I will not die a Villainess's death

Once Elysia had gone to sleep, Lucas also retreated to his room. He could feel Hector's disapproving glance staring into his head but Lucas didn't spare him a look.

After all, he already knew what the head butler was worried about.

"Hector, if you are worried about Elysia wearing the family crest at the upcoming charity ball, then you should calm yourself down. She has my full support to do what she wants to."

Lucas had said those words to reassure the Head Butler but the man looked even more pissed off and worried for some reason.

For whatever reason, Hector refused to look past the world's taint on Elysia and continued to cause trouble for her.

Lucas already ignored the staff's various mistakes when it came to Elysia but generally turned a blind eye to it all.

After all, Elysia would not like it if Lucas soured his relationship with his staff for her. But sometimes the temptation to say 'fuck you to his staff was too much to handle.

"But my lord, I cannot look past her deeds this time. For her to even suggest wearing the Dirac crest when you have never worn it. How is that fair to you? Won't it be like throwing salt into your wounds?"

'Just what kind of thoughts is this butler cooking up in his brain now? Why would my sister wearing the family crest be a taint on my name?'

There was something Lucas was missing in this context but he was not sure what it was. Lucas was well aware that he had different views about loyalty and honor than a normal person.

'Let's just hear what Hector has to say before I dismiss him. He does come up with a few good ideas once in a while.'

There was no real reason for Lord Dirac to take advice from a servant but Lucas was a little liberal with his staff. That was a reason the staff liked working for him.

"My lord, I know you want to indulge Lady Elysia's demand but it is illogical for her to wear the Dirac house crest before the actual house head does. It will send the wrong message out to the people."

By the wrong message, Hector likely meant that people will think that Elysia was the actual house head.

Under the current Imperial rule, only the House head and his heir could permit someone to wear the Nobel crest on their clothes. And that was only when they were wearing the crest.

And since Elysia was neither the next heir nor the family head, she should have no business wearing the family crest.

Not if Lord Dirac was not willing to wear one as well.

'I guess wearing the family crest for Elysia's sake is not the worst outcome. It could boost her reputation among the nobles.'

"Fine, I understand the situation. I will deal with it accordingly."

"You will? Then, should I contact the dress shop which is customizing the Lady's orders, and ask them to not add the crest?"

"Of course not. Ask them to add the crest to my clothes as well. Make mine and Elysia's sets matching ones since we will be representing the same house."

The happy expression on Head Butler Hector's face instantly froze.

There was a constant shift between happiness and dread on that man's face and it was amusing to watch.

"B-But my lord, are you sure? You were never comfortable with wearing the crest. You should not let Lady Elysia's desires sway your wants."

For someone who had done everything in his power to get Lord Dirac to wear the family crest, Hector was being dismissive this time.

Was Elysia's presence this off-putting to him?

"I am doing this all out of my own free will. Elysia has nothing to do with this so don't bring her into this fude. You are also dismissed for the day."

The Head Butler looked like he had a lot more to say about this topic.

But he stopped his mouth from uttering any word when the main door was knocked upon. It seemed like Hector had a few words to speak with Lucas in private.

"Oi Lucas, hurry up and open the door. I have important news for us."

But it could all wait after Lucas was done talking with Sorias. The beast had decided to retreat into the enchanted forest along with Andrew (Sara's father) to try and get him to speak.

The beast have been gone for a day now but his urgent tone indicated that his words could not wait.

"My lord, should I let the intruder in? His behavior is not reassuring and you could be in danger."

Hector did have a point. Sorias's voice did sound very threatening to those who did not know him. And even now it seemed like he was threatening Lucas.

"No need. I've known Lord Sorias since I was a kid and he is Elysia's familiar. I am sure I can handle myself for now."

The Head Butler sighed out loud at his dismissal tone. Lucas ignored his complaining 'that's what I'm worried about the butler muttered under his breath.

The Head Butler was even brave enough to have a stare-off with Sorias when he left the room but soon there were only two left in here.

"This guy gives me the creeps. You should be careful around people like him since they are easily influenced by the world."

Lord Sorias sounded bitter as he entered the room. The stare-off had ended in a stale mate for both sides which must be irritating Sorias a lot.

The younger was always a dominant one and wanted to have things his way. Being evenly matched like this by a no-name person must be getting to him.

'Just let Hector's behavior slide this time. I know how he comes across but he's a good man overall. We don't need to be concerned about him."

Or at least, they did not have to be concerned about Hector right now. Some too many other enemies needed Lucas's attention.

And it was nice to have someone like Hector around who was vigilant and could also become shrewd when the time called for it.

"Well, if you are sure he's a decent man then I'll take your words for it. But remember, we beasts see humans differently than you. So when I ask you to be careful of someone, I am not saying it lightly."

Lucas knew that but he did not want to doubt Hector. The man had been with him for a few years now.

"Anyway, that is not what I was here to say. I wanted to talk to you about the Kelvin town case and the results we found."

Lucas's focus instantly shifted to the talk in front of him.

The Kelvin town case was not something Lucas had paid enough attention to at first but he could no longer turn a blind eye toward it.

Especially since one of the 'beast' people were concerned with it.

"Was it the same Andrew we knew? Didn't he go missing when we arrived in this world?"

When their world had ended, not everyone had been fortunate enough to survive the shift. It was impossible to count the innumerable casualties that had resulted. Those who had ended up dying had their existence re-moved from everyone's consciousness.

The only reason people even know of this erased existence was through the things left behind by those people.

But not everyone had been fortunate enough to be forgotten. Some people had simply gone missing when their world had merged into this one and their laws had changed.

"The forest managed to clear some of Andrew's emotions and he finally confessed. According to him, he had not chosen to go missing of his own accord but someone has dragged him and several others away from our group,"

"He said that this person felt familiar so he didn't protest much against them. As for how this person looked or how he sounded, he doesn't remember at all. He just remembered that the man said something about 'revenge' on this world and shit."

Lord Sorais sounded as frustrated as Lucas looked. The more they dragged their feet into this case, the more it tangled up.

To involve the world's favorite in a scheme was a big thing. The world would not have allowed such a thing to happen unless he had no other choice but to do so.

"We won't be able to solve this case with only so few clues. We will need to revisit this case later again. For now, I will keep an eye on things while you keep Elysia safe. I have a feeling she will get involved in all this sooner or later."

Lord Dirac would give anything for Elysia to not get involved in things but the world didn't work like that.

The world had chosen Elysia as a 'villain' so it would do its best to continue labeling her as such. Maybe this was also a ploy to get Elysia into trouble.

"Lucas, are you going to the charity ball this weekend? I think we should avoid making any public appearances for now. Things are too hectic right now."

Lucas knew that Sorias's words made sense. But he could not follow them because of his current position.

He was 'The Duke' and his disappearance during such an event would be a hot topic.

Not to mention, it was too close to Elysia's initiation into the Dirac house and her incident. A lot of people will be out to get them at this time.

"I want to stay out of the public eye as well but now is not the time. Elysia needs this public appearance to show that she had my support."

Lord Sorais gave a suffering-filled sigh but then smiled soon enough.

"I had a feeling that you would say that to me. Alright, do what you need to do. I am looking forward to the ball as well. I wonder how funny those nobles will look when they see you and Elysia in your family crests."

"Yeah, I cannot wait for their reaction either. It is going to be amusing, right?"

Lucas knew how much trouble it would cause for Elysia to show up in Dirac crest and colors instead of the royal ones.

It would also likely anger that Draconic Crown Prince of theirs and cause trouble. But honestly, Lord Dirac was looking forward to it.

The Crown Prince was all but talk thus far and if the annulment of this engagement was what it took to get him moving, then that was the hand Lord Dirac would play.

"Do what you feel right Lucas but also be careful. Fire gives warmth but it can burn you as well. Play with it safely."

"There is no safe way to play with fire. All I can do is hope and contain it. I guess we will see what will happen once the ball arrives here."