The Do-Over System:My Beloved is the Villain! - Chapter 45

Chapter 45: Art of Seduction

Skye’s smirk deepened as he stepped aside, revealing a slender figure that had been silently perched on a ledge above them. Lyssira, his prized assassin, descended gracefully, her movements fluid like water. She was clad in a sleek black outfit that seemed to absorb the light, with sharp daggers glinting at her hips and a piercing gaze that seemed to cut through the very air. Her silver hair fell in loose waves, framing a face as cold and calculating as the weapons she wielded.

“I believe you’ve yet to be properly introduced,” Skye said, his tone dripping with mock formality as Lyssira strode forward. “This is Lyssira—my blade in the shadows, the one who ensures loose ends are… permanently tied.”

Selinthra’s crimson lips curled into a small, knowing smile, her confidence unwavering as she locked eyes with the assassin. “Yes, I know of her. Lyssira of the Silver Veil. Your reputation precedes you.”

Lyssira inclined her head slightly, her expression unreadable but her eyes betraying a flicker of interest. “And yours, Lady Selinthra. I’ve heard you don’t often leave your coven’s sanctuary. This must be… significant.”

Selinthra’s smile didn’t waver. “It is. And I trust Skye has briefed you on the delicacy of this endeavor?”

Lyssira’s lips twitched into a faint smirk as she turned her gaze to Skye. “Oh, he’s made it very clear. He always does when his ambitions are at stake.”

“Careful, Lyssira,” Skye said with mock sternness, though his grin never faded. “Flattery can be mistaken for sarcasm.”

Selinthra observed their exchange with mild amusement, then stepped closer to Lyssira, her voice dropping into a quieter, more serious tone. “I’ll need your skills soon, assassin. The Dark Lord and his allies are no ordinary targets, and subtlety will be crucial. Do you understand?”

Lyssira’s smirk faded, replaced by a focused intensity. “I understand perfectly. But let me be clear—if you want me to succeed, I’ll need full freedom to operate. No interference. No second-guessing.”

Skye clapped his hands once, his tone cutting through the tense atmosphere. “That’s why she’s here, Selinthra. Lyssira doesn’t fail. With her precision, and our strategy, Lucian won’t know what hit him. The elf princess will crumble under pressure. And when they fall, so does their empire.”

Selinthra’s expression hardened, her gaze never leaving Lyssira. “Good. Because failure is not an option. If you falter, I’ll ensure the consequences are felt far beyond this lair.”

Lyssira’s grin returned, sharp as the daggers on her hips. “I wouldn’t expect anything less. Consider them as good as dead.”

The atmosphere grew darker as Skye leaned against the table, the flickering firelight casting shadows across his features. “Now that the pleasantries are out of the way, shall we discuss how to bring Lucian and his precious fiancée to their knees? Time is of the essence.”

Selinthra nodded, her cold smile returning as she gestured for him to continue. “Let’s hear your plan, Skye. And it had better be flawless.”

As the three began to conspire, the flickering light of the lair seemed to burn brighter, casting their twisted ambitions in sharp relief. In the heart of the darkness, a plot was brewing—one that would test the strength of the Dark Lord and the woman who stood by his side.

Skye raised an eyebrow at Selinthra’s bold suggestion, a low chuckle rumbling from his chest. “Seduction? My, my, Selinthra. How… classic of you. And you think the mighty Dark Lord Lucian and his little elf princess are susceptible to such… distractions?”

Selinthra smirked, crossing her arms as she leaned against a nearby stone pillar. “Everyone has a weakness, Skye. Even the great Lucian. They’re bound by their love, but love can be fragile. All it takes is the right pressure applied in the right places. Separate them emotionally, and they’ll crumble physically.”

Lyssira, who had been silently sharpening one of her daggers, finally spoke, her voice calm but laced with skepticism. “And who exactly do you plan to use for this little scheme? Yourself, perhaps?”

Selinthra’s smirk widened. “Of course. Who better than me to handle Lucian? He already knows me as a formidable presence. If I show him a softer side, play into his past with me, I might just be able to plant seeds of doubt about his commitment to Aeliana. After all, I was here before she was.”

Skye leaned forward, his eyes glittering with dark amusement. “Interesting. And what about the princess? I doubt she’s as easily swayed as you think.”

“I wouldn’t dare underestimate her,” Selinthra replied coolly. “But she’s young, emotional, and inexperienced. She’s already insecure about the imprint bond on Lucian and his connection to Svlyara. If we exploit that jealousy further, it’ll do half our work for us. That’s where you and Lyssira come in.”

Lyssira tilted her head, her dagger still in hand. “Me? Seducing the princess? I’m not exactly the type to wear a charming smile and flutter my lashes, Selinthra.”

Selinthra rolled her eyes. “Of course not, but your presence can sow discord. You’ll pose as a spy or a loyal subject, someone who feeds her doubts. Aeliana already questions her worth and whether Lucian’s heart is truly hers. If you subtly suggest that Lucian isn’t being faithful or is hiding things from her, she’ll start to unravel.”

Skye leaned back, stroking his chin thoughtfully. “And while you work on Lucian, and Lyssira plays mind games with Aeliana, I’ll ensure there are whispers of rebellion spreading among their allies. It won’t take much for their fragile kingdom to start questioning their leadership.”

Selinthra nodded, her confidence unshaken. “Exactly. A divided heart leads to a divided throne. Once their bond is fractured, we’ll move in for the final blow—together.”

Skye’s smile was sharp as a blade. “You truly are as cunning as they say, Selinthra. Very well, let’s proceed. But be warned—if this plan fails, it will only make them stronger. And I don’t plan on leaving this lair as a failure.”

Selinthra stepped closer to him, her voice low and dangerous. “It won’t fail, Skye. I’ll make sure of it.”

As the three figures finalized their dark plot, the tension in the lair grew heavier. Shadows danced on the cavern walls, their forms twisting and writhing like the treachery brewing between them. They had set their sights on the Dark Lord and the elf princess, and the games of seduction and deception were about to begin.

Skye’s lips curled into a smirk, the sharp edges of his fangs glinting in the dim light of the lair. “Seduction, you say? Intriguing, Selinthra. I’m all ears. Do tell—how exactly do you propose I, the mighty Skye Drakonis, seduce the elf princess who despises everything I stand for?”

Selinthra’s confidence didn’t waver as she stepped closer, her movements deliberate, almost serpentine. “Simple, Skye. You don’t seduce her as Skye Drakonis. You seduce her by becoming the Dark Lord she fears.”

Skye arched an eyebrow, intrigued but skeptical. “The Dark Lord, you say? You mean Lucian. And how do you suggest I accomplish that? He’s not exactly an easy man to impersonate.”

Selinthra chuckled softly, her tone dripping with assurance. “Oh, but you underestimate yourself, Skye. You’ve always had the charm, the presence, and the raw power to rival him. Now, with my guidance, you’ll learn the subtleties of his demeanor—the way he speaks, the way he carries himself. It’s all an act, and you’ll play the role perfectly. To Aeliana, you’ll be Lucian…but darker, more magnetic, more dangerous.”

Skye tilted his head, his interest deepening. “And what about you, Selinthra? Where do you fit into this grand performance?”

Selinthra’s smile widened, and her eyes glimmered with mischief. “While you captivate the princess, I’ll work on Lucian. He’s not as untouchable as he pretends to be. His sense of duty, his guilt, and his connection to me from the past—those are cracks I can exploit. I’ll remind him of what we once shared, what he could still have if he weren’t so shackled to her.”

“You think Lucian will fall for that?” Skye asked, folding his arms, his voice laced with doubt.

Selinthra’s confidence didn’t falter. “He doesn’t have to fall completely. All I need is a moment of hesitation, a flicker of doubt. If I can make Aeliana see that hesitation, it will drive her straight into your arms—or at least into confusion. And confusion is a powerful weapon.”

Skye considered her words, his mind churning with the possibilities. “So I become Lucian. And you? You become the reason he falters. Together, we unravel their bond from both sides. But what happens when they discover the truth?”

Selinthra’s expression darkened, and her voice grew cold. “By the time they realize what’s happened, it will be too late. Their trust in each other will be shattered, and their kingdom will be on the brink of chaos. That’s when we strike.”

Skye leaned closer, his sharp gaze locking onto hers. “You’re playing a dangerous game, Selinthra. But I like it. Let’s see how far your little plan can take us.”

Selinthra’s smirk was one of triumph, her confidence unwavering. “Don’t worry, Skye. I always win.”

The two conspirators turned their attention to Lyssira, who had been silently observing the exchange. The assassin finally spoke, her voice low and calculating. “I hope your confidence isn’t misplaced, Selinthra. Because if this fails, the only thing we’ll have achieved is uniting them even further.”

Selinthra’s eyes gleamed with determination. “It won’t fail. By the time this is over, Lucian and Aeliana will be nothing but broken remnants of a failed union. And we’ll rise in their place.”