The Do-Over System:My Beloved is the Villain! - Chapter 58

Chapter 58: 02/04- Ezra Valcrest

The air in the ballroom remained thick with whispers and speculation. The nobles who had gathered for a night of celebration were now left reeling from the unexpected turn of events. Some muttered amongst themselves, casting judgmental glances at Leona, while others stole wary looks at Lucian, who was still visibly recovering. A few guests, offended by the sheer audacity of Skye Drakonis’ public confession, excused themselves, their disapproving gazes lingering as they departed.

Leona could feel the weight of their eyes on her, their scrutiny a mixture of curiosity, pity, and outright disdain. Aeliana leaned in closer and whispered, “They’re talking about you, you know. Some think you led Skye on, others think you’re a fool for refusing such a bold declaration.” Kael scoffed, shaking his head. “As if that confession wasn’t laced with ulterior motives. Skye never does anything without a reason.”

Lucian finally stood, his strength returning, though his expression remained dark. “Let them talk,” he said, voice low but commanding. “What matters now is Skye’s true intentions. He didn’t just come here to confess—he wanted to shake us.” His crimson eyes flickered toward Leona. “And it seems he succeeded.”

Leona exhaled slowly, steadying herself. “He may have thrown the court into a frenzy, but I won’t let his words control me.” She straightened her posture, lifting her chin. “Let them gossip. The real battle is still ahead.”

A stunned silence followed Leona’s words as the weight of her decision settled over the room. The murmurs that had filled the space just moments ago were now replaced with hushed anticipation. Even Skye himself blinked in surprise, as if he hadn’t expected her to consider his proposal seriously.

Kael was the first to break the silence, crossing his arms with an incredulous look. “Wait—are you actually entertaining this idea?” he asked, glancing between Leona and Skye. “You can’t just resign as the Oracle on a whim! The Light Council—”

“I know,” Leona interrupted, her voice firm but calm. “That’s why I said they have to hear of this first. I’m not making anything official until I speak with them.” She met Skye’s eyes with an unreadable expression. “If this is truly what you want, then you’ll have to wait for their approval before I consider stepping down.”

Lucian, still recovering from the poisoning attempt, narrowed his eyes at Skye, his body tensed as if ready to strike. “You’re playing a dangerous game, Drakonis,” he muttered. “And I don’t trust you.”

Skye, ever the opportunist, merely smirked and bowed slightly. “Then I suppose we shall see how this unfolds, won’t we?” His tone was smooth, but his eyes gleamed with something unreadable—satisfaction, perhaps, or amusement at how the situation was shifting in his favor.

Leona inhaled deeply and turned to the gathered nobles, raising her voice to address them. “The Light Council will deliberate on this matter. Until then, nothing changes.” With that, she turned away, signaling that the discussion was over, though the tension in the air remained thick.

Lucian exchanged a glance with Aeliana and Kael, the three of them understanding that this was far from over. If anything, the real battle had just begun.

A young apprentice priest, Ezra Valcrest, stepped forward from the crowd, his expression filled with concern and desperation. Clad in the ceremonial white and gold robes of the Light Order, his presence was a stark contrast to the dark, imposing figure of Skye Drakonis. He looked directly at Leona, his voice carrying a tremor of urgency.

“Lady Leona, you can’t give in to him!” Ezra pleaded. “He might only be tricking you into doing his bidding. We all know what he is—a deceiver, a schemer, and a threat to everything the Light Order stands for!”

The gathered nobles and priests murmured in agreement, their wariness of Skye evident in the cautious glances and whispers that spread like wildfire. Even the high-ranking clergy members shifted uncomfortably, glancing between Leona and the uninvited guest.

Leona, however, remained poised, her expression unreadable. She turned to Ezra, regarding him with a calm yet firm gaze. “I understand your concern, Ezra,” she said, her voice carrying both authority and patience. “But this is my decision. The Light Council will ultimately have the final say, and until then, I will not be making any rash choices.”

Ezra clenched his fists, clearly frustrated but unwilling to disrespect her authority. “But my lady, Skye Drakonis is—”

“A man who has come forward with an offer,” Leona interrupted smoothly, tilting her head slightly. “And as Oracle, it is my duty to consider all possibilities before making a decision.”

Kael scoffed from the sidelines, shaking his head. “This is insane,” he muttered under his breath, but loud enough for Lucian and Aeliana to hear. “She’s actually giving him a chance?”

Lucian, still recovering from the effects of the poison, stood rigidly, his crimson eyes locked onto Skye with pure disdain. He had known the dragon lord for years, and if there was one thing he was sure of, it was that Skye never did anything without a hidden motive.

Skye, meanwhile, wore a charming, almost smug smile as he regarded Ezra with amusement. “You wound me, young priest,” he said, his voice dripping with false sincerity. “Is it so wrong to desire the hand of such a divine woman? My intentions are pure, I assure you.”

Ezra’s glare hardened, but before he could retort, Leona raised a hand to silence him. “Enough,” she said, her patience thinning. She turned back to Skye, her voice even but firm. “If you are serious about this, then you will wait for the Light Council’s judgment. Until then, I suggest you tread carefully.”

A flicker of something dark crossed Skye’s expression—perhaps annoyance or something more sinister—but he masked it quickly with another charming smirk. “Of course, my dear Leona. I wouldn’t dream of rushing you.”

Leona held his gaze for a moment longer before turning away, signaling that the discussion was over. The tension in the hall remained thick, but no one dared challenge her further.

As the nobles and priests began whispering amongst themselves once more, Ezra stepped back, his expression troubled. He didn’t trust Skye, not for a second. And as he looked toward Lucian and Aeliana, he could see the same suspicion mirrored in their eyes.

This wasn’t over—not by a long shot.

….

Ezra Valcrest clenched his fists at his sides, his heart pounding in frustration. This wasn’t just about duty or protecting the Oracle—it was personal. As he watched Leona stand tall, unwavering in the face of Skye Drakonis’ silver-tongued deception, a flood of memories washed over him, ones he had buried for years.

He had known Leona since he was a mere boy, barely taller than her shoulder, when she was still an apprentice herself. Back then, she had been kind yet firm, guiding him with patience through his studies. He had admired her not just for her beauty—though even as a child, he had thought her golden hair and bright, intelligent eyes made her look like a figure out of the old scriptures—but for her strength. She had always been different from the other acolytes. While others followed their teachings without question, she sought wisdom beyond what was written. She questioned. She sought truth.

There had been a time when he would follow her around like a shadow, eager to impress her with his progress in scripture recitation or his understanding of divine philosophy. She would smile at him, ruffle his hair, and call him “little Ezra” in that melodic voice of hers. Back then, it had made his heart soar.

But time had passed. She had ascended to the rank of Oracle, and he had remained an apprentice priest. The gap between them had widened, and he had watched from the sidelines as the world placed her on a pedestal, untouchable. And yet, despite the years, despite his own growth, that admiration—no, that affection—had never left him.

Now, to see Skye Drakonis, a known deceiver, standing before her with the audacity to propose marriage—it made Ezra’s blood boil. He had seen the way Skye looked at her, the predatory gleam in his eyes, the smug confidence that he could claim her like some prize. Did she not see through him? Or was she simply entertaining his words for the sake of diplomacy?

Ezra refused to believe she could be swayed so easily, but the very idea that Skye might have even the slightest chance unsettled him. He had always assumed Leona would remain untouched by such things, devoted only to her divine calling. The thought of her standing beside a man—especially one like Skye—made something bitter rise in Ezra’s chest.

He took a deep breath, steadying himself. No, this wasn’t over. If Skye Drakonis thought he could manipulate Leona into abandoning her role, he was sorely mistaken. Ezra had spent his entire life in devotion to the Light, to the teachings of their order, but if there was one thing he knew beyond all doubt—it was that he would not allow Leona to be taken by a man like Skye.

Even if it meant challenging the darkness himself.