I Became the Villain Alpha's Omega (BL)

"That man is entirely unhinged," Cherion muttered, picking up his pace as they put several corridors of distance between themselves and the glass garden. "Truly. It’s terrifying that he’s actually allowed to walk around unsupervised."

Elios, trailing a half-step behind on Cherion’s left, snorted softly. "What even was his goal back there? Does the Crown Prince honestly think he can just charm his way into making you forget who you’re engaged to?"

"He wasn’t trying to charm him," Flio sais. "He was fishing for a reaction. The Crown Prince likes to poke at raw nerves to see which ones still twitch. It gives him a sense of control."

Cherion shot Flio a quick, sideways glance. Flio was out here doing his absolute maximum to look unbothered, eyes dead ahead, poker face at 100%, but his shoulders were stiffer than cheap cardboard. Yerel’s cheap shot about Karson had landed direct, but Flio was strictly team "I will literally die before I give this rich brat a reaction."

"Well, he’s delusional," Cherion said, letting out a heavy sigh to break the gloom. "If he thinks I’m holding onto some grand, tragic longing for him, he needs his head examined. I’ve met aggressive wild beasts in the North that were less unsettling than his smile."

They rounded a sweeping marble staircase when a tall figure clad in immaculate white and gold ceremonial robes turned the corner.

It was the High Priest.

Cherion brought his little group to a halt, offering a polite, practiced bow. "Your Holiness."

The High Priest paused, his serene expression softening into a mild, pleasantly surprised smile as he looked at Cherion. "Lord Cherion. Sir Elios, Sir Flio. I did not expect to find you lingering in the palace wings at this hour. I was under the impression most of the noble guests had already departed yesterday."

"We have," Cherion replied easily, shifting his weight onto one foot with a relaxed air. "I’m just waiting on Zarius. His Majesty called him in for an unexpected audience today."

The High Priest gave a knowing nod. "Ah, I see."

Cherion tilted his head, turning the conversation back around. "And what about you, Your Holiness?"

"His Majesty requested that I attend upon Princess Iryna to check on her recovery," the High Priest explained smoothly, keeping his tone perfectly casual. "Just a routine check on her condition, to ensure her energy remains stable."

Cherion suppressed a subtle smirk, offering a simple, "Ah..."

It was a totally fake, PR-approved cover story for public consumption, and they both knew it. Honestly? After actually seeing Iryna yesterday, Cherion would bet his entire life savings, plus his reputation, and the literal dignity of his hair.

Hell, he’d stake his silver locks turning bright neon pink on it. But hey, no harm in double-checking, right?

"I was actually just on my way to her chambers," the High Priest added, gesturing down the quiet, carpeted hallway to their right. "If you are simply waiting for His Grace, would you care to accompany me, Lord Cherion? I am sure the Princess would welcome the company."

Cherion blinked, pausing to look back over his shoulder.

Elios held up both hands in immediate surrender, his face a deadpan mask. "Please don’t look at us, Lord Cherion. We just go wherever you go."

Flio gave a dry, tiny shrug. "Don’t mind us, my lord. Anything is better than pacing around the outer courtyard."

Cherion let out a soft laugh and turned back to the High Priest, nodding crisp agreement. "Lead the way, Your Holiness. Visiting the Princess sounds like an infinitely better way to kill time than wandering into any more glass gardens."

Besides, Cherion thought to himself as they walked, it wouldn’t hurt to get close enough to Iryna to quietly check her condition. If her body was struggling to process the lingering residue of the poison, he could give her a subtle, unnoticed nudge of healing energy while they talked.

When her attendants finally opened the doors to Iryna’s quarters, the transition was aggressive. Out in the garden, the air had been thicker than bad tension at a holiday dinner, but in here? Absolute pure aesthetic perfection. Natural sunlight flooded every single corner, bathed in the gentle, overpriced-candle aroma of dried lavender and mint tea.

Right by the huge arched window sat Iryna, actively living her best "do not disturb" life. Hearing the doors open, she casually looked up expecting more annoying palace staff, only to instantly lock eyes with Cherion.

"Cherion!" Iryna called out, her voice bright and entirely devoid of the rigid court formality she usually forced herself to maintain. "And Your Holiness. What a pleasant surprise."

Cherion offered a brief, respectful bow before walking over to the lounge area. "Good morning, Princess. You look like you’re recovering well."

"I am feeling much better, thank you," Iryna said, waving her hand dismissively at the attendants to signal that they could step back. She smiled up at Cherion with a mischievous spark in her eye. "Though I suspect I have you, and the High Priest’s excellent care, of course, to thank for that. I see you’re here to accompany the Duke?"

Cherion tilted his head, utterly fascinated by the sheer speed of her gossip network.

"Yes, I was accompanying Zarius," Cherion said, settling comfortably onto the plush velvet armchair across from her while the High Priest approached to conduct a light, superficial check of her pulse. "The King called him in for a private audience today. I’m just waiting for him to finish up."

Cherion raised an eyebrow, noticing a small, knowing smirk tugging at the corners of Iryna’s lips. "What?"

"Oh, nothing," Iryna hummed, leaning back against her soft cushions and picking up her cup of tea. "It’s just... the King actually finished his business with Duke Valtrane nearly twenty minutes ago."

Cherion frowned slightly, a sudden prickle of curiosity rising in his chest. "He did? Then where is Zarius? He knew I was waiting for him."

Iryna savored a slow gulp of mint tea, carefully placing the fine china back on the saucer like she was on a timed delay for maximum theatrical effect. Soft clink, full eye contact.

Her gaze locked onto Cherion with a look that was 50% pure, playful amusement and 50% heavy, high-stakes political chess. It was the exact face of someone about to drop major gossip that could casually overthrow a government.

"Don’t worry, he hasn’t been ambushed," Iryna said smoothly, giving him a reassuring little wave of her hand. "He’s just currently occupied."

"Occupied with who?" Cherion asked, leaning forward just a fraction.

Iryna’s smirk broadened into a bright, innocent smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.

"With my brother," she chirped lightly, resting her chin on her hand as she delivered the news. "Oh, and don’t look so concerned, Cherion, it’s just a little brotherly talk."

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