Rise of the Lustful Evil Monarch (Re)-Chapter 444: Calm Before The Storm

Chapter 444: Calm Before The Storm
Third Person’s POV
Tears gathered in the corners of her eyes, and her composure trembled like a flame in a cold wind, and her voice dissolved into a soft, heart-wrenching quiver as she nearly sobbed.
Hearing this, Ethan didn’t release Jack’s wrist, but the flaring anger in his chest shifted.
It deepened and sharpened and became something darker, colder, more controlled.
It was the fury of a man who had been pushed past his limits as now he understood everything.
This was not a normal mischief, and he didn’t lash out immediately, even though everyone was looking at him, with various kinds of expressions of loathing and anger.
He didn’t make a single expression as he knew that he had to act big this time.
While everyone thought that he had gone dumb from the shock at being exposed publicly, he was instead already planning exactly how to break this so-called young lord.
Yes, punishment from the deacons might come, and yes, he might face severe consequences, but for the sake of his woman, one of his future wives, Ethan was more than ready to carve a fear into Jack Wilds’ soul so deep that the demon would tremble for years whenever he heard Ethan’s name.
This encounter would not simply be a lesson, and it would be an imprint of terror that Jack could never erase.
And from now whenever he would remember Lucy, he would instead see him in his vision.
"Yesterday, I genuinely thought this man was someone principled and someone worthy of admiration and even respect," a low voice muttered with thinly veiled mockery mixed with schadenfreude.
"Who would have imagined he was nothing more than a shameless bastard, openly salivating over other people’s women without a shred of restraint?"
"Hmph... a degenerate like that deserves to be punished for his crimes," another voice chimed in coldly while carrying a hint of righteous indignation.
"Shhh... lower your voice, idiot," someone whispered sharply.
"Even if he really is that depraved, he is not someone you can casually provoke.
Don’t forget how he slapped that arrogant girl yesterday, in front of everyone, without worrying about the consequences it would bring him.
That alone proves he is daring and somewhat insane and far more dangerous than he looks."
"Tch... you are thinking too much out of this," came a scoffing reply.
"Who cares if someone offends him? It’s not like he will come after us.
First, he should be worried about saving his own reputation and dealing with the wrath of the demon clan and that vampire faction he offended yesterday."
Low murmurs spread through the square like an undercurrent, weaving between groups and cliques as fingers subtly pointed in Ethan’s direction.
The whispers overlapped and were layered with disdain, curiosity, and barely concealed hostility, which was surely brought by their jealousy due to the attention Ethan had drawn to himself yesterday.
Ethan could hear every single word clearly, with each insult sharp and distinct, yet none of them managed to stir even the slightest ripple in his heart.
The opinions of those he deemed shallow and insignificant had never once held meaning to him.
Though what did draw his attention, however, was something else entirely.
Among the many watching eyes, he saw two groups that stood out, who were definitely worth his attention and time.
The first were the dark clad faction of the dark clans of Abyssal Dominion who remained silent, their figures rigid and composed beneath their shadowy robes.
Their gazes lingered on the unfolding commotion with calculated interest, as if silently measuring every movement and reaction.
Nearby, the other group with the fiery red-haired demon woman leading the royal clan of the Empire of Infernal Sovereignty also observed the scene.
Sunlight glinted faintly off her curved crimson horns as her sharp red eyes narrowed slightly while a faint smile played at her lips.
It was the kind of smile worn by someone who had just found unexpected entertainment, and even though everyone seemed to have some opinion of their own, neither of the people of the two groups spoke a word.
Yet Ethan could clearly sense intrigue glimmering in the gaze of the dark-haired young man leading the Abyssal Dominion demons, a dangerous curiosity hidden beneath his calm exterior.
As for the red-haired beauty, her eyes curved with delight, and her expression was unmistakably one of anticipation, as if she were eagerly waiting for something explosive to occur.
And as more and more gazes converged on Ethan, layered with disgust, moral outrage, and ill-concealed resentment, Virelle’s heart tightened as this was bad, very bad.
The plan the couple had discussed earlier, involving the deal of keeping Ethan out of the spotlight and avoiding unnecessary attention, was unravelling right before her eyes.
Instead of fading into the background, he had become the centre of the storm and seeing this, a flicker of panic crossed her face as she secretly side eyed the group of dark demons of the Abyssal Dominion.
Seeing this, she didn’t bother to spare another thought as she moved instinctively with the intent to stop Ethan before he did something irreversible.
If he acted violently now, the situation would only spiral further out of control, and punishment from the deacons would be unavoidable.
And judging by Ethan’s temperament and history, she could already picture him beating that smug blond demon half to death for his petty scheming.
Not once did it cross her mind that there might be something deeper or something illicit between Ethan and the trembling demon girl Lucy, for the cold protective reaction Ethan had displayed for her.
The girl in question, Lucy, was currently hiding behind his broad back with her fingers clenched tightly into his clothes as fear and anxiety radiated from her fragile frame.
But just as Virelle stepped forward, her wrist was suddenly seized by someone.
She turned sharply, and her crimson eyes flashed with icy fury, only to find Lucien standing behind her and the one who had held her hand.