Ascension Of The Villain

"No, I don't think Easton would ever do something like that," Iyana said, shaking her head firmly. "I know you don't like him, but he is a very honest person—"

"You literally told me last night that he was trying to convince you I am the one who killed Robin," Vyan shot back, his tone sharper than he intended.

"Yes, but that is just what he believes," she replied, crossing her arms defensively. "He doesn't have the best impression of you, Vee. That doesn't mean he would go as far as framing you—let alone by murdering someone."

Vyan scoffed, narrowing his eyes. "Don't you think he might do something like this just to prove himself right in front of you?"

Iyana sighed, her voice soft but firm. "No, because that's not who he is. Trust me, Vee. I have known him far longer than I have known you."

Vyan's lips curled into a mocking smile. "Oh, is that so? Well, in that case, why didn't you just marry him?"

"Come again?" she let out, her voice sharp enough to cut through the air, as her eyes dangerously flared at him.

Vyan opened his mouth, immediately regretting the words. His hand dragged across his face, as if trying to wipe away his wrong choice of words. "I am sorry," he muttered, dropping his head slightly. "That was out of line."

"Yes, it was," she emphasized, still glaring, arms tightly folded.

"Look," he started, trying to steer the conversation back on track, "it's not just about him thinking I am not good enough for you. It's more than that. I have screwed him over a lot, and he knows it. I wouldn't put it past him to try and frame me."

"I get that, Vee," she replied, her expression softening just a little. "But Easton wouldn't kill someone over it—"

"I didn't say he committed the murder," Vyan interrupted. "Thea was keeping an eye at him at the time."

Iyana blinked in confusion. "Then what are you trying to say?"

Vyan's tone dropped, becoming more serious. "Remember how I felt black magic at the palace during your celebration party?" She nodded cautiously. "Well, as you know, Clyde has been trying to trace Sienna for the past few days, and he discovered that Sienna was spotted in the capital marketplace over a week ago, talking to a tall man in a cloak.

As it turns out, someone saw that man's face earlier on some other part of the market, and he was a 'handsome' man with sandy blonde hair. And we both know who that sounds like."

Iyana frowned. "Easton isn't the only one with sandy blonde hair, Vee—"

He raised an eyebrow.

She rolled her eyes. "Fine. Maybe he is the only one like that." Easton's blonde hair was much different than his father and brothers, a shade much darker than their pure golden one. "But that doesn't mean he is conspiring with someone like Sienna."

"Iyana," Vyan interjected, his voice low, "he is desperate right now. He has got nothing to lose."

She shook her head. "He still has his integrity, and that's not something he would throw away. And you know what? I will ask Leila. Maybe Marquess Ryen was murdered in that other timeline as well, and if so, the murderer could be the same person."

"I don't think it has to be the same killer—" Vyan began.

"Vee," Iyana interrupted, her tone more authoritative, "why don't you go home and rest? I will talk to Ellie; she might know something useful. And please, try to avoid Lady Ryen while we sort this out, okay?"

"Iyana—"

"Not another word," she cut him off sharply. But then her gaze darkened, her voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "And don't worry, if Easton really is conspiring with Sienna, I won't let either of them get away with it."

———

Iyana sat quietly in the grand yet cozy lobby of the Darren mansion, her fingers gently tapping against the armrest of the chair. Despite the warmth of the surroundings, a certain restlessness tugged at her. She glanced around, admiring the refined décor, but her thoughts kept wandering to the urgent matters that brought her here.

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Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of footsteps. Count Darren entered the room, holding baby Kieran carefully in his arms. His usually composed expression softened as he smiled at her.

"Good afternoon, Lady Estelle," Derek greeted warmly. "Ellie will be down in a bit. She was just napping for a while."

Iyana stood up, immediately feeling a pang of guilt. "I am so sorry, Lord Darren. If it wasn't so urgent, I would never dream of disturbing a tired mother during her rest."

Derek chuckled softly, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "I am glad you understand. Ellie has been physically weak lately... it's hard on her," he admitted, a hint of sadness flickering in his eyes as he looked down at Kieran, who cooed innocently in his arms.

Iyana hesitated, biting her lip as she debated whether to voice her thoughts. It was true that she wasn't sure how to accept the fact that there was someone else's soul in her best friend's body, but it wasn't anyone's fault. So, the best option would be to just treat her normally. Therefore, she decided to speak, her voice cautious. "Um, Lord Darren...

do you think it's because Ellie isn't originally from this world?"

Derek blinked, caught off guard. "What?"

"I mean... her soul is from 'you know where,' but her body is from here," Iyana explained carefully, trying to put her complex thoughts into words. "Maybe that's why she is not adjusting well, physically."

Derek's brows furrowed as he considered her words. After a moment, he hummed thoughtfully. "We did think about that possibility. It crossed our minds when Ellie's health started declining. But Ellie believes she has been improving recently, so we decided it might just be a matter of her body adjusting... though it hasn't been easy."

Iyana nodded, her heart heavy with sympathy. "I hope that's all it is. Ellie deserves to be healthy and happy."

Just as Derek opened his mouth to respond, soft footsteps echoed from the staircase. Leila soon appeared in the lobby, her smile warm but apologetic as she looked at her husband. "Thank you for keeping Iya company, Derek."

Derek smiled, leaning down to kiss the top of her head tenderly before turning to leave with baby Kieran. "I will leave you ladies to your conversation," he announced before disappearing down the hall with his son in arms.

Leila turned her attention back to Iyana. "Hey, Iya, I heard about what happened with Vyan. Is there anything I can do to help?" Her voice was soft and filled with concern.

Iyana sighed, sitting back down as she collected her thoughts. "Actually... I am here to ask you something. In the novel you read, was Marquess Ryen murdered in there as well?"

Leila's face twisted in thought as she tried to recall the details. "A murder might have happened," she answered slowly. "But I am not entirely sure whose it was. It wasn't that important in the grand scheme of things—it was more of a plot point, just to make you too busy for Easton. It triggered a big fight between you two."

Iyana frowned, her frustration bubbling up. "Can you remember who the murderer was? Did I ever find out in the novel?"

Leila shook her head apologetically. "No, you didn't. You handed the case over to someone else to make time for Easton."

Iyana groaned in irritation, muttering curses under her breath. "Of course I would do something like that. Curse my other self!"

Leila chuckled softly but quickly apologized. "Sorry, girl, I can't be of more help. If I remembered, I would have told you."

"It's alright," Iyana said, forcing a small smile. "There is not much you can do if that's all there was."

But as their conversation dwindled, Iyana's mind began to spiral down a darker path. If the timing of Marquess Ryen's murder was fixed, following some predestined thread of the novel's plot… did that mean Vyan's death in the novel was also inevitable? A shiver ran down her spine as the thought took hold.

Her heart clenched painfully in her chest. Was she powerless to stop his death? Could she change anything, or was she merely playing her part in an already written tragedy?

———

Easton pushed open the heavy wooden door to his chambers, exhaustion weighing on him like a cloak. The flicker of candlelight cast long shadows across the room, but something felt... off. His footsteps slowed as his eyes adjusted to the dim light, and then he saw her.

A figure, draped languidly across his bed, her wavy light brunette hair spilling over the silken pillows. For a moment, his mind struggled to process the intrusion, but when the reality set in, a surge of anger shot through him. His jaw tightened, and his usually calm demeanor shattered.

"What the hell are you doing in here, Sienna?" he demanded, his voice sharp and dangerous as he strode toward the bed.

Sienna stirred and rose from the soft mattress. Her lips curled into a smirk as she walked toward him, her eyes gleaming with mischief.

"Why shouldn't I be here?" she purred, stopping just a breath away from him. Her gaze was unapologetically daring as she tilted her head to look up at him. She was close enough for him to smell the faint scent of roses that clung to her skin, a sickeningly sweet contrast to the fire simmering beneath his skin.

Easton's fists clenched at his sides, his stormy green eyes narrowing. "Get out." he growled.

But Sienna's smirk only widened. "Oh, come now, Easton. Is that any way to treat your wife?"