To be the Villainess

O41.

Chapter 41

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third person

“FUCK!” The Emperor’s fist came crashing down onto his desk, the force rattling the entire room. Papers and quills scattered, the impact reverberating in the tense silence. Sir Zacharias stood rooted in place, his breath catching in his throat as he tried to mask his nervousness. Meanwhile, Lady Athena flinched violently, nearly losing her balance, her eyes wide with terror.

“Do you have any idea where the hell she is?!” The Emperor’s voice was a venomous growl, each word laced with barely restrained fury. His eyes burned with a malevolent gleam, eyebrows drawn into a fierce scowl, while his lips quivered with rage, threatening to spill forth more vitriol.

Zacharias swallowed hard, feeling the heat of that murderous gaze upon him. “The orb... it’s not responding, Your Majesty. We’ve lost her,” he confessed, his voice a whisper of defeat as he bowed his head deeply, not daring to meet the Emperor’s furious stare.

The Emperor’s fury seemed to ignite further. With a sudden, predatory grace, he surged to his feet and stormed across the room. Before anyone could react, he was upon Lady Athena. His hand swung with brutal swiftness, the resounding slap sending her staggering sideways. She gasped, clutching her stinging cheek, tears pricking the corners of her eyes as she fought to maintain her composure.

“This useless wench,” he spat, seizing her chin in a vise-like grip. His fingers dug painfully into her skin as he yanked her face upwards, forcing her to look into his wrathful eyes. “I gave you a simple order, and yet you failed me. Should I make you the prey we hunt next?” His voice dripped with cruel amusement, a dark promise lingering in his words.

Lady Athena’s heart pounded erratically, her mind racing for a response that would not further provoke his ire. She blinked rapidly, struggling to hold back tears as she felt her world collapsing around her. Her voice was barely a whisper, trembling with fear. “P-Please, Your Royal Majesty... I-I swear I’ll do it right this time. I won’t fail you again...” The tears she had tried so hard to control finally spilled over, trickling down her cheeks as she begged for mercy.

The Emperor sneered, disgust etched across his features. With a sharp, dismissive jerk, he released her, shoving her away like she was nothing more than a discarded toy. Lady Athena stumbled back, only to be caught by Zacharias, who quickly stepped forward to steady her. His hands were gentle, yet his face was pale, beads of sweat forming at his brow as he feared the Emperor’s rage might turn to him next.

“Leave,” the Emperor growled, his voice a low rumble that sent a chill through the room. “Get out of my sight before I decide to make an example of you both.”

Zacharias nodded hastily. “Y-Yes, Your Majesty,” he muttered, turning to Lady Athena with a soft, urgent whisper. “You should go, my lady. Now.”

Lady Athena nodded shakily, her legs almost giving way as she bowed low, trying to make herself as small as possible under the Emperor’s scorching gaze. “Thank you, Your Majesty,” she stammered, barely able to get the words out, before she fled the room as if her life depended on it.

Once outside, she leaned against the door, gasping for breath as she clutched her chest, tears flowing freely.

“Calm down, Reynald,” Zacharias muttered, his voice low as he placed a steadying hand on the Emperor’s shoulder.

“Calm down?” Reynald spat, eyes blazing as he rounded on Zacharias, grabbing him by the shoulders. “Our plan is falling apart, Charlie! And you’re telling me to calm down?!” His voice cracked with fury. He shoved Zacharias back and began pacing the room, fists clenched. “This is all because of that cursed body intruder! And Sebastian—he betrayed us?! How could he turn his back on his friends like that?!”