The Villain Professor's Second Chance

Chapter 221 The Misplaced Announcement

Draven's cold voice sliced through the tension like a blade, each word deliberate, cutting. The queen's eyes twitched slightly, a faint glimmer of amusement and curiosity crossing her face. She had expected him to confirm the engagement, but the way he phrased it—was—piqued her interest.

"It was?" Queen Aurelia's voice was calm, yet laced with an undertone of authority that sent a ripple of discomfort through the room. She tilted her head slightly, eyes narrowing as she pressed on, "I don't recall hearing any official news about the engagement being broken. As queen, I'd expect to be informed about such matters beforehand."

The temperature in the room seemed to drop. Everyone felt the shift in the air. Duchess Blackthorn's fan twitched in her hand, and even Lord Falken, who typically masked his emotions well, looked slightly uneasy. But Draven remained as still as a statue, his expression unchanging, cold as ever.

He didn't even blink. Instead, his sharp gaze shifted briefly, catching Lancefroz—Duke Icevern—who, after meeting Draven's eyes, closed his own in a silent acknowledgment. It was a subtle exchange, but in that moment, Draven realized this was his perfect opening, his next move in the game.

"We've been planning to dissolve the engagement since the incident with the goblin king," Draven replied smoothly, his voice cutting through the thick atmosphere like a shard of ice.

The queen's eyebrow arched, her curiosity now fully engaged. "Since the incident at the goblin king? And why, might I ask, would such an incident lead to the end of your engagement?"

The entire room fell into a heavy silence. Draven's answer was inevitable, but no one knew exactly what he was about to say. All eyes were on him, especially Sophie, who stood stiffly to the side, her normally steady composure beginning to falter. Even the faintest tremor in her hands was visible.

Draven turned to face the queen directly, his gaze piercing through the room. His voice remained as cold as ever, devoid of any emotion. "Because I believe a magician like myself cannot take a knight who failed to protect her own land as a partner."

The words hung in the air, sharp, deliberate, and brutal. A gasp echoed from one of the noblewomen, and the rest of the room descended into stunned silence. Everyone knew the incident he was referring to—the northern battle against the goblin king where Sophie had failed to hold the line and had required the Drakhan knights to come to her aid.

It was an open wound, a well-known fact among the nobility, but to hear Draven himself use it as the reason for breaking off the engagement… it was ruthless. But undeniably fitting for a man like him—arrogant, ambitious, and unforgiving in his pursuit of power.

The queen's smile widened, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. She had caught on, seeing something deeper in Draven's words. She was sharp, as always, her mind working through the layers of this sudden revelation. She tilted her head slightly, her fingers tapping lightly on the arm of her throne.

Sophie, on the other hand, remained silent, but her body betrayed her. A slight tremble passed through her frame, and her eyes flicked toward her brother, Duke Icevern, who was standing stoically beside the other nobles. His expression didn't change, offering no comfort or support. He said nothing, allowing Draven's words to settle without intervention.

Sophie's jaw tightened. She bit her lower lip ever so slightly, the sting of Draven's words clear in her eyes. It wasn't just that he was breaking off the engagement—it was the way he was doing it. In front of the entire court, in front of the queen, the great families, and the knights. It wasn't just a statement; it was a public humiliation. And yet, this was Draven.

He moved with purpose in every action, every word. This was part of a larger strategy, but the sting of it was no less real.

Queen Aurelia's soft chuckle broke the silence. "It seems," she began, her voice light but calculated, "that there's more to this engagement than I initially thought." Her eyes flickered toward Sophie, who was standing rigid, fists clenched. "Perhaps Lady Sophie had some idea of this… but to hear it said so openly, in front of us all—well, that must have been quite the surprise."

Sophie's gaze dropped to the ground for a brief moment before she forced herself to stand taller, her knightly training kicking in. "Your majesty," she said softly, but her voice lacked its usual strength. "I… was aware of Lord Draven's views, though I did not expect him to express them here today."

Queen Aurelia's grin widened, amused by the dynamic unfolding before her. "I see," she mused, turning her attention back to Draven. "You have a way with words, Lord Draven. But perhaps you've forgotten that such personal matters should be handled in private, not in front of the entire court."

The queen's gaze flickered between Draven and Sophie, and for a moment, it seemed like she might let the matter go. But then her eyes sharpened, and her amusement turned cold. "However, your critique of Lady Sophie's performance in the battle against the goblin king… well, that could be considered slander, don't you think?"

Draven didn't flinch. He met the queen's gaze with that same unyielding coldness. "I merely spoke the truth, your majesty."

The queen let out a soft laugh, but the temperature in the room seemed to drop even further. The weight of the power struggle between the queen and Draven became palpable, a silent duel of words and control. The other nobles shifted uncomfortably, watching closely for any signs of weakness or advantage.

But Sophie… Sophie was the one caught in the middle. Her eyes darted briefly toward her brother, hoping for some sign of support, but Duke Icevern remained stoic, offering nothing. Sophie bit her lip again, the sting of betrayal creeping into her chest. She had known—of course, she had known—but to have it laid bare in front of everyone like this? It was a humiliation she hadn't been prepared for.

"Enough," Queen Aurelia finally said, her tone final, but with a hint of amusement. "Lady Sophie, you may return to your post. This is a conversation that should be held in private. I only needed the report."

Sophie bowed deeply, her face pale but composed. "Yes, your majesty." Her voice was calm, but everyone in the room could sense the underlying tension in her words.

Without another word, Sophie turned and left the chamber, her footsteps echoing loudly in the silence. The door closed behind her with a soft click, leaving an awkward tension hanging in the air. The nobles remained silent, their eyes flickering between the queen and Draven, unsure of what would come next.

The queen's gaze lingered on Draven for a moment longer, her curiosity piqued but hidden behind a calm, regal demeanor. Finally, she let out a sigh, standing from her throne. "Well, with the matter of the Magic Tower University resolved, I think it's time for me to rest."

Her words broke the silence, and the nobles immediately lowered their heads in respect as she descended from the throne. "The royal knights will take over the final cleanup and investigation of the university. I trust there will be no further surprises."

Draven remained still as the queen passed by him, her emerald robes brushing against the floor. The nobles knelt as she made her way toward the grand exit, the soft clinking of armor echoing in the chamber. As she reached the door, she paused, glancing back at Draven once more, her eyes glinting with curiosity.

"Draven," she said, her voice soft but firm, "I'll be watching you closely. I trust you'll continue to act in the kingdom's best interest."

Draven inclined his head, his expression unreadable. "Of course, your majesty."

With a final nod, Queen Aurelia exited the room, leaving her retainers and the noble families kneeling in silence.

As soon as the queen was gone, Draven rose to his feet. His cold, calculating expression hadn't changed at all, as if the tense atmosphere didn't concern him in the slightest. Without a glance at the other nobles, he turned on his heel and made his way toward the exit, his movements as precise and indifferent as ever.

The other nobles remained frozen in place, their eyes following him with a mixture of wariness and awe. Even Duchess Blackthorn, always quick with her sharp words, remained silent, watching Draven's retreating form with narrowed eyes.

As Draven exited the grand hall, his cloak fluttering behind him, Sophie's image flashed briefly in his mind. Her clenched fists, her pale face, the way she had tried to hold herself together in front of the queen and the court.

But it was irrelevant.

Sophie, the nobles, the court—none of it mattered to him now. He had achieved what he needed. As the heavy doors of the castle closed behind him, Draven stepped into the cold evening air, his mind already calculating his next move.

Behind him, unseen by anyone, Sophie clenched her fists tighter, her nails digging into her palms as she stood in the shadows, watching him leave.