Never Die Villain

"Today’s gathering exists to reaffirm the succession of House Belozersky."

Anastasiya’s gaze swept through the crowd.

"Turning it into a spectacle between siblings serves no purpose beyond inviting unnecessary speculation. Regardless of the outcome, someone will leave this hall with more questions than answers."

Several elders exchanged glances.

Margrave Volnograd smiled faintly.

"My Lady," he said with a courteous bow of his head, "surely you don’t believe your own younger brother is capable of threatening your position."

The question drew a few chuckles from around the hall.

Anastasiya stood her ground.

"...That isn’t the point."

"Then enlighten us." Volnograd spread his hands. "Help us understand why the future Grand Duchess would object to a simple demonstration of swordsmanship between siblings."

"...."

Anastasiya remained silent for a moment.

Her eyes wandered across the hall until they settled upon Ilya. He was standing among the younger members of the branch families, never having stepped forward after Father’s declaration, and no one had called him to stand with the main family either.

Despite having the Belozersky surname, he was still little more than another spectator watching the assembly.

"...."

"...."

Their eyes met.

Ilya simply looked back at her with the same indifferent expression he always had. He neither nodded nor shook his head, offering no opinion whatsoever, as though the outcome of the discussion had nothing to do with him.

Anastasiya drew in a breath.

"...Because today, my father has gathered every branch of House Belozersky to discuss the future of our family. To turn this occasion into a duel would only distract from the purpose of today’s assembly."

She lowered her head respectfully.

"If the elders wish to witness my swordsmanship, I will gladly oblige another day. I simply don’t believe today is the appropriate occasion."

Margrave Volnograd chuckled.

"My Lady is as thoughtful as ever."

He gave a courteous nod before looking toward Valentin.

"However... I cannot help but feel that postponing it would only invite even more needless speculation. Young Lord Ilya’s victory has become the sole topic of conversation throughout the palace. If the matter is left unresolved, the rumors will only continue to grow."

"I agree."

Margrave Karskin slowly rose from his seat.

"Lady Anastasiya wishes to preserve the dignity of today’s gathering, and that is admirable. Yet dignity is maintained just as much by putting doubts to rest as it is by avoiding them."

His gaze swept across the hall.

"If every branch leaves here still wondering how yesterday’s duel truly came about, I fear today’s declaration will be overshadowed before the banquet even begins."

Valentin regarded him without the slightest change in expression.

"So, are you questioning my authority?"

Karskin immediately lowered his head.

"Never, Your Grace."

"Then explain yourself."

"I merely believe that the branch families would leave this assembly with greater peace of mind if any lingering doubts were settled here and now."

Karskin lowered his head respectfully before continuing.

"Your declaration has never been in question, Your Grace. The uncertainty lies elsewhere. You are already aware that not every branch shares the same view regarding the succession. For generations, House Belozersky has been led by a Grand Duke, and many still find it difficult to accept a departure from that tradition."

No one interrupted him.

"That discussion was put to rest years ago out of respect for Your Grace’s decision. However, yesterday’s events have caused those old conversations to resurface. I fear that if today’s assembly concludes without addressing them, they will only continue to spread beyond these walls."

"And you believe a duel will resolve generations of tradition?"

"No. I believe it will resolve the questions born from yesterday. If Lady Anastasiya defeats Young Lord Ilya before every branch gathered here, then no one will have reason to intertwine the succession with his unexpected victory."

Several elders slowly nodded.

"I concur."

"So do I."

"It would spare the family needless rumors."

One voice became several, and several gradually became the opinion of nearly every ruling elder present.

None challenged Valentin directly, nor did they dispute Anastasiya’s position outright.

Each of them framed the duel as something done for the stability of the family, making it increasingly difficult to refuse without appearing to disregard the collective judgment of the North’s ruling houses.

Anastasiya lowered her eyes, biting her lip.

If she continued objecting now, it would no longer be seen as protecting the dignity of the assembly. It would become Anastasiya Belozerskaya standing against the united counsel of the very Margraves whose support the Grand Duke relied upon to govern the North.

Valentin finally broke the silence.

"...Very well. The duel will take place."

His eyes fell on the boy.

"Ilya. Step forward."

"...."

Ilya’s brows rose.

It had been years since he had last heard Valentin address him by his given name. So much so that he could no longer remember when it had last happened. Around the estate, it had always been boy or simply nothing at all.

Hearing the word "Ilya" leave his father’s mouth now felt strangely unfamiliar.

This family truly was rotten.

Valentin acknowledged him only when circumstances demanded it, and today those circumstances happened to be the eyes of every branch family gathered under the same roof.

Once this assembly ended, Ilya doubted much would change between them.

"...Understood."

Without another word, he stepped away from the crowd.

The hall naturally parted before him as he made his way toward the center, every gaze following him in complete silence.

He eventually came to a stop opposite Anastasiya.

——Sister.

——Ilya... please help me...

There had once been a time when Anastasiya would instinctively look to him whenever she found herself lost or overwhelmed.

Despite being the elder sibling, she had always relied on him more than anyone else, and hearing her call his name had once been an ordinary part of every day.

Ilya looked into her eyes.

"Anastasiya."

Now, there was nothing left but hostility in her gaze.

When had it started?

When had everything between them gone so terribly wrong?

"...Ilya."

Even now, Ilya still didn’t know the answer.

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