The Do-Over System:My Beloved is the Villain! - Chapter 109

Chapter 109: 03/27- Exception to the rules!
Rowan leaned back against the wooden counter of the registry office, her arms crossed as she gave Aeliana an amused look. “That’s the rule, yeah,” she admitted. “But let’s just say… rules bend when enough people want your services.”

The clerk behind the desk—a tired-looking elf with ink-stained fingers—glanced up from his ledger. “More like break entirely,” he muttered, scribbling down something before pushing a parchment forward. “Captain Rowan Vale is one of the highest-ranked independent adventurers. The guild makes an exception for her.”

Kael raised an eyebrow. “Just like that?”

The clerk snorted. “You think it’s that easy? She’s fought for it. Brought in enough rare bounties, completed high-risk jobs most guild parties wouldn’t touch, and—” He hesitated before adjusting his glasses. “She’s also got some very wealthy clients who keep her name on the list of ‘untouchable’ adventurers.”

Garrik whistled. “Damn. So, you get to go wherever you want, no strings attached?”

Rowan shrugged, smirking. “Pretty much. No team to slow me down, no contracts I don’t like, no commanders telling me what to do. Just me, my cutlass, and a good ship when I need one.”

Lucian, still tense from his earlier argument with Riven, narrowed his eyes slightly. “And the registry just lets you bypass their entire system?”

The clerk sighed, rubbing his temples. “Look, the official rule is that dungeons are off-limits for solo adventurers. Too many people die going in alone. But when someone like her walks in?” He gestured vaguely at Rowan. “The higher-ups would rather bend the rule than risk losing one of their best assets.”

Rowan gave him a mock salute. “Appreciate the glowing endorsement.”

Aeliana turned to Riven next. “And you?” She glanced at the clerk. “I don’t see his name on the exception list.”

The clerk hesitated, looking between Riven and Lucian, as if only now realizing who he was dealing with. “He… doesn’t need one.”

Lucian’s jaw tightened. “Because of his noble heritage.”

Riven smirked, resting a hand on the pommel of his sword. “Perks of being a Duskbane.” His golden eyes flickered with amusement as he leaned in slightly. “Jealous?”

Lucian’s grip on his celestial blade tightened, but he forced himself to take a slow breath. “Not in the slightest.”

The clerk coughed awkwardly, clearly eager to move things along. “Ahem—yes, well. The Duskbanes and the Dravenholds both hold special status in the kingdom’s records. Heir of a high house? You get automatic clearance. Normally, noble scions don’t use this privilege, since they have full guild-backed parties, but…” His gaze flicked toward Riven’s solitary stance. “It seems you prefer otherwise.”

Riven grinned. “What can I say? I enjoy making my own decisions.”

Kael crossed his arms, eyeing him warily. “So, you both get to ignore the usual system?”

Rowan chuckled. “Ignore is such a strong word. Let’s say… sidestep.”

Aeliana frowned. “You’re telling me the entire system lets you two just waltz into any dungeon without restrictions?”

The clerk nodded. “That’s right. For them, the risk is their own to take. No guild oversight, no required party, just personal discretion.” He gave Aeliana an apologetic look. “It’s unfair, I know, but that’s how it is.”

Aeliana crossed her arms. “It’s not about fairness—it’s about safety. You could both die going in alone.”

Rowan grinned. “That’s half the fun.”

Riven tilted his head, amused. “Concerned for me, Oracle?”

Lucian cut in before she could answer. “She’s concerned because she understands what real responsibility looks like.” His eyes darkened as he looked at Riven. “Unlike you.”

Riven’s smirk didn’t falter, but something flickered in his expression. “Careful, little brother,” he said softly. “You’re making assumptions again.”

Kael and Garrik exchanged looks. Little brother—the words still felt heavy, unsettled. The party had only just learned about their connection, and the more they spoke, the clearer it became that whatever had happened between them was deep.

Selene, ever the practical one, changed the subject. “So what now?” She looked at Rowan. “If you’re not with a party, are you planning to join ours for this dungeon?”

Rowan grinned. “Tempting offer, but I did just spend five minutes explaining why I don’t do teams.”

Kael scoffed. “Yeah, yeah, ‘I work better alone.’ We heard.”

Rowan winked. “Glad you’re paying attention.”

Aeliana, however, wasn’t so quick to let it go. She studied Rowan carefully before asking, “Then why are you here?”

Rowan hesitated. It was only for a second, but Aeliana caught it—the slightest shift, the briefest moment of calculation.

Then, Rowan shrugged, her usual smirk in place. “Business. Got a client who wants something from this dungeon.”

Lucian’s gaze sharpened. “And who would that be?”

Rowan rolled her eyes. “What, you think I’m gonna spill my employer’s secrets to a bunch of strangers?” She tapped the side of her temple. “I like keeping my contracts confidential.”

Aeliana frowned. Something about this didn’t sit right.

Riven, who had been watching the exchange with mild interest, finally spoke. “Looks like we’ll be seeing more of each other, then.” He turned, heading toward the dungeon entrance. “Try to keep up, little brother.”

Lucian exhaled sharply, his frustration evident. Aeliana reached out, resting a hand on his arm. “Don’t let him get to you,” she murmured.

Lucian’s jaw tightened, but after a moment, he nodded.

Meanwhile, Rowan had already started walking, hands tucked in her coat pockets. “Well,” she called over her shoulder, “this should be fun.”

Aeliana wasn’t so sure about that.

As they made their way toward the dungeon, a thought lingered in her mind—Rowan and Riven were both used to walking alone. But why did it feel like fate was pulling them into this party anyway?

…

Aeliana tilted her head, her curiosity piqued. “That reminds me, Lucian… why aren’t you with Mal?”

Lucian’s expression barely changed, but there was a subtle shift in his posture. “I got authorization to raid this dungeon solo.”

Aeliana blinked. “Ahh… I see.” But she didn’t. Not really.

Kael, who had been listening, raised an eyebrow. “Since when does the guild give you solo clearance?”

Lucian exhaled, adjusting his grip on his celestial blade. “Since I requested it.” His tone was neutral, but there was something in his eyes—a flicker of something unspoken.

Riven smirked, leaning casually against a stone pillar. “Let me guess… Mal didn’t approve of that plan, did he?”

Lucian shot him a look. “Stay out of it.”

Riven chuckled. “I’ll take that as a yes.”

Rowan, who had been walking ahead, suddenly snorted. “So let me get this straight—you ditched your actual team and came here alone?” She turned to Aeliana. “And here I thought I was the reckless one.”

Aeliana crossed her arms, frowning slightly. “Why, though? You and Mal usually work together.”

Lucian sighed. “Not this time.”

There was a weight behind his words, and for the first time, Aeliana realized he had chosen to come here alone, just like Riven and Rowan. But why? Mal was his second-in-command, his strategist—his friend.

Kael’s eyes narrowed. “Lucian… did something happen between you two?”

Lucian hesitated, but before he could answer, Riven let out a low chuckle. “Oh, I know that look. Something definitely happened.”

Lucian clenched his jaw. “It’s none of your concern.”

Aeliana stepped closer, lowering her voice. “Lucian, you can tell us. Did you and Mal fight?”

Lucian looked away for a moment before finally speaking. “Mal wanted me to take a full team. He didn’t think going in alone was a good idea.” His fingers tightened around the hilt of his sword. “He didn’t understand why I needed to do this.”

Aeliana studied him. “And why do you need to do this?”

Lucian met her gaze, but he didn’t answer. Not directly.

“It’s personal,” he finally said.

That was all he offered.

Aeliana wanted to push further, but something in his expression told her this wasn’t the time.

Rowan, watching the exchange, smirked. “Well, at least I’m not the only one running from attachments.”

Lucian shot her a sharp look. “I’m not running from anything.”

“Sure you’re not,” Rowan said dryly.

Kael sighed. “Great. So we have three stubborn, reckless idiots in this party now.”

Garrik grinned. “At least it’ll be entertaining.”

The group began moving again, the tension lingering in the air.

Aeliana walked beside Lucian, glancing at him out of the corner of her eye. She had always known Lucian carried burdens he didn’t share, but this… this was different.

He was shutting out Mal—the person who had been by his side for years.

Riven, despite his usual amusement, seemed to notice too. He studied Lucian for a moment before muttering, “Mal always did have more patience for your nonsense than I ever did.”

Lucian didn’t respond.

Rowan, walking ahead, glanced back. “Well, whatever your reasons, I suggest you all focus. This dungeon isn’t exactly forgiving to people distracted by their own drama.”

Aeliana nodded, but her mind still lingered on Lucian’s choice.

Something had changed between him and Mal.

And she had a feeling she would find out what soon enough.