Ascension Of The Villain

Chapter 239: Under Threat

The grandeur of the imperial court was diminished as a dense silence took hold. Nobles and courtiers stood frozen, their eyes wide, and whispers dying on their lips. They were all expecting the grand duke's aunt, of all people, to speak in his support. But… Celeste's confession was like a crack of thunder in a clear sky, jolting everyone to the bone.

"I wasn't with His Grace last night," Celeste stated simply, her hands folded in front of her, gaze cast down. "It's true that I did want to meet up with him to talk, but unfortunately, that didn't become possible."

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Vyan clenched his jaw, his fingers curling into fists so tight that his nails dug into his palms. He held himself rigidly, every muscle in his body coiled, his face a mask of perfect apathy.

Inside, though, he was seething. It felt like his chest would explode, fury blazing hotter than the fire he controlled.

He might have faked at accepting her apology, but how could she just straight up lie like this against him?

He glared at his aunt, hoping she would meet his eyes, that she would see the torrent of fury and disbelief she had just unleashed, that now he was never going to forgive her.

But she didn't look. Not once. She stood there, calmly and deliberately avoiding his gaze, as if he were a stranger, as if they had never shared a single moment of familial love.

"Your Imperial Majesty," Gareth ventured cautiously, his tone thick with shock. "You are sure you didn't… talk to His Grace? I mean, he is quite confident that you did."

Celeste nodded, her eyes briefly meeting Gareth's before slipping away again. "Yes," she replied. "And I have nothing more to add."

Vyan's gaze burned into her, but she remained impassive and stepped back into the crowd. He took a deep breath, finding it quite hard to keep his composure. He could just feel the rage screaming within him.

'My lord, get a hold of yourself,' came Clyde's telepathic voice in his head. 'Take more deep breaths.'

He followed the advice, taking subtle deep breaths, until his eyes shifted across the court until they found Iyana.

Her violet eyes met his, a silent strength flowing from her to him. He inhaled once again, letting the heat inside him simmer down, if only slightly. She didn't have to say a word; the firmness of her gaze was enough.

The raw rage in his chest dulled, tempered by the calm he found in Iyana's eyes and Clyde's voice.

"Given the current testimony, what do you intend to say in your defense now, Your Grace?" Gareth's voice pierced through the courtroom's tense air.

Vyan pulled his eyes away from Iyana, his gaze shifting to the judicial officer. He straightened, forcing himself to compose his thoughts as he addressed the court.

"No, Lord Gareth, not for now," he said, voice smooth, though laced with an edge. He met Gareth's stare with one of his own, his expression unyielding. "I intend to prove that I was, indeed, with Empress Celeste that day."

A murmur rippled through the courtiers as Gareth's brows knit together, his eyes narrowing. He took a step closer to Vyan, his tone turning almost accusatory. "Are you suggesting that our empress is lying, Your Grace?" he asked. "You yourself said an empress surely wouldn't lie, right?"

Vyan's lips curled into a tight smile, a flicker of defiance in his gaze. "I would never be so bold as to accuse an empress of lying, Lord Gareth," he replied smoothly, though the undercurrent of his words was clear.

A faint smirk formed on the corner of Jade's mouth, clearly loving the concept of her co-wife being proved a liar in a court full of people. She was more into that than breaking the spirit of that arrogant grand duke.

"Perhaps," Vyan continued, his eyes sliding briefly to Celeste's unrepentant form, "she has simply... forgotten. Let us not rush to conclusions. I suggest we give it some time, allow memories to be refreshed." His gaze lingered on Celeste, his smile hardening.

"And at the same time, I would like the opportunity to gather enough evidence to prove that it was someone else in my disguise who committed the actual crime."

The room fell into an uneasy silence. Even Gareth seemed momentarily at a loss for words, his gaze flickering between Vyan and Celeste.

"Very well," Jade said. "We shall reconvene when you, Your Grace, are prepared to bring forth your proof. However, in the meantime, you are ordered to stay within the capital with two imperial officers on guard with you, unless you would prefer to volunteer to stay quarantined."

"Thank you, Your Imperial Majesty; the former option sounds lovely," Vyan responded, flashing a grateful, polite smile.

"Alright. The matter is adjourned until then."

With a final bow to Jade, the grand hall buzzed to life with hushed murmurs as the nobles began to file out. Whispers about Vyan's so-called "preferential treatment" floated through the air, accompanied by pointed looks.

If he weren't a grand duke, they muttered, he would have been thrown in prison by now. An empress testified against him, after all.

But Vyan? He didn't give a damn about their little judgments. Preferential treatment? Sure, maybe. But that's just how the game was played here. Life wasn't fair—and everyone in this room knew it.

If the tables were turned, would any of them refuse special treatment? Not likely. At least Vyan wasn't flaunting it like some pompous peacock, which was more than could be said for most of these hypocrites.

As he turned to leave, Clyde appeared by his side, clapping a hand on his shoulder. "Hey, listen," he began, leaning in. "Athy and I are going to have a little chat with Empress Celeste. I have already sent a message to Benedict to get the maids at the secondary residence ready for you. So, head there, kick back, and we will regroup when I get back. Does that sound good?"

Vyan scoffed and offered a dry, sarcastic, "Just be careful not to turn your back on her. You know, she is an expert in backstabbing."

Clyde chuckled, unfazed. "Thanks for the heads-up. We will be sure to watch our backs."

"Yes, well, I am off to tend to my second backstab wound," Vyan added with a dramatic roll of his eyes as he made his way out of the imperial court.

Vyan slipped away from the bustling court hall, finding a secluded corner in the palace to nurse his fury. He leaned against the cool stone wall, fists clenched and jaw tight, as if bracing himself from an impending eruption.

He recalled the faint memories from their childhood—of how Celeste would always spend time with him whenever Aster was caught up with his lessons, of the bedtime stories she read him, of the times she let him win in a game just to make him happy…

"How could you…?" he murmured, his voice more hurt than angry.

His mind raced, replaying every word Celeste had spoken in the court, despite what she promised him an hour ago, until he felt a gentle hand on his shoulder and his eyes softened slightly.

"After everything, she still managed to betray me," he started venting out. "Do you see now? She is truly nothing but a manipulative bitch. This is exactly why I never wanted to forgive her. I mean, come on, even if she sensed I was insincere earlier, how could she screw me over like that? It wasn't like I was asking her to lie for me.

All she had to do was tell the truth."

He glanced at Iyana, her gaze was calm but filled with something that looked like empathy. She didn't say anything at first, simply allowing her presence to ground him, soothing the edges of his frustration.

"I get that you are angry and hurt, Vee, but didn't you look at her?" Iyana asked quietly, her tone probing but gentle.

He turned around fully and furrowed his brow, caught off guard by the question. "What are you talking about?"

Iyana sighed, glancing away for a moment before meeting his gaze. "Empress Celeste... she looked terrified. I don't think she wanted to say what she did. I was near her, and her hands were trembling the entire time," she said softly. "It was like someone was forcing her, threatening her."

Vyan blinked, a flicker of doubt intruding on his anger. "She looked scared?" he echoed, as if the words were foreign to him. In his mind, he replayed the scene, but this time, he peeled back the layers of his own fury and bitterness. He remembered the way she kept her eyes downcast, avoiding his gaze.

"Yes," Iyana replied, her steady voice a counterbalance to his turmoil. "I don't know why she lied, but it didn't seem like it was by choice."

Iyana might not know why, but Vyan knew. Celeste always put her children's lives first. So, if someone were to threaten Ronan and Katelyn—

Vyan's fists loosened, his mind racing with a dozen new questions. The rage that had been all-consuming moments ago now felt muddied, tinged with confusion. He ran a hand through his hair, frustration morphing into something more complex.

"If she is being threatened..." Vyan's voice trailed off as the pieces began to fall into place. "Then it has got to be the same person who is trying to frame me."

Iyana raised a brow, her curiosity piqued. "Wait—so you already have a suspect?"

Vyan scoffed, a sly grin tugging at his lips. "Of course, I do."

She gave him a playful nudge. "And when exactly were you planning to share this with me?"

"After I cleared my name today," he replied smoothly, earning a dramatic eye roll from her.

"Alright, smart guy. Spill it. Who is the bastard? I will happily beat the truth out of them."

He paused, his expression shifting to something more serious. "Easton."

Iyana's breath caught in her throat.

"It's Easton, Iyana."