A Villain's Way of Taming Heroines

"Suellen…" Evora began, her eyes narrowing slightly, "I never granted you permission to set foot here."

"Furthermore," she continued, her voice aloof and arrogant amidst the sudden surge in temperature and the sound of sparkles igniting from thin air, "what did you just call me?"

"My apologies, I was disrespectful, Lord Elder Princess, Your Highness."

Suellen replied, gracefully curtsying in apology without a hint of panic. Had it been any other prince or princess, they would likely be scrambling to figure out how to prostrate and admit their error by now.

"My presumptuous visit is to seek... the use of your hunting grounds."

Beside her, Seraphina was utterly confused, while Ravenna, with a twitch in her eye, couldn't believe such a coincidence.

"You?"

Evora shifted her gaze slightly. Already tall, her stature was further accentuated by fifteen-centimeter heels, giving her an overwhelming presence.

Unlike Seraphina, whose physical transformation by the head of strength merely added height, Evora's imposing aura was all-encompassing, whether it be her figure, attire, demeanor, or the air of arrogance… that constantly proclaimed her "my superiority above you".

Her lips curled into a scornful smile, as if she had heard a great joke.

"You seek to borrow it as well? Suellen, with your penchant for scheming, one would think you'd have a sharp mind. What happened, has it suddenly failed you today?"

Suellen smiled serenely, unfazed by Evora's words: "It's not that I have a need, but rather... it's my mother, Her Majesty's command."

She spoke with a calm and gentle tone, without any hint of leveraging the empress's authority, sounding merely like someone following orders.

But, in Evora's eyes, Suellen's mere presence was an affront of the purest form—a provocation magnified by the fact that Suellen, regardless of her demeanor, had made it clear she was an emissary of the empress. Evora, who regarded her own mother nearly as an adversary, harbored nothing but the most contemptuous sentiments towards Suellen.

The Elder Princess lifted her gaze to the grandest temple atop the imperial city, her eyes stormy with a brooding darkness. The temperature soared to excruciating heights, mirroring the tumultuous fury of her current mood.

"... Suellen."

Withdrawing her attention from the temple, Evora let out a derisive chuckle, "Your days of masquerading with borrowed authority are numbered. Make the most of this time while you can."

"I am grateful for your concern, Your Highness."

Suellen replied with a sweet smile, the picture of grace and charm. "May I have permission to enter now? Oh... my apologies, and to you as well, Lord Ansel."

She quickly turned to Ansel with a bow, her face a portrait of sincere regret, "I have neglected to greet you due to my mother's commands. Please forgive my rudeness."

Gleipnir, once again assuming the form of a scepter, Ansel's lips curved into a slight smile as he glanced at Evora, "You are far more courteous than your sister, Suellen."

"Ha, you're still the same, Ansel."

Evora, cloaked in an aura of blazing indignation, did not take offense to his impertinent remark. Instead, she scoffed disdainfully, "Are you delirious, or have you lost yourself too deeply in this charade?"

"Etiquette, morality, ethics... since when do we need to abide by such constructs? They are the ones that should bow to our will!"

The fervor in Evora's crimson eyes was unmistakable, revealing the true sentiments of her heart, while also conveying a trace of dissatisfaction towards Ansel.

"Then, consider me the latter, Evora," Ansel replied with an unconcerned smile, "I quite enjoy this millennia-long saga, and thus far, I have not grown weary of it."

"... How utterly tedious," Evora remarked dismissively, shifting her gaze away from Ansel, "Go ahead, enter. You're fortunate; since she is allowed, there's no reason to bar you from entry."

"Let's proceed, Seraphina, Venna," Ansel said, leaning on his scepter as he strolled into the opulent palace complex established by Evora.

Upon hearing this familiar address, Ravenna's heart skipped a beat.

She immediately became aware of two distinct gazes—one profound and the other scorching and piercing.

Even though Ansel's statements seemed casual, he was quite deliberate about it—choosing to address her so intimately in the presence of others.

And Ravenna… clearly having underestimated the impact of Ansel's actions, was taken aback.

Ansel had previously only used my name...

Was he... protecting me?

This absurd notion, once unthinkable, now seemed plausible as the recent tumultuous events had shaken Ravenna's typically rational and detached composure. More importantly… Ansel's image in her mind had shifted from that of a cruel, deceitful charlatan — a schemer and betrayer — to a chaotic figure she could no longer discern clearly.

—Ravenna found herself increasingly unable to control her thoughts about Ansel.

Their gazes lingered on Ravenna for an extended period, only dissipating when Ansel of Hydral had led them a considerable distance away.

"Ansel, Ansel."

It was precisely because they had proceeded some way that Seraphina, after surreptitiously glancing back, could not contain her curiosity and inquired of Ansel, "Was that…uh, Su-Suellen's coming earlier arranged by you?"

"That was not my doing," Ansel replied with a smile. "What does Her Majesty's command have to do with me?"

Instantly, Seraphina understood, "By saying that, it's certain that it was your arrangement!"

She hummed with immense satisfaction, "Otherwise, how could that young princess have arrived so opportune... If that arrogant wretch refused us entry, would you truly fight with her?"

Ansel gently ruffled Seraphina's hair, unable to suppress a chuckle, "Even at this distance, she can hear you."

"Ah-ugh!"

The wolf's hackles rose instantly, and she nearly leapt on the spot, scanning her surroundings with heightened vigilance while hastily covering her mouth.

Ravenna, observing from the side, was at a loss for words... Lacking such basic awareness, this impulsive nature could bring Ansel untold troubles, yet Ansel—

His patient and tender demeanor only caused Ravenna to lower her gaze, choosing not to look any longer.

… Indeed, no matter how foolish the girl might be, Ansel had infinite reasons to forgive her.

A flame ignited without warning beside Ansel, and Evora stepped forward, casting a glance at the ever-vigilant Seraphina and then at Ravenna, who was looking down.

She observed the two beautiful women, each with their own grace, a slight smirk on her lips carrying an inexplicable air of condescension and confidence.

Of course, this disdain were fleeting; Ravenna, with her head bowed, could not see, and Seraphina, with wide eyes, could not discern.

"So, was your sole purpose to find a place for your little dog to frolic?"

Standing shoulder to shoulder with Ansel, Evora spoke casually, "You're too indulgent with her, Ansel."

"What's the matter?"

Ansel tilted his head slightly, looking at Evora with a half-smile, "Is Lord Elder Princess feeling jealous?"

"..." Evora paused mid-step, her eyes narrowing slightly as a blood flame suddenly ignited by her hand. She reached into it, and her entire palm seemed to vanish into some private, weird space, disappearing from sight.

Ansel's expression briefly stiffened as he glanced at Evora, his sea-blue eyes carrying a hint of warning.

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