Tyrant? No, I am the Villain
Chapter 35: More to come

Chapter 35: More to come

Ratragunda had not yet left despite Estefan’s blunt warnings and cold reception, the violet-robed envoy remained standing with his usual flamboyant composure.

"We truly wish for a truce." Ratragunda spoke, his tone softer now, even carrying a hint of pleading. "To spark another conflict with the government can only lead to this city’s destruction."

Estefan scoffed. "Don’t make me laugh. The only reason my father failed to resolve this was due to his own incompetence. He never realised how utterly corrupt the council had become and judging by your visit here, it seems killing those parasites created quite the ripple."

"You may be correct in that." Ratragunda replied with a low snicker. "Your father is definitely an idiot. If he weren’t, we wouldn’t be having this conversation."

The entire room tensed as the servants froze, glancing at one another as the audacity of the statement sank in. A commoner had just insulted the Duke of the realm, inside the Duke’s own palace, no less and in front of his own son. Several attendants discreetly prepared cleaning equipment, half-expecting blood to be spilled within the minute since they knew how violent Estefan could get.

But Estefan simply blinked and shrugged. "You think that would provoke me?" He replied, relaxed and unaffected by those words since he never did love or respect a father who had neglected him and his mother.

Ratragunda paused for a beat, then smiled wider. He now had confirmation of what many suspected of as Estefan and his father were not allies. There was no affection between them, no loyalty and no connection. It was a rift large enough to exploit as a fruitful advantage appeared in this meeting.

"I understand." Ratragunda said, his tone once more playful. "Still, should you ever wish to visit our establishments, you’ll receive the highest tier of pleasure in the house. I assure you, no payment will be required." He let his words linger. "I imagine someone like you would know how to enjoy such company."

Estefan didn’t respond immediately. There was a pause in the conversation, longer than before. Then calmly, he asked, "Is that all?"

As he said it, his sharp eyes caught a brief flicker, Ratragunda’s gaze darted to Ericka. It lasted less than a second, perhaps even less than a blink but Estefan saw it.

And in that moment, everything clicked.

He knew now that Ericka was part of Lutis as he didn’t know her exact mission or which faction she represented, but it certainly wasn’t assassination. She had countless opportunities as she was mostly near him, serving his food, attending his bath, even preparing his bed while they were both alone in the room. If she’d wanted him dead, she could’ve easily done it.

But there was never a trace of poison, no killing intent and not even malice since the criminals in the City loathed him for being the son of the Duke who unleashed the Knights to kill them all.

She was there to observe him and to get close or maybe manipulate as those were his possible theories regarding her mission in the Palace.

Still, Estefan wasn’t ready to act on it. He had allowed her to think she had earned his trust. He had played the game too, giving her just enough room to believe she was succeeding. Whatever her ultimate mission was, he would unravel it in time and he had an advantage since he knows.

As Estefan subtly raised his head, his vision flickered, dozens of dark silhouettes stood in the corners of the room, cloaked in shadow, unseen by all but him.

His Bloodhounds, they were his silent guardians born of darkness and light, their eyes were his eyes, their blades ready to strike whenever he wanted. As everyone who were his targets could have been struck down at the same time on the same day under his order.

Ratragunda sighed theatrically. "I shall take my leave now." He said, gesturing to the opened boxes. "Though I do hope you enjoy our products."

Though his words pointed at the sweet delicacies, the implication was unmistakable, he meant Ericka.

Estefan turned to Galliard. "Send some servants to return those boxes to the carriage. I don’t want them."

"Yes, my lord." Galliard responded with his head bowed.

Estefan then looked at Ericka. "You go help them." She bowed wordlessly and joined the others, gathering the ornate boxes and heading out.

Ratragunda turned back one last time and chuckled, "My, my... You are a curious one... and handsome, too." Estefan said nothing as the silence weighed heavier than any words.

Outside, the boxes were being placed into the carriage’s storage compartment. As Ratragunda stepped inside, he noticed Ericka carrying one last crate.

"Miss." He called out, waving a gloved hand. "Could you put that one inside for me? I’d like to eat it later."

She nodded politely and entered the carriage, placing the box down. Ratragunda leaned closer and watched her. "He seems like a difficult man." He muttered. "Eccentric. Iron-willed. Getting him to show a single desire might be harder than seducing a priest."

"He’s... very nice." Ericka replied firmly.

That made Ratragunda laugh aloud. "Don’t tell me you’ve started to fall for him? Though, I won’t judge. He is a delicious hunk of a man. I’d pay just anything just to feel what he’s hiding under that stoic shell."

"Shut up." She snapped, standing upright and flustered.

"I was joking." Ratragunda replied in a sing-song voice. "But don’t forget your mission. Make him fall for you. The Matriarch personally trained you in the arts of seduction so become his concubine and make him our puppet."

Ericka adjusted her top and exhaled. "It might be difficult... but I will do my best." Her fingers brushed her chest. "I just hope... I don’t fall for him first." She whispered as she exited the carriage and returned back inside the Palace.

Ratragunda watched her go. "She’s already fallen." He whispered with amusement. "Interesting... Very interesting... If she plays the love card well... he’ll break since he is a virgin after all."

In Rammstein, commoners never married into nobility, unless they held powerful positions in the government, religious order, or were tied to divine organizations like the Covenant of the Nine. Estefan’s own mother had once been a Magister of the Covenant, which gave her the status to marry a noble.

But however, they could become a concubine of the aristocrats through love or through force since many were forcefully taken by the aristocrats for pleasure.

Many concubines wielded influence through their proximity with their noble husband and many bore heirs who then were lobbied for succession or became political tools for them. Some rose to power while others perished not being able to survive in the intense power struggle between the actual wife and the concubines.

Estefan was a prime target since not only was he twenty years old but a noble heir with a fractured relationship with his father. On paper, he looked like an easy mark since he could be controlled through a caring love he never got from his parents or so they thought.

Inside the palace, Estefan stood alone near the balcony, watching the carriage depart. "I don’t mind it." He murmured. "But I don’t have time for such nonsense."

He turned his gaze toward the city skyline, where the faint whisper of movement reached his ears through his Bloodhounds. More guests were arriving and with them, came a restless day for him.

[To be Continued]