for the capital's central medical facility.

"You don't think he will ever walk again, do you?" Clyde murmured beside him, eyeing Izac's completely busted leg from the pack of howling monsters Vyan had so thoughtfully introduced him to.

"Considering how quick he is to pounce at girls, I sincerely hope not," Vyan replied, deadpan.

"And I hope his mother never finds out who was responsible for this," Clyde muttered, casting a wary glance at Vyan.

Vyan yawned theatrically and patted Clyde's shoulder. "I am retiring to bed now. I'm absolutely knackered."

"Yes, yes, get some sleep. Tomorrow is another thrilling day," Clyde said, nodding.

Vyan was about to turn away when he paused. "Hey, by the way, are you okay?"

"Huh? Of course, I am. Why wouldn't I be?" Clyde shot him a wide grin.

"No, it's just that you worked side by side with Thea all day in the medical facility, so I wondered if you were okay. Emotionally, I mean," Vyan clarified, giving Clyde a look of concern.

Clyde waved a dismissive hand. "It's nothing like that. I am fine—"

"I know I don't need to tell you this, Clyde," Vyan interrupted with a half-smile, "But I am always here to listen."

Clyde teared up dramatically. "Vyan…"

"Unless you want to talk about that totally random bird you saw on one of your trips," Vyan rolled his eyes. "I don't want to hear about that."

"Please," Clyde protested instantly, "it was a rare breed of—"

"Yes, yes, it was exquisite, majestic, beautiful, gorgeous, blah blah," Vyan grumbled, annoyed. "You talked about that bird like it was your bride. I bet you haven't even complimented Thea like that before."

"I mean, I want to." Clyde blushed slightly. "But she would slap me if I told her my honest thoughts."

Vyan smirked mischievously. "In that case, maybe I should tattle to her and watch you get slapped."

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"You wouldn't dare," Clyde narrowed his eyes.

Vyan turned on his heels, his laughter echoing as he walked off. "You never know, I just might."

"That bastard," Clyde muttered, a faint smile forming before turning into a resigned sigh. "I guess I better get some drinks with Vyan after I get my heart broken."

———

Vyan entered his tent, feeling the day's exhaustion crash over him like a wave. The day's events made it seem like he had lived through an entire week. To top it off, he hadn't had a chance to bathe, leaving him longing for a midnight dip in the water.

As he turned on the lights, ready to peel off his grimy overcoat, he felt a familiar gaze boring into him. Glancing over his shoulder, his expression turned flat. "What are you doing here?"

"Waiting for you," Iyana replied nonchalantly, sprawled on his bed like she owned the place.

"Why?" Vyan asked, pulling out his pocket watch from his vest before slipping it off. He noticed her eyes tracking his every move. Rolling up his sleeves, he shot her an arched eyebrow. "What? Cat got your tongue?"

Startled, she dragged her gaze from his rolled-up sleeves to his face. "No, I was just thinking, why are you stripping in front of me?"

"First of all, this is my tent, and you are the one intruding. Secondly, I am about to take a bath. Naturally, the clothes have to go."

"Okay then. By all means, continue," she said, a teasing smile curving her lips as she lounged back, clearly enjoying the show.

He was about to give her a deadpan look but then decided to play along. "Sure, if you are okay with it."

As his fingers traveled to the top button of his shirt, her eyes widened, and a blush spread across her cheeks. "Wait, are you serious?"

"I mean, if you have no problem, why should I?" He unbuttoned a few of his top buttons, and she quickly grabbed a pillow to bury her face in. He stifled a chuckle and continued, "Oh, getting shy now? That's no fun."

She heard his footsteps drawing closer and clutched the pillow tighter, curling her knees to her chest. Her heart pounded and her toes curled with anticipation.

Why is he getting closer? Is he going to—

Suddenly, her pillow was snatched away.

"Idiot," Vyan laughed lightly at her astonished expression as he straightened up. "What did you think I was going to do, huh?"

It took Iyana a long moment to snap back to reality, her face turning an even deeper shade of red. "I mean, I would be fine with anything," she murmured under her breath.

"Pardon?" Vyan tilted his head, pretending not to hear.

"I said," she cleared her throat and tried to regain her composure, "I came here to give you this beet juice." She pointed at the glass of red liquid on his nightstand. "You coughed up a lot of blood, so I thought you should have something like this."

"Oh." Vyan glanced at the glass and grinned. "How thoughtful of you. Trying to replace my blood with beet juice now?"

"Just drink it," she ordered, watching as he picked up the glass and took a sip, one hand casually pressing down on his shoulder.

"Thanks, I appreciate it, though," he said, a little sincere now.

She hummed in responde and asked, "Why are you massaging your shoulders like an old man?"

"Ugh, don't get me started. I went through so much today that I am super exhausted. My shoulders are sore," he replied. "Maybe I will teleport back home and take a soak in my private bath instead of the one here."

Her face lit up. "Oh, why don't I massage your shoulders then?"

"I can't make you do that," he rejected without hesitation.

"Why not?" She furrowed her brows. "Wait, is it because I am the Crown Prince's fiancée or some nonsense like that?"

Vyan chuckled and finished the beet juice. "I think we both know you are not getting on the altar with him. It's just… I find it uncomfortable. I mean, I used to be on the other side of the massaging, you know?"

"Like, you used to massage my shoulders back when you were my knight?" she asked curiously.

"Yes, sometimes," he said fondly. "You used to really like it."

"Aww, it's such a shame that I can't remember our time together," she pouted. "But anyway, since you helped me out back then, let me repay you now. Let's call it even, okay?"

Vyan scratched his cheek awkwardly. "I am not sure about this."

"Come on, I promise I won't break your shoulders." She rolled up her tulle-like sleeves, looking fired up.

"Okay, now I am scared."

She laughed freely and stood up on her knees, motioning for him to sit on the edge of the bed. Sighing, he went over and sat down, murmuring, "Please don't strangle me."

"I will if you utter one more word." She glared at him, and he obediently zipped his mouth.

Iyana moved behind him, her hands hovering over his shoulders for a moment before they finally settled down. Her touch was gentle at first, almost hesitant. Vyan couldn't help but let out a soft chuckle.

"What is so funny?" she asked, her fingers pressing a bit more firmly into his tense muscles.

"Nothing," he replied, trying to suppress a smile. "I just didn't think you had it in you."

"Had what in me?" she asked, her touch growing bolder, working out the knots in his shoulders.

"To be this gentle," he admitted, his eyes closing as he relaxed into her touch.

She laughed softly, her breath tickling the back of his neck. "Well, I probably watched you a lot back then and drilled your massaging technique into my head."

"You most probably did," he said, smiling. "You often used to say that you love watching me."

"Mm-hmm, you make me sound like a creep," she hummed, her hands moving to his upper back, her fingers kneading the tension away. "But it was perhaps because you always looked so focused, so serious. I wonder what you were thinking about."

"Probably how to keep you out of trouble with your family," he teased, earning a playful swat on the back.

"Hey, I wasn't the one who got into trouble with them, or… so I believe," she protested weakly, her touch becoming more soothing, almost tender.

"Trust me, you weren't," he assured. "They are all terrible people."

She paused for a moment, her hands still on his back, and he could feel her gaze on him. "You know, I think you are all I had back then, and even now, you are the only person I can rely on."

"And you will always have me," he said, his voice softening. "You taught me happiness when I didn't know what it felt like. So of course, I will always be on your side, no matter what."

She giggled, the sound sending a warm shiver down his spine. "Is that so? I am that important to you?"

"Yes," he confessed, feeling her hands slide down his back and then back up to his shoulders. His heart pounded harder as he felt her breath against his ear.

"Good. Because you are that much important to me as well," she whispered, her fingers trailing gently along the curve of his neck, making his skin tingle.

"Um, I think that's enough for today," Vyan abruptly stood up. "Thank you for the massage." He refused to look at her as he said, "I will go take my bath now. Goodnight."

With that, he stormed out of his tent, without even bringing his clothes. His face was warm and his breath was hot. Everywhere she touched was burning vividly.

He pressed his palm over his mouth, murmured breathlessly, "Massages are bad for health."