Asmodeus System: Stealing My Bully's Mother

The candlelight along the stone walls of the Main Tower’s west corridor flickered violently. The night wind slipped through the cracks of the stained glass windows, carrying a freezing chill that made the long hallway feel intensely suffocating.

Up ahead, Ethan Valen walked with incredibly calm, measured steps.

The young man was still wearing his black shirt with the sleeves carelessly rolled up, both hands resting comfortably in his pockets. His dark brown hair was slightly messy, framing a face completely devoid of any trace of anxiety.

He looked as if he were merely strolling down to the dining hall, not heading into a meeting with an envoy from one of the kingdom’s deadliest nobles.

One step behind him, Kaelia von Ashford followed.

In stark contrast to Ethan, the Student Council’s Flame Queen looked remarkably rigid. Her fiery red hair swayed with her brisk pace. Her golden-yellow eyes flashed with high alert.

Kaelia shot several glances at Ethan’s back. Her fingers repeatedly clenched and unfurled, desperately trying to banish the cold sweat pooling in her palms.

"Tch. If you keep breathing like someone marching to the gallows, they’ll know you’re stressed," Ethan chided quietly. His tone carried a lazy drawl, not even bothering to look back.

"Shut up," Kaelia hissed, biting back her irritation. "You don’t know who you’re dealing with. My father doesn’t send just any errand dog for matters like this."

"I know," Ethan replied lightly. "That’s why I already set my own little pawns in motion before we came here."

Tonight, Ethan had intentionally left Miya behind. Using his newly acquired authority, he had smuggled the Elf girl into the VVIP facility where Elara was being treated. As long as Isolde was still in Rosenberg, Ethan needed an inconspicuous spy. Miya was the perfect pawn.

Now, with his backline secured, Ethan zeroed his focus onto the venomous snake waiting for them up ahead.

They arrived at the end of the corridor. Two academy staff members immediately bowed in respect before pulling the handles of the intricately carved double oak doors.

As soon as Ethan and Kaelia stepped inside, the heavy doors were firmly shut from the outside.

The VIP Reception Hall was massive. A large stone fireplace blazed brightly, yet it entirely failed to warm the stiff, freezing atmosphere of the room.

In the center of the hall, with his back to the door, stood the envoy.

The tall man turned around slowly. His movements were as smooth as silk, radiating the elite grace of the capital. A dark brown cloak made of magical beast fur wrapped perfectly around his frame.

But his true weapon was etched on his face. The man sported a smile far too perfect to be trusted.

"An absolute honor to meet you, Lord Valen. And... Lady Kaelia. You look well."

The man’s voice was gentle, but his intonation pierced like a silver needle. He bowed his head slightly—a formal gesture of respect that bordered on mockery.

"My name is Edric Vane," he continued, straightening his posture. "Personal envoy to His Grace, Duke Reinhard von Ashford."

Ethan didn’t return the greeting.

He casually strolled past Edric, making a beeline for the solitary red velvet sofa. Without an invitation, the young man threw himself onto it, leaning back with his legs spread slightly. It was a brazen display of territorial dominance.

"Hmm, it seems the Southern Faction breeds incredibly fast horses," Ethan started with a lazy drawl. "The letter from the Palace just landed on my desk, and Duke Reinhard’s bloodhounds have already sniffed their way up north."

Kaelia took a seat next to Ethan, her back stiffly upright. Her fingers gripped her thighs tightly.

Hearing Ethan’s insult, Edric simply let out a low chuckle. The laugh sounded crisp, yet utterly devoid of genuine emotion.

"Information is the most valuable currency in this empire, Lord Valen," Edric replied softly, crossing his legs as he sat down in an armchair. "And His Grace always ensures his treasury is never empty."

Edric’s sharp gaze then shifted, locking onto Kaelia. His smile thinned ever so slightly.

"Including information regarding his eldest daughter," Edric continued, his voice now heavy with the Duke’s authority. "Lady Kaelia, your name and Lord Valen’s have become the main topic in the Southern Faction’s war room. The rumors from this dawn... Duke Reinhard wishes to hear firsthand exactly what has been going on at Zenithar."

The air around Kaelia suddenly felt agonizingly thin. That diplomatic strike had landed perfectly.

However, before Kaelia could even defend herself, Ethan’s condescending laughter sliced through the tension in the room.

"Hah! The Duke sent his special envoy all this way just to confirm kitchen gossip?" Ethan scoffed, looking at Edric with absolute disdain. "I thought the South’s intelligence network was a bit better than a bunch of gossiping maids."

The corner of Edric’s lip twitched faintly, suppressing his offense.

"Kitchen gossip can topple a king if spiced with the right poison, Lord Valen," Edric countered smoothly, leaning forward. The pleasantries were over.

"The Palace has summoned you, you recently visited the Rosenberg territory, and now... rumors say you’ve monopolized the Student Council President—the Southern Faction’s prime asset," Edric pressed, his eyes piercing sharply.

"Duke Reinhard only wishes to know one thing: Are you positioning yourself as a new enemy to the South, or... a valuable ally we have yet to realize?"

It was an overt trap. If Ethan answered ’enemy’, the South would crush him alongside the Palace. If he answered ’ally’, Ethan would automatically be submitting to Duke Reinhard’s authority.

Ethan stared at Edric in suffocating silence, before a wicked smirk blossomed on his lips.

"Enemy or ally... those are just words used by weaklings seeking shelter," Ethan answered calmly. "The question you should be asking isn’t about my position, Edric."

Ethan’s dark brown eyes glinted dangerously. "But rather, what can the South offer to entice me to stand by your side when the Palace starts roaring?"

Edric fell silent. His eyes narrowed slightly. This young man wasn’t buying his political bluffs in the slightest.

Kaelia’s mental defenses finally cracked listening to the highly dangerous exchange.

"What exactly is my father’s purpose in sending you, Edric?!" Kaelia interjected fiercely, though the slight tremor in her voice couldn’t be hidden. "If you came here just to spy on me, you can pack up and leave right now!"

Edric’s gaze softened, feigning the sincerity of a worried uncle.

"Lady Kaelia, His Grace is merely an anxious father. People are saying you’re being exploited. He simply wants to ensure you haven’t become this man’s pawn, and that you are still upholding the Ashford pride."

The air in the hall suddenly grew heavy. A freezing chill crept rapidly across the room—not from the windows outside, but radiating from the young man leaning on the sofa.

Ethan straightened his back. His predatory Aura exploded.

"Kaelia’s value has never wavered, Envoy," Ethan cut in coldly, his deep voice echoing throughout the hall.

He threw a brief glance at Kaelia before shifting his eyes back to Edric. "...But I will not let anyone tug at her leash as if she’s some property that can be controlled from afar. Not even Duke Reinhard."

A suffocating silence instantly descended.

"If her biological father wishes to give her orders," Ethan threatened without blinking, "tell him to come and face me himself."

Kaelia held her breath. She was shocked, irritated that Ethan had just claimed her, yet deep down... she felt profoundly safe.

The diplomatic smile on Edric Vane’s face vanished without a trace.

"I see," Edric muttered. He stood up, smoothing the folds of his cloak with stiff movements. "I believe that answer is sufficient to report back tonight."

Edric walked toward the doors. Just before grabbing the handle, he looked back over his shoulder.

"I am but a diplomat armed with words, Lord Valen. But brace yourself... the Palace’s envoy will not be as gentle as I am. Have a good evening."

The heavy oak doors slammed shut.

As soon as Edric’s footsteps faded away, Kaelia immediately slumped against the sofa, letting out a long, heavy sigh.

"You’re insane! Edric is going to spy on us. If my father thinks you’re influencing me to rebel against the Palace—"

"Kaelia," Ethan interrupted smoothly, closing his eyes again to rein in his murderous Aura. "Stay beautiful, stay cold, and do your job. Let that southern dog see exactly what he wants to see."

"Don’t order me around as if—"

Knock! Knock!

The sound of hurried knocking cut Kaelia off. The door creaked open slightly, revealing an academy staff member bowing in terror.

"A-apologies for the intrusion, Lord Valen. Madam President..." the staff stuttered.

"What is it?" Ethan asked, still leaning back casually.

"An Elf girl... Miss Miya, is waiting in the upper corridor. She refuses to come down here," the staff reported, his face pale. "She instructed me to deliver this message directly: The flower in Miss Elara’s room... has bloomed again."

Silence instantly hijacked the room.

On the sofa, for the very first time during this entire night of deadly intrigue, the absolute calm on Ethan Valen’s face shattered.

His dark brown eyes widened. His jaw instantly clenched tight.

Without another word, Ethan stood up. The freezing chill now radiating from his body was infinitely denser and more terrifying than when he had faced Duke Reinhard’s envoy.

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