Ascension Of The Villain

The vast hall was drenched in silence, the emperor's fury pressing heavily on his family members. After a long time, he had finally stepped out of his chamber and called for every single one of the imperial family. To be precise, he had no choice but to. He couldn't stay still, not after what he heard.

Edgar's expression darkened with every passing second as he stared down at his eldest son. Easton stood in the center of the room. His unashamed demeanor further accelerated Edgar's anger.

Finally, he spoke up, "Explain yourself, Easton. What twisted impulse led you to marry her? A woman of no standing, no strategic value, and to make it worse, she is adopted—this is not just foolish; it is reckless. Have you learned nothing since I stripped you of your title?"

Easton forced himself to keep his posture steady. "Father," he began, "I know what you think of adopted nobles. But Sienna is nothing like that. She grew up just as any other full-blooded daughter of a marquess would. And most importantly, I am in love with her. This isn't a passing infatuation or rebellion. It's real."

The emperor's expression turned cold, calculating, as he crossed his arms. "Love?" he sneered, disdain dripping from his tone. "You said you loved the eldest daughter of Marquess Estelle! How come you are suddenly in love with the youngest daughter?"

"Father, you are the one who taught me that we men can fall in love multiple times. So, is it so wrong of me to have grown feelings for Sienna as well?" Easton shot back.

Althea cringed at that, knowing their father would have definitely told Easton something disgusting like that.

Edgar's nose flared at the personal attack and turned the flow of his words, "You think love excuses this? You had responsibilities, alliances to honor—and yet, you chose to bind yourself to just anyone." He glanced dismissively to the side, where Sienna stood, casually twirling a strand around her index finger.

Easton cursed under his breath and shot a discreet glare at Sienna. She had leaked the news of their marriage—once again without consulting him. Nevertheless, he had to handle this situation, otherwise, the worst case scenario might be the two of them getting exiled from Haynes.

He took a deep breath, his mind racing to solidify his lie, to make it believable. At any cost.

"Sienna isn't just anyone to me. She is beautiful, kind-hearted, social, motivating—she is the partner I need. She has been there for me in my hardest times."

Edgar's eyes narrowed, searching his son's face, dissecting every word, every twitch. "And what about your first love? Your former fiancée? You didn't say you don't love her anymore. Does she mean nothing to you?"

The emperor's words struck hard, but Easton didn't let himself get fazed, rather he summoned a look of remorse. "It's not that she meant nothing," he said softly, almost regretfully. "I never meant to get over Iyana, but my heart… I can't control what it feels. After losing everything… I only had Sienna with me. I cannot lose her as well. "

The emperor's rage simmered down a little. Seeing his prideful son expressing his sadness made a deep corner of his stone heart quiver. "Do you have any idea what this costs the empire? What your foolish actions cost me?" he asked, now more disappointed than angry. "You have been allowed to stay within this palace for one reason only—to stay out of further trouble. But now you have done exactly what I feared."

Easton swallowed, still forcing himself to show himself as strong. "I understand the consequences, Father. But I believe in this. I believe in her." He felt himself almost hurl at his own words, and he could almost feel Sienna smirking at him.

A sneer curled across Edgar's mouth as he addressed the rest of their family, "My son," he announced, the words laced with scorn, "has chosen. He has sacrificed his honor, his alliances… all for the sake of a woman who brings neither strength nor advantage to this empire." He paused, his gaze slicing back to Easton. "So be it, then. But know this, Easton: don't let this family be disgraced. Already the news of your marriage has spread, so fix it. Make sure that nobody knows that you two got married without my blessing."

Easton felt his father's condemnation, saw the disapproval in the eyes of his step-mothers and siblings. But the decision had been made. He should have known from the moment he shook hands with Sienna that the price would be high.

Nevertheless, to get back his position, he would put everything at stake.

———

"No, no, Terrence, I am telling you, I am really serious about this—" Iyana paused in the middle of her sentence when the door to her office opened up and she found Sienna standing at the door frame. Her violet eyes narrowed on the brunette as she gritted out, "I will talk to you later, Terrence."

"Yes, Commander," Terrence saluted Iyana and left the cabin.

"What do you want, Sienna?" Iyana asked sharply.

Sienna barged in as if she owned the place and said, "You know, you should address me as 'Your Imperial Highness.' I am a princess now."

"Cut the act. You and I both know that you mind-controlled Easton into marrying you," Iyana shot back.

"Oh, and what are you going to do about it?" Sienna's smug expression sharpened, her lips curling into a self-satisfied smile as she took a step closer to Iyana.

"Nothing," Iyana responded boldly. "You will fall on your own, Sienna—because that's just who you are. You are always the one who screws herself up."

Sienna laughed bitterly. "If you truly believe that, you might also want to start making peace with the fact that I will become the empress, sister."

"Be whatever you like," Iyana replied, voice dripping with dry, effortless disdain. "Call yourself empress if that comforts you. But you will always be nothing more than a pathetic little witch, Sienna."

Sienna's expression darkened, her brown eyes narrowing. "You are just bitter, sister," she sneered, "because your former fiancé married me. He fell for me, not through some stale engagement contract. Easton chose me, and he is mine now."

Iyana's laugh was light, barely veiled with contempt. "You really think Easton is capable of that?" She shook her head, a tinge of pity in her gaze. "Even his worst choice would never be this bad."

Sienna's jaw clenched, and she took another step closer, fire sparking in her eyes. "Believe what you want. But I am just going to rule over this empire, while you are a lowly officer, loved by a man who will soon lose his power and position, thanks to me."

Iyana's gaze turned steely, though her tone stayed calm. "At least I am loved," she said, "on the other hand, you will never understand what it means to be truly loved. You might have Easton's attention or whatever it is, but when the dust settles and that shallow charm of yours wears thin, you will be left with nothing but emptiness. People like you can't hold on to power, Sienna. And this palace? It doesn't forgive hollow ambition."

Sienna's confidence wavered, her smirk faltering for a fraction of a second before she forced herself to recover. "We will see about that," she spat, her voice thick with venom. "I am already here, standing where you should have been. And I will make sure I never have to look back."

Iyana rolled her eyes, her voice turning bored, almost dismissive. "If it gives you comfort to think that you have taken my place, go on pretending. But remember this: respect here isn't given, it's earned. And you?" She cast a withering glance at Sienna. "You will always be a cheap imitation of what you wish to be."

Sienna flared with petty anger, "You—"

"Anyway, get out of my chamber. I am busy, unlike you," with that, Iyana sat in her chair, cutting through their conversation like the final swing of a sword.

Sienna tightened her fists, steeling herself with a burning resolve. She would prove Iyana wrong. She would seize her place in this empire, whatever the cost.

———

The chamber was dimly lit, casting vain glow over the silk-draped walls and the fine tapestries.

Easton stood rigid by the window, his hands clenched tightly at his sides, staring out into the darkened gardens below as if the sight could somehow calm the turmoil within him.

Sienna leaned back on the plush chaise, her posture relaxed. She watched Easton, a faint smile on her lips, one that barely reached her eyes.

Finally, breaking the silence, Easton muttered, "I only agreed to come out with this because you promised—"

Sienna glided forward, pressing a finger to his lips. "Uh-uh," she cooed softly, a sly smirk tugging at the corners of her mouth. "Don't you worry, dear husband. If our plan goes accordingly," she murmured, her voice dropping to a low, conspiratorial tone, "on the day of your sister's coronation, the crown will be yours once again. And the man who has made both our lives hell… will be dead."

Easton's initial irritation subsided due to her words. He glanced down at her, brow furrowing. "And you think it will be that simple? Vyan isn't some weak man who will let us just… expose him."
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Sienna's smile only grew, her eyes flashing with a dangerous glint. "I didn't say it would be simple. But it's possible." She walked over to the table where a bottle of red wine sat, pouring a glass slowly. "You wanted to be the crown prince again, Easton. And I have offered you that. I am going to give you the chance to seize the throne—are you going to doubt that now?"

He watched her for a moment, wrestling with the caution that still lingered in the back of his mind. "So, you have every detail ironed out, do you? Right down to how we are supposed to deal with Althea's allies?"

She took a long sip, savoring the taste as though it was a victory all its own. "Easton, you don't need to worry about my part of the plan. Everything we have worked for is within reach. This is your chance. Our chance. To take back everything that was stolen from us, humiliate the people who played a role in that, and build the empire the way we see fit."

Her words echoed in his mind, each syllable feeding the flames of his ambition. He turned to her, exhaling slowly, the last of his resistance ebbing away. "Fine," he said at last, his voice resigned. "Let's see this through."

Sienna's smile widened, victorious. "That's my husband." She brushed her hand against his cheek, her gaze glinting with triumph. "Together, we will make history and bring down Althea Dione Haynes and Vyan Blake Ashstone."