Crushing flags and claiming the Villainess

Very early in the morning, they prepare to leave, since it takes quite a long time to reach the academy.

To cover the distance in half time they were riding horses rather than taking carriages.

They couldn’t choose comfort over their competition.

They must arrive by evening, or even the vice headmaster won’t be able to prevent their names from being removed from the list.

The rules of the council were absolute.

"Ready to depart?

" Austin asked as he stood near his horse and softly rubbed her mane.

Rudolph yawned, stretching his body a little as he said, "Kind of.

It’s not regular for me to wake up this early now.

" After joining the academy, Rudolph has become a little lax in his training.

After all, when he used to live with his family, his father never allowed him to stray from his routine.

Austin’s left brow went up, "That attitude might cost a loss during the tournament.

" Rudolph smirked, "You don’t need to worry about that.

Even if I have reduced my early morning training, I generally train more before and after dinner.

Now, I have a sparring partner as well, who doesn’t allow me to slack off.

" Find more to read at NovelFire.

Côm Saying so, Rudolph looked at the back entrance of the palace, and he found Rhea stepping out with Valerie beside her Although they were walking side by side, neither of them spoke a single word.

Rhea was visually nervous and Valerie just maintained her usual demeanor.

"They are here.

" Austin turned to look at the duo as Rudolph said.

A smile bloomed on Austin’s face, seeing his beloved early in the morning.

She was wearing a different set of clothes— tight-fitting brown pants with a matching pair of boots.

She has a white shirt with frills around her collar and has tied her hair in a ponytail for a comfortable journey.

Her overall appearance made her appear quite refreshing and stunning to him.

Valerie blushed slightly, the previous cold look evaporating as she looked down with her feet slowly coming to a halt before her man.

"Talk about flirting with eyes....

" Rhea passingly commented as she made her way towards her horse.

Ignoring the comment, Austin cupped his beloved’s cheek, before asking, "Did you hand a good rest?

If you can’t sleep well, we can ride the same horse, and you can relax en route?

" Valerie’s back turned stiff, her mind instantly forming the image of her snuggling close to Austin, with her face against his chest and his warmth all around him.

However, before she could have said anything, "Won’t that slow us down?

I mean, carrying Valerie together with you surely would require you to be cautious while riding.

" Rudolph instantly extinguished the bubbling heat within her.

"...

" Rudolph felt the chillness around him suddenly elevating as he rubbed his hands together and said, "Anyways, it’s up to you.

See ya.

" Making a quiet retreat he went to chat with Rhea.

Valerie was disappointed but she also knew that what Rudolph was saying was true.

"He is right...

we need to reach the Academy as soon as possible.

" In the end, she had to hold back her desires for the sake of the tournament.

The damn tournament.

Austin smiled at her disappointed reaction before he whispered, "Don’t worry, once we return, I will cuddle you as long as you want.

No one will come between us~" "...!!

" Valerie was now fully awake.

"Young master, good morning.

" Soon the two older men also arrived by their side.

Austin greeted the duo before turning towards Sebastian, "Everything ready?

Should we leave?

" Sebastian hesitantly nodded, before he spoke, "Actually, young master, your father asked me to wake him up before we leave...

however, considering how tired he was, I couldn’t bring myself to wake him up.

" Austin heaved a sigh, "You did the right thing.

And anyway, the old man would likely visit the tournament venue to see me, so no point in being worried.

" Sebastian smiled at that before they all decided that delaying anymore would cost them a lot.

"Austin and you all, stay behind me.

I know a few shortcuts.

" Just as they climbed their horses, Harold suddenly spoke.

Austin nodded, not suspecting the man one bit in this matter.

Their unexpected trip to the capital came to an end as the six of them departed.

....

What none of them noticed was a single figure standing by the window, looking at them—or to be more precise, at Austin from the moment he appeared in the open.

Soon, a man appeared behind the woman, and he asked, "You could have gone to say goodbye.

" Cedric softly spoke to his wife.

He...

actually didn’t know what would have happened if Sophie actually had gone to bid farewell to Austin.

However, after he heard from Austin last night, the man was somehow positive that something good would come out if the mother approached her son.

Sophie bit her lips, her eyes trembling for a moment before she shook her head and walked back to the bed.

Her mind was too chaotic at the moment, and she knew if she kept thinking about Austin, she would end up recalling what happened yesterday.

And at the moment, Sophie wasn’t ready to face the reality.

Not at all.

Cedric heaved a sigh, seeing his wife in that state.

The healers said that they would continuously monitor her, and there would be some frequent fluctuation of emotions she would face these following days.

That’s why, the man was quite careful with his words and wasn’t pushing her to do or say something.

He has already lost his one son because of what mistake he made all those years ago...

now, he doesn’t want to lose his wife, too.

Crossing his arms, he looked back—his eyes redirecting toward the route from where they left, as he muttered under his breath, ’I wish you the best of luck for your future ventures.

Good luck, my son.

’ °°°°°°°° A/N:- And here, the small arc ends.

We will dive into the academy and focus on character growth once again.

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