Living As the Villainess Queen-Chapter 428.2
Kasser’s gaze remained steady. “I see it as a sign of good change. The rot has been uprooted.”
Eugene let out a small, disbelieving huff. “Were you always this optimistic?”
He chuckled. “The monster is gone, the issue of protecting the citizens is nearly resolved, and you—you’re fearless enough to march into a serpent’s belly even in this condition. Why wouldn’t I be optimistic?”
Eugene shot him a glare before jabbing an elbow into his chest. “You just
had
to bring that up.”
“Alright, alright,” Kasser relented, raising his hands in surrender. “I was wrong. I won’t do it again.”
As they climbed back into the carriage, Eugene smoothed out her skirt and glanced at him. “Be honest. You’re happy I came, aren’t you?”
Kasser smiled, leaning in to place a brief kiss on her lips. “Of course.”
Eugene pulled back slightly, eyes flicking toward the open door. “Someone might see.”
“So what?” Kasser murmured, unconcerned.
As the carriage door swung shut behind them, their voices faded. The attendant folding away the step struggled to suppress a grin.
The carriage soon arrived at the annex. As Kasser stepped out, his gaze instinctively swept toward the building’s interior. He could feel it—an overwhelming presence of larks, along with the unmistakable aura of two kings. Sword King. Fire King. His grip tightened for a fleeting moment before he caught himself.
Eugene, noticing his reaction, tugged lightly at his arm. “Is something happening inside?”
“No…” Kasser said, though his body remained tense. “It’s just that—even knowing it’s Mara—my instincts tell me to draw my weapon. If larks of that magnitude appeared in the kingdom, we’d declare an immediate state of emergency.”
“So your body reacts on its own,” Eugene murmured in understanding.
Now she could see why Mara feared the kings. Their hunt for larks wasn’t just duty—it was instinct, embedded deep within them.
Inside the annex, the setting had changed significantly from the previous day. A large tent now stood around the ritual circle, its tall pillars supporting heavy blackout curtains that formed a roof and walls. Even after enclosing the vast space, the interior still felt open and spacious.
Eugene lifted the entrance flap and stepped inside, pausing as her eyes adjusted to the dim light.
Then, Mara’s voice rang out, sharp with exasperation.
“
Anika! Do something about this insane king!”
“Hah. Look at this monster spitting out complaints,” Riner drawled, smirking. He sounded far too amused.
Mara started toward Eugene but froze mid-step upon noticing Kasser standing beside her. His gaze flicked between Riner and Kasser—quick, anxious, like a cornered animal searching for an escape route. Then, seemingly deciding neither was a safe option, he darted behind Alber.
“
Anika, this isn’t what we agreed on! That king is trying to kill me!”
Unlike Mara’s obvious distress, Riner responded with an air of exaggerated patience.
“Are you just a habitual liar, or do you twist every situation to your liking?”
Eugene tilted her head, observing the exchange. Though Riner’s tone remained playful, there was a sharpness to it, an underlying warning. Still, if something
truly
dangerous were happening, the atmosphere wouldn’t be this… relaxed.
The Sword King and the elders sat around a table, sipping tea and chatting as if they were enjoying an afternoon break rather than presiding over a tense situation. Upon noticing Eugene, they greeted her with casual waves.
“You have arrived, Lady Anika.”
Eugene turned to Richard, the one person she could trust to remain neutral.
“Your Majesty, does this situation require my mediation?” she asked, arching a brow.
Richard smiled, his tone light but laced with amusement.
“The Fire King seems rather curious about Mara’s abilities,” he explained. “Mara, on the other hand, finds his curiosity… deeply unpleasant.”
At Kasser’s pointed look, Riner merely shrugged.
“I just suggested we step outside the city for a little sparring,” he said, entirely unbothered. “I even swore not to kill him, but he doesn’t believe me.”
“
Who in their right mind would willingly walk into a blade?!”
Mara snapped.
“Hey, you’re pretty hard to kill, even when sliced up,” Riner shot back. “I won’t hit anything vital.”
Kasser let out a long-suffering sigh. “Some things never change.”
He’d spent enough time camped outside the Holy City to know that Riner was always itching for a fight. The man treated battle like an addiction—waking in the dead of night just to find a worthy opponent. With few who could match his overwhelming strength, it was no surprise he got excited at the prospect of a real challenge.
“
Using cunning words to lure me into a trap… So even kings are only human,”
Mara muttered bitterly.
“Of course I am,” Riner replied, grinning. “You, on the other hand, are not.”
Watching their exchange, Eugene couldn’t help but think,
They’ve definitely grown closer—even if Mara would be horrified to hear it.
As she debated whether to intervene or stay silent, Kasser turned to Richard.
“Where are the other three kings?”
“They’re gathering the opinions of the citizens,” Richard replied.
“Ah. I see. I’m late, then.”
Richard smiled knowingly. “Fourth King, you should leave that to them.”
Kasser frowned slightly. “…Pardon?”
“You’ve done more than enough. Now that you’re finally reunited with Lady Anika, shouldn’t you spend time together? She was alone when she needed her husband most. It wasn’t your fault, of course, but while she’s here in the Holy City, you should stay by her side.”
Kasser didn’t argue. A small part of him felt guilty, as if he were shirking his duties, but just this once… he wanted to be selfish.
He nodded respectfully to Richard. Then, after waiting for Eugene to finish greeting Alber, he silently took her hand and led her away.
Eugene cast a brief glance at Mara, who was too preoccupied bickering with Riner to notice her departure.
“
Anika! Where are you going now?!”
Mara’s voice echoed behind her, but Eugene didn’t look back.
Yesterday, she had felt a bit concerned for him. Today, not at all.
That evening, after a quiet dinner at the Arse estate, Eugene and Kasser retired to their chambers, spending the rest of the day catching up on everything they had missed.
Occasionally, the baby shifted, as if wanting to join the conversation.
When Kasser saw the distinct imprint of a tiny foot pressing against Eugene’s belly, his expression softened into something reverent—like a devout believer witnessing a miracle.
The sweet days they spent together as a family of three passed all too quickly.
***
After sunset, they gathered at the annex once more. This time, there were more attendees than two days prior. Among them were five representatives of the Holy City: a wealthy merchant who owned one of the largest trading companies, a scholar revered as a sage, and an experienced administrator who had served in public office his entire life.
Many would question their authority to speak for the people. However, with only two days available, there had been neither time to consult the entire population nor to hold an election.
On the first day, the three kings had selected the most influential figures in the city, relying on Pered’s vast knowledge. They gathered around thirty individuals and explained the full situation to them.
On the second day, those thirty debated extensively before choosing five representatives to speak on behalf of the citizens.
Chapter 428.2
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