Chapter 5 “The tryrant and villainess ” part 5

Nexas looked at Hubr calmly.

“So,” he asked, “is there anyone senior here? Someone above you? A manager, perhaps?”

Hubr gestured toward the seats and politely invited them to sit.

“Actually, there is no senior,” Hubr answered honestly. “Our leader manages everything alone.”

“Right now, it’s just me and two others handling this office. Please feel free to speak openly with me. We may not be the best, but we provide good-quality items.”

Nexas sat down, his expression unchanged.

“This really is a merchant mindset…”

His thoughts drifted for a moment.

<In the second series, the heroine was the humiliated second villainess—the owner of this group. She was branded an evil merchant.>

<But I never truly knew what happened to her. It was similar to the prince’s ball incident. The difference is—this is my world now. I’ve lived here my whole life. I was reborn here.>

< The game’s story can change easily because of the butterfly effect.>

If he hadn’t regained his memories… who knew where he would have ended up?

He looked back at Hubr.

“Hubr,” Nexas said calmly, “if you don’t mind, I would like to invest in your group. I heard your merchants deal in magic engineering items.”

Hubr stiffened slightly, then bowed deeply.

“I apologize if I sound disrespectful,” he said earnestly. “But to us, you are our savior.”

“We will do whatever you ask of us. However, magic items are difficult for me to provide right now.”

Nexas nodded, satisfied.

“Good. I’m not in a hurry. Calm down,” he replied, handing over a crest token and several gold coins.

“When your merchant routes move west, feel free to contact me directly at the Dreadborne Mansion.”

Hubr’s eyes widened.

“That would be an honor, sir.”

Ai leaned closer and whispered, “You’re doing business like a villain.”

Nexas replied softly, “I’ll take that as a compliment. And why haven’t you changed your clothes yet?”

After a few minutes, Nexas gave Hubr a brief nod.

“Alright,” he said calmly.

“Please inform your owner properly. And… thank you for the clothes.”

Hubr bowed again.

“It’s our honor. The owner will be pleased when he hears our report.”

Nexas turned to leave. Ai followed—until Nexas suddenly stopped.

His gaze dropped to a wooden box near the counter.

The faint shine inside made his pupils narrow.

“…Is that,” he said slowly, “South Almond?”

Hubr blinked, surprised.

“Yes. Imported directly and High quality.”

Nexas’s eyes sparkled like a child discovering treasure.

“Pack four—no,” he corrected himself seriously, “six bags. I’ll take them.”

Hubr froze.

“S-six?”

“Yes.”

Ai grabbed Nexas’s sleeve.

“Master. Not again, please.”

Nexas ignored her.

“Why are you so obsessed with almonds?” Ai complained. “You eat them at the house every day.”

Nexas looked at her with deep sincerity.

“Shut up. These are my tasty babies. And for your information, you’re no different—you steal food at night.”

Ai stared at him.

“…You really like almonds that much? And for your information, women need late-night snacks for good sleep.”

“Very necessary snacks, you mean,” Nexas replied coldly.

A few minutes later, Nexas and Ai left the merchant office, now dressed in clean, blue-toned clothes that matched the city’s style.

The streets of Aqualis bustled around them, filled with sea-scented air and lantern light.

Nexas casually opened one bag and ate an almond, his expression softening.

“…Perfect. South almonds really are the best.”

Ai walked beside him with a gloomy face. She had long given up trying to understand her master’s strange sweet tooth.

<Almonds over treasure… unbelievable. He even eats them while hunting.>

Suddenly, Nexas stopped.

Without raising his voice, he spoke.

“You can come out now, sir.”

Ai stiffened.

Nexas continued calmly, chewing.

“It’s not very dignified for a Three-Star Ranker to hide like a thief.”

Silence. Then—

A cough sounded from behind a pillar.

The old knight stepped forward, posture straight but slightly awkward.

“…I apologize for my interference,” the knight said, bowing lightly.

Ai glanced between them.

“Master, should I speak politely?”

“No,” Nexas replied quietly. “Why? Are you planning to pick a fight? Let him talk.”

The knight raised his head, eyes sharp but respectful.

Nexas ate another almond.

“If you’re worried about why I’m here,” Nexas said evenly, “I know you already know who we are and I have a letter from the Duke.”

“or… may I hear your name, sir?”

The old man straightened at once, placing a hand over his chest.

“Marven Aurelion,” he said respectfully. “Harbor Captain of Aqualis.”

Then he added sincerely,

“And thank you for your help today, young lord of El Dreadborne.”

Ai’s eyes turned cold.

She stepped half a pace closer to Nexas, her presence sharp.

Nexas glanced at her.

“Be quiet, you wild girl,” he said softly. “Act like a good girl.”

Ai frowned.

“But why are you scolding me? I didn’t do anything.”

Nexas sighed, rubbing his temple.

“Sir Marven,” he continued, returning his attention to the captain, “if you have no other business, please stop following us. It’s uncomfortable.”

Marven hesitated.

“I know we’re supposed to go straight to the Duke’s mansion,” Nexas added.

“But I’m just trying to enjoy the city a little. I don’t get many vacations. Do you understand?”

Marven lowered his head slightly.

“I beg your pardon for my rudeness,” he said. “But, young lord… it’s time to go. The Duke informed me of your arrival.”

Ai crossed her arms and glared at Nexas.

“I told you,” she muttered. “Going out wasn’t a good idea.”

Nexas looked at her sideways.

“Why complain now,” he said dryly, “when you enjoyed it the most?”

Ai paused.

“…That’s different,” she replied stubbornly.

Marven cleared his throat, clearly holding back a smile.

The sea breeze passed between them, carrying the scent of salt and lantern oil.

Nexas finished the last almond and brushed his fingers clean.

“Alright,” he said at last. “Let’s go.”

Ai followed beside him, still grumbling.

Marven stepped ahead, guiding them toward the Duke’s estate—

while the city of Aqualis quietly watched the tyrant lord walk its lantern-lit streets.

After a few minutes, Nexas’s carriage finally came to a halt before the gates of House Thalewyn.

The gates opened slowly, revealing an estate drenched in ocean hues—crystal ponds dotted with living corals, water lilies glowing faintly beneath the surface, and stone paths polished smooth, as if kissed daily by the sea wind.

The maids standing in formation wore layered blue dresses, their designs reminiscent of rolling waves rather than fabric.

Ai’s eyes widened.

“…So much blue,” she murmured. “I feel like the sea is staring back at me.”

Nexas stepped down from the carriage, his expression composed, though his gaze briefly swept across the estate.

Behind him stood Marven Aurelion, the harbor captain who had all but dragged him here, his posture straight-backed.

<What bad luck,> Nexas thought dryly.

<I didn’t even manage to buy a proper gift for my fiancée. Come to think of it… I’ve never given a gift to any woman in my past either. Even when I had a secret relationship with someone… I suddenly miss her.>

The thought left a faint, unfamiliar discomfort in his chest.

The inner gates opened wider.

Knights saluted in unison.

Maids bowed deeply.

Then, from the mansion’s entrance, two figures emerged.

One was a small, elderly woman with a gentle presence—her hair neatly tied, her eyes sharp despite her age.

Beside her stood a tall man with teal hair and deep blue eyes, his posture dignified, his aura calm yet heavy, like a quiet tide.

Faylith Thalewyn, the Duchess.

And Duke Raphael Thalewyn, master of this house—a man standing on the same level as Duke Chaos El Dreadbrone.

Nexas stepped forward without hesitation.

“Nice to meet you,” he said clearly.

“Lady Faylith Thalewyn. Your Grace, Duke Raphael Thalewyn.”

He placed a hand over his chest in a noble salute.

“I am Nexas El Dreadbrone,” he continued, his voice steady,

“the first son of House El Dreadbrone.”

The sea breeze passed between them.

For a brief moment, the meeting of two great houses began in silence.

Raphael smiled faintly and inclined his head.

“Pleased to meet you, Nexas El Dreadbrone,” he said calmly.

“This is my wife, Lady Faylith Thalewyn. From this moment on, think of this place as your home.”

As his words settled, an invisible pressure spread outward—soft yet heavy, like the deep sea.

It rolled over the maids and knights nearby, making their backs straighten instinctively.

Lady Faylith stiffened. For a moment, she couldn’t meet Nexas’s eyes.

Nexas noticed immediately.

“Please don’t worry, Lady Faylith,” he said gently.

“I understand how you feel. Most people need time to… adjust to me the first time.”

His tone was calm, without arrogance.

Faylith took a slow breath, gathered her courage, and finally looked up at him.

“…Nice to meet you, young lord,” she said politely. Then she hesitated.

“But… why are you alone?”

Nexas froze.

He slowly turned his head, scanning the surroundings.

“…Ai?”

A moment later, he spotted her.

Ai was crouched beside the pond, her face inches from the water, eyes shining as she stared at the massive shapes moving beneath the surface.

“Sharks,” she whispered in awe.

Nexas closed his eyes.

<Of all moments… she’s watching sharks. Wait—there are sharks in the pond?>

“Please excuse me for one minute,” he said, bowing lightly to the Duke and Duchess.

He walked over, raised his hand, and tapped Ai sharply on the head.

“Ow!”

“We are standing in front of a Duke and a Duchess,” Nexas said quietly.

“Control yourself. When did you even move so quietly?”

“But, Master,” Ai protested, still peeking at the pond, “those are sharks.”

“I know,” Nexas replied flatly. “I want to see them too. Later. Right now, no.”

Ai pouted, but stood up properly.

They returned together.

Nexas and Ai bowed at the same time.

“I apologize for my servant’s behavior,” Nexas said.

Ai followed quickly.

“S-sorry.”

Behind their composed faces, the two whispered simultaneously.

“You embarrassed me. Well… this isn’t the first time,” Nexas muttered.

“They’re sharks—real sharks. Not sea serpents or fountain monsters like at home,” Ai whispered back stubbornly.

Lady Faylith and Duke Raphael heard everything.

For a brief second, the silence broke—

Duke Raphael let out a low chuckle.

Lady Faylith glanced at Nexas again.

<Is he really the tyrant people talk about? But his presence feels dangerous… then why would my daughter be arranged with him?>Her heart felt uneasy.

Duke Raphael turned his gaze toward Ai.

“It seems you are quite close to that maid,” he said calmly.

Nexas shot Ai a sharp glare—as if saying introduce yourself properly unless you want to die by my hand.

Nexas nodded slightly and spoke in a low voice.

“Ai.”

Ai stepped forward at once. Her posture straightened, her presence changing completely.

She bowed with perfect etiquette, like a noble trained from birth.

“Nice to meet you, Your Grace, Lady Faylith,” she said clearly.

“My name is Ai. I am the commander of Lord Nexas’s personal knight order and his assistant, serving the firstborn of House El Dreadbrone.”

Duke Raphael’s eyes narrowed slightly in surprise.

“…You’re a good girl,” he said after a pause. “I didn’t even notice when you moved earlier.”

Lady Faylith smiled softly.

“Nice to meet you, Lady Ai,” she said kindly.

“If I may ask… are you a noble? And From which house?”

For the first time, both Nexas and Ai froze.

Nexas stepped forward immediately.

“I beg your pardon, Lady Faylith,” he said calmly, but there was weight in his voice.

“Ai is an orphan. She was found alone on the streets.”

He lowered his head slightly.

“I hope you won’t ask her anything related to her past.”

Lady Faylith’s eyes widened.

“I… I apologize, Lady Ai.”

Ai shook her head quickly and bowed.

“Please don’t,” she said softly. “I don’t deserve such honor.”

Duke Raphael cleared his throat.

“…We apologize for our rudeness, young lord,” he said.

“Let us move inside and talk properly.”