Living As the Villainess Queen (Web Novel KR)-Chapter 425.2

After sunset, Nicholas carried Alber out of the prison. Moving with lightning speed, he ascended the long staircase in a single bound. As she clung to his back, a whirlwind of emotions surged within her. She had once believed she would never see the outside world again. The thought was almost laughable now—how blind she had been to her own fate, failing to foresee even the most imminent future.

When Nicholas finally reached the top and stepped into the open air, Alber took a deep, exhilarated breath. The crisp night breeze filled her lungs, so different from the damp, stagnant air of the prison. Forgotten memories stirred within her—yes, this is how it used to smell.

"Please… put me down for a moment," she whispered.

Nicholas gently lowered her to the ground. Alber ran her hands over the earth beneath her, feeling its cool, solid presence. She gazed up at the darkened sky, which, despite the night, seemed far brighter than the eternal gloom of the underground cell. Closing her eyes, she drew in several slow breaths, savoring the freedom she had thought lost forever. Find the newest release on n͟o͟v͟e͟l͟f͟i͟r͟e͟.net

Nicholas watched her in silence, half-expecting tears. But instead, a serene smile crossed her lips. In that moment, he sensed a newfound wisdom in her—as if she had come to terms with everything.

"I have one selfish request," she said, her voice steady.

"Please, ask whatever you wish," Nicholas replied without hesitation.

"Before we go to the ritual site, there is somewhere I’d like to visit."

Without question, Nicholas granted her request and took her to the Muen estate.

The moment they arrived, the guards stationed around the grand mansion sprang into action, rushing to report the unexpected presence of the king. Within moments, Thas emerged, hurrying toward them with practiced grace.

"Your Majesty, it is an honor to meet you in person," he said with a deep bow. "I am Thas, heir of the Muen family. Please, come inside."

“Thank you for the warm welcome, despite the sudden visit,” Nicholas said. “But today, I am not the guest.”

Still clinging to his back, Alber extended a trembling hand toward Thas.

“Thas, it’s been a long time,” she said softly.

Thas stared in stunned silence at the unfamiliar old woman who spoke his name with such familiarity. His brows furrowed in confusion, searching her face for answers.

“I came to see Rahan,” Alber added.

At her words, Thas’s eyes widened, his expression shifting from bewilderment to shock. His lips trembled as he struggled to form words, but they failed him. Then, suddenly, tears spilled down his cheeks.

“F-Father… my father…!” he choked out.

Alber nodded gently. “Yes. He called for me before he left.”

Sniffling, Thas wiped his tears with his sleeve and quickly led them through the grand halls of the mansion to his father’s chamber.

Inside, the head of the Muen family lay unconscious, his shallow breaths the only sign of life. For days, he had been unresponsive, and the doctors had long given up hope, claiming only a miracle could wake him. The household had slowly come to terms with the inevitable, and even during the chaos earlier that day, none had dared leave his side.

Alber approached the bedside, her wrinkled hands trembling as she gently caressed Rahan’s face.

“Rahan,” she whispered, her voice filled with affection. “You finally brought me out of there. Thank you. I am fine now, so don’t worry… and rest in peace.”

Suddenly, Rahan’s chest rose sharply, his body shuddering as if struggling against an unseen force.

Thas gasped. “Father?!”

For a fleeting moment, a faint smile appeared on Rahan’s stiff lips before his body relaxed, the convulsions fading into stillness.

“Father!” Thas cried out in anguish, falling to his knees beside the bed.

Tears welled in Alber’s eyes as well. No matter how many of her descendants she had witnessed passing, the pain never dulled. She gently took Rahan’s hand in hers, pressing it to her lips in a final farewell.

My beloved child, may this life have been your final journey.

***

The monster withdrew peacefully, its massive black form slithering leisurely beyond the desert. Those who witnessed the spectacle could only stare in awe as the serpent vanished into the horizon.

Meanwhile, the royal carriage that had departed the palace with Eugene now made its return, greeted by thunderous cheers from the crowds lining the roadsides.

However, inside the carriage, there was no sense of triumph. Lester sat in silence, burdened by an overwhelming weight, while Aldrit sat beside him, his tension palpable.

"Aldrit, go to the royal palace with the general," Eugene had instructed firmly before departing. "You have the notebook to stay in touch with me. Once I arrive in the capital, I'll write to you. That way, everyone will feel reassured. I'm counting on you."

She had been adamant—no one must know she wasn’t in the palace. Her parting words echoed in Lester's mind.

"If both His Majesty and I are absent, the people will panic. I trust the general to maintain order. Also, station guards around the desert ritual site. I’ll likely use it to return."

I must be insane, Lester thought bitterly, gripping his trembling hands. He should have clung to her, refused to let her go.

But how could I have stopped her?

This was the woman who had annihilated countless larks in the blink of an eye and spoken with the monstrous serpent as if it were an old acquaintance. What could he have possibly done to stand in her way?

Even His Majesty wouldn’t have been able to.

The thought brought him no comfort. If anything, it only deepened the weight in his chest. His sovereign, too, had been powerless to change her course.

While Lester counted down the remaining days of his life, far from the palace, Eugene waited with Sven in the blind spot beneath the fortress wall, watching and waiting for the cover of complete darkness.