A New Life As A Extra Villain [BL]

Chapter 4: At The Table of Judgment

The double doors creaked open, revealing a dining hall bathed in golden light streaming through towering windows. The morning sun filtered through slightly parted velvet curtains, casting soft shadows on the gleaming chandeliers. Yejun stood frozen at the threshold, fingers curling against the polished wood of the doorframe. The air inside felt heavy, pressing against his chest, as if daring him to step into the lion's den.

He swallowed hard. This is not breakfast. This is my public execution in disguise.

The grandeur of the room was suffocating-cream and gold walls, crystal chandeliers, and a long, immaculate table that seemed to stretch forever. Every plate and glass sparkled under the light, each piece of silverware arranged with military precision. Even the rug beneath his feet felt judgmental.

Every eye in the room seemed to pierce through him, weighing, judging, and finding him lacking. The air was thick with unspoken expectations, and Yejun felt the invisible chains of Edward's past dragging him down.

He squared his shoulders, forcing his feet forward, though his stomach churned with every step. His shoes sank silently into the thick rug that stretched across the floor, each step pulling him closer to the long table at the center of the room. It was immaculate, the pristine white tablecloth perfectly pressed, the silverware gleaming under the sunlight. Every plate and glass was arranged with military precision, as if even the slightest imperfection would bring disgrace.

At the far end of the table sat a man who could only be Edward's father. His dark, piercing eyes locked onto Yejun the moment he entered, their gaze cold and assessing. His jet-black hair was streaked with silver at the temples, and a neatly trimmed beard framed his stern features. The sharp lines of his face, the broad set of his shoulders, the way he sat with an air of quiet authority-it all screamed control.If this guy smiled, I'm pretty sure the room would crack in half.

"Edward," his father's voice rang out, sharp and precise. "You're late."

The words hit Yejun like a slap. He straightened his back, his mind scrambling for a response. "I overslept. My apologies, Father," he said, careful to keep his tone steady.

His father's eyes narrowed, and Yejun could practically hear the unspoken Excuses, excuses. The silence dragged on, the tension thick enough to slice.

"Excuses," his father finally said, the word as cold as the marble floor. "Your two weeks of confinement should have taught you discipline. I expect better."

Yejun inclined his head, forcing himself to maintain eye contact even as his chest tightened. Two weeks of confinement? What did this guy do to deserve that? And why does it feel like he got off easy? He kept his tone measured as he replied, "Understood. It won't happen again."

A scoff broke the silence, sharp and cutting. Edward's head snapped to the source-Lawrence, Edward's older brother, leaned back in his chair, his arms crossed as he fixed Yejun with a scornful glare. His sharp features twisted into a sneer, and his dark eyes burned with contempt.

Ah, yes, the overachieving older sibling cliché. What's next, Lawrence? Are you going to remind everyone how perfect you are?

"Father, you're being far too generous," Lawrence said, his voice dripping with disdain. "He hasn't learned anything. Sending him back to the academy in three days is a mistake."

"Lawrence," their father's voice was like a whip, curt and commanding. "Enough."

But Lawrence didn't back down. His glare remained fixed on Yejun, his lips curling in barely concealed disgust. What's your problem, man? I just got here-literally. Yejun's thoughts churned as he studied Lawrence's face. There was something about him that tugged at the edges of his memory, a familiarity he couldn't quite place. I've seen that face before. But where?

Lawrence's fingers drummed against the edge of his plate, the faint sound somehow louder than the clinking silverware. His eyes burned with barely restrained anger, his sneer cutting deeper than his words. "You'll embarrass us again," he spat, each syllable laced with venom. "It's only a matter of time."

Yejun clenched his fists under the table, his nails digging into his palms. Every instinct screamed at him to bite back, to put Lawrence in his place. But he couldn't. Not here. Not now. He wasn't Yejun anymore-he was Edward. And Edward, clearly, was already skating on thin ice.

Beside Lawrence sat Helen, her delicate features almost hidden beneath the tension radiating from her brother. Her strawberry-blonde hair framed her pale face, and her lilac eyes darted nervously between the two men. Her hands clutched the fabric of her dress tightly, her knuckles white.

For a brief moment, Helen's eyes met Yejun's, and he felt his breath catch. Helen. The heroine of Radiant Heart. She was exactly as my sister described-beautiful, delicate, and exuding an air of quiet grace. But there was something else in her gaze, something that made his chest ache: fear. She looked at him as though he might lash out at any moment.

Yejun lowered his gaze, guilt twisting in his gut. Of course she's scared. Edward isn't just a mess-he's a villain. I'm the idiot who tried to ruin her life.

"Please, Lawrence," Helen's voice broke through the silence, soft but steady. "Can't we let this go, just for today?" Her pleading gaze flickered to Yejun before settling back on her elder brother.

For a moment, something flickered in Lawrence's cold eyes-something like hesitation. But it vanished almost instantly, replaced by a sneer. "He's not fit for this family, Helen," Lawrence said sharply. "You know it as well as I do."

Helen's shoulders stiffened, but she didn't respond. She lowered her gaze, her hands trembling slightly on the edge of the table. The silence that followed was suffocating, every unsaid word hanging in the air like a noose.

Yejun bit the inside of his cheek, resisting the urge to speak. The tension in the room pressed down on him, but he stayed silent. I don't know these people. I don't know what Edward's done. Just stay quiet and survive this.

The meal began in tense silence, the only sounds the clinking of silverware and the occasional rustle of fabric. Yejun kept his focus on the food, trying to navigate the unfamiliar table etiquette without drawing attention to himself.

"Edward," his father's voice broke the silence, his voice as measured as ever. "You will return to the academy with your siblings in three days. Your time at home has been sufficient."

Yejun blinked, caught off guard. Three days? That's all I have?

Before he could respond, Lawrence slammed his hand on the table, the sharp sound echoing in the vast room. "Father, this is a mistake," he said, his voice rising with barely restrained anger. "He's learned nothing. He'll embarrass us again."

"Enough, Lawrence." Their father's tone was icy, leaving no room for argument.

His gaze shifted back to Yejun, heavy with unspoken expectations. "This is your last chance to redeem yourself," his father intoned, each word precise and heavy. The weight of his gaze bore down on Yejun like a physical force, leaving no room for doubt. "Failure will not be tolerated."

Yejun inclined his head again, his voice steady despite the storm brewing in his chest. "I understand, Father."

The meal resumed in tense silence, the clinking of silverware the only sound in the room. Yejun focused on his plate, his mind racing.Three days until we leave for the academy. I don't even know the layout of this place, let alone how to survive in a world where everyone hates me.

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