Ascension Of The Villain

The next morning at the Monster Hunt Festival was like a spell had been cast—everything was immaculate, as if the previous day's events had vanished with the night. Everyone also played along with the act and went on with the excitement of the third day of the monster hunt.

Althea sat alone at one of the breakfast tables, nibbling her food and pondering the absence of Iyana, her newfound companion from their recent hunt.

Her quiet meal was interrupted by a voice as smooth as silk. "Do you mind if I join you, Your Imperial Highness?"

Althea looked up to see an ever-charming brunette, smiling graciously. "No problem, Lord Clarinton. How are you feeling today?"

"I am feeling splendid, thanks to you. You would never guess my ribs were crushed to powder yesterday," Mason replied, his grin wide as he pulled out a chair beside her and set down his tray of breakfast. "That is why I wanted to properly thank you for saving my life."

"It was nothing. I was just fulfilling my duty as a healer," Althea said kindly.

"You are as kind as ever, I see." Mason's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "Your Imperial Highness, would it be improper of me to ask why you haven't chosen a life partner yet? You are truly gorgeous, talented, and kind. What is the reason?"

Althea chuckled softly, taking a bite of her food. "Why does it sound like you have been harboring a crush on me for a long time?"

"I might have, had my heart not been set on another since my youth," he replied with a light-hearted laugh. "But honestly, everyone is curious. Did you know it is quite a topic of conversation? Why hasn't Princess Althea chosen a groom? It is a national question at this point."

Althea narrowed her eyes playfully. "Did you come to thank me, or are you here to indulge in some palace gossip?"

Mason raised his hands in mock surrender. "Guilty as charged. My apologies if the question was inappropriate. I thought our old friendship from the academy might grant me some leeway."

It was true—Althea and Mason had shared many moments and memories at the capital's magic academy, a connection that made her more tolerant of his inquiries.

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"Mason, if you are merely here for gossip then—" she began but was interrupted by the thud of a tray being placed on the table.

She looked up and saw a striking gray-haired man, her breath catching in her throat.

"Your Imperial Highness, I hope you don't mind me interrupting. Lady Iyana asked me to deliver her tray to your table. She will join you shortly. She is a bit tied up at the moment," Clyde said in a formal tone.

Althea's eyes searched his face, hoping to catch a glimpse of his gray eyes, but he didn't even spare her a glance. Instead, he gave a short bow and walked away. Her heart ached at his cold treatment, and she finally understood how he must have felt when she treated him similarly.

"Do you like Lord Magnus?" Mason's voice cut through her thoughts.

Althea flinched and stared at Mason, wide-eyed, her cheeks flushing. "No! What makes you say that?"

Mason shrugged with a mischievous grin. "If you do, that's an excellent choice. Archmage Magnus is a legend, remember?" He sighed happily. "Ah, how much I admired him. He is such a strong mage, despite not having Ashstone blood. Can you believe he quit the Tower of Magic to be the Grand Duke's aide?"

Althea blinked in surprise. She had never thought of it that way. Of course, she knew Clyde was an archmage, but the fact that he left all his fame to serve Vyan was astonishing. If he stayed back for a couple more years, he could have become the next head of the Tower of Magic. Not to mention, his personality was so deceiving—looked so harmless, and yet, was so lethal.

But none of that was important. Because…

"I don't like Lord Magnus," Althea objected firmly, glaring at Mason.

"Sure, sure. You don't have to hide from me. I won't tell anyone. Not even my fiancée," Mason said with a light laugh. "Oh, it looks like Lady Iyana is coming this way. I will leave you two sisters-in-law to chat.

Talk to you later, Your Imperial Highness."

"I—I really don't like him!" Althea sputtered, her embarrassment growing, but Mason was already walking away, chuckling to himself.

Soon, Iyana sauntered over and took the seat Mason had vacated earlier. Althea composed herself and cleared her throat.

Iyana hurriedly set down her tray with a flourish and said, "My apologies for being late, Your Imperial Highness. I had a chat with His Grace that ran longer than expected—"

"Why did you bring another tray of food?" Althea interrupted, her eyebrow arching in confusion.

"Huh? Another tray?" Iyana glanced at her food. "This is my one and only tray, though."

Althea blinked, piecing things together. When the dots connected, she gasped. "Oh, my gosh, he was jealous."

"Who was?" Iyana asked, her curiosity piqued.

"The person who left the tray here," Althea mumbled, a smile creeping onto her lips and her heart fluttering at the implication that Clyde still might like her.

Iyana examined the tray, her head tilted in confusion. Wait a minute, isn't this the exact same breakfast Vyan had yesterday? But Vyan was with me just now???

While Iyana puzzled over the mystery, Vyan stood on the other side of the dining area, arms crossed, glaring daggers at Clyde. "I told you to hold on to my breakfast for a few minutes, not hand it out like party favors!"

Clyde gave him a sheepish grin and suggested, "Look on the bright side. Since you woke up early for once, there is still plenty of breakfast left. Want me to grab something for you, my lord?"

Vyan frowned. "Absolutely not. I don't want your depressing face anywhere near my food."

"I'm not depressing," Clyde protested.

"Tell that to someone who has never met you," Vyan scowled, marching off to the buffet to grab a new breakfast.

Meanwhile, Clyde was left to stew in his jealousy. He couldn't help it; seeing Althea chat away with Viscount Clarinton was like a punch to the gut.

She was so friendly and kind, just like she was with Vyan. Did she act that way with everyone but him? Was he that repulsive? He wanted her to chat with him happily too. He wanted to show her that he wasn't just a chatterbox; he was a great listener as well.

How unfair!