Ascension Of The Villain

Chapter 232: Crazy Jealousy

After Daphne left, Vyan entered his bedroom and found Iyana perched on his dressing table chair, towel-drying her hair. With a playful smile, he sauntered over and reached for the towel, but she held it firmly.

"I can handle it myself," she said, her tone clipped.

"Oh, you can, but not very well, apparently. You are soaking everything." He chuckled as she rolled her eyes, reluctantly surrendering the towel. Vyan took over, gently patting her hair dry, his fingers light and careful.

As a comfortable silence settled, he suggested casually, "This is taking too long; I am getting kind of hungry. Want me to dry it with magic?"

"Nope, I prefer the natural way. Unlike you, Your Grace, I don't want to rely on magic for everything."

He laughed, shaking his head. "Why, are you afraid you will end up lazy like me?"

"Precisely." She smiled in satisfaction, watching him through the mirror as he gathered her damp hair to one side, then leaned down to press a soft kiss to her neck.

"Don't be so mean to me, my lady," he murmured, trailing kisses from her neck to just behind her ear. "Admit it, you are just a teensy bit jealous."

She scoffed, rolling her eyes again. "Jealous? Me? Hardly. Especially not of Lady Ryen—as nice as she is, she is still in her thirties. And I am pretty sure she sees you as a kid."

He chuckled. "Who said anything about her? I was talking about your height envy."

"Funny," she deadpanned and gave him a gentle elbow to the ribs.

"Oww," he winced dramatically, feigning hurt, "keep that up, and I will start to see no difference between you and Marquess Ryen. You are both abusive."

She raised an eyebrow, smirking. "Oh, feel free to elbow me back, if that's what you are hinting at. I am all for equality, you know."

He let out a theatric sigh, wrapping his arms around her shoulders from behind and leaning close until their gazes met in the mirror. "Not exactly my point," he murmured, his tone dropping to something softer. "I mean, would you ever seriously hit me just because you got jealous?"

"Why would I hurt you?" she murmured, turning to kiss his jawline, her eyes shining with affection. "You are my most treasured person. However…" Her expression darkened. "No promises about anybody who would dare to hit on you."

He chuckled, smoothing a hand over her hair. "Now, now, we have talked about this—control that possessiveness. Remember, I am yours only." He knew that her old self had re-emerged with her memories—a fearless woman who guarded what she loved with fierce, almost-crazy intensity.

"I am working on it," she sighed. "And just for the record, I am not jealous of Lady Ryen. You have told me about her, and I trust her. Because believe me, I know when someone is actually interested in you."

"Even if they were, can't you have a little faith in me?"

"Oh, I have got faith in you, honey." She tugged at his cheek with a grin. "It's everyone else I don't trust."

He shook his head, amused. "Alright, alright, but let's keep that jealousy of yours in check, though. We don't need you turning into Marquess Ryen."

She laughed, giving him a teasing look. "Please. Unlike that lunatic, I would never hurt my love. It's the people who hurt you who should be afraid of me."

"Oh?" he asked, feigning innocence. "And what would you do?"

Her eyes sparkled with mischief as she winked. "You don't want to know."

———

"Wow, dinner under the stars turned out pretty nice," Iyana mused, glancing up at the sky with a twinkle in her eye.

"One of summer's finest perks," Vyan replied, offering a smile.

"Oh, please, you fire mage," she teased. "What does it matter to you? You are always warm anyway."

"True," he chuckled, "I am great with regulating my body temperature."

She clapped her hands enthusiastically. "Great! That officially makes you my designated heat-provider for the winter."

"Consider it my pleasure," he replied with a mock bow.

Iyana stood, stretching her arms wide. "The atmosphere tonight... it's perfect! Come on, let's dance."

Vyan shook his head with a sly smile. "Not yet. I am saving our first dance for your birthday."

She huffed and leaned over to tug his pocket watch free, squinting at it. "Ugh! Another twenty-seven hours for that?"

"Patience, my lady. I promised, didn't I?"

Rolling her eyes, she shrugged. "Fine, I will just dance by myself then."

He leaned back, crossing his arms. "Perfect. I get a free dance show, and I didn't even have to tip a club bouncer."

She tossed him a wry smile. "Don't get your hopes up, Your Grace. This isn't that kind of dance."

"Oh, really?" he replied with a playful tilt of his head. "Are we talking about a private dance here? Because I would be willing to pay for that."

Iyana gasped in mock horror. "Excuse me! How dare you assume you can afford me?"

"I am one of the wealthiest man in the empire, so go figure," he challenged.

They both stared into each other's eyes, locked into a contest unti they burst into laughter

A knock interrupted their quiet laughter, and they quickly went silent as a couple of maids stepped onto the rooftop to clear the table.

"Um, Master?" Teressa, one of the maids, spoke up hesitantly. "Benedict asked us to confirm the color theme for tomorrow."

Vyan frowned, puzzled. "Tomorrow? No, it's not until the day after tomorrow. And... color theme? I didn't set any theme, let alone tell anyone about it."

Teressa gave him a slightly exasperated look. "The invitation card, Master. It says tomorrow."

He raised an eyebrow. "Invitation card? I didn't send any invitations."

Iyana facepalmed. "Oh, for the love of—Vee, they are talking about the Empress's birthday party. Tomorrow."

He blinked, momentarily lost. "Oh… right. That exists, too." Then panic crept onto his face. "Wait—no gift! I completely forgot—"

"Benedict already took care of it, Master," Teressa reassured him with a slight smile.

He exhaled, visibly relieved. "Oh, thank goodness. He is a lifesaver."

"So… about the color theme?" Teressa prompted.

Vyan shot Iyana a desperate look, and she rolled her eyes before replying, "It's purple."

Teressa nodded and finished clearing the table before disappearing back inside.

"Did you even read the invitation?" Iyana questioned.

He rubbed his neck sheepishly. "Honestly? With everything going on, I couldn't be bothered."

"Yet somehow, you managed to plan an elaborate birthday surprise for me."

"Well, duh. It's your twentieth birthday—it has to be memorable."

She playfully sighed. "I suppose I can't stop you from going all out for me, can I?"

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She leaned in with a mischievous grin. "Off-topic, but I am your date for tomorrow, right?"

He feigned a dramatic sigh. "Oh, no, I am afraid Freya beat you to it." Her glare could have frozen fire, and he quickly raised his hands in surrender. "I am kidding! Obviously, you are my date. Who else would I even think of?"

She shrugged with a teasing glint in her eye. "Oh, I don't know… any woman you might want to get rid of?"

They both burst out laughing again, the easy warmth of their banter lingering as the stars twinkled above and they pretended to ignore the date of Vyan's demise looming closer.

———

The next day, the grand birthday celebration of Empress Jade was in full swing, and Vyan was deep in conversation with his best friend.

"So, any luck on the treasure hunt?" Vyan asked, raising an eyebrow.

Clyde shook his head, a look of weariness painted across his face. "I have practically searched half the nation! No sign of her," he grumbled, his voice laced with annoyance. "And Athy didn't uncover anything out of the ordinary with you-know-who either."

Vyan sighed, trying to mask the guilt creeping in. "I am sorry to drag you into this mess. Honestly, I completely forgot about this party."

Clyde waved him off like a pesky fly. "No worries. I had to show up for the family's sake anyway. But I think I am going to make my grand exit early."

"Go for it. Don't worry about me," Vyan assured. "I will be safe with Iyana by my side. After all, who better to guard me than the Commander of the Military herself?"

Clyde laughed, shaking his head. "That does sound comforting, but don't let your guard down. It's always better to be safe than sorry."

With a nod, Vyan watched as Clyde sauntered off to find Althea, probably to share the news of his impending departure. Clyde had exhausted too much of his mana scouring the empire for Sienna and deserved a break from this painfully dull party.

Sighing, Vyan turned to seek out Iyana when suddenly, a force collided with his cheek, sending him sprawling to the floor.

"What the f—" he exclaimed, his eyes narrowing as he looked up at the furious face of his assailant. "What is wrong with you, Lord Ryen?"

"You tell me, Your Grace!" Robin seethed.