Chapter 34: THE GOOD KING

ASTON FENRIR / CAELAN

Aston Fenrir walked toward his Hover Cars and Grav Cruisers. Behind him, Luigi followed with a troubled expression.

"Your Majesty."

Aston didn’t stop.

He called again. "Your Majesty."

Aston replied. "Speak."

"Everyone will think you’re deliberately targeting Caelan."

Aston finally glanced over his shoulder.

"Who said I’m targeting Caelan?"

Luigi hesitated. "I merely..."

"I don’t like the fact that he’s still sitting comfortably in Haxia." Aston’s expression hardened. "He is young. He should be on the battlefield, gaining experience and protecting our territories, not staying in Haxia while our borders remain vulnerable. We all know Haxia’s safety is within a margin line. I am thinking about the people’s safety and wellbeing."

Luigi’s lips twitched.

"My king... are you sure this has nothing to do with...."

Aston stopped. "Who said it’s about Vivian?"

Luigi immediately looked away. "I never called a name."

"You were about to mention Vivian."

"I never said her name."

"But you said it in your mind."

Aston continued walking. "This has nothing to do with her."

He straightened his uniform.

"I am a royal. The safety of our people is my responsibility. Would you rather I sit back and watch Haxia fall?"

Luigi nodded solemnly. "Of course not."

"Good."

Aston smiled proudly. "Have you ever seen a king who cares about his people as much as I do?"

Luigi stared at him. And said in a low tone.

"No, Your Majesty. You are the only good one."

"Exactly."

Aston’s Grav Cruiser descended from the clouds, surrounded by military escorts.

Three magnificent Hover cars stood on the platform. Thirty military guards surrounded them, all dressed in formal uniforms.

The sight was enough to make everyone nearby stop and stare. It screamed royalty and power. The Fenrir family has a huge influence in the Military and also in Royal affairs. He looked majestic and handsome. He waved for the people standing around trying to get a glimpse of him. He was hotter and more popular than most Haxia movie stars. "

Aston stepped onto the first ship.

"Aston!"

He stopped. One foot remained on the entrance ramp.

He turned and smiled sweetly. Caelan was walking toward him.

Luigi immediately stepped forward, blocking his path.

"Watch your manners. You are speaking to the King."

Aston raised one hand. "It’s fine."

Caelan stopped several feet away.

"What do you mean by this?"

Aston raised an eyebrow. "I don’t know what you’re talking about."

"The mission."

Caelan’s gaze sharpened. "I haven’t offended you this year. So why are you sending me away from Haxia?"

Aston smiled faintly. "Do you really think I’m petty enough to hold a grudge? I am only thinking about the people’s safety."

Caelan said nothing.

"Haxia is our home," Aston continued. "If that virus reaches our territory, millions could suffer. When that happens, who will take responsibility?"

He stepped closer.

"I’m simply thinking about our people’s safety."

Caelan stared at him for several seconds.

Then he bowed.

"If that’s all, I’ll take my leave."

"Before you go."

Caelan looked back. "I heard you’re about to sign a marriage partnership with Elena Astronova."

Caelan’s expression changed slightly.

"Finalize it within two days before you leave."

Aston smiled. "I’ll send you both a generous wedding gift."

He paused. "I wish you a happy partnership."

Caelan turned to leave.

"And Caelan?"

He stopped again.

"Have a real child with Elena soon."

Caelan’s brows knitted. Something about that sentence felt... strange.

But he couldn’t explain why. He walked away.

Ronan immediately approached him.

"Commander, what did he say? Why did he choose you?"

Caelan’s expression remained cold. "Nothing useful."

He looked back at the three Fenrir ships. "Find out whether the Drayke family has interfered with any Fenrir business recently."

Ronan straightened. "What kind of interference?"

"Ship purchases. Military contracts. Trade routes. Anything."

Caelan’s eyes narrowed. "If the Fenrir family has taken something that belonged to us, I want to know before I step onto that battlefield. And get ready for our departure in 2 days."

"Yes, Commander."

Ronan immediately left.

VIVIAN

"You cheated me out of twenty billion!" Vivian stumbled backward.

"I’ll pay you back! When I have the money. I will.get a job to pay you back."

Aston grabbed her by the hair and pulled her closer. "How dare you lie to me?"

Vivian cried. "I didn’t mean to!"

"How could someone as gentle as Elena be a woman like you? Take a look at yourself, how dare you compare yourself to her!!"

Vivian shook her head desperately.

"I know I am not Elena! I don’t deserve to be her."

She was on a dark road. Only trees surrounding them.

Then Nerion appeared. His face was cold.

In his hand was a strange whip covered with sharp metallic spikes.

"You enjoyed stealing from me, didn’t you? You enjoyed whipping my ass with this, didn’t you?"

Vivian’s eyes widened. "Nerion, please...."

He swung the whip. Pain exploded across her body. It ripped her flesh in seconds. She bleeded profusely. Her eyes were bloodshot.

She screamed her lungs out.

He said.."Do you still enjoy stealing my scales to sell them?"

Another strike.

"Stop!"

Caelan appeared behind her.

He kicked her hard. Vivian flew across the ground.

"Where is my child?"

"I don’t have your child!"

"You told me you were pregnant just to destroy my partnership.!"

Vivian struggled to breathe.

"If you don’t give birth to that child right now..."

Caelan’s eyes were terrifying. "I’ll skin you alive."

"No!"

Vivian screamed. "I’m not that Vivian!"

Her entire world suddenly went silent.

Vivian jolted awake. She sat upright, gasping. Sweat covered her forehead.

Her heart hammered against her ribs.

She looked around. She was in a very bright room. The walls were silent. She couldn’t hear a thing from outside.

A chain was fastened around her ankle. Vivian stared at it. Then slowly touched her face.

"It was a dream."

She breathed deeply.

"Just a dream."

But the images refused to disappear.

Caelan. Nerion. Aston.

The pain felt too real. It was actually the Chapter end of the Villainess Vivian. Exactly that scene came to her dream.

She clenched her fists.

"I am not her."

Her voice trembled.

"I am Vivian but not evil Vivian.."

She looked toward the window.

"I won’t end up like the original Vivian."

Her eyes hardened. "I have to leave the Astronova family."

She was taken away by Emelianna guards. They hijacked her flying car..But she knew she couldn’t stay there anymore. Not if the future she had seen was real. Staying with the Astronova was accepting her fate as the Villianess.

"It’s already been a day...."

She lowered her head sobbing silently.

"I wonder how my father Isaac is doing right now..How am I supposed to leave this place? Father, please wait for me."

Suddenly.....Knock!. Knock!

Vivian froze. Another knock sounded.

Knock. Knock.

She slowly turned toward the door. Her heart began pounding.

"Who is it?"

No answer. Vivian reached for the chain around her ankle. Then the door handle slowly turned. The door began opening.