Crushing flags and claiming the Villainess

"Mmm…" Austin mumbled in his sleep, slowly stirring awake.

The meeting had dragged on until two in the morning, and by the time it ended, they were both too exhausted to do much else.

There were only two beds in the room, not nearly big enough for two people each.

So, Austin insisted on getting another room—and surprisingly, they agreed without hesitation.

Thanks to that, he got to spend the night alone with his lover.

Even though the single bed wasn't exactly meant for two, they made it work.

Their bodies were so close, so tightly tangled together, that there was still enough space for someone to sit at the edge.

But Valerie never complained about his clinginess.

In fact, she welcomed it, so Austin never held back.

He'd wrap his arms around her like she was the only warmth he ever needed, as if leaving even a sliver of space between them would keep him restless.

"You awake?

" he asked softly, noticing her eyes slowly fluttering open"Mm.

" She nodded, then turned toward him.

"I'm cold," she whispered.

Without hesitation, Austin slid his warm hand beneath her shirt, gently wrapping it around her waist.

Her face pressed against his bare chest, and his breath—hot and steady—washed over her like the heat she'd been yearning for.

"You were using magic in your sleep again," he murmured.

"Were you having bad dreams?

"Uncontrolled magic without a summoned shard—something like that only happened when emotions ran too high, even in dreams.

And in their sleep, people often lose their control over their emotions.

It explains why there was frost clinging to the wall and ceiling.

Valerie kept her eyes open but didn't respond to his question.

Rather, she asked, "Do you…really believe war is the only solution?

"Last night, the Council Heads and five out of seven rulers agreed to his point.

They needed to strike this time or they would continue to incur losses time after time.

Austin heaved a sigh, his lover seemed quite emotional.

A rational Valerie who stands in the battlefield might have appreciated this decision, but the current her was more thinking of the possibilities and consequences.

Austin couldn't blame her, nor could he bring himself to get upset.

Slowly running his hand on her back, he told her, "Their eyes are locked on me.

They want me to disappear before their liege appears.

As such, if we don't do anything, I would continue to get targeted.

"Valerie's fingers curled around his shirt, "Is there no way to put an end to this without getting you in danger?

"Austin chuckled…they think very similarly.

But, "This war is not something to be fought by a single person.

As much as you and I want to keep each other safe, we would be facing dangerous situations in the future.

"Valerie closed her eyes again, indicating that she didn't want to think about it, so Austin didn't mention anything further.

Why should he destroy her present because of the future?

They cuddled for a few more moments, whispering sweet things, and the mood returned to normal.

Soon Austin got up and approached the counter, intending to make some black coffee.

Valerie slowly rose from the bed as well, and asked, "Um...

about yesterday...

I really didn't ask Father to mention anything about marriage.

"Austin chuckled, "I know, Val.

And it's not like if you had demanded getting married, I would have minded.

" Turning to look at her over his shoulder, he added, "Rather, I would have been overjoyed.

"Valerie turned silent, her eyes unmoving and her ears slightly hot.

There was something unfair about his gaze.

The way he looks at the world and when he looks at her...

she couldn't help but feel special.

The fondness he carries makes the butterflies in her stomach dance.

*Knock*The sudden knock broke their trance before Austin asked, "Who is it?

""It's me, Your Highness.

His Majesty has asked you to join him for breakfast.

" It was Thomas.

Austin hummed, and soon the man walked away.

Valerie got up from the seat and said, "I forgot my bag in the other room.

"Austin smilingly pulled out a pair of jeans and a top from his Inventory before putting them on the bed.

Valerie blinked in surprise, not because of him pulling things out of thin air—she had gotten used to it—but because, "How do you know my size?

" There was even underwear!

Austin grinned, "I know every inch of your body.

""...!

"Alert!

Need urgent ice pack!

°°°°°°°Austin and Valerie reached his father's room after an hour and were informed, "We are having breakfast with Idris.

He came here with his family.

"Austin's brows elevated...

"Coming to a warzone with family?

That's strange.

"Cedric chuckled, "I also said that.

He said they wanted to visit Eryndor so he used the opportunity.

""Oh, so they are coming along, eh?

"Cedric nodded, "All the other rulers give a notice of their visit a month or at least ten days before their arrival.

But he doesn't believe in such formality.

He is going there just as a friend.

"Hearing those words, Austin couldn't help but ask, "Lord Idris got quite friendly in no time.

"Cedric hummed, "He is a nice man.

"They soon exited the building, and approached the open space before the establishment .

Several carriages were stationed in a round formation and in the middle of it could be found a family laughing and chatting merrily.

They were approaching the family when suddenly,"Hello!

" Someone suddenly appeared before Austin, startling him,"Ah...

hey.

" he smiled at the girl whom he once saved back in Drenovar.

The Princess who was wandering in the market was getting chased by a demon.

The girl fondly smiled at him, ignoring Valerie completely as she said, "I have prepared something for you.

Come with me.

" She held his arm and began pulling——leaving a blank Valerie behind.

As a reward for her role in the war, can she finally get it?

The licence to kill?

°°°°°°°°A/N:- Go for it.

The God of the story approves it.