Villain of Fate: The Tyrant System-Chapter 4: A Birthday Banquet on the Brink

A Birthday Banquet on the Brink

Furious, the D’Aurelius family showed it in their faces when they heard that. Though quiet, their anger burned clear through stiff jaws and narrowed eyes. Each person reacted slightly different - some flinched, others froze - but none stayed calm. Their disbelief turned sharp, cutting through the room like a draft under a door. Even so, not one spoke right away.

A hush snapped across the room, sudden as a wire snap. Talking stopped halfway through a breath. Shadows fell over faces that had been calm just seconds before. Cups hit the table hard - metal striking ceramic, sound slicing through silence.

Selene Aurevale stiffened.

A cold shiver traced her back, skin prickling in its path. What sat in her gut twisted hard, turning sour like spoiled milk left too long. For one shaky second, the taste flooded her mouth again - close enough to lose it right there.

Damn it.

A flicker across Evan’s face - cool, set in his ways, so certain he was right it tipped into pride - set her nerves on edge. Overly smooth. So confident you could cut it with a knife. One of those men convinced everyone should just get why he acts the way he does.

One more chance," Selene said, moving closer, her voice edged with anger held tight. Black hair fell just past her shoulders, swaying slightly as she stopped. Her eyes - blue like frozen lakes - locked onto him without blinking. "Make your choice now: stay or walk away?"

Sound faded once more through the room.

Facing her stare head on, Evan didn’t blink once. Dark pools for eyes, they held steady - fixed, unshaken by what passed between them.

"If you don’t leave," he said flatly, "I won’t leave."

A hush followed after they spoke. The silence broke only when ripples spread outward, slow at first, then widening across the surface.

That man never bent, not even close - he just took control. Being the Obsidian King meant claiming what he wanted came naturally. In his mind, Selene wasn’t up for debate; she was his by right. Letting her stay among the D’Aurelius? Never happening - their polished manners hide fangs beneath velvet lies.

"Damn it. I can’t take this anymore."

Frozen silence broke when a raspy sound sliced the air.

Fists tight enough to ache, Captain Shera stood at the hall’s rim, breath held. White showed through his knuckles while dark strands slipped across his forehead. One foot moved ahead, weight shifting like stone on gravel. Rage pulsed under him, quiet but sharp, ready to snap.

Just as he started ahead, fingers pressed into his shoulder. A pause came then - solid, sudden.

"Captain Shera, don’t be impulsive."

A quiet voice came from Julian D’Aurelius, even if tension pulled at his jawline. Around strong cheekbones, dark strands fell neatly into place. Behind those amber-colored eyes, a nervous energy danced just beneath the surface.

"It’s my grandfather’s birthday today," Julian continued quietly. "It wouldn’t be good if someone died."

Hold on tight, little lord," Shera muttered, fury painting his eyes crimson. "Taking his life isn’t what I’ll do

Close to Julian stepped, voice dropping so quiet it almost disappeared.

"I’m afraid..." he said, his expression darkening, "...you’ll get killed. This guy is a master."

Shera froze.

A flicker of doubt showed in his eyes - soon gone. After that came thanks. A kind of faithfulness crept in next. Steadiness settled last.

"Thank you for your concern, Young Master," Shera said solemnly. "I’ve received so much from the D’Aurelius Family over the years. If I die, so be it. But I can’t stand by and watch the family continue to be humiliated!"

Julian’s smile stiffened.

Fine. You go down, then I’m next on his list - why can’t anyone leave things alone now? Everyone pushing at once, like something snapped today

Something sour sat deep in his ribs, pressing down. A weight stayed put, thick and old, behind the bone.

Could being bad feel so tough sometimes? Maybe acting cruel takes more effort than it seems. A mean role might weigh heavy on anyone who tries. Perhaps pretending heartless isn’t as simple as it looks. Does playing evil drain you after a while?

Over in the next room, patience among the Aurevale kin had finally run out.

That quiet Freelance Warrior stepping into their gathering, standing firm when told to go, making waves on purpose - could it really be worse for the Aurevales than tossing them barefoot into flames?

Anger boiled over.

Thundering ahead came Shan Aurevale, charging without warning. Combed tight, his dark hair stayed flawless despite the chaos about to unfold. Eyes like frozen lightning locked onto Evan before impact sent him stumbling back. A shove landed square on the chest - no hesitation, only fire behind it.

Yet Evan stayed still.

There he stayed, fixed as if grown into the earth beneath him. Her push landed without effect, just air meeting rock.

Fury rippling across his features, Shan Aurevale clenched his jaw. A sharp swing followed - his knuckles crashed into Evan’s mouth without warning.

"You bastard, get lost!" he roared. "Stop pestering my daughter! I only have one son-in-law in this life, and that is Julian D’Aurelius! If you keep harassing us, the Aurevale Family will never forgive you!"

That hit landed soft, barely leaving a mark.

Yet the slight cut too deep.

Out of nowhere, cold pressure rolled off Evan, heavy as winter fog. The air inside the room tightened, sharp with chill. Just for an instant, red droplets looked ready to stain the pale stone underfoot.

Yet Evan held back.

A figure emerged - Selene’s father, motionless in front of him.

A whisper of one word filled his thoughts, deep inside. Quietly, it echoed where no sound could reach.

Endure.

True. When ruling as the Obsidian King, lasting through strain mattered most. Strength held no weight without control to hold it back.

Slowly, he exhaled.

He straightened and spoke coldly, "Since I’m not welcome here, I’ll leave."

Then he swung around, eyes locking on Julian like a blade drawn slow. A look thick with things never said, bitter as old poison.

This one chose distance on purpose. Left the Aurevale Family to handle things their way - clever move, really.

Clearly, something stood out. Through the Aurevale Family, pressure came down on Selene - Julian behind it all.

Fury burns where shame stood moments ago. Every drop spilled later tastes of this instant. Revenge takes its time, but never forgets.

"Muy - Selena," Evan said, his voice softening just a fraction as he looked at her one last time. "Remember this. No matter what happens in the future, as long as you need me, I will always be there to protect you."

Footsteps rang out as he walked off, leaving silence behind. He moved fast, back turned, sound bouncing along the walls.

Footsteps faded as Julian stood still, neck prickling. Away moved the figure, shoulders hunched under dim light. A breath caught - then released. Shadows stretched where motion had been.

Look, you’ve lost your mind. How am I involved in any of this? Is your plan really to put me in danger? Fine, you both care a lot - okay, understood - but this crosses every line. Just leave now, Selena. Go on, walk out with your husband

When Evan stared with clear bitterness then turned away, Julian muttered a quiet curse, those light-colored eyes of his clouding over. He felt it deep down - a sharp twist beneath the ribs.