The Do-Over System:My Beloved is the Villain! - Chapter 34

Chapter 34: It’s a Deal, then.

Ulric leaned back in his chair, his golden eyes gleaming as he steepled his fingers. The weight of the moment hung in the air, the tension palpable. “Very well, Lucian. Let us settle this properly. How does two full moons from now sound to you? It will give Sylvara ample time to prepare and your Aeliana enough time to learn, assuming she survives the training.”

Lucian nodded, his expression calm but determined. “Three months is fair. Aeliana will be ready.”

Sylvara tilted her head, a playful smirk tugging at her lips. “Oh, I do hope she’ll be ready. It would be such a shame if she couldn’t keep up. You know how I hate boring fights.” She tossed her silvery hair over her shoulder and looked to Ulric. “We’ll make it a spectacle, won’t we? Something to remind both clans of our strength.”

Ulric gave a low chuckle, nodding. “Indeed. This will be more than a duel; it will be a demonstration of power, loyalty, and resolve. Both the werewolf clans and the demon kin will watch closely. Lucian, your fiancée had better show them something worth their respect—or else.”

Lucian’s eyes narrowed slightly, his calm demeanor remaining intact. “She will. Aeliana has more strength than you give her credit for. I wouldn’t have proposed this if I didn’t believe in her.”

Sylvara’s grin widened, and she stepped closer to Lucian, lightly tapping his chest with a clawed finger. “Always so confident. I remember that about you. It’s one of the things I admired most.” Her gaze softened for a moment before hardening again. “But don’t think for a second that I’ll go easy on her because of our history. If she falters, I won’t hesitate.”

“I wouldn’t expect anything less,” Lucian replied evenly.

Ulric stood, signaling the end of the discussion. “Then it’s decided. Three months from now, under the light of the second full moon, Sylvara and Aeliana will duel. The outcome will determine the future of our alliance.”

As the room emptied, Sylvara lingered, her emerald eyes fixed on Lucian. “You know, Lucian,” she said softly, her voice carrying a hint of something deeper, “I used to think we’d rule together, you and I. I thought our fates were intertwined.”

Lucian turned to her, his expression unreadable. “Fate has a way of changing, Sylvara. What we had was… important, but the path I’m on now is different. Aeliana is my choice.”

Sylvara’s lips twitched into a bittersweet smile. “We’ll see if she can hold her own against me. Until then, Lucian.”

She left the room, her silver hair swaying behind her, leaving Lucian alone to contemplate the path ahead. He knew the stakes of this duel were higher than anyone realized. It wasn’t just about Aeliana proving herself; it was about solidifying alliances, quelling doubts, and showing the world that their union wasn’t a liability but a strength.

Taking a deep breath, Lucian stepped out into the cool night air. The moon hung high above, its pale light casting long shadows across the manor grounds. He would need to return to Aeliana soon to explain what had been decided. Three months wasn’t much time, but it would have to be enough. Aeliana’s resolve would be tested, and Lucian had to ensure she was ready—not just for the duel, but for the storm that was sure to follow.

Lucian folded his arms, leaning back against the polished stone wall of Ulric’s grand hall. His crimson eyes glinted in the dim torchlight as he allowed himself a faint smile. “It sounds great,” he said, his tone steady, though there was an undeniable weight to his words. “I’ll admit, I’m gambling a bit here. Aeliana is still in the early stages of her training, but she’s improving faster than I expected.”

Ulric raised a skeptical brow, crossing his arms over his broad chest. “Aeliana may be improving, but Sylvara is a seasoned warrior. She’s fought in more battles than your fiancée has probably seen moons. You’re playing a dangerous game, Lucian.”

Lucian’s expression didn’t waver, though his mind flickered briefly to the training sessions he’d witnessed. Aeliana’s sword strikes were growing sharper, her stamina increasing with each passing day. She was determined, and her magic—while raw—had the potential to tip the scales. “Dangerous, yes,” Lucian admitted. “But I wouldn’t bet on her if I didn’t see her potential. Aeliana has a fire in her that most warriors lack. She doesn’t fight out of obligation; she fights because she believes in what we’re trying to build.”

Sylvara, who had been reclining lazily in a chair, tilted her head with a smirk. “Belief doesn’t win battles, Lucian. Skill, precision, and the will to kill do. Does your little princess have that?”

Lucian’s jaw tightened slightly, but he didn’t let Sylvara’s taunt rattle him. “You’ll see soon enough.”

Ulric chuckled darkly, pushing himself away from the table. “I’ll admit, your confidence in her is… intriguing. But I hope for your sake that it’s not misplaced. Aeliana failing doesn’t just tarnish her reputation—it puts everything you’ve built at risk. If she can’t win, your alliances will crumble.”

Lucian didn’t respond immediately. He knew the stakes better than anyone. This wasn’t just about Aeliana proving herself to Sylvara or the werewolf clans; it was about proving to everyone that their union could stand against centuries of hostility and doubt.

He turned back to Ulric. “Three months will be enough. I’ll make sure of it.”

Sylvara let out a low whistle as she stood, brushing imaginary dust from her elegant armor. “Well, I do love a good spectacle. Don’t disappoint me, Lucian. I’m looking forward to meeting your fiancée properly… and seeing if she’s really as strong as you claim.”

Lucian nodded curtly, stepping away from the discussion. He knew he had to return to Aeliana quickly. Time was slipping through his fingers like sand, and every moment counted. As he strode through the moonlit corridors, his mind raced.

Aeliana’s growth in training had been impressive, but she still had a long way to go. Sylvara wasn’t just strong—she was ruthless, and she wouldn’t hold back. The thought of Aeliana facing her sent a flicker of unease through Lucian, but he quickly pushed it aside. Aeliana was determined, and he believed in her more than anyone else. Now, it was his responsibility to make sure she believed in herself just as much.

As he reached the stables where his horse waited, he glanced up at the sky. The full moon shone brightly, a silent reminder of the timeline he was working against. “You can do this, Aeliana,” he murmured under his breath. “You have to.”

Sylvara leaned back in her chair, twirling a strand of her silvery hair around her finger as her sharp green eyes studied Lucian. “If we’re going to make this duel worth everyone’s time,” she said, her tone dripping with confidence, “then it should happen at the Obsidian Crescent Arena. It’s a perfect venue—large enough for an audience, rich in history, and right in our hometown.”

Lucian nodded, though he barely looked at her. “The Obsidian Crescent Arena it is. I’ll let Aeliana know so she can prepare accordingly.” He stood to leave, his mind already racing with thoughts of Aeliana and how to help her get ready for the coming challenge.

But Sylvara wasn’t done. She rose gracefully from her seat, crossing the room to stand between Lucian and the exit. “Must you leave so soon?” she asked, her voice dropping to a low, sultry whisper. She placed a hand lightly on his chest, her fingers brushing over the fabric of his tunic. “You’ve only just arrived. Stay a little longer, Lucian. For old times’ sake.”

Lucian stiffened, his crimson eyes narrowing as he gently but firmly took her wrist and removed her hand. “Sylvara, I don’t have time for this. I’m engaged to Aeliana. You know that.”

Sylvara pouted, her lips curving into a teasing smile. “Engaged, yes. But not married yet. And let’s not forget how close we used to be. You can’t blame a girl for missing what we had.”

Lucian sighed, stepping back to put more distance between them. “I can, actually. What we had is in the past. I respect you, Sylvara, but I’ve made my choice, and it’s Aeliana. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to return to her.” Without waiting for a response, he brushed past her, his long coat swishing behind him as he headed for the door.

Sylvara leaned against the doorway as he left, a sly grin spreading across her face. “Still so serious, Lucian,” she murmured. “But you’ve always been irresistible when you’re in a rush.”

As Lucian mounted his horse and sped away from Ulric’s territory, he shook his head, trying to rid himself of the lingering scent of Sylvara’s scent. She’s still as clingy as ever, he thought with a mixture of annoyance and amusement. But his thoughts quickly shifted back to Aeliana. She was waiting for him, and he had no intention of delaying any longer.