Married To The Villain
Chapter 81: Raphael’s Love

Chapter 81: Raphael’s Love

Chapter 81: Raphael’s Love

"Wha-what does it mean?" Raphael stuttered.

"Nothing personal."

Pedro stood off to the side, with an obvious grin on his face as he examined the castle’s towering spires and intricate stonework.

He adjusted his gloves, then looked back at the group with a salute.

"Well, I’ll leave the talking to you. Time for me to spread my wings."

Without warning, he transformed into a parrot, his body twisted and reshaped in a burst of golden light.

Lirian blinked as his feathered form ascended rapidly into the air, catching the sun’s first rays.

Kael smirked, watching the bird circle overhead. "Show-off."

"Focus," Gabriel snapped, sweeping the castle courtyard.

"We’re not here for theatrics. Raphael, where’s the council chamber?"

Raphael strode forward, his long cloak billowing behind him.

"This way. And for the record, Gabriel, I’d recommend a little more gratitude. This entire charade is only possible because of me."

Gabriel snorted. "You’re not doing us a favor, Raphael. You’re saving your own neck."

As the group followed the prince through the grand halls of the castle, servants scurried out of their path, their eyes looked wide.

Everything felt heavy, so many whispers that echoed against the cold stone walls.

Finally, Raphael paused before a massive set of double doors adorned with carvings of the kingdom’s crest.

He turned to the others.

"Wait here," he ordered. "The nobles don’t take kindly to outsiders, especially ones with a... reputation."

Lirian arched an eyebrow. "You mean like yours?"

Raphael gave her a tight smile before pushing the doors open and stepping inside.

The group watched as the doors shut behind him, muffling the raised voices within.

Kael leaned against the wall, his arms crossed.

"Think he’ll actually pull this off?"

"He’d better," Gabriel muttered darkly.

Inside the council chamber wasn’t the greatest energy either.

Everyone seemed tense as Raphael entered the room.

The chamber was full of high-ranking nobles and advisors, all seated around a massive oak table.

Their faces ranged from skeptical to outright hostile as the prince took his place at the head of the table.

One of the older nobles, a man with a hawk-like nose and a voice as sharp as his features, spoke first.

"Prince Raphael, to what do we owe this sudden meeting? You’ve been uncharacteristically... elusive of late."

Raphael ignored the jab, keeping himself as calm as possible, but still authoritative.

"I’ve called you here because the kingdom is in grave danger."

A murmur rippled through the room.

"Grave danger?" A woman with silver-streaked hair raised an eyebrow.

"You’ll forgive our doubt, Your Highness, but we’ve heard no reports of any immediate threats."

"That’s because the threat comes from within," Raphael replied.

"Meylo has amassed power far beyond what we anticipated. He’s manipulating the remnants of the Order and rallying forces to overthrow the crown. If we don’t act now, he’ll succeed."

The room erupted into heated debate.

Some nobles dismissed the claim outright, while others whispered nervously among themselves.

The hawk-nosed noble stood again, slamming a hand on the table.

"And what proof do you have of this supposed rebellion? You can’t expect us to act on mere speculation."

Raphael’s glare hardened.

"I have firsthand accounts from individuals who’ve infiltrated Meylo’s inner circle. These individuals also saved me from an ambush orchestrated by his men."

Another wave of murmurs followed his words.

"And who, pray tell, are these saviors of yours?" the silver-haired woman asked skeptically.

Raphael hesitated for the briefest moment before answering.

"Gabriel, Lirian, and Kael."

The reaction was immediate. Gasps and outraged shouts filled the chamber.

"You aligned yourself with a fugitive and his accomplices?" the hawk-nosed noble spat. "Have you lost your mind?"

"I’ve done what was necessary to protect this kingdom," Raphael replied back, his voice started rising.

"Gabriel may have made enemies in the past, but he has no loyalty to Meylo. Neither does Lirian. Their actions speak louder than your hollow protests."

The room fell silent at his outburst. Finally, the silver-haired woman spoke again, measuring her tone.

"If what you say is true, then we must act immediately. But this alliance of yours will be...you know, prince Raphael. The crown cannot afford more scandal."

Raphael nodded curtly.

"Understood. I’ll take full responsibility for their presence. But make no mistake—if we fail to stop Meylo now, there won’t be a kingdom left to scandalise."

Lirian paced nervously as the minutes dragged on.

Kael leaned casually against the wall, while Gabriel wrapped his hands around his chest, keeping a neutral face.

"Relax," Kael said. "Raphael may be a snake, but he’s a persuasive one."

"I’m not worried about him failing," Lirian replied. "I’m worried about what happens if he succeeds."

Before Kael could respond, the doors to the council chamber swung open.

Raphael came out, alone...

"Well?" Gabriel demanded.

"The council has agreed to take action," Raphael said simply. "Meylo’s forces will be dealt with."

Gabriel narrowed his eyes. "And us?"

Raphael smirked faintly. "Consider yourselves... tolerated. For now."

"Since my castle is ruined, me, Lirian and Kael will have to stay here."

"Why?"

"No questions need to be asked, prince...just ensure our safety."

"Tch," Raphael clenched his fist. "Fine!"

The sun dipped below the horizon as Lirian wandered the castle grounds, seeking a moment of peace.

The day’s events pressed heavily on her, and the familiar scent of blooming jasmine brought a bittersweet comfort.

"Lirian!"

The shout startled her, and she turned just in time to be swept into a crushing hug.

"Gunther! Johann!" she gasped, her eyes widened as her two older brothers embraced her tightly.

"We thought you were dead!" Gunther exclaimed. "We searched everywhere for you, but you were gone!"

Johann nodded, seemingly torn between relief and disbelief.

"How... how are you here? And with Gabriel of all people?"

Lirian pulled back slightly, trying to calm them.

"It’s a long story, but I’m fine. And as for Gabriel... let’s just say I’ve picked up a few tricks."

Gunther raised an eyebrow. "Tricks? What kind of tricks?"

"Oh, you know," Lirian said, her lips curved into a sly smile.

"The usual. A bit of charm, a bit of bribery, and maybe one or two daring escapes."

Johann laughed, shaking his head. "Only you, Lirian."

Gunther looked more serious.

"Listen, we just got word that Father will be arriving soon. You should avoid him, Lirian. He won’t take kindly to all of this."

Lirian’s smile faded, and her eyes hardened. "No. I won’t hide from him."

"Lirian—" Johann began, but she cut him off.

"I’m done running. If Father wants to face me, he knows where to find me."

Her brothers exchanged a worried glance, but neither argued further.

As the night deepened, Lirian was finally alone beneath the stars.

"I wish this never happened..." she mumbled to herself.

’The plot...everything changed after my arrival, but why?’

"Can’t sleep?" Raphael interrupted her.

"No. And you sure are not a good sleeping medicine also, prince."

"Lirian, I want to apologise."

"For what?" She raised an eyebrow. "For ruining us? For whipping me in front of the nobles? Which ones is it?"

"I know you’re mad, but please-"

"You know what, prince. I will let you explain yourself; why exactly did you do this?"

"You see, Lirian...my father was an evil man-"

Lirian interrupted him, "that I know. Go on."

"He would always whip my mom for pleasure, sleep with other noble women just to spite my mother...I thought I was different from him. I thought, I could change myself, but I didn’t."

Lirian rolled her eyes. She knew all of this already, but it wasn’t what she remembered exactly about Raphael.

In the book, he was kind, caring, and ruthless to anyone who would bully Daria.

He wouldn’t dare to kill his enemy, thinking blood would make him like his father.

But this person that was standing right in front of her was not the Raphael she knew.

He was different.

Egoistic, narcissistic, selfish, ruthless, and a murderer.

This wasn’t the hero of the book- he was the villain behind the curtains.

"What is your point, Raphael? Why did you change exactly?"

"Because I couldn’t get the woman I wanted," he replied dryly.

"Ttch," Lirian scoffed.

"You know, when I found out that the love of my life got married without my knowledge and permission, I couldn’t stop myself. I was so angry...I wanted to hate her for betraying me. I wanted to hurt her. I wanted to be like my father, to cause pain."

"You sound insane, prince..."

"Maybe...but that doesn’t change the fact that the woman I want is not with me."

"The last I remember, Daria is single, somewhere."

"It’s not Daria that I want, Lady Lirian."

Lirian raised an eyebrow once again. She blinked a couple of times.

Daria was the heroine of the story. She was the type of person to make everyone love her.

Then why was Raphael saying such things?

"Who is the woman you want then, Prince?"

Raphael let out a small laugh, "it’s you."