Never Die Villain

The fourth day of the Winter Assembly finally arrived.

Unlike the previous three days, where the younger generation had been largely left to themselves while the ruling elders remained occupied with matters of state, today was different.

Every branch of House Belozersky had gathered in the Grand Hall, seated in their seats arranged by rank and seniority, while conversations gradually died away in anticipation of the one person everyone had been waiting for.

Up until now, Valentin Petrovich Belozersky had revealed himself only to the ruling elders behind closed doors.

The rest of the family had caught little more than glimpses of the Grand Duke as he moved between meetings, leaving the younger generation with no opportunity to properly greet him.

Today’s gathering was the first occasion since the Winter Assembly began that every member of House Belozersky, regardless of age or standing, had assembled beneath the same roof.

The enormous doors at the end of the hall slowly swung open.

Every conversation stopped.

The assembled nobles rose to their feet almost in unison as Grand Duke Valentin Belozersky entered the hall, accompanied by the senior retainers of the main family.

His expression remained as unreadable as ever as he made his way toward the raised platform at the front, while Mariya followed a respectful distance behind, taking her place beside the Grand Ducal seat without drawing attention to herself.

Valentin surveyed the hall.

His gaze passed over the elders, their wives, and finally the younger generation gathered below.

"Be seated."

Only after everyone had returned to their seats did he continue.

"The Winter Assembly has always existed for two reasons To settle the affairs of Severye... and to prepare the next generation to inherit it."

His gaze fell upon Anastasiya.

"Step forward."

The hall parted.

Anastasiya rose from her seat and walked toward the center of the hall under the countless eyes fixed upon her.

Every elder watched in silence, every heir followed her with varying degrees of admiration, envy, or resentment, and not a single person failed to understand what this moment represented.

Valentin’s gaze swept across the hall.

"Many of you have watched Anastasiya grow since she first learned to hold a sword."

His voice remained calm, yet every word echoed clearly through the room.

"You have witnessed her growth. You have witnessed her losses. You have witnessed her victories. And more importantly, you have witnessed her unwavering devotion to House Belozersky. In every Winter Assembly she has attended, she has only ever managed to produce results."

No one spoke.

"Yesterday’s duel was no exception."

Valentin gazed at the younger generation.

"She once again proved why she stands above her peers."

Several of the elders nodded in agreement.

"As expected of Lady Anastasiya."

"The future of House Belozersky has never looked brighter."

"She truly resembles the Grand Duke in his younger days."

Valentin raised a hand, silencing the conversations.

"For generations, House Belozersky has endured because every heir understood one truth. Strength alone is not enough. The one who stands at the head of this family must have the resolve to shoulder the North itself."

Anastasiya lowered her head.

"I understand, Father."

"I know you do," Valentin said. "That is why, before every branch of House Belozersky gathered here today, I will once again reaffirm my intent."

His gaze swept across every elder in attendance.

"Anastasiya Valentinovna Belozerskaya remains the successor I have chosen to inherit House Belozersky after me."

Applause broke out. Clap—clap—clap—clap—!

"As expected of Lady Anastasiya!"

"There is no finer candidate!"

"The future Grand Duchess of Severye!"

One elder after another rose to their feet, offering their applause as the rest of the hall gradually followed. Whether their smiles were genuine or merely born of courtesy mattered little.

At least on the surface, every branch appeared united behind the Grand Duke’s declaration.

"...Congratulations, Lady Anastasiya."

Margrave Volnograd was the first to step forward.

"It is an honor to witness Your Grace reaffirm your faith in your daughter before the entire family."

He lowered his head respectfully before a smile appeared on his face.

"If I may be so bold... perhaps this occasion deserves a proper celebration."

Valentin looked at him.

"What do you have in mind?"

Volnograd clasped his hands behind his back.

"House Belozersky has always celebrated its finest through the sword."

His eyes turned toward the younger generation before stopping on Ilya.

"Since the young Lord Ilya’s victory over Aleksei has become the talk of this assembly, why not allow the siblings to cross swords? It would be a fitting way to commemorate today’s announcement while giving the family the opportunity to witness the strength of its future head once more."

Several of the elders exchanged brief glances before faint smiles spread across their faces. None of them failed to understand the suggestion hidden beneath Volnograd’s courteous words, and neither did Anastasiya.

"...A splendid suggestion."

Another elder slowly rose to his feet.

"It would certainly silence any unnecessary speculation after Young Lord Ilya’s rather... unexpected victory yesterday."

"I agree."

"So do I."

One after another, voices began joining in.

"Lady Anastasiya has already proven herself countless times. Surely another victory before the entire family would only strengthen the Grand Duke’s declaration."

"And should Young Lord Ilya truly possess talent worthy of House Belozersky, there is no finer person to measure himself against than his own elder sister."

The words sounded reasonable. Too reasonable. Anastasiya knew exactly what they were trying to do.

If she won, as everyone expected, they would simply say that the succession had been put to rest. But if, by even the slightest chance, Ilya managed to repeat what he had done to Aleksei, the declaration Valentin had just made would immediately lose its weight.

The branch families would never let such an opportunity slip through their fingers.

With that thought, Anastasiya took a step forward.

"Father. I object."

Every eye immediately turned toward her.

Anastasiya’s words alone were enough to command the room’s attention, but so too were the opinions of the ruling elders. The North had never been governed by the Grand Duke alone, and openly disagreeing with several Margraves before the entire assembly was not something anyone did lightly.

The main branch, House Belozersky, might stand at its center, but Severye had always been governed alongside the branch territories.

Each Margrave commanded his own lands, his own soldiers, and his own people, and for generations, the North had endured because the main family and its branches maintained that balance.

Even Valentin could not simply dismiss every elder’s opinion without consequence.

Valentin regarded his daughter in silence.

"State your objection."

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