The Do-Over System:My Beloved is the Villain! - Chapter 35

Chapter 35: Lady Selinthra’s Ambush

As Lucian rode back to his castle, the cool evening air carried with it an unmistakable metallic tang—the scent of blood. His heightened senses sharpened immediately, and he pulled on the reins, bringing his black steed to an abrupt halt. His crimson eyes scanned the forested path ahead, narrowing as the faint sound of clashing metal reached his ears. Someone was fighting—and it was close.

“Great,” Lucian muttered to himself, his voice low and filled with irritation. “The last thing I need right now is a battle on my doorstep.”

Without hesitation, he urged his horse forward, galloping toward the source of the commotion. As he drew nearer, the sounds grew louder—the clash of steel against steel, the occasional grunt of effort, and the ominous hum of magic cutting through the air. Whoever was fighting wasn’t holding back.

Finally, the dense trees opened into a clearing just outside the castle gates. There, in the dim glow of twilight, he saw two figures locked in combat. One was Kael, his sword flashing as he parried blow after blow. His dark hair was slick with sweat, and his movements, though precise, were becoming visibly slower. Opposing him was an unknown assailant clad in dark armor, their face obscured by a mask that gleamed like polished obsidian.

Lucian dismounted swiftly, his boots crunching against the gravel. His presence was immediately felt; the air seemed to grow colder, heavier, as his aura of authority swept across the battlefield.

“Enough!” he bellowed, his voice cutting through the chaos like a blade. Both combatants froze, Kael’s chest heaving as he struggled to catch his breath. The masked figure stepped back, lowering their weapon but keeping it poised, ready to strike again if necessary.

Lucian strode into the clearing, his crimson eyes locking onto the intruder. “Who are you, and why are you attacking one of my men?” His voice was icy, each word laced with restrained fury.

The masked figure tilted their head, as if considering their options. When they finally spoke, their voice was distorted by the mask, making it impossible to discern their identity. “I am here to test the strength of those who claim to serve you, Lord Lucian. If they fall so easily, how can they protect what is yours?”

Kael spat onto the ground, glaring at the stranger. “Test? Is that what you call ambushing someone out of nowhere?”

Lucian raised a hand, silencing Kael with a single motion. “You think this is a game?” he asked, his tone deceptively calm. “If you’re so eager to test someone’s strength, why not challenge me directly?”

Before Lucian could react, the figure raised their hand, and a dark mist enveloped their body. Within seconds, they vanished, leaving no trace of their presence.

Lucian let out a frustrated growl, running a hand through his hair. “Cowards,” he muttered under his breath.

Kael sheathed his sword, his expression grim. “They were good, whoever they were. If you hadn’t shown up…”

“You’d still be standing,” Lucian interrupted, though his tone lacked its usual sharpness. “But you need to be better. We can’t afford to lose anyone right now, especially not you.”

Kael nodded, though his pride seemed wounded. “Understood. But who do you think sent them?”

Lucian glanced toward the castle gates, his jaw tightening. “I have a few ideas. But first, we need to secure the castle. This won’t be the last time someone tries to test us.”

As they entered the castle, the weight of the encounter settled heavily on Lucian’s shoulders. He knew that the masked figure wasn’t acting alone, and whoever was behind the attack was bold enough to strike so close to his home. But one thing was clear—Aeliana had to be protected at all costs, and he couldn’t afford to let his guard down again.

As Lucian approached the clearing, the masked figure’s ominous presence grew clearer. But as the dark mist dissipated, revealing not just one figure but several, Lucian’s crimson eyes narrowed sharply. Standing at the center was none other than Lady Selinthra, her silver hair glinting like moonlight against the shadows. Surrounding her was her coven—a group of pale, elegant vampires cloaked in flowing black robes with red satin lining, each exuding an aura of dark magic. Their sudden presence sent a ripple of unease through the air.

Kael, his sword still in hand, took a step closer to Lucian, his eyes darting between the witches. “Do you know these people, Dark Lord?” he asked, his voice tense but steady.

Lucian’s jaw tightened, and he let out a slow, measured breath. “Unfortunately, yes,” he replied, his voice laced with disdain. “Lady Selinthra and her coven have a tendency to overstep their bounds.”

Selinthra stepped forward, her sharp, crimson-painted lips curling into a smirk. “Overstep? My dear Lucian, you wound me. I’m merely here to… evaluate your defenses.” Her tone was smooth, playful, but there was an unmistakable edge to it—a veiled threat that made Kael tighten his grip on his sword.

“Evaluate?” Lucian’s voice was cold, his crimson eyes locking onto hers. “You trespassed onto my land, attacked my people, and you call it an evaluation? Give me one good reason not to end this here and now.”

Selinthra raised a delicate brow, feigning surprise. “End this? Oh, Lucian, you misunderstand. This was simply a friendly reminder of how exposed you are.” She gestured toward her coven, who remained silent but watchful, their eyes glinting with malice. “The alliances you’ve made, the choices you’ve taken… they’ve left you vulnerable. I came to see if you’re still as strong as they say.”

Kael, still bristling from the earlier fight, couldn’t hold back any longer. “You call yourself a lady, yet you attack under the cover of night? Cowards, all of you.”

Selinthra’s eyes flicked to Kael, her smirk widening. “Ah, your new little knight. How charming. Tell me, Lucian, is this the kind of protection you rely on now? A fledgling with more bravado than skill?”

Kael stepped forward, but Lucian stopped him with a raised hand. “Enough,” he said firmly, his gaze never leaving Selinthra. “If you have a point, make it. Otherwise, get off my land before I forget my manners.”

Selinthra’s smirk faltered for a moment, but she quickly regained her composure. “Very well. My point, dear Lucian, is that change is coming. The whispers of rebellion grow louder every day, and your enemies are no longer content to wait in the shadows. Your little fiancée may not be enough to secure your throne. You’ll need allies—real ones.”

“I don’t need alliances forged through threats,” Lucian shot back. “And I certainly don’t need them from you.”

Selinthra chuckled, her eyes gleaming. “You’ll change your tune soon enough. When the wolves come howling and the dragons take flight, you’ll wish you’d listened.” She raised a hand, signaling her coven. In unison, they began chanting softly, the air around them shimmering with dark energy.

“Until then, consider this a friendly visit.” With that, the coven vanished into thin air, leaving only the faint scent of ash and the lingering tension in their wake.

Lucian stood motionless for a moment, his fists clenched tightly at his sides. Kael broke the silence. “She’s dangerous, and she clearly has her sights on you. What do we do now?”

Lucian turned toward the castle, his expression unreadable. “We prepare,” he said simply. “And we stay one step ahead. Selinthra won’t be the last to test us.”

As they made their way inside, Lucian couldn’t shake the feeling that Selinthra’s words carried more weight than she let on. Change was indeed coming, and with it, a storm he wasn’t sure they were ready to face.

Lady Selinthra raised her hands, the glimmer of mock innocence dancing in her sharp eyes. “Enough,” she commanded, her voice slicing through the tension. “I didn’t realize these were your guests, Lucian. You’ve always been so… solitary. Company is such a rare sight for you.” Her smirk deepened, a mixture of amusement and condescension. “It seems I’ve misjudged the situation.”

Lucian’s crimson eyes darkened further, his tone dripping with quiet menace. “You’ve overstepped, Selinthra. Again. Leave before I change my mind about sparing you.”

Before the situation could escalate, the heavy wooden doors to the castle swung open. Aeliana stepped into the courtyard, her voice cutting through the strained silence. “What is all the fuss about?”

Her gaze moved from Lucian’s tense figure to Kael, who stood at his side, battle-ready, and then to Lady Selinthra, whose coven stood poised but subdued. The air seemed to crackle as every eye turned toward Aeliana, her presence commanding attention despite her apparent confusion.

Selinthra’s sharp gaze landed on her, and for a fleeting moment, something unreadable passed through her expression. “Ah,” Selinthra purred, “so this is the reason for your sudden openness to company. Interesting.”

Lucian immediately stepped in front of Aeliana, his protective stance unmistakable. “Enough, Selinthra. You’ve seen what you came to see. Now leave.”

Selinthra tilted her head, her smirk returning as she signaled to her coven with a flick of her wrist. “As you wish, Dark Lord. But you should keep a closer eye on your ‘guests.’ Not everyone is as loyal as they seem.”

With that, she turned and strode away, her coven following like shadows dissolving into the night. Aeliana, still puzzled, looked up at Lucian. “Who was that?” she asked, her tone a mix of curiosity and unease.

“Trouble,” Lucian muttered, his eyes fixed on the retreating figures. Then, glancing down at Aeliana, he softened slightly. “Let’s go inside. I’ll explain everything.”