Chapter 29- A Vow of Destruction

"P-Princess has attempted to kill Miss Adanyl in her Palace."

Hearing those words, a smile formed on Ryuk's face; he already anticipated this happening the moment he announced Adanyl as the Crown Princess.

He narrowed his eyes, looking down at the guard kowtowed in front of him, feeling satisfied to see his plans moving in the right direction. 'Finally, the Silvesters are on the move.'

This was also the major reason for him to announce such a thing in front of everyone - to coax the hidden snakes into revealing themselves.

Of course, even if he were not aware of all these events about to unfold, he wouldn't have rashly believed such words from someone's mouth.

He was already aware of instances in history where such misunderstandings were common, causing wars between parties due to miscommunication, making messanger's words last thing for Ryuk to believe in such intense topics.

Confirming his conclusions was the body language displayed by the kowtowed guard, drenched in sweat - an unacceptable state for a Royal guard trained for such instances.

This made it clear that the sweat stemmed from fear, especially fear of him— Ryuk Von Selvius.

Though it was good that the guard feared him, Ryuk realized this fear wasn't greater than that towards the individuals who sent the guard.

He resolved to amplify that fear, ensuring the guard knew that death would seem like a relief compared to the fear he was about to endure.

"Johan, I want to go horse riding." With a smile, he turned towards a certain direction, moving toward the horse upon which the guard had arrived before placing Bella inside the carriage.

"But, Your Highness....I understand," Johan attempted to stop him, aware of the potential danger, but halted midway, not wanting to doubt his master's skills.

Approaching the horse and rubbing its silky black fur, Ryuk asked the man, "What is your name, Guard?"

Already nervous and sweating, the guard answered while keeping his gaze fixed downward,"I-it's Arastado, Your Highness."

Upon hearing the name, a smile formed on Ryuk's face. He turned towards the guard, "Guess you are meant to be dragged."

Confused by his words, the guard slowly lifted his head, witnessing two amber eyes looking down at him, unable to grasp the meaning behind that smile.

{A/n: In Portuguese, Arastado means Pulled or Dragged}

"Catch it." Suddenly, the guard saw Ryuk throwing a rope toward him which was available on the horse for emergencies.

But, Instead of landing in his hands, the rope wrapped around his neck.

"Y-your Highness!" Suddenly, realizing Ryuk was already sitting on the horse's saddle, the guard's heart raced, prompting him to stand.

NEEEIGGHHH

The horse galloped, feeling the tight pull of the leash, causing its hooves to swing as they touched the ground.

"Kughhh!?...thud...Y-you-r H..ighn!" Before the guard could stand, he was pulled, falling and being dragged while clutching the rope tightly to avoid suffocation.

Tack Tack

"AaaaGggghh.....He..lpp!!" His screams faded into the sounds of horseshoes thundering as the horse tore through the wind.

There's a saying that horses match the energy of their riders, and at that moment, it held true.

Ryuk's body might have been that of a kid's, but the skills of an emperor enhanced the energy, making horse move while tearing through the resistance of the air.

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Tap Tap

Maid's hurried footsteps reverberated in the long hallway, the bustling of their movements inside the palace creating a lively atmosphere.

"Why isn't she here yet?" Olivia, being prepared by several maids, felt confused by the absence of her personal maid who had gone to bring Ryuk.

"T-that," one of the maids, already aware of Vivian's promotion, wanted to inform Olivia.

However, seeing how enthusiastic she was about the preparation, the maid remained silent, fearing Olivia's possible outburst.

"Don't waste my time and bring her now." Although suspicious of the maid's hesitation, Olivia remained focused on her work, ignoring her.

"I-I will." Saying that, the maid took her leave, sweat beads falling from her forehead.

Deciding not to return until tomorrow, understanding that if Olivia knew about Vivian's promotion, her fate would be devastating.

The term 'promotion' was used for Vivian because after Ryuk's announcement about Adanyl being the Crown Princess, everyone was already aware that siding with her would be more beneficial than being associated with a princess who was deemed incompetent.

As commoners or even small nobles, their allegiance was toward Ryuk, who was far more qualified to become the King of Selvius Kingdom, making Adanyl the first choice of maids.

"Should I try to win favor with Miss Adanyl too?" Thinking about her next goal, the maid immersed herself in her own thoughts, while hastly moving forward.

Thud

"Where is she!"

Badump

Vivian's heart skipped a beat upon hearing a very familiar voice.

Turning her gaze toward the source of the sound, she saw a little girl heading their way, followed by several maids.

"H-her Highness, what happened?" Familiar with Olivia's personality, Vivian felt her anxiety rising, noticing Olivia's expression.

She slowly moved, intending to shield Adanyl behind her.

"What are you doing here?" Olivia looked toward Vivian, who attempted to protect the little girl busy with a cake in her mouth, making Olivia felt frustrated, thinking, 'You think I will hurt a child.'

"F-forgive me." Thinking Olivia was unaware of her transfer to Elysium, Vivian turned toward a maid, drenched in sweat, looking down, signaling that the maid had tried to assist her.

"Your Highness, I was about to come back," Vivian said while bowing.

Observing her for a moment, Olivia tilted her head to get a glimpse of the girl behind, recognizing the same eyes as her own.

'It's her.' Ignoring Vivian, who was still bowing, Olivia made her way toward the little girl, followed by two maids from the Silvester house.

"Gree-tings, Your Highness....Gulp," Adanyl, seeing Olivia approach, quickly stood before swallowing the large piece of food she had in her mouth.

"Cough!...It's Stuc-k," she suddenly began tapping her chest, feeling the piece stuck in her throat, prompting maids to rush to her aid.

The moment Olivia heard about Ryuk choosing a Crown Princess, she harbored a desire to kill her.

However, aware that it would only anger Ryuk, she restrained herself.

In a previous life, her impulsive decisions had complicated things.

Recalling her choice to ally with Diana and Edward to destroy this Kingdom had only fueled Ryuk's anger.

Finally, she remembered the day she died at his hands, those Amber eyes filled with nothing but disgust and hatred towards her.

She couldn't bear to see those eyes again filled with such emotions.

Coldness and indifference seemed tolerable, but outright hatred... 'I need to deal with her once Ryuk loses interest.'

From Olivia's perspective, Ryuk's decision seemed impulsive.

Just as he distanced himself from her over time, Adanyl, too, would likely fade into the background.

Then, she could handle her.

{ Present Illustration of Olivia in comments}

"What is your name?" Olivia asked, even though she knew it, feeling irritated by the maids bustling around Adanyl, attempting to assert dominance.

"I-it's Adanyl, Your Highness," Adanyl bowed, clutching her skirt in a noble manner while feeling embarrassed to be seen in such a state.

Since her arrival here, contrary to her expectations, everything felt heavenly.

The maids were kind, and although Ryuk never visited her, which made her uncomfortable, everything else seemed in her favour.

She had been learning noble etiquette from Vivian, hoping not to embarrass herself in front of Ryuk.

'This filth,' Olivia's anger surged upon seeing Adanyl's posture, which did not meet her expectations.

Initially regarding the girl as a commoner, Olivia's perception shifted drastically.

'You were planning everything since the beginning.' The reason behind a commoner like Adanyl knowing etiquette appeared as a preparation for an impending future, suggesting she was aware of becoming the Crown Princess.

Gritting her teeth, Olivia, clouded by anger, made her way towards Adanyl.

"H-her Highness?" Adanyl's eyes reflected everything from noticing Olivia approaching to her reaching out and grasping her wrist.

"This is the wrong way to greet," Olivia, feeling furious, forcibly held Adanyl's wrist, exerting some pressure.

"Ugh....It hurts." Adanyl winced in pain, feeling the grip tighten.

Although she had endured far worse in the monastery, she knew not showing pain might only provoke further torment.

"How dare you! Her Highness simply wants to teach you the proper etiquette and you..." One of the maids from the Silvester house moved forward, seizing Adanyl's other hand, causing her to stumble.

"What are you doing!?" Olivia felt confused by her maid's actions, but before she could intervene, another maid interrupted.

"Her Highness wants to help you, and you!.... Smack" The sentence halted as the maid shoved Olivia behind and slapped Adanyl who was already overwhelmed by everything.

"Ack...." Adanyl's eyes widened in pain as her cheek stung, a force pushing her stumbling body towards her left.

SPLASH

"Stop it!?" Olivia's voice faded before reaching Adanyl, who had fallen into the pond.

Witnessing this unfolding event, turmoil flooded Olivia's mind, caused by her rash decision regarding treatment of Adanyl, shattering any hope she held.

'Ryuk will never forgive me'