Crushing flags and claiming the Villainess

"Really...

what's the rush?

You just returned today and are leaving already.

" Cedric complained as he looked at his daughter-in-law.

Valerie smiled apologetically as she said, "We have already missed a few days at school, and there is a ceremony tomorrow, so we decided to head back.

"Tomorrow was the congratulatory ceremony where those students would be awarded who performed well in different fields.

Originally, this event always remained more focused on congratulating those students who performed in the tournament, but things would be different this time.

Valerie had high hopes that her Lord would receive a reward for his bravery, too; that's why she ushered him to return today rather than tomorrow.

She didn't want to miss the chance of seeing her beloved getting the recognition he deserved.

"Haah~you children are restless.

" Cedric heaved a sigh with a shake of his head.

"In their age, you were also quite energetic, my Lord," Sebastian added with a playful smile, making Cedric groan.

In the reception hall, there was another person who had been sitting silently ever since.

The Queen.

She had a warm smile on her face, and from her eyes, it could be seen she wanted to add a few things to their conversation, but she always restricted herself.

Well, Valerie wouldn't surely ignore her, but her opinion about the woman hasn't shifted much.

She still feels anger toward the Queen for what she has done...

for how she has treated her son for the past ten years.

Suddenly, Sophie glanced at her husband, before Cedric nodded and gestured towards the maid.

The said maid stepped forward while carrying a tray, and on the tray were several wrapped boxes.

"This...

" Valerie asked in confusion as she took the tray.

From what she could tell, it was lunch boxes.

"These are a few snacks which Sophie made-""...

why?

" Sophie spoke for the first time, interrupting her husband with a delicate frown.

Cedric exhaled a long breath, "As you can see, she doesn't want Austin to find out that she made them or he won't eat.

"Valerie smiled softly at that as she lowered her eyes and said, "As far as I know him, the first bite would let him know who prepared them.

"Sophie was taken aback by that response....

does he really remember how her handmade food tastes?

Valerie didn't reject the lunchboxes since she could trust the lady enough to believe that she hadn't poisoned the food.

'But still...

I will have the first bites...

' She inwardly decided.

Sophie again turned towards her husband and told him something wordlessly.

However, Cedric, this time, rejected her unsaid request, "You give it to her, yourself.

"Sophie pleaded but to no avail.

Cedric was not going to let this chance slip away.

Even just a little, he wants Sophie and Valerie's distance to lessen.

Lost to her husband's stubbornness, Sophie got up from her seat and gestured toward the maid who was holding a box.

It was a polished wooden box on which the emblem of Eryndor was crafted.

The Queen approached the girl, and just when Valerie was about to get up, Sophie gestured for her to remain seated.

Opening the box, she took out a golden bracelet with a twisted design and a dark blue stone in the middle of it.

Valerie raised her hand when Sophie asked for it and the Queen inserted the bracelet in her hand, "This is the family heirloom, passed down the generations.

I wanted to give you this a long time ago...

but...

" Sophie didn't continue to speak but Valerie understood everything.

Naturally, after Aiden's arrival, she must have thought of keeping the heirloom for Aiden's wife.

With her gaze lowered Sophie slowly said, "I know I have disappointed you and Austin...

but let me be shameless and bless you.

" Cupping her cheek, Sophie said with her eyes moistened, "May you always remain together and happy.

"°°°°°°°°°Austin was currently in a different room on a different floor.

He was sitting across from his sister who still refused to look at him.

But the very fact that she didn't disapprove of him to enter her room was quite hefty progress.

"I know it's unfair that I couldn't stay here for long-""I didn't even ask you to stay.

" She said in a grumpy tone.

Austin didn't mind her words; she had the right to badmouth him as much as she wanted.

He has ruined her childhood and never apologized until a few days ago.

He deserved all her hatred but what he couldn't tolerate was her locking herself up.

Getting up from his seat, he approached the little girl and crouched before her.

Holding her hands, he told her, "Look at me, Avy," he ushered her, but she didn't.

Austin still continued, "I have ruined years of your life...

by saying those things...

and not apologizing.

But now, it's time to move on.

"Averis snatched her hands away, showing clear rejection.

However, Austin again held her hands and added, "You can't destroy your life like this Avy.

You can't let anyone else ruin your life and force you to keep yourself locked.

Even if the person in question is your brother.

""Why do you care what I do with my life?

" She asked, her eyes holding countless emotions.

Anger, frustration, grief...

hatred.

Austin's shoulders slumped as he took a brief moment to collect himself before he said, "In this family, only you were who never lost hope in me.

It was you who never gave up on me...

call it paying back if you want but now I don't want to give up on my sister.

I am regretful for what I have done...

but now, I want to change things.

"Hearing his words, Averis's shoulders trembled.

How can she not remember those days when she spent her days researching Shards and how one could improve them just so she could help him?

She never celebrated her own awakening, never responded to any of her parents' calls, and continued to research.

So when he said that she never lost hope...

she actually didn't.

Tears welled in her eyes, her body trembling slightly as she tried to stifle her sobs.

Austin hugged his precious and softly patted her head, "I am sorry...

you have suffered a lot.

"Averis clung to him and wailed aloud.

The pain she has been suppressing...

the anger boiling inside her, everything just exploded.

It took him some time and Austin waited patiently for his sister to calm down.

She felt embarrassed, for giving in so easily.

Wiping her face she saw him getting up.

Resting his hand on her head, he said, "I have already handed the admission application to the academy.

In a month would be your assessment so prepare well.

"Averis frowned, "Academy?

""Yup~you are going to be my junior, Avy.

"°°°°°°°°°°°A/N:- Thanks for reading.