Crushing flags and claiming the Villainess - Chapter 58

Chapter 58: Chapter 57- Aiden
Aiden. Someone who was separated from his parents around his birth. His upbringing was in an orphanage. A place where the boy got to learn various things, which surely, someone his age shouldn’t have.

At the age of five, he learned that if he wanted to eat to survive, then he had to be strong. But because he was weak, his bread always got snatched by the taller and soldier kids.

The warden of the place never said anything, so Aiden learned that begging for others help was futile.

He always had to pick from the garbage bin or work overtime to eat a piece of bread. Washing dishes, brushing toilets, cleaning drainage pipes…doing all those nasty things that everyone avoided. And all for a piece of bread so he could survive.

He even tried stealing, but on his first attempt, he was caught and received a punishment which gives him nightmares to this date.

By the time he turned seven and became strong enough to show dominance, his house—the orphanage—got snatched away as a newly appointed noble decided to demolish the orphanage and build a bar there.

That was the second lesson of his life—strength is not only the thing required. You need money as well. And until you have the two you can take anything away from anyone.

By the age of thirteen, he was working at a brothel. He used to clean rooms and drive away the problem customers. Slum and poverty had allowed him to learn a few techniques with a stick, so he was fairly strong for his age.

When he was there, he fell for a woman who used to work as a prostitute for the brothel.

Aiden didn’t have a problem with her job but he was determined to liberate her. She was initially resistant, calling herself impure and not his worth. However, Aiden said something that completely changed her mind,

‘The only time I can actually smile…or feel the warmth of a family, is when I am with you. Please, never abandon me, Mary.’ in the end, she agreed.

As such, he began doing several jobs a day, barely getting any sleep, and even neglected food. He cut the cost in every single way possible—picking garbage again for his body requirement.

However, the day he earned enough money to liberate his first love—his Marilyn…she was…she was killed by one of her customers.

That was the day, Aiden learned his third lesson.

Aiden…sat there, in front of her grave, for two days. Without sleep, without food. He just stared at her name, and like the falling snowflakes, he found all his dreams and feelings falling and disappearing after crashing against the ground.

After two and a half days, when Aiden got up from the ground, there was a glowing sword in his hand.

Looking half-dead, the boy advanced across the snowy field and didn’t pause until he reached a certain mansion.

He slaughtered everyone and everything that came in his path. It was pure horror to see a weak man killing people here and there as he advanced toward the one who killed Marilyn.

“Pl-Please…d-don’t kill me…I didn’t know that she…s-she would die….”

Aiden smirked a smile that formed for the first time on his face after Marilyn’s death before he swung his Shard.

The noble was split in half, his eyes still widened, and the last thing the dying man heard was,

“Sorry…I also didn’t know…that this will kill you.”

That day…Aiden didn’t slaughter that man who took Marilyn’s life but also killed all his emotions.

That incident taught him a very valuable lesson; if you want to survive in this world, you need to snatch from people.

Take things away from them, that’s the only way.

…..

Austin is aware of the First Prince’s back story, and he genuinely sympathizes with him.

He has gone through experiences that no one ever should go through. He was snatched away from his food, house, and love.

And when he returned to the capital, he instantly considered Austin his enemy.

After all, in Aiden’s eyes, Austin had hogged everything and everyone that belonged to Aiden.

That’s why, Aiden decided to take everything away from him.

His parents, his status as the First Prince, his fame, and now ..

‘He is after the person who matters the most to me. Yeah, he is dead.’ Austin doesn’t give a crap about what he went through. Until it was about his parents and the throne, Austin didn’t mind.

But now that Aiden has turned his disgusting gaze towards Valerie….nu-uh, Austin isn’t going to let it slide.

‘Aiden needs to disappear.’

Canonically, Aiden gets infatuated with Rhea since Austin shows interest in her. And because of his obsession to obtain Rhea, his evil plans get exposed, and so does his mind-washing skill—Persuasive Tongue.

‘Hmm…presently, he has already built himself quite a reputation in the council and his impression of the King’ is quite strong as well.’

Austin couldn’t just stay idle and do nothing about it. He has to get rid of Aiden somehow. And for that, he needs to expose his evil plans.

‘Tch….but he doesn’t start the slave trade any time soon…and other than there is no other way to expose him.’ In the future, Rhea exposes his human trafficking, and that leads to the revelation of his skill and then and then…

But as of now, Austin couldn’t think of any route to expose Aiden. And that bastard is so sick in the head, that coercing him wouldn’t do any good.

‘Should I take help from Sebastian and kill—no, Sebastian wouldn’t kill the First Prince unless I give him some reason to do so.’

Lost in his thoughts, he never noticed when the Professor was standing before him.

“Austin.”

“Ah, yes.” He instantly shot his eyes toward the board, and answered, “The left ear.”

People around him were astounded to see the quick response to the question even though, it was obvious that he wasn’t paying attention to the class.

The teacher sighed, “I was about to suggest you open the window if you want, but well, that’s the correct answer.”

The students chuckled hearing that before the teacher returned to the podium.

Valerie had a concerned look on her face. She was well aware of the reason behind his distraction.

Although she was feeling bad about giving him another reason to worry, Valerie didn’t regret her decision.

This situation with Aiden needs to be dealt with, and only her Lord could think of a way to eradicate that piece of junk.

…..

Not so long after the lunch break arrived, the students began walking towards the common hall to get some much-needed break.

Rhea, who was about to walk in a different direction, was interrupted by Austin, “Going to the infirmary?”

The pinkhead turned around and found Valerie and Austin standing there.

Smilingly, she nodded, “Yeah. He will get discharged soon.”

“Yes, I know. But shouldn’t you first eat something?”

Rhea was rendered speechless …she looked down and said, “I feel Rudolph must be getting bored so-”

“But he won’t like it as well if you get sick while taking care of him,” Austin added, making Rhea realize that she might be exerting herself a little too much.

Valerie rolled her eyes, “The guilt and regret.”

Rhea pouted, “Hey! Can you be a little sympathetic?”

Valerie shrugged, “If you understand what I am saying, then move on. No one is blaming you.”

Saying so, she pulled Austin’s sleeve, urging him to say, “Well, see you later.”

Once they were out of sight, Valerie asked, “What do you think? Should we inform Father?”

Austin shook his head, “Nope if we do, Lord Corwon would think I am manipulating you.”

Valerie frowned, “Why would he-oh.” She then realized. If she called Aiden evil, without any evidence, surely her father would think that Austin has manipulated her out of jealousy.

Austin nodded, “Yes, so we should keep the information to us. And when I say ‘us’ I am not even involving Sebastian.”

Valerie was startled, “But didn’t he swear loyalty to you?”

Austin nodded, “He did, but as the man who has served my father and the nation for so long, my action against Aiden would seem like usurpation.

Valerie grew concerned, “Doing things without his support or letting him notice would be quite difficult.”

Sebastian is an observant man, someone who pays close attention to Austin and the people around him. Naturally, if they plot against the First Prince, the butler would find out about it sooner than later.

Austin nodded, as he settled the food trays on the table and ushered Valerie to take a seat.

“Directly attacking Aiden would be difficult and risky, that’s why we are going to do something that will agitate him to no end?”

Valerie frowned. She originally thought that they would just go to the Capital and secretly assassinate the stem of this problem. However, now that she heard his words, she realized that it would be too hasty.

Unlike Austin, who had already picked up his spoon and was scooping some soup, Valerie’s focus was still on her Lord as she asked, “What?”

Austin first tasted the delicious soup, before he told her, “We will snatch something from him, which Aiden dearly treasures.”

With a thin grin, Austin added, “His dreams for the throne.”

———**——-

A/N:- I hope you all enjoyed reading the chapter. Thanks for reading. Dop a comment.