Crushing flags and claiming the Villainess

Selner dreaded this moment.

She knew she would be asked about it. The past which Austin no longer remembers.

However, this was a little early and Austin was not ready to hear everything.

'But what can I do?' The Demon Lord appeared out of nowhere and after hearing his words, Austin surely would be eager to know what connects him with the Dark Lord.

She could not turn her face away from him here, or Austin probably would try to find the answer from a different source. And that could be dangerous.

"Madame Selner?" Austin called out again; impatience evident in his voice.

The short-haired woman heaved a sigh as she said, "I will tell you. Be prepared in the evening."

Austin hurriedly asked, "How will you find us?" He wasn't sure, as of now, where they would be heading after this. That's why, he asked.

Selner shook her head softly, "You don't need to worry about that. I will find you."

Hearing that tone, and those eyes, Valerie shifted subtly on her feet with her gaze narrowing.

Austin trusted her words since there was nothing else he could do, "I will be waiting for you."

With that exchange, the lady disappeared from their sight—which greatly surprised Austin and Valerie since if she actually flew away rather than teleporting, then she might be significantly stronger than what they assumed from their first meeting.

Turning towards the others, Austin said, "We should get going. The sun is about to set."

Adam and Cedric first checked on their child and asked a few things before they headed toward the place where Sebastian awaited them.

Unsurprisingly, the old man was just far away to not get caught in the battle but close enough to keep an eye on the battle.

His protective side was impartial.

They boarded the carriage and decided to first take shelter.

A lot has happened and Austin really needed a few hours of mental rest.

°°°°°°°

'System, anything you can share?' While they were seated in the carriage and were heading to their destination, Austin asked the system.

They weren't going to the Capital but rather to Corwon's territory. It was nearer than the Capital, and right now, everyone wanted some rest.

Valerie was currently leaning on Austin, her eyes closed and her breathing calm.

She hadn't had any food since morning and then that battle where she utilized an S-rank spell. Naturally, she would be exhausted.

There was a brief pause before the System informed us,

[There is no information to share, host.]

Austin wasn't expecting anything from the System. He has, until now, received no information about this world from the System. Whenever he asked, it was rather restricted information or something it didn't know.

Austin sighed. His source of information was limited. And he was excessively impatient to know his answers.

This was the first time Austin saw the Demon Lord. He has only heard about him in both lives.

Even Rhea never came across the final foe and before Luke could have reached that stage, he died.

So yes, this was the first time for him to see what the human's greatest enemy looked like.

However, rather than focusing on Valerie—who was one of the strongest human warriors—he was more focused on Austin. Rather, it would be more appropriate to say that Astaroth never looked at Valerie and focused more on Selner and Austin.

But why him? Did he do something? Was his unnatural growth caught the attention of the Demon Lord? He highly doubted that.

Then what? The System?

'Can be possible. However, why did it seem, he knew me?'

He had a lot of questions, but right now, all he could do was repeat the questions again and again.

"We are here, young master," Sebastian informed and that call alerted Valerie as she woke up.

"You okay?" Austin asked in a hushed tone.

Valerie softly smiled and gave a brief nod, "Mm...sorry, I fell asleep."

"Nothing to worry. Now let's go inside."

Valerie nodded before she stepped down from the carriage.

"Agh..." As Cedric tried to get up, he groaned.

"Father?" Austin asked.

Cedric shook his head, "Just my feet are numb...I will be fine."

Regardless of what he said, Austin went to support him.

Adam carried his wife and got down from the carriage followed by Valerie and Austin, who supported his father

Sebastian took Cedric from Austin, "I will help him," he said before draping his Lord's arm over his shoulder and heading towards the mansion.

Austin climbed the carriage and picked his mother in his arms.

She was still sleeping and that was better. After what she went through, her mind needed some hours of rest.

He slowly hopped off the carriage and fortunately, she didn't wake up.

Once he stepped inside, he saw Valerie waiting for him.

She gestured towards the maid before she bowed.

Valerie led him to the gallery on the left.

They didn't talk a word, mutually deciding to prioritize the Queen's sleep now.

Once they reached the room, Valerie opened the room for him, before Austin stepped inside.

It was a pretty huge room with a king-sized bed across from the door.

He gently lay the lady on the bed.

Her face was slightly pale, and there was something caught his attention.

A pearly droplet near the corner of her left eye.

Her expression was slightly tense as well, as if she was having a nightmare.

Austin took a deep breath before wiping her tears and whispering, "You are safe."

He didn't know if she was actually asleep since his words soothed her anxiety, and the frown on her face slowly receded.

Her complexion turned normal and the lady started breathing normally.

Valerie, who was at the entrance, couldn't stop herself from smiling at the sight.

Although the Queen failed to be a good mother, Austin didn't fail her as a son.

Austin soon got up and turned towards his beloved, as he asked smilingly, "Are you disappointed?"

Valerie shook her head, "I fell for you again."

Austin was flustered for a moment before he pulled her by her arm and said, "Not a great time to tease me. Now show me your room."

Now Valerie was flustered, "Y-You are going to stay there?" Her heart rate elevated by that thought. She didn't know why, but sharing the same bed on which she had always dreamed about him....it felt so wrong but so exciting at the same time...

"Haha...I just want to see your room." They weren't married yet, that's why staying in the same room would not be liked by Valerie's and his parents.

Valerie released a sigh—that contained both relief and disappointment—before she began leading him to the upper floor.

"My lady, good to see you back." A certain maid was standing before Valerie's room and gave a brief bow to the girl with a smile on her face.

"Ah, Miss Sally. How have you been?"

"I am quite well. Thank you for worrying, Miss Valerie."

Valerie nodded before she realized she hadn't introduced Austin to her.

"Austin...this..."

"I know. Your first teacher and someone who taught you baking. The only person you freely conversed with was when you were a child. She came to the Capital once, I remember."

Both Valerie and the maid were surprised to hear that Austin remembers the details.

And the surprise elevated when Austin bowed his head and said, "I am extremely thankful for being there for Valerie. She told me how you were always there in her bad times, helping her and encouraging her. So once again, I am thankful for what you did for her."

The older woman's eyes turned moist seeing the boy before her.

She actually was aware of their worsened relationship after Aiden returned. The last time Sally saw Austin, he was ignoring Valerie and didn't even eat the cookies she brought for him.

That broke Sally's heart and since that day, she couldn't stop disliking the Prince.

However, today, all those years worth of hatred melted instantly.

Bringing her hand on Austin's shoulder, she warmly said, "Don't thank me...just keep Valerie happy. It would be more than enough for me."

Austin raised his head, a smile extending his lips, as he said, "I will, Miss Sally."

°°°°°°°°°°

A/N:- I hope you all liked the chapter. Drop a comment and check out my new novel.