Villain of Fate: The Tyrant System-Chapter 3: Cracks Beneath the Gilded Hall

Cracks Beneath the Gilded Hall

Back in the hall, something felt different though no one said a word. The air carried a quiet shift, unnoticed at first but impossible to ignore once it settled.

The room held its usual grace, chandeliers spilling warm glow across polished floors, yet breaths came shallower now - like tension hid beneath silence. Talk dipped to hushed tones. Glances drifted toward the older figures returning to the front, slow and measured. A pause settled, thin but heavy.

From his chair came movement, slow, supported by wood beneath his grip. Bent somewhat forward, the years showing in his spine, but eyes like forged steel stayed fixed ahead. Power lived there still, built over long seasons at the head of a lineage shaped by choice and consequence.

Up went his glass, held in one hand before anything else happened.

"Thank you," he said, voice calm but resonant, "to all our friends and guests who have come today to celebrate my birthday."

Waves of clapping moved across the room, soft and steady.

After that, he set down his cup and signaled with a nod.

"Julian. Selene. Come here."

His skin prickled at the roots of his hair. Though her face showed nothing, a small motion of her hand along the fabric gave her away.

Forward they moved, side by side.

A small smile touched the old man’s face before he said more, each word sharp in the quiet room.

"Dear friends and family, I have another joyous announcement to share today."

A beat passed, space opening for expectation to rise.

"The D’Aurelius Family has decided to form an alliance with the Aurevale Family. From today onwards, Selene Aurevale is half a granddaughter-in-law of our D’Aurelius Family."

A hush hung in the air, just for a breath.

Then - applause erupted.

Laughter burst through the room as hands came together in loud applause. Smiles spread wide on polished faces, glowing under soft light. Well wishes moved from person to person like a quiet ripple. The Aurevale kin stood tall, cheeks lifted high by unstoppable grins, eyes shining with unspoken triumph.

A glass hung still in the air near the room’s boundary.

A glass touched the table, barely making a sound. There he sat, deep in shade, clothes dull against bright fabrics nearby. His dark hair fell still, eyes matching the quiet night outside. Wine rested where fingers let it go, motion fading into silence.

His face went pale. Coldness washed over his skin.

A hush of cold seemed to seep out, rising slow, as if air itself pulled away from his frame. Darkness clung close, not loud but thick, pressing in without sound. It did not rush - just settled, like soot after something broken underground.

He stepped forward.

Foot lifts. Next foot follows.

Under each step came a soft weight, like the world’s base being pressed by invisible force. Reality seemed to creak beneath every movement, slow and deep.

Frozen, his eyes held fast to Julian.

Murderous intent.

Whoa. Here he comes. Moving fast, eyes locked, ready to fight. Seriously? Again? Why does this keep happening? Looks like I’m taking a hit today

Inside, Julian wanted to shout. His expression did not change.

Selene glanced sideways.

Then her eyes met his.

Footsteps crunching closer, Evan advanced with a gaze like frozen glass. His face held nothing - just stillness shaped into sharp edges.

A beat missed inside her chest - no thrill there, only a jolt of disbelief.

Tonight, the Aurevale Family left their guards at home. Safety wasn’t an issue. A birthday feast hardly called for protection.

Still, there he stood.

Fate unfolded exactly how Julian’s thoughts had quietly suggested.

"I do not agree to this marriage."

Three meters out, Evan planted his feet. Loud words spilled forward, edged like ice, slicing into the clapping noise without pause.

A hush landed heavy, sudden as a shut door. Quiet came down slow, thick like dust after storm.

His presence caught everyone’s eyes at once. Not a single person looked away.

There stood a young man, bold in his posture, unnoticed by most. Not every guest knew him, though nobles from Valemont filled the room. Even some from Aurevale passed him by without a glance. Among them were Japan’s highest social figures, yet he remained unseen.

Fingers twitching, Shan Aurevale squinted slightly. A quiet breath escaped him as shadows shifted under his gaze.

It came back to him - the man called Evan had just started working as a protector at home.

Furious at the sight of him causing a scene, Shan moved ahead without hesitation. His voice came out loud, sharp like cracking stone.

"Who do you think you are?" he shouted. "A mere bodyguard - and you think you have the right to interfere in the Aurevale Family’s affairs?"

Something sharp moved behind his gaze. A cold edge slipped into Evan’s look.

Only because the speaker happened to be Selene’s father did violence stay its hand. A moment sooner, crimson streaks would mar the polished stone beneath their feet.

The Obsidian King - that name settled in Evan’s mind, sharp and quiet. Coldness crept through his thoughts like frost across glass. He did not shout it, yet the title stayed, fixed, unmoving. A stillness followed, heavy with unspoken weight.

He holds the crown of Obsidian Wing. From distant lands, command rests with him among lone fighters.

Few outside rulers would ever risk addressing me so bluntly.

His eyes moved slowly over the elders of Aurevale, each finger rising to name a face.

"The so-called prestigious Aurevale Family," he said with scorn, "sacrificing a woman’s happiness for the sake of prosperity. Do you have no shame?"

Laughter fills the air. That familiar talk shows up again

It starts with blaming the kin. Right after, acting like a hero with clean hands. Then comes the part where fists leave bodies barely breathing

When it’s over, pain lands on those close to you while the prize slips into your hands

Of course. The kind of story where everything works out fine. You got ahead because others ended up paying the price

Fragments of thought hummed through Julian once more.

At first, the story meant for Selene to face pressure from her relatives about the match. Her parents pushed hard behind closed doors. The wedding loomed without her full say. Family duty weighed heavier than choice. Pressure built quietly over weeks. She never asked for any of it. Decisions were made while she stayed silent. Their expectations shaped her path. A quiet resistance flickered beneath her calm. Tradition held tighter than love ever did.

When hope had nearly vanished, the Obsidian King appeared without warning. Chains snapped apart under his touch. He lifted her into shadows before dawn could blink.

After that moment, she leaned on him completely. He stood firm where others had fallen away.

She’d end up joining him first among them all.

But now -

Selene merely frowned.

Nothing stirred inside her. Not even a hint of hope arrived. Her pulse stayed flat, quiet, like a paused breath.

Only irritation.

Out of nowhere, listening to Julian’s private musings reshaped everything she believed. She saw it differently now, simply because his voice kept echoing inside her head.

"This is outrageous!" Shan Aurevale roared. "A mere bodyguard dares to cause trouble. Throw him out!"

A long shape in dark clothing moved ahead without delay.

Here stood Shera, the one who guarded the D’Aurelius kin above all others.

A shadow against the light, his hair dark like midnight. Eyes just as deep, unblinking. Shoulders wide from carrying weight most never know. He stands rooted, posture shaped by too many battles. Once part of an elite unit, now out - but not broken. Trust runs thick in him, discipline carved into bone. Still sharp. Still ready.

At first, his role meant stepping forward before anyone else. Moving ahead was expected right from the start.

The one who fell before anyone else.

Then came the moment meant for Julian.

"Don’t," Julian blurted out, stepping forward quickly. He raised a hand to stop Shera. "Let’s talk this out. It’s my grandfather’s birthday. Starting a fight would be inappropriate."

Shera halted instantly.

"Young Master."

Faint whispers moved through the air nearby.

"See? Young Master D’Aurelius has true class."

"He wouldn’t lower himself to argue with a barbarian."

"If it were me, I’d drag him out and feed him to the dogs."

"He must be trying to steal Young Master D’Aurelius’s woman."

"With that shabby appearance, does he even deserve it?"

"Julian, give him a line - shut him up!"

Laughter tangled with jeers, shouts piling on. Voices climbed.

A familiar rhythm.

Julian felt cold sweat break out.

Why are you all shouting?!

You enjoy trash-talking—I’m the one who ends up in the crematorium!

As expected, Evan’s face darkened further.

Veins stood out faintly on his temple as he glared at Julian.

It’s this bastard’s fault.

If Julian hadn’t pestered Selene, none of this would have happened.

[Why are you staring at me?!]

[I didn’t curse you—I even stopped the bodyguards!]

[If you want to take her, just take her!]

[Don’t come at me, you lunatic!]

A chill crept up Julian’s spine.

This was the Obsidian King.

Even if every D’Aurelius bodyguard rushed him together, they wouldn’t last ten seconds.

If Evan snapped, today would end with a funeral.

Mine.

Then—

Selene laughed.

The sound was light, sudden, completely out of place.

Evan froze.

Seeing her laugh, his expression softened slightly. He misunderstood it instantly.

She’s laughing... because I stood up for her.

Confidence surged through him.

He straightened, lips curving into what he believed was a charming smile, and walked toward her.

"Selene," he said warmly, "no one can sacrifice your freedom for their own benefit. With me here, you can go wherever you want. Anyone who tries to stop you—will die."

Julian quietly took two steps back.

Excitement bubbled in his chest.

[Yes. Yes. Take her. Hurry up and leave.]

In the original plot, he would already be shouting orders, leading bodyguards into battle.

But now?

He had stopped them.

As long as Evan took Selene away, none of this would be his problem anymore.

Evan reached out, intending to grab Selene’s hand.

Before his fingers could touch her—

She stepped back.

Twice.

Her face was cold, blue eyes sharp as frost.

"What are you doing?" Selene snapped. "Are you insane? When was my freedom ever sacrificed?"

Evan froze.

After listening to Julian’s inner thoughts, Selene had already pieced it together.

This was a novel world.

And in the "normal" plot, she would have eloped by now.

The thought of becoming part of Evan’s harem made her stomach twist with disgust.

Shock flickered across Evan’s face, quickly followed by irritation.

She... rejected him?

Didn’t she understand?

When the whole world betrayed her, he was the only one willing to betray the world for her.

Then he smiled again, forcing warmth into his voice.

"Selene, I know what you’re afraid of," he said gently. "Don’t worry. With me here, the D’Aurelius Family won’t dare touch you."

As he spoke, he turned a cold gaze toward Julian.

She must be afraid because of him.

A mere Young Master D’Aurelius—what a joke.

If this were abroad, one order would be enough to have a hundred Freelance Warriors erase the D’Aurelius Family overnight.

[Are you brain-dead?]

[What does this have to do with me?]

[I even stopped the bodyguards!]

[And Selene—are you really acting this hard to protect him?]

[I’ll give you a million Euros. Just leave already. Stop torturing me.]

Julian felt like collapsing.

Both of them were insane.

"You’re overthinking it," Selene said coldly. She pointed toward the entrance. "You’re just a bodyguard of the Aurevale Family. From today onward, you’re fired. Leave immediately."

Anger flickered across her beautiful face.

But it wasn’t only directed at Evan.

It was also aimed squarely at Julian.

Why does this bastard still think I have anything to do with Evan?

The more she spoke like this, the sweeter Evan felt inside.

She’s protecting me.

She’s deliberately playing the villain so I won’t be implicated.

She really does have feelings for me.

No wonder she’s the woman chosen by the Obsidian King.

Understanding. Considerate. Perfect.

His gaze softened even more. His smile grew confident, dazzling.

"Selene," he said firmly, "I won’t leave you. With me by your side, you don’t need to fear anything."

His eyes swept across the hall, filled with disdain.

"The D’Aurelius Family is nothing."