Life Of A Nobody - as a Villain-Chapter 482: The devil’s shadow and a little gremlin

"I'm sure Finn will be happy. We appreciate it," Servirous said, breaking the silence once the shock wore off. Genuinely offering a rare smile that tugged at the edge of his usually calm expression.

"It's nothing, compared to what you did when I was facing Aelthar." Rio said, remembering how Servirous asked Odin to come forward to stop the gods from interfering in his earlier battle.

"Huh, right. Tell me boy," Mirai cut in, the glint in his golden eyes sharpening, "What legacy did you get?"

"I heard that god was quite famous in his heyday. It must be something good, right?"

"It is. And I'm quite happy." Rio replied with a smile, though avoiding the question he asked earlier.

Mirai saw his intentions, and just let it go. Secrets were currency in their family. And it seems Rio - was quite wealthy.

With Amy's safety, Warzy's revenge, and Finn's future out of the way - the group of people finally focused on something new.

The tense atmosphere at the beginning of their meeting had long calmed down now. With a new table in front of them and wine glasses refilled.

Rio was enjoying the rare silence, thinking about his future plans and how to convince his parents, when the mysterious man said something, which chilled the atmosphere once more.

"Will you really not think more about Max's proposal?" The man asked, looking at Agnus, whose face froze at the mention of it.

"...." Rio heard the words referring to marrying his sister off to that bastard of a prince, and couldn't help but clench his fists. and glare angrily at the blurry figure.

Even with the sunglasses shielding his gaze, the killing intent pulsed out from him like a scent of blood in still water.

The mysterious man sensed the change in atmosphere and looked at Rio. Before turning his head back at Agnus.

His voice is still calm and clear as if he didn't take the kid's opposition or anger in mind at all.

"Alfred isn't an all that bad of a choice. He's a royal prince. And the future king of Schilla. And with Athena as the M-I-L (mother in law) won't Amy just be changing from one family to another."

"Plus with the royal family's power and influence, she'll both be happy and safe."

"I know there have been some misunderstandings between Alfred and your son. But they're both young people, and it's nothing they couldn't grow past over time."

"That's enough." Rio finally couldn't take it anymore and banged his fist on the table. Cracking it in half.

"My mother has already given the loud answer. And I will say it again." Rio spoke referring to how Artemis even went to slap the prince once he dared to have this idea and propose it in open.

"Amy will Never Marry that guy. Never."

Rio shouted, even forgetting the pretense of being nice and open to idea which he left for himself and Becca years ago.

"And as for his claim to kingship?" Rio chuckled coldly, "Heh, ask his father if he's willing to hand over the throne."

"RIO," Agnus yelled. His words pulling Rio back to his senses.

Rio realized he went a little too far in his comments, but he had no mood to apologise to anyone.

He ignored the judgy eyes from everyone else around him, and just stared at the mysterious man, as if trying to mark that aura into his mind, before turning around and leaving the room.

(Whoever you are. You better not come in front of me again.) Rio said in his heart, while walking away.

His restless magic still seeping through his body, making the shadow of darkness behind him grow bigger and bigger. Until that growing darkness finally stopped when he reached the door.

The blurry man who was calm from the beginning to the end, even when talking about facing the world or sentencing the Warzy to death _ finally couldn't help but furrow his brows, as a feeling of uneasiness swept his heart.

He looked around in confusion, only to freeze, staring at the shadow's head on the wall, where the burning light from the candlestick placed afront mirrored the shadow's eyes. novelbuddy-cσ๓

A wind blew in from somewhere and the yellowish flame suddenly turned bright red for a second.

The sight, for some reason sent chills down the man's spine, forcing him to leave his chair, and take a step back. Before standing up en guard instantly.

As if facing a fierce predator.

Servirous looked at his ancestors' reaction in doubt. And a dim light flashed behind his patch covered blind eye, - clearly trying to see what his ancestor saw on the wall.

But before his blessings could see the truth, the door closed behind Rio and the shadow disappeared.

___

The room remained silent, with no one speaking anything for the next few seconds.

And though unaware of his son's doing, Agnus took it upon himself to break this awkward silence.

"I think it's clear what my family thinks. So there's no need to discuss this any further." He said calmly. His words instantly ending the topic and any more debates over this issue.

"....I don't want to interfere in your family matters, Agnus. You should know that." Servirous started speaking after some thought.

"But for my daughter's sake, I will say it again. The enmity with the royal family is not a wise decision."

Agnus heard the warning, but didn't respond with anything.

As someone who knew Maximus since their childhood, and later went adventuring together for decades, – how could Agnus not know the personality of his 'best friend' and all the changes he's been through over the years.

But even with all that knowledge and fierceness, he wouldn't force Amy or Artemis to do something they didn't want to do.

As for meddling in Rio's affairs, that was even more unlikely.

When had his son ever listened to anybody after settling something in his mind?

….

Back outside, Rio walked through the empty corridors with a grim expression. His mind replaying the scene from the earlier meeting, and comparing it's content with the lines and plots written in the novel.

(I hope you make a wise decision, Grandpa. I'd hate to go against you.) Rio thought in his heart, remembering how Ravens sided with Maximus in the novel.

…

He was lost in his thoughts when he bumped into something and halted his pace.

But looking up, he saw nothing but empty air ahead.

Looking down however….

He noticed a tiny doll-like girl fallen on the floor. Ignoring her pain and just gathering her 'toys' in a hurry, with a silly smile and a little bit of wary look plastered across her cute little face.

Rio looked at the little innocent doll and couldn't help but remember Amy back in her childhood.

He was just about to bend down and help this lil cousin of hers. When suddenly his outstretched hand froze as a loud explosion that shook the floor echoed from the front.

Followed by a sharp angry noise which he could only identify as Finn's.

"Neraaaaaaaaa ....." Finn shouted 'angrily' as he rushed out of his room in quick steps, with his hair smoking like a chimney, and tiny flames still lingering around his shoulders and charred clothes.

Rio looked at the invincible young genius whose talent shook the lands in this pitiful condition, and couldn't help but look down towards Nera with a curious gaze.

Only to see emptiness again.

"Huh, where'd she…." He muttered as he turned around, only to see the little girl run briskly towards the meeting room.

"Where is she?" Finn asked Rio, before ignoring him and chasing after the little girl without stopping. "Where's that little demon going?"

Rio looked at the duo's back, one running away, and the other chasing behind _ and couldn't help but feel funny.

This scene was so familiar. But before he could reminisce and laugh, what happened next broke his expression.

And he couldn't help but just turn around and pretend he said nothing. Saw nothing.

He had just taken a few steps when the sound of a blast, a roar, and a hearty laughter all echoed behind him.

…

There Nera hugged her grandfather's neck, hanging herself freely, before cheering and jumping in joy as Mirai taught the 'unruly' Finn a lesson on watching his surroundings and following etiquette when walking in corridors.

Rio saw this scene from over his shoulder, before glancing at Finn fixed upside down in a broken wall, and couldn't help but fasten his footsteps.

"She's nothing like Amy."

#####

A/N - 😊

R𝑒ad lat𝒆st chapt𝒆rs at f(r)eew𝒆bnov𝒆l.com Only