Reincarnated As The Villainess's Son

"For those who have left us and those who mourn for their deaths."

In the broken base of the World Tree, the voice of an elderly elf echoed.

Her eyes closed as her hand moved over the faces of the dead Queen and King lying in their coffin.

She stood in the shattered heart of the World Tree, where roots once glowed, now blackened by the royal's resting place.

The elder elf who introduced herself as High Matron Selyra—hovered her wrinkled hand above their faces once again, then pressed it gently to her chest.

"May the spirits guide you to the stars," she murmured. "And may your light remain in the branches of the tree."

Around her, many elves knelt, with their heads bowed deeply.

Pasithea stood among them.

The crown on her head glinted faintly, but it didn't hold any power when she was blowing her eyes.

Pasithea didn't try to hide it.

Tears streamed down her cheeks as she looked at her parents, but she didn't wipe them away.

She stood there, with her back straight and her jaw set, trying not to let the weight of everything crush her where she stood.

I stayed at the edge of the chamber, among a handful of outsiders allowed to witness this rite.

No one had spoken to me since the coronation ended.

Not even Pasithea.

'Not that I expected her to.'

She had too much on her shoulders now.

Selyra began the final chant, her voice soft but steady.

A thin crystal she held lit up faintly, and a stream of glowing threads rose into the air, drifting toward the broken dome above us.

They vanished into the daylight sky, like souls dissolving into wind.

I felt the pull of the moment, but it wasn't mine to carry.

This grief belonged to them.

Still, I couldn't take my eyes off Pasithea.

She looked so small, standing there alone.

Even though there were people kneeling all around her, she seemed like the only one who had truly lost everything.

And yet she didn't crumble.

She reached toward the coffins, her hands trembling slightly, and placed them gently on the polished wood.

She whispered something I couldn't hear, then took a step back.

There was nothing but silence after that.

….Just silence.

A silence that said she knew this wasn't the end of her mourning.

Just the beginning.

The ceremony ended quietly.

People began to rise, some lingering, others wiping their eyes, all of them moving carefully as if sudden noise might shatter what little peace they had left.

I watched Pasithea as she turned away from the coffins, her expression unreadable now.

She didn't look at anyone as she walked out.

And yet, even as she left, the way people moved around her changed.

They made space.

They lowered their heads.

Even if they didn't speak it aloud, they were starting to see her….not as the broken girl from yesterday, but as their Queen.

'And that was enough for now.'

She could take care of herself for now.

I let out a sigh as I began to walk along with her.

There is a lot of distance between here and the palace, and according to the rules we have to walk there.

'It's almost fifty kilometres.'

I thought as I looked around the place.

At my side just a few steps away were Elijah and Aimar.

When my gaze met with them, they silently walked towards me.

"Are you alright?" Elijah asked with a small smile.

"Yeah." I whispered softly. "I am more concerned about Pasithea."

"She is strong," Aimar said, his voice a little deeper. "I think she can handle herself."

I gave a gentle nod without anything else.

Elijah whispered, "Have you heard about Wilhelm?"

"What about him?"

"Apparently he was appointed as one of the generals," Elijah said, looking at me. "He will lead an army."

I frowned. "How can they just appoint—."

"He volunteered for it," he cut in my words. "He wanted to do it."

"...."

I kept my silence as I looked away from him.

'I will never understand him.'

Why would he do such a thing?

Even though he has a daughter waiting for him at home.

…Why risk his life?

'I will…never.'

"Himmel," Elijah whispered softly. "I plan to live in Kandam for a while."

"Hmm?" I tilted my head. "With your mother?"

"…Yeah," he smiled softly. "I will keep her company for a few months."

I placed my hand on his shoulder, squeezing it gently.

"Just tell me if anyone bothers you," I said, looking at him. "I will take care of it."

"You don't have to," Elijah replied as he came closer. "I am an Avatar as well remember."

I smiled softly as he hugged me and I hugged him back.

We remained like that for a few moments before being separated.

Aamir who was looking at us suddenly commented, "You know, you guys will make a great gay couple—."

"Have I not beaten you enough?" I asked, looking at him. "Want some?"

Aimar smiled. "You really want a smack on your ass don't you, lil boy?"

Elijah burst into laughter, trying to cover his mouth with the back of his hand. "Fuck you guys, we are at a funeral."

"Tell him," I groaned. "He is still a child."

"I am not," Aimar said, nudging me with his elbow. "I've matured."

"No, you've just gotten worse," I muttered, rubbing my temple.

There was a silence between the three of us.

"I will be leaving with the Vampires for a while."

Aimar suddenly said, making me halt.

"Maybe a month or two…maybe six months."

I frowned hard at his words. "..Why?"

He looked into my eyes. "I have things to do."

"By things you mean Elise?" Elijah asked his voice a little too curious.

"No." Aimar looked at him with disgust. "Not that thing."

We both looked at him with confusion.

'They are dating.... right?'

Aimar mumbled. "It's something else."

"Just…stay safe," I said, looking at him. "I don't want anything to happen to you."

Aimar smiled softly. "Don't worry. I will come back from death if you ask."

I stretched my arms a little. "Want a hug?"

"Ew. No." He grumbled taking two steps away. "I would rather not."

My smile dropped. "Fuck you too."

Elijah laughed again, quieter this time, as he nudged Aimar in the ribs. "You'll miss us, admit it."

Aimar scoffed, brushing invisible dust off his shoulder. "Maybe I'll miss Elijah. You? Not a chance."

"Uh-huh." I gave him a sideways glance. "Bet you cry yourself to sleep the second you're gone."

Aimar opened his mouth to fire back, but he chose to remain quiet.

'Looks like he will miss me.'

I smiled gently as he looked away.

"What about you?" Elijah asked, looking at me. "What will you do?"

I thought about it for a while but I already knew the answer.

"I will join the war," I said softly. "Try to end it as quickly as possible."

"You alone?" Aimar raised his brow. "What are you smoking, share some with me."

"No, I think he can." Elijah chimed in. "I will place my bets on him as well."

Aimar clicked his tongue in annoyance. "Just kiss him already."

I rolled my eyes, brushing past them as we began walking down the long plain path.

The atmosphere shifted once we left the sanctity of the mourning ground.

The voices grew louder, heavier, as if the silence we'd held so tightly was no longer welcome.

Yet, it wasn't for long.

We continued walking for a while, falling into a natural rhythm.

No one rushed.

No one spoke much.

Eventually, we reached a bend in the road, where a few soldiers stood waiting with supplies.

But….

My eyes shifted at someone else.

To be more specific, on the three people who stood at the forefront of the soldiers.

I don't know when, but Pasithea had already reached there and was waiting for everyone.

….No.

With how her eyes were on me, it was me who she was waiting for.

My eyes then shifted to Nerissa, who stood on her left side and then on Diana standing on her right.

Finally, I reached towards her and was immediately stopped by the soldiers.

"Let him through," Pasithea said calmly.

Her voice wasn't loud, but it didn't need to be.

The soldiers moved aside without hesitation.

There was a stillness to her now—less grief, more resolve.

Like something inside her had settled, even if it hadn't healed.

She didn't speak at first.

Neither did I.

"I've been waiting," she finally said.

I nodded once. "I figured."

The group of elves that were behind us began to stop and look at the commotion we were making.

Apparently, everyone likes drama.

Pasithea drew in a deep breath.

"As the queen and the last of my family."

She said, her eyes remained on me.

"I banish you from participating in the war."

There was a gasp all around me as I closed my eyes.

"Do you even know what you are doing?"

There was a silence between us as no one spoke.

"I am protecting you," she finally said. "And I am protecting myself."

Diana quietly took a step forward. "This is the decision all the elven heads had taken after considering—."

"It was you, wasn't it?" I asked, cutting her off. "The one who wants me out of this."

Diana shook her head. "It wasn't me."

My gaze shifted towards Nerissa, who coldly stared into my eyes.

"I am protecting the elves not you," she replied. "…You only bring bad luck wherever you go."

"...."

A bitter smile formed on my lips at her words.

Because deep down, I know….

[<Don't even think about it.>]

Inna's voice echoed after a long time.

[<You are the luckiest thing that can happen to those around you, remember that.>]

"...."

I slowly closed my eyes.

And….

Finally, I nodded.

"I will abide with your request."

I said, looking into her eyes.

"Queen Pasithea."

There was no need for me to wait for her next words.

I just walked past her and began to walk towards the teleportation portal.

There is one more person that I need to talk to.

….Yennefer really needs to give me some answers.