The Greatest Villainess (Completed)

Chapter 40

In the midst of my despair, I clung to the faint hope that he would come. Every passing second felt like an eternity, but still, I believed. He had to come. I needed him. And he did not fail me. He is here.

"The Emperor is here!" a voice rang out, filled with terror. One of my enemies—his face pale, eyes wide with dread—shouted the words, and the room fell into a tense silence. I didn’t react. My gaze remained fixed, cold and unmoving, as I watched their panic slowly spread.

“How many of them?” the Prime Minister's voice cut through the silence, sharp and commanding. There was no longer the arrogance in his tone from earlier; now, it was replaced with a deadly seriousness, as if he was ready to face the inevitable.

“He’s only with one person,” someone replied in a hushed, disbelieving whisper. The room fell completely silent, and then, suddenly, the Prime Minister let out a crazed laugh.

“Fools! They’ve sealed their own fates! It’s over for them!” he boasted, his laughter echoing off the walls.

I felt a small smirk tug at my lips. They didn’t know what they were up against. The Emperor alone was more than enough to annihilate entire armies.

"Capture them!" the Prime Minister barked, his voice dripping with excitement. His eyes gleamed with anticipation, as though he couldn’t wait to see the Emperor fall. But he had no idea of the storm that was about to be unleashed.

A deafening crash shattered the air, shaking the room. I watched as the massive doors splintered and collapsed onto the floor, thrown open with such force they barely remained intact. My heart leaped as the Emperor strode into the room, a vision of lethal grace, his sword flashing in deadly arcs as he cut through the guards who foolishly tried to block his path. His strikes were precise, each swing of his blade effortless, as if he was merely swatting away flies.

Chaos erupted. The remaining enemies scattered like frightened animals. The ones who hadn’t been struck down yet were scrambling for any exit they could find. Some fled to the back in a desperate attempt to escape with their lives. In the confusion, I saw Lilieth, the Count, the Baron, and the Prime Minister making their way out, abandoning their men to face the Emperor’s wrath. Cowards.

I watched, transfixed, as the Emperor made his way through the carnage. The few enemies brave—or foolish—enough to challenge him were swiftly cut down, their bodies collapsing in a heap at his feet. No one could stand against him. And then, his eyes found me.

He moved toward me with determined strides, his eyes never leaving mine. My heart raced, but not from fear. I could feel the weight of everything around us melting away as he approached. When he reached me, he didn’t say a word. With one swift motion, he cut through the restraints that bound me. Before I could react, his strong arms wrapped around me, pulling me into his chest.

In that moment, all the fear, all the anxiety that had consumed me vanished. The warmth of his embrace washed over me, melting away the terror that had gripped my heart. His arms were tight, almost crushing, but I didn’t care. I felt safe. Even though the pain from my injuries flared with the intensity of his hold, I endured it. I could feel his fear in the way he held me, as if he was afraid I would slip away from him, that he’d lose me forever.

“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry,” he whispered, his voice trembling with guilt, over and over, as if the words were a desperate prayer. He pressed his forehead against mine, his breath warm against my skin. I smiled weakly, tears stinging my eyes, but not from pain. His lips brushed softly against my forehead before he tightened his embrace, holding me even closer. I bit my lip hard, trying to suppress the sharp sting that coursed through my back. My wounds screamed with pain, but I didn’t care. Not in his arms.