The Do-Over System:My Beloved is the Villain! - Chapter 27

Chapter 27: Kael’s with Aeliana

Lucian paced the length of the chamber, his usual composed demeanor giving way to visible frustration. His crimson eyes burned with the weight of his thoughts. “We can’t wait any longer, Aeliana. Things are spiraling out of control too quickly. If Lady Selinthra keeps spreading dissent, and the werewolf clans push harder, it could trigger outright rebellion.”Aeliana, seated on the edge of the room’s chaise, frowned in concern. “You’re suggesting we leave now?”

“Yes.” His tone left no room for debate. “The alliances are fraying, and if we don’t act decisively, this engagement might crumble before we even have the chance to announce our next move. We leave immediately.”

Just as he was about to conjure his own magic, the door swung open, and Kael strode in with purpose. His usual stoic expression was laced with determination. “If you’re planning to leave, I’ll be going with you.”

Lucian arched an eyebrow, his irritation growing. “And why, pray tell, would I ever agree to that?”

Kael crossed his arms. “The queen herself instructed me to protect Aeliana, no matter what. That means if she leaves, I leave. I’ll make sure she’s safe.”

Lucian pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration, his composure slipping. “You don’t think I can keep her safe, Peter Pan?”

Kael’s lips twitched into a smirk, but he didn’t respond. Instead, he kept his stance firm, waiting for Lucian’s decision.

Aeliana couldn’t help but laugh at the tension between them. “Lucian, please. Let him come. The more allies we have, the better.”

Lucian sighed deeply, clearly torn. Finally, he threw his hands up in defeat. “Fine. But if he comes, he answers to me. You hear that, Kael? You’re at my disposal now. No heroics, no rogue behavior. You follow my lead. Got it?”

Kael gave a mocking bow. “As you command, Your Lordship.”

Lucian rolled his eyes, muttering something under his breath about insufferable lightkind.

Still smiling, Aeliana stood and clasped her hands together. “Then it’s settled. We’re leaving now.” She began to conjure her magic, the air around her shimmering with ethereal light.

Lucian watched her work, his frustration melting into something softer. Even amid the chaos, she had a way of grounding him, her laughter cutting through his tension.

As the portal began to take shape, a swirling blend of light and shadow, Lucian turned to her with a smirk. “You always have to make an entrance, don’t you?”

Aeliana winked at him, her platinum hair catching the glow of the magic. “It’s not an entrance. It’s an escape.”

Lucian shook his head, stepping toward the portal with Kael trailing reluctantly behind. “Let’s hope it’s more than that, Princess. The future of both our worlds depends on it.”

‘I hope this all works out for the better’

The magic portal swirled and enveloped the trio, they stepped into a world opposite from the vibrant brightness of Aeliana’s domain.a realm of perpetual twilight, the air thick with an otherworldly ambiance. The sky was a muted gray, streaked with deep purples and black, with a hauntingly beautiful glow emanating from distant obsidian mountains.

Lucian stretched his arms as they arrived at the castle’s gates, a smirk playing on his lips. “Home sweet home,” he declared with a tone of satisfaction, his deep voice resonating through the silence.

Kael, on the other hand, stumbled slightly, blinking as his eyes struggled to adjust to the lack of natural light.

Lucian glanced over his shoulder, the smirk widening. “Not all of us are accustomed to blinding sunshine, Peter Pan. Some of us thrive in the dark.”

Kael shot him a glare but didn’t respond.

Kael lost his footing and tumbled to the ground in an unceremonious heap with head on mud.

Aeliana had gasped. She covered her mouth to stifle a laugh. “Kael! Are you okay?”

Kael scrambled to his feet, brushing off his armor with a sheepish look. “I’m fine. Just… not used to terrain that actively tries to trip you.” He squinted at the ground, where the shadows almost seemed to ripple with amusement.

Lucian chuckled, folding his arms across his chest. “The darkness here has a will of its own. It’s… selective about who it welcomes. Perhaps it finds you unworthy.”

Kael scowled, his pride clearly stung. “Or perhaps it’s just poorly maintained.”

“Say what you will,” Lucian replied with a shrug, turning toward the grand doors of the castle. “But this is my domain, and you’re a guest here.

“This place is… deeply unsettling, Aeliana” Kael admitted under his breath.

Aeliana reached out to steady him as he wobbled again on the uneven terrain. “It do takes some getting used to,” she said

“But it has a strange beauty if you are familiar with it,”

Kael glanced around, grudgingly nodding. “I suppose… in a dark, foreboding, soul-crushing sort of way.”

Lucian smirked at their exchange as he pushed open the heavy castle doors, revealing a vast, cavernous hall lit by floating orbs of shadowy light.

“To the heart of the demon domain. Make yourselves comfortable, as comfortable as lightkind can manage in a world not made for them.”

Lucian’s expression softened, his eyes briefly meeting hers. “Only the best for my kingdom. And for you.”

Kael groaned audibly. “Great. Just what I needed. A front-row seat to your endless flirting.”

Lucian’s smirk returned. “Better get used to it, Peter Pan. We’re just getting started.”

Kael groaned dramatically, dragging a hand down his face as he trailed behind Aeliana and Lucian. “You two… are exhausting. I just don’t get how this is supposed to work when you’re not even married yet,” he muttered under his breath, more to himself than anyone else.

They reached the door to Aeliana’s temporary quarters, a room elegantly decorated with dark velvet drapes and a massive four-poster bed that seemed to float in the dim lighting.

“Wait a hot second there,” Kael said, holding up a hand as he tried to process what was happening. “There’s only one bed in here. Only one. You’re not even married yet, and you’re planning to share a bed?” His gaze flicked between Aeliana and Lucian like a disapproving chaperone. “This isn’t proper.”

Lucian smirked, leaning casually against the doorframe. “Relax, Faekin,” he said smoothly. “I may be the Demon Lord but I’m also a gentleman. I would never take advantage of my vulnerable fiancée, especially when I’m as depleted as I am right now.”

Kael narrowed his eyes. “I don’t trust you, demon.”

Aeliana caught between amusement and embarrassment, placed a hand on Kael’s arm. “Kael, it’s fine. I trust Lucian,” she said softly, though her cheeks were tinged with pink. “It’s not like that.”

Lucian straightened, a teasing grin tugging at his lips. “Besides, if it makes you feel better, I’ve already prepared a spell. A little… barrier to keep me firmly on my side of the bed,” he said with a sly wink. “Not that I need it, but I figured someone like you would appreciate the gesture.”

Kael raised an eyebrow, crossing his arms. “A spell?”

“Satisfied? The spell will prevent me from crossing to her side, even in my sleep.”

Kael scoffed. “I still don’t trust you.”

Lucian stepped closer, towering over Kael slightly as his smirk deepened. “You don’t have to trust me, Warrior. Aeliana does. That’s all that matters, now.”

Kael gritted his teeth, his frustration bubbling beneath the surface. “I’m watching you, demon. Don’t think for a second that I won’t step in if you cross the line accidentially.”

Lucian rolled his eyes dramatically. “Of course. You’ll be my personal guard dog. How comforting.”

Aeliana sighed, stepping between them before the tension could escalate further. “Enough, you two. Kael, thank you for escorting me, but I’ll be fine. You should get some rest, too.”

Kael hesitated, looking at her with concern before finally nodding. “Fine. But if anything happens, I’ll be just down the hall,” he said firmly, shooting one last warning glance at Lucian before turning and leaving the room.

As the door clicked shut behind him, Lucian let out a low chuckle. “He’s protective, isn’t he?”

Aeliana shook her head, exasperated. “He means well. He’s just… Kael.”

Lucian stepped closer, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “And you, princess? Are you comfortable sharing a room with me?”

“I trust you, Lucian,” her cheeks and ears blushing in reddish pink, she felt safe beside him as if nothing could harm her and loved most of all. It was all that she needed at the moment.

“I can do all those ‘exciting things’ to you, Aeliana but..”

” Not tonight, anyway. I’m far too tired for mischief.” He gave a quick kiss on the cheek before he kicked off his boots and settled down. Aeliana followed suit, carefully climbing into her side of the bed and keeping her distance as the invisible barrier buzzed faintly between them.

“Goodnight, princess,” Lucian said, his voice soft and surprisingly tender.

“Goodnight, Lucian,” she replied, her heart fluttering despite herself as she closed her eyes and tried to ignore the warmth of his presence so close by.