Villain of Fate: The Tyrant System-Chapter 5: Laughter, Glances, and Cracks in Fate

Laughter, Glances, and Cracks in Fate

Look, you’re way too intense right now. How am I even connected to all this? Is targeting me actually your goal here? Sure, the bond between you two runs deep, yet this crosses a line. Just leave with him, Selene Aurevale - walk away

A chill ran down Julian D’Aurelius’s back, though the air was still. Evan’s eyes had held anger, fixed on him until he walked away. That silence after - sharp, like something waiting. Trouble never shouts; it watches, then follows. The moment passed, yet stayed too long in the bones.

Far from settled, Selene Aurevale stood close by, just as shaken.

Up and down went her chest, shaky, unsteady. Since dawn, Evan kept repeating it: my woman, my wife, his voice a slow drip of sound that scratched at her nerves. Words stuck to her like sweat. She’d taken enough. The quiet broke sharp.

Out of nowhere, her foot moved ahead.

That dark curtain of hair swung forward when she stepped close, those ice-blue eyes locked onto him like fire. Just as Julian started to move, her lips brushed his cheek without warning.

Fast, yet planned. Not rushed, just certain.

And dismissive.

Suddenly, it feels familiar - like pressing lips to a dog’s furry face.

Out of nowhere - or maybe bad timing - Julian felt it coming just before it happened. Up went his hand, fast, shielding his face on instinct. Her lips met only skin, but not the one she aimed for - the knuckles caught the touch. Heat there. Gentle pressure. Unmistakably alive.

Fine then - how cruel can you really be? Did you truly plan to lean in and kiss me? Lucky for me, I moved first. Had you managed it... could I even escape now?

A breath hung between them, neither moving, caught in sudden stillness. Their faces near - too near - the air tight with surprise. Eyes locked, unblinking, as if time had tripped. Close enough to feel warmth, yet frozen like statues mid-step.

A touch of surprise raised her eyebrows, while her gaze tightened with doubt.

Frozen like a statue, his gold-flecked gaze stretched wide.

Then -

Laughter burst out among the crowd. A moment earlier, silence had held the room tight - now it snapped like a twig underfoot.

Funny noises filled the air - suddenly, what felt like a heavy, awkward dinner became something lighter. A whistle here, laughter there, people leaning back with half-smiles. The mood shifted without warning, almost by accident.

Just inside the doorway, Evan came to a halt.

Slowly, he turned away again.

A gasp escaped before his gaze landed on them, that closeness too much even if brief, even broken. His breath caught sharp when the look hit - anger blazing behind narrowed eyes, fire racing under skin.

That girl of his... lips pressed to someone else’s mouth?

Still, it had been part of Julian - just the back of his hand, yet unmistakably there.

Still, maybe it meant something. Even small things can carry weight when they’re real.

Sound of people laughing cut through him like glass shards. Fingers curled hard, joints popping under skin stretched too tight. A breath held too long - then something dark bled out across the room without warning.

Yet he kept moving forward.

Beneath everything, Evan got it.

She did it to keep him safe - away from the D’Aurelius reach, away from rising tensions, far from violence. While silence held weight, her choice stood firm beneath a quiet sky.

Still, she had no clue who he really was. Not once did it cross her mind that he ruled as the Obsidian King. His strength? Entirely hidden from her.

Later would be better, he thought quietly.

Hidden he stayed, though curiosity tugged at his ribs. Truth about that old slaughter waited just beyond reach, buried under silence. Patience wasn’t a choice - darkness insisted on it.

Out came a long breath. Away went Evan, boots dragging like anger weighed down his legs.

The house of D’Aurelius had run its course. Gone was any reason for it to remain standing. Its purpose faded like smoke in wind. What once held weight now meant nothing. Time erased its necessity without warning.

...

A hush followed the last course. Then, one by one, figures in deep blue robes stepped toward the dais where the D’Aureliuses sat. Smiles appeared - tight, practiced things - as murmured phrases floated between them like smoke. Each word sounded rehearsed, balanced just right to avoid insult. Yet something sharp stayed under the surface, unspoken. The air still hummed long after they stopped talking.

Afterward, Julian stayed put on the sofa, head low, gaze drifting somewhere distant - like someone fate had twisted around without warning. His posture gave away everything.

"What kind of joke is this?" he muttered under his breath. "Shitty Tyrant System, are you messing with me? Why is today’s plot completely different from what was promised?"

In the original storyline, Selene Aurevale was supposed to despise him - the devoted, pathetic pursuer.

But today?

She had clearly changed.

Something had changed. She saw things faster now. Decisions came without hesitation. The way she faced danger - unnerving.

Facing ruin didn’t stop her - she pressed her lips to his anyway, all for the sake of the Obsidian King. Her name could burn, yet she leaned into the act without flinching. Reputation meant nothing when his safety hung in the balance. A scandal was a small price, so she let rumors rise like smoke. Even scorn felt weightless beside her duty to him.

Julian’s skin prickled when Evan stormed out, those wide angry eyes locking onto him just before the door slammed shut.

This one’s holding on tight. Not backing down anytime soon.

"Pfft..." a voice echoed calmly in his mind. "Maybe it’s the butterfly effect caused by the host changing the plot."

"What are you laughing at?" Julian snapped inwardly.

"I thought of something happy."

"Happy, my ass," Julian gritted his teeth. "Give me my reward."

This wretched Tyrant System grew worse each day, poisoning everything it touched.

"Beep. The host has successfully survived the first plot segment," the system intoned. "Reward granted: one McLaren Senna, now stored in the garage. Please check."

A shape pressed against his leg when the sound stopped. Inside Julian’s coat, a thing took up space.

Out came the object he had been holding.

A sleek car key.

For a full minute, he just looked - no words came out. Stillness took over, blank and deep.

"...Damn it. My family is already filthy rich. What use is this thing to me?"

Out came his breath, long and quiet. After that pause, he said it once more: "Say something - did everything fall apart by now?"

"If you insist on asking," the system replied lazily, "I can only say - no comment."

"???"

Julian gave up.

Foolish to even try speaking into that cursed device. It just sat there, silent and useless.

Even so... making it through the birthday feast counted as clearing one small hurdle, at least for now. That kind of progress mattered.

A shape stepped near, one he knew too well, right when thoughts of what to do next started forming.

Veena D’Aurelius stepped forward, her son’s name unspoken but clear in her gaze. That dark hair of hers fell perfectly into place, not a strand out of line. Sharp gold eyes watched him, edged with care that didn’t soften their intensity. Power lived there, yes, though never far from worry only a parent holds.

"What are you still standing here for?" she asked lightly. "Selene is leaving. Aren’t you going to see her off?"

"Let her go," Julian replied without hesitation. "I can’t wait for her to leave."

Peaceful days would fill his now if her choices matched the first plan drawn long ago.

"Still mad at the Aurevale Family?" Veena frowned slightly. "They really didn’t handle things well today - letting a mere Freelance Warrior cause trouble at our banquet."

"Exactly!" Julian’s eyes lit up. "Not just rude - extremely rude."

Holding on tight, he pulled his mother’s arm close, eyes wide with purpose.

"Mom, we can’t let this slide. I think we should cancel the marriage. Otherwise, where will our D’Aurelius Household’s face go?"

A quiet cheer built up behind his ribs. He kept it hidden but felt light inside.

Just like Mom always does. She gets it - no words needed.

A hundred years built on respect. That family title meant something. No way she’d ignore it now.

A soft knock landed on his brow as Veena lifted her fingers, a quiet smile playing across her lips.

"I know how you feel about Selene," she said softly. "Our household doesn’t care about face. Your happiness matters more. Selene is a good girl. If you’re together, she’ll be a good wife."

Julian opened his mouth—

But she stood up before he could speak.

"Alright, stop pretending," Veena added, her tone teasing yet firm. "I understand your little thoughts. I wish you both happiness. And remember—visit Patriarch De Dominicis this afternoon."

With that, she turned and walked away, leaving Julian frozen in place.

He stared after her, golden eyes hollow.

Life, it seemed, was becoming more and more unpredictable.