Reincarnation By Execution

4. The New Villainess In Town

Evelyne excused herself under the pretense of seeking the restroom, though in truth she needed a moment to regroup—and perhaps devise a new plan to hasten her own downfall. As she moved through the gilded halls, her thoughts were interrupted by the sharp voices of noblemen clustered nearby.

“Demons were uncivilized barbarians. I’m relieved the gate to their realm is sealed. At least they can’t corrupt our peasants with their ways,” Marquess Vox declared with open disdain.

The others nodded in agreement, murmuring their assent.

Evelyne paused, the urge to challenge their ignorance too powerful to ignore. She stepped closer and spoke, her voice ringing clear and unyielding. “Demons are hardly barbarians. In fact, their system of governance far surpasses our antiquated birthright aristocracy. We fill our court with incompetent politicians simply because they inherited their titles.”

Unbeknownst to them, Crown Prince Cassian lingered nearby, listening with a faint smile of amusement.

Baron Knorfolk bristled, his tone defensive. “Antiquated? Our system ensures the right people are exactly where they belong.”

Evelyne scoffed. “Is that so? A man who squanders his fortune in bars and brothels is not what I’d call competent. Demons earn their positions through merit and trials—not because of their fathers’ names.”

Marquess Vox attempted to reassert control, his words laced with condescension. “A lady ought not to discuss politics with men, especially without her escort present.”

Evelyne arched an eyebrow, a sly smile ghosting her lips. “And that, Marquess, is precisely the problem.” With that, she spun on her heel, leaving the noblemen spluttering in her wake.

She slipped quietly into a side gallery, the clamor of the nobles fading behind velvet drapes and gilded archways. Here, the hush was nearly sacred—sunlight spilled through tall windows, casting fractured patterns across the marble floor. Evelyne pressed her back to a cool pillar, desperately gathering her thoughts, when the soft echo of footsteps broke her concentration. She tensed, recognizing the even, unhurried rhythm that could only belong to her brother.

Without turning, she called out, her voice laced with mock carelessness, “Dearest brother, tell me—what are the greatest offenses in this kingdom? Which crimes would see one’s head parted from their shoulders?”

A chuckle, warm and edged with mischief, answered her. But the timbre was wrong. “Execution? I suppose I’d sooner order it for someone who adored demons over their own kind. Though, ruining a dessert at royal tea party—that might be the true offense.”

Evelyne spun, heart hammering in her chest. It was not Damian at all, but Crown Prince Cassian, leaning in the doorway with an amused glint in his eye. She met his gaze, every muscle coiled like a trapped animal, defiance blazing across her face.

With a wild edge, she declared, “Then punish me. I love demons more than I ever could these people—more than this kingdom. I’m a traitor, fit only for the executioner’s blade!” The words tumbled out, a reckless challenge, tinged with desperate hope.

Cassian simply smiled, unfazed. “A charming performance, but you’ll have to do better than that,” he replied, shoulders lifting in a careless shrug. He pivoted and strode away, leaving Evelyne standing in silence, her latest attempt at infamy met with nothing more than a smirk and a closing door.

After a moment’s hesitation, Evelyne darted after Crown Prince Cassian, the echo of her footsteps reverberating through the sunlit gallery. She refused to let slip the tantalizing promise of her own execution. “Your Highness!” she called, voice ringing with theatrical urgency. “I assure you, my devotion to demons is so absolute, I could bring ruin upon this entire kingdom!” Her words chased him, bold and echoing in the marble hall.

Cassian paused, amusement flickering across his features as he glanced over his shoulder. He stopped, letting the silence hang between them like a velvet curtain. “Ruin the kingdom?” he repeated, the corners of his mouth lifting, his tone both mocking and curious.

“Yes,” Evelyne declared, her chin raised defiantly. “I will be the downfall of this realm if you don’t get rid of me—quickly.” Each syllable brimmed with reckless bravado, her eyes gleaming with challenge.

Cassian turned fully to face her, his gaze sharp and searching. “Oh? And how do you propose to accomplish such destruction?” His head tilted, curiosity etched in the arch of his brow.

Evelyne squared her shoulders, hands planted firmly on her hips. “I’ll declare you my enemy,” she announced, her voice ringing with mischievous authority. “I’ll threaten your happiness—make your fiancée utterly miserable, if I must.” The smirk she wore was laced with both mischief and hope, daring him to take her seriously.

Cassian’s smile almost broke free, his amusement barely contained. “Are you certain you want me as an enemy?” he murmured, voice dipped in intrigue. “If you insist, you might just get your wish—an execution.” He studied her, finding her more fascinating with every challenge she tossed his way, eager to discover what chaos she could truly unleash.

Evelyne grinned wider, the thrill of being seen—finally—sparking in her eyes. “I’m the new villainess in town,” she declared, her voice dancing between jest and conviction. “I vow to ruin your happiness until forcing you to punish me becomes your only option.” The idea sent a rush of adrenaline through her, a smile blooming across her lips at the prospect of finally achieving what she craved.

Cassian regarded her for a long moment, his laughter threatening to escape, before his demeanor slipped into a mask of seriousness. “Good luck,” he said simply, a cryptic blessing, and turned away once more.

Evelyne stood frozen, arms crossed, confusion swirling in her chest as she pondered where her plan had misstepped. Perhaps she needed to hate him more, or at least make her threats more convincing. Lost in thought, she failed to notice Cassian’s lingering gaze—the sly, secret smile he wore as he disappeared around the corner, utterly captivated by the kingdom’s newest villainess.

Fueled by unwavering resolve, Evelyne vowed to unleash chaos upon Solaris’s aristocracy—her mission clear: drive Crown Prince Cassian to the brink until ordering her execution became his only reasonable option.

Only then would her spell activate. Only then would she be free.

She jabbed a finger dramatically into the empty hallway.

“Just you wait, Your Highness,” she declared to absolutely no one. “I will earn my execution if it’s the last thing I do.”

Somewhere down the corridor, a guard coughed awkwardly.

Evelyne lifted her chin, unfazed.

This time, she would be truly villainous.

Probably.