Crushing flags and claiming the Villainess
Chapter 268 267- Gained weight

A few quiet days passed without any trouble.

They returned to the academy, and classes slowly picked up again.

When the headmaster came back, he explained everything. He had been under a spell—a strange pull that led him to follow a letter. It was a trick, a fake message meant to lure him away.

As soon as he arrived in the capital, the King understood the weight of the situation and quickly sent a small force to the beach to rescue the children. But by then, the council had already acted. They took the children and brought them back to Valorian.

They also took the remains of the demons. Austin didn't argue—there was no use for them anymore.

Lately, Austin had begun to feel like his old self again. Each day seemed to carry a little light, a little warmth—especially with Valerie beside him.

But still, there were moments. Quiet, aching moments.

It hurt, waking up alone. It hurt to open the door and find no one waiting on the other side. His heart would grow heavy in those seconds, sinking deeper than he'd ever show.

Yet, he kept that pain to himself—even from Valerie.

Not because he had to.

But because he didn't want to be a burden.

They say people start to forget even their favorite person after a few weeks. But Austin hadn't. He couldn't.

So, instead of pushing the feeling away, he chose to embrace it.

He didn't want to run from the memories of his Godfather—didn't want to lock them away like a painful secret. He wanted to remember. Every laugh, every lesson, every kind gesture. He wanted to hold onto those moments, cherish them, and keep moving forward with them in his heart.

....

One quiet morning, Austin was heading toward the common hall where Valerie was waiting for him.

The academy felt strangely empty. Most of the students were still in their rooms, resting and trying to recover from what had happened. It had only been a week, after all.

A few had started coming out, trying to return to something close to normal—but it wasn't easy. For many, the fear still lingered.

Classes hadn't been suspended, but the faculty decided that those affected would be given special consideration during the midterms. It was only fair—they'd missed the foundation classes, and their minds were still healing.

"I fear people might start to lose faith in Valorian.'

It was a quiet thought, but a heavy one.

This was the third major attack on students. No lives were lost, but that didn't soften the blow. No parent would feel safe leaving their child in a place that kept failing to protect them.

Sometimes, staying uneducated felt safer than not staying alive.

And there were other academies out there—ones with stronger walls and fewer scars.

Considering how demons seemed drawn to him like moths to flame, Austin had begun to seriously think about leaving the academy.

And today, he was planning to talk to Valerie about that decision.

As he stepped into the common hall, a few heads turned.

Some greeted him with a nod and a faint smile. He returned the gesture with quiet acknowledgment.

He could feel the shift in how people looked at him. No longer just a war hero—they saw him as something more now. A protector. A savior.

That sat better with him.

He scanned the room, and it didn't take long before his eyes settled on a familiar presence.

A beautiful violet flower, quietly blooming in a corner.

He walked over, his steps light, and gently took the seat beside her.

"How do you feel?" he asked softly, leaning just close enough to breathe in the soothing scent that always clung to her.

She smelled like vanilla. Warm. Comforting. Like home.

"I feel good," she said, resting her head on his shoulder. A moment later, she added in a whisper, "Better now."

Austin reached out and took her hand in his. Then his gaze drifted to the tray in front of her.

"You didn't eat much?" he asked, noting the few leftover salad leaves and nothing else—except two empty cups of black coffee.

There was no reply.

He glanced at her, only to find her face flushed a deep red.

She was blushing—clearly embarrassed.

"What is it?" he asked, both curious and quietly amused.

Valerie lifted her head from his shoulder and placed her hands on the table, fidgeting as if gathering courage.

Then, in the smallest voice—so soft only someone like him could hear it—she said,

"I… I've gained some weight."

Her fingers nervously tapped against each other as she added, "I could barely buckle my training pants this morning."

Austin blinked, then chuckled gently.

"Oh… so that's why you skipped training, huh?"

Valerie's blush deepened until her whole face glowed red. She leaned forward, letting her head rest on the table, and slowly nodded in response.

Austin felt something stir in his chest—a strong, playful urge to scoop her up and steal her breath away with a hug.

And he didn't resist it.

Without warning, he pulled her into his arms.

"Ah!" she gasped, caught completely off guard by the sudden embrace.

Heads turned in their direction, curious eyes lingering, but Valerie didn't push him away. Even if every soul in the room was watching, the thought of breaking away from him felt wrong. Almost sinful.

Her arms hesitated for a second… before wrapping around him gently.

"Valerie…" Austin whispered with a grin, his voice low and warm against her ear, "This is way too much sugar for breakfast. Can you stop being so adorable?"

"E-Eh?" she blinked, confused. Her lips parted, but no answer came. What had she done?

Austin slowly pulled back, just enough to look into her eyes—those soft eyes filled with both confusion and warmth.

"I don't mind you putting on a little weight," he said, his tone honest, smiling deeply. "I'll love you all the same."

But Valerie shook her head, eyes dropping to the table as her fingers curled around the edge.

"No," she murmured. "I don't want to…"

Her voice trembled slightly—not from fear, but from something more tender.

"If I gain weight… I'll move slower. I won't be as sharp." She paused, her brows drawing together. "And… I won't look good standing next to you."

She didn't say it out loud, but it was clear—Valerie had trained herself to walk in heels just to match his height. She kept herself in perfect shape not just for battle—but so she'd never look out of place beside him.

So she'd never be someone he'd feel embarrassed to be seen with.

Austin reached out and pressed his finger gently against the tip of her nose.

"You're overthinking this," he said with a small smile. "I won't speak as a warrior—but as your partner. I don't care how you look. You'll always be my queen."

He leaned in and placed a soft kiss on her cheek.

Valerie lowered her gaze, her cheeks coloring again, but this time her smile was radiant—sweet and quiet, like dawn light.

Across the room, a few students watched the exchange with pained smiles. The early morning had turned into a love story, and for some of them… it was a bit too much.

Too sweet. Too gentle. Too far from the loneliness they felt.

Austin gave Valerie's hand a soft squeeze. "But," he added, glancing at her tray, "you still need to stop skipping real food. Salad and coffee aren't a meal."

Before she could protest, he stood and made his way toward the food counter.

Just as he was about to place the order, a voice called out from behind.

"Austin."

He turned and saw a woman from the administration department walking toward him.

His brows lifted slightly. "Yes?"

"A pretty important guest has come to meet you," she said, lowering her voice just enough to hint at how significant the visit was. "He's waiting in the counseling office."

The way she said it made something click in Austin's mind.

Ah… so it's him.

He gave a calm nod. "Tell him I'll come after breakfast. Let him wait."

The lady looked surprised, unsure how to respond. "Can't you just… skip breakfast?" Her tone was polite, but the urgency was there, plain and clear.

Austin didn't fault her. From her position, this probably felt like a big deal.

But still—

"I never invited anyone," he said, his voice steady, "so whoever came should have the patience to wait until I'm done with my own business, no?"

The woman hesitated for a second before nodding slowly. "Understood. I'll relay the message."

She turned and left.

Austin returned to the table carrying two trays, each loaded with a proper breakfast.

Valerie glanced at him, her knife carefully slicing through a piece of meat.

"William, I suppose?" she asked softly, concern lacing her tone.

Austin let out a slow sigh. "Didn't expect him to be in such a rush. I heard he wanted to meet me… but this is sooner than I thought."

Valerie lowered her fork slightly, then asked in a hesitant voice, "Do you think I can join?"

Austin frowned—not in disapproval, but in disbelief that she even had to ask.

"Of course you can," he said. "You're not only my wife… you're also an important asset to this realm."

His tone held no doubt.

Valerie's heart fluttered as she gave his cheek a soft kiss, and said, "Thank you."

Austin asked, "For letting you join me?"

Valerie softly shook her head in denial, "For the respect you showed for me."

Austin, smiling, gave her hand a gentle squeeze and said, "You are and always will be the strongest warrior in my eyes."

°°°°°°°°

A/N:- Thank you for reading.