Ascension Of The Villain

Chapter 117 - 117: Eternal Gratitude

"He called me by that pet name," Freya said, her voice barely more than a whisper, "and I ran away immediately. I didn't know where to go. If I went back to my tent, he could force his way in. So I thought if I hid here, he wouldn't dare follow."

Vyan's eyes softened as he gently patted her back, trying to offer comfort. It was hard to reconcile this trembling woman with the resolute Freya he had come to know over the past year. She had always projected a formidable strength, never flinching in the face of Lyon, even slapping him without hesitation.

Now, here she was trembling at the mere sound of Izac calling her name. Vyan couldn't begin to fathom how traumatizing it must have been for her.

"Freya," he said softly, "didn't you know Izac would be at this festival? Why didn't you tell me? Had I remembered what he did to you, I would never have asked you to come."

He had only invited her to help keep track of monster kills and perhaps have fun mingling with the ladies her age. The last thing he wanted was to endanger her.

"I didn't want to add to your stress," Freya murmured, her voice muffled as she buried her face in her knees. "You were already overwhelmed. I thought if I could just avoid him, it would be fine. But when I couldn't find you or Clyde, I started

"Vyan, is it not you in there?" she called, feeling a twinge of concern. Was it a thief trying to gather intelligence from Vyan's residence? "Vyan, or whoever you are, come out instantly, or I will call the guards—"

"Your Imperial Highness, please don't," came a clear voice, making Katelyn narrow her eyes.

"Who is that?" Katelyn demanded.

The woman approached the tent door and said, "I am Freya Adeline, Your Imperial Highness. I work as the treasurer at House Ashstone. His Grace let me stay here for the night due to some situation."

"How do I believe you if you don't show me your face?" Katelyn crossed her arms.

Freya sighed. "Alright, Your Imperial Highness. I will give you a quick peek."

"Okay."

As Freya opened the tent door just enough for Katelyn to see her, a young lady named Mitchell happened to walk by and halted in her tracks. Freya's eyes met Mitchell's, and both widened in realization.

Mitchell's hands flew to her mouth, gasping. "Oh, my Goddess, an unknown lady emerging from His Grace's tent first thing in the morning!"