Crushing flags and claiming the Villainess - Chapter 116

Chapter 116: Chapter 115- True face(END)
In Rhea’s eyes, the First Prince was either foolish or was considering everyone else.

Just now, every evil deed he has committed was presented before the Supreme Authority. Vice-headmaster Harold also confirmed through his Shard that Aiden, indeed, was stalking Austin and conspiring against him while being in contact with Hener.

But despite all the evidence showing him guilty, the bastard wasn’t ready to back off.

He actually, proposed a duel against Austin, like this was some kind of debate where one couldn’t get a concrete answer.

Dude, you are proven guilty. Just suck it up and get punished.

“What no concrete evidence are you talking about? Didn’t Sir Edwin just confirm the ability Sir Harold possesses? What’s there to talk about now?” The prime minister voiced.

What was there to prove now? Didn’t the King himself declare that he was aware of Aiden’s connection with Hener?

“No, Sir Arthur. I also want this judgment to be declared through a battle.” Austin suddenly voiced.

Hearing those words, a few gasped while a few smirked.

Everyone knew that the second Prince was a D-rank and the first Prince was an A-rank…at the very least.

Aiden had a grin on his face as he turned toward the Supreme Authority before declaring, “Since Austin has given his consent, I believe Father mustn’t have a-”

“I can’t let it happen.” Cedric instantly cut him off, “You are a criminal. Someone who was conspiring against Eryndor. You poisoned me and brainwashed everyone into believing things that could have resulted disastrously. And most of all…you tried to harm Austin. And I want no other evidence than Austin’s words to declare you guilty.”

Aiden’s clenched his fist, as he barked, “So you won’t even let me prove myself?! You are prioritizing your second son since I grew up away from the home so you consider me as an outsider…like dirt!”

Valerie frowned hearing those words as she muttered under her breath, “His stage play is annoying…if only I could-‘

“Sorry Val, but he is my prey.”

Valerie was taken aback by the cold whisper as she glanced at her Lord.

His eyes were devoid of any emotion. However, someone close to him, Valerie could sense lava of rage boiling within him.

Holding her hand, he whispered, “He tried to take you away, and for that sin, I will bestow death upon him by my own hands.”

Those words sent a jolt of excitement down her spine while her heart was filled with elation seeing her Lord being so angered for her.

He won’t let anyone have her. Valerie only belongs to her Lord~

“I won’t let you punish him.”

Suddenly, a voice which has been silent until now spoke up.

The Queen of Eryndor who used to work as the chief advisor until she became a mother, spoke up, “I can’t let you punish Aiden. You can’t see it but I have noticed that Austin is framing his brother just because he is not counted in the race for the throne!”

Everyone turned silent. Meanwhile, Aiden finally felt that there might still be some hope as he sobbingly voiced, “Don’t fight for me, mother *Hicc* if father has already called me a criminal, there is no point in saying anything further.”

Wiping his eyes, Aiden added, “Send me to the cell and hang me to death-”

“Don’t even utter that word, Aiden!” Turning toward her husband, she voiced in a loud tone, “How can you declare him guilty without even listening to him? Deciding everything based on what you heard from Austin and his allies!”

This might be the first time for the Queen to go against her etiquette and speak like this in the middle of the court.

Cedric had a firm stance on this so he didn’t think twice before commanding, “My decision won’t change even if the God tells me. Aiden would be imprisoned for the crimes he has committed.”

It was not a topic to debate on. Just now, Aiden was suggesting to wage a war against the nation which extended a friendly proposal.

Risking thousands of lives just because Aiden thinks they can backstab? Cedric would be blind to not realize what the boy was plotting.

Those mouths that were running in Aiden’s favor have long been silenced since the Supreme Authority has already made up his mind about punishing him.

Sophie narrowed her eyes, as she spat, “As Queen, I decree that Austin shall never be permitted to claim the throne.”

Turning her disdainful eyes toward Austin, she added, “Let’s see if you can still uphold that confidence now.”

Although she was both Austin and Aiden’s mother, she saw Aiden as the victim here and Austin was the biggest sinner at the moment, in her eyes.

Cedric was about to deny her, when suddenly, Austin said, “You still think I care about the throne?” There was a smile on his face, a sad one, which made Sophie’s heart tremble for a moment. However, her expression didn’t change and the wordless answer her eyes held was a ‘yes’.

Austin shook his head before turning toward the King and declaring, “I, Austin von Eryndor, declare here in front of everyone that I won’t ever accept the throne of Eryndor under any circumstances. And that’s my final decision.”

Valerie’s hold around his hand turned firmer, while a few, including Rhea, gasped at the declaration.

This might be the most shocking thing that happened today for many. Even Sebastian looked at his master with his eyes widened, however, the older one couldn’t find any regret in his master’s eyes. At all.

Sophie fell back on her seat because of the shock with her eyes widened.

She…couldn’t believe that Austin actually wasn’t doing all this for the throne…was he lying…but he said that in front of so many people…

While the Queen seemed to have received a severe shock, Aiden gritted his teeth as he realized that even the damn woman could save him!

Looking around, he found the chief advisor and the finance minister were averting their gazes—clearing, not intending to help him here.

Aiden was…once again feeling himself in a corner. Like all those times when he got cornered in the orphanage by the older boys.

The same hopelessness he felt when he stood before his first love’s grave.

That despair…that helplessness…that fear of losing everything.

Everything blinded him and in a fit of rage,

“DAMN YOU ALL!!!”

Before anyone could react, Aiden summoned his shard in a flash and drove it into the ground with force.

SHFIUUUUK!

A deafening crack split the air as a violent shockwave burst forth. Black mist erupted like a storm, twisting and curling as it swallowed the space around him.

The soldiers staggered, their bodies trembling as an invisible force drained them of all strength. Their knees buckled. Swords and spears clattered onto the ground, slipping from lifeless fingers. Gasps filled the air, some choking, others collapsing entirely.

Their eyes widened in horror. Muscles refused to obey. It felt as if their very souls were being pulled from their bodies.

Aiden’s eyes were red as he used every bit of his soul energy to chant that spell before he turned toward the bastard who caused it all.

The asshole who snatched everything from him!

“AUSTIN!” With his Shard raised, Aiden launched toward where Austin was, aiming to slaughter the son of a b*tch!

His sword was held horizontally, as he pushed it to stab Austin—but,

*Clang*

Aiden’s eyes widened as his sword was parried and he was pushed back, “What the–!”

He gasped….his skill should have worked on everyone. Why the hell a weakling like him was not affected?

Austin stepped forward, a greenish barrier surrounding him.

His eyes were threatening as Austin muttered, “Calling out your opponent’s name…how lame can you be?”

Aiden clutched his blade tighter before plunging it forward, “DAMN YOU!”

However,

*CLANG*

–the blade still didn’t pierce through the barrier.

“AAHHHHHH!”

*CLANG* *CLANG*

He continued to attack, one after another, using all the remaining strength his body could muster…however, none of it worked.

The barrier didn’t budge!

“Feeling helpless?” Austin asked, with a tilt of his head.

Aiden’s face was pale, his chest heaving as he stared at the a**wipe, “Y-You…if only you hadn’t been here…”

Austin grinned, “Oh no, no, I have always been here…the one who made your life hell.” With a mocking smile, he added, “The one who sent that noble after Marilyn…do you know who is it?”

Aiden’s eyes widened…no one knows about Marilyn….then that means, “Y-You bastard! It was YOU!!!!”

With every ounce of his strength, he swung his sword. Every fiber of his being desired to destroy the trash of a human!

However,

*CLANG*

It didn’t work.

“Why…” Tears welled up in Aiden’s eyes as his grip loosened, the sword slipping from his trembling fingers. His breath hitched as he staggered back, his chest rising and falling in ragged gasps.

“Why always me—”

SWISH!

“Yeah, no.” Austin’s cold voice cut through the air as he stepped forward, his blade flashing in a swift, merciless arc.

THUD.

Aiden’s world twisted. For a fleeting moment, he saw the ground rushing toward him—his own body standing limply in the distance. A strange weightlessness took hold as darkness swallowed his senses.

Austin shook his head as he swatted his Shard and told his dear elder brother, “Committing crime just because life has been unfair to you? Yeah, you are lame.”

With that, Eryndor lost its first Prince.

—–**—–

A/N:- Drop a comment.