Ascension Of The Villain
Chapter 62 - 62: One Chance

Althea glided into her office, her demeanor as frosty as a winter morning, fully prepared to face Vyan. Instead, she was greeted by his overly enthusiastic, golden retriever of an aide.

"Where is Vyan?" she demanded the moment she crossed the threshold.

Clyde shot up from his seat with the precision of a wind-up toy, executing an overly dramatic bow. "Good afternoon, Your Imperial Highness!"

"Where is Vyan?" she repeated, her tone sharper.

"His Grace went out to get some fresh air," Clyde replied, his smile widening as if he had just delivered the most delightful news.

"I can imagine why he would need that. Being trapped in a meeting with those greedy, selfish people for two hours—ugh. It must have been suffocating."

Clyde nodded vigorously. "Indeed, quite suffocating it was. Anyway, it has been a while since we last met," he said, gulping audibly, "Althea."

Althea's icy facade cracked for a second as she remembered their last encounter. "Yes… yes, it has been a while. How have you been?"

Clyde's face lit up like a Christmas tree. "You won't believe how busy it has been for me! Vyan has been working me like a donkey!"

Althea almost chuckled at his dramatic flair. "I am sure Vyan would never do something like that."

"Oh, but he does!" Clyde exclaimed. "That man could give prison wardens a run for their money. He is that cutthroat."

"I like cutthroat people," she commented, her neutral face covering up her playfulness.

Instantly, Clyde straightened up, puffing out his chest.

"But Vyan is nothing compared to me. I am more cutthroat than he could ever dream of being," he boasted, and Althea had to bite her lip to keep from laughing.

Look at how fast he changed tunes, she thought.

"In fact, he learned everything from me," Clyde added.

"Really?" She arched an eyebrow, settling herself on the couch across from him. "Why don't you tell me about an incident where you were cutthroat?"

Clyde gasped dramatically, placing a hand over his heart. "Oh my, there are so many! I will have to choose the best one!"

As Clyde tapped the side of his head with a concentrated expression, Althea couldn't help but let a smile creep across her face.

Talking with Clyde was like watching a comedy show; he was always such a chatterbox, full of life and energy.

She secretly liked people like that, but admitting it would only complicate things.

After all, she knew Clyde had a soft spot for her.

She might have only met him a few times, but his eyes always gave him away—honest, sincere, and brimming with admiration and affection.

Of course, she could be mistaken, but the odds were slim.

Leading him on would be cruel, but ignoring him completely wasn't an option either, given his position as her main accomplice's aide.

That is why she settled for giving him the cold shoulder, hoping he would get the hint that she wasn't interested.

"... so do you see how merciless I can be as well?" he concluded, flashing her a bright grin.

"Oh, pardon me. I wasn't paying attention," she said, her tone disinterested and distant, even though she had heard every word.

She expected his face to fall, but instead, his grin widened. "That's no problem. I will repeat it again."

"There is no need. Actually, I think I am going to go find Vyan—"

"No, please stay," he urged, his eyes turning into those of a pleading puppy. "You would feel bad if I didn't get to repeat the story."

"I wouldn't—"

"As I was saying, there was this one time when my father tried to poison Vyan…"

Althea's mind raced as Clyde continued his tale with unflagging enthusiasm.

What is with this guy? Why won't he take the hint? I am not even showing any interest!

Despite her best efforts, Clyde seemed impervious to her cold demeanor.

As he recounted the dramatic story, complete with wild hand gestures and exaggerated expressions, she found herself reluctantly entertained.

Clyde's energy was infectious, and though she tried to maintain her icy facade, a small part of her enjoyed his company.

Maybe, just maybe, she thought, it wouldn't hurt to let him talk a little longer.

———

Vyan's heart momentarily paused at the bombshell Celeste dropped. His mind reeled, but he met her unreadable gaze, keeping his expression calm and composed, masking the chaos within.

"You are mistaken, Your Imperial Majesty. I don't have mana—"

Celeste chuckled softly, taking a step back. "It's alright. You don't have to hide the truth from me. After all, I have known you since your birth."

Vyan's polite mask shattered, revealing the raw intensity beneath. "That's great. Then, I don't have to pretend in front of you," his voice was cold as ice, but Celeste remained unfazed.

She tilted her head, her smiling welcoming. "Will you have some tea with me, Vee?"

"I am afraid I have to decline, Your Imperial Majesty. I simply do not have the time or patience to talk to you."

As Vyan turned to leave, she grabbed his wrist, her desperation replacing her earlier composure. "I know you are mad at me, but won't you give me a chance to explain?"

He met her with a cold glare, his voice dripping with venom as he said, "What is there to explain?"

"Vee, you don't know why I did what I did. Please let me explain," she pleaded, her eyes imploring him to listen.

Vyan yanked his hand away, his expression twisted with anguish and fury. "I don't want to hear anything."

"If you don't hear me out, you won't know the reason behind it," she insisted.

"What reason could you have had?" His eyes burned with pain and betrayal. "Love? You freaking loved him, that's why you married him?" he demanded. "How could you have done that, even after knowing what he did to my family?"

"Did you feel nothing when your sister died?" His voice rose, raw and unrestrained. "Had I and Ash never meant anything to you? Were we that easy for you to forget?"

"No, Vee, no…" Her voice broke, thick with vulnerability and despair. "I loved you and Ash more than anything in the world!" she claimed, her voice strong but trembling.

"Oh, really?" Vyan's sarcasm cut through her like a knife. "Is that why you chose to bed our enemy? Spare me your pathetic excuses, Your Imperial Majesty. Your actions spoke louder than any words ever could."

Celeste shook her head, tears slipping down her cheeks like silent confessions. "That's not it."

"How come that isn't it? Your sister's body wasn't even cold in her grave when you strutted down the aisle with the man who killed her," he spat, his words sharp enough to cut.

"No, no, Vee. That..." She reached out, grabbing his arm with a desperate grip. "Please, let me explain everything from the start. You will understand me, I know you will. Please give your tia one chance."

Vyan's eyes narrowed, filled with a fury that made his vision blur.

All he felt while looking at her desperate face was a storm of anger and betrayal. Pity and sympathy? He had none left to offer.

What kind of sister marries the murderer of her own flesh and blood just a day after the atrocity?

But sure, let's entertain her sob story. It's not like there was anything that could possibly change his mind about the loathing that consumed him.

"One chance, huh?" he muttered, the edge in his voice cutting deeper. "Alright. Let's hear your tale of woe. Not that I expect it to be anything more than a pathetic justification for your betrayal."

"Thank you so much," she whispered.

Celeste guided Vyan to the secluded pavilion behind the Crystal Palace, her expression grave. "Can you put a soundproof veil around us?"

Vyan nodded curtly, a flick of his wrist enveloping them in a shimmering barrier that soon became invisible.

He remained standing, arms crossed, while Celeste took a seat and motioned for him to join her. He refused with a shake of his head, eyes narrowed.

Taking a deep breath, she began, "As you already know, Edgar and I were in love, even before the incident took place."

Vyan's lips twisted into a sardonic smile. "Well, you sure have a talent for picking winners."

She let out a bitter chuckle. "Tell me about it. I had no idea he had these plans against your family back then. Until it was too late…"

She inhaled sharply, her voice trembling. "When the monsters invaded Ashstone that day, I was initially worried about Edgar and wondered who could have orchestrated such an attack. Never in my wildest dreams did I suspect Sister and Brother-In-Law. I even told Edgar, but he brushed it off, saying it didn't matter who was responsible—the Ashstones had to be eliminated."

"So then, you decided the best way you could be settled for life was marrying him?" he snickered. "What a wonderful tale of true love. I am in tears," he deadpanned.

Celeste laughed, a hollow, mirthless sound. "That's what you think?" Her eyes darkened, a storm brewing within. "You think it was for love that I married him?"

"It wasn't?" He raised an eyebrow.

Her eyes blazed with fire. "No, it was for revenge."

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