Ascension Of The Villain

Chapter 89: Fickle Heart

As Iyana recounted the harrowing events from the medical ward, fear tightened around Vyan's heart like a vise.

They must have come after Iyana because of what I did to the Estelles, Vyan thought, recoiling. I am happy that she awakened her Aura because of this, but—

His heart skipped a beat as his eyes met her sharp, scrutinizing ones. "I was just now thinking," she began, "doesn't this also mean I cannot do black magic as you said?"

That was right. If she could perform the black arts, she wouldn't have been able to achieve Aura, which led to believe that she was never involved in framing Vyan.

Dread settled within his chest.

The overwhelming feeling of guilt from that night came rushing back—the night he had clung to her like a baby and cried his eyes out.

"Uh, about that," Vyan murmured, trying to sound casual but failing.

I don't want to talk about this right now. I can't deal with this. Maybe we should leave—

Almost as if she read his thoughts, Iyana placed her hands on his shoulders, keeping him in place. "You knew about it already, didn't you?" Her tone was stern, her eyes narrowed on him, as if she could see through his soul.

Unable to maintain eye contact, he averted his gaze and nodded slowly.

"Why didn't you tell me right then?"

Of course, she would ask that. How could she not? He should have come clean that night during their dinner, but fear had held him back. The words had choked him.

How could he possibly admit that he had unjustly made her suffer when she had been innocent all along?

The guilt gnawed at him relentlessly, a constant, bitter reminder of his mistake.

How could he have accused her of something she hadn't done? What fault was it of hers that someone had impersonated her to deceive him? And why should she bear the weight of guilt for his wrongful accusations? Oblivious to the truth of her innocence due to her lost memories, he had let her languish in undeserved guilt.

If only he had confessed even a day sooner, she might have had one more day free of this undeserved torment.

"I… I should have told you sooner," Vyan began, his voice trembling, faltering as he tried to step back. But her grip on his shoulder kept him rooted, grounding him in this moment of truth. "I was ashamed," he finally admitted.

"Why?" Her voice was barely a whisper, her eyes wide and

"Oh, am I special?" he asked with a teasing smirk.

"No, that's not it," she let out in a thoughtful manner. "You are more like… air."

"Huh, air?" Is my presence invisible to her?

His baffled reaction made her laugh lightly. She took a hold of his arm and dragged him towards the staircase. "Come on, show me to your room now."

"Wait, are we staying in the same room?"

She grinned up at him and confirmed, "Yes, Your Grace."