The Villains Must Win-Chapter 90: Valerian Cross 10

At precisely six in the morning, Evelyn was woken by a persistent knock on her door. A servant, dressed in the stiff, formal attire of the Cross household, bowed slightly as he delivered the message.

"Lord Valerian requests your presence for breakfast, Miss Night."

Evelyn smirked. As expected. She had already anticipated this summons, which was why she deliberately took her time getting ready. If Valerian thought he could simply shackled her and left her yesterday without consequence, he was sorely mistaken. Making him wait was a small, petty revenge for what he had done the night before.

By the time she arrived at the grand dining hall, it was well past the expected hour. The room was breathtaking—high vaulted ceilings adorned with elaborate chandeliers, casting a golden glow over the long, mahogany table laden with an extravagant feast.

It was the kind of setting that belonged to a bygone Victorian era, a place where nobility dined in eerie, timeless elegance. And yet, despite the vast spread of delicacies, only two people sat at the massive table.

Valerian. And Stephany.

Valerian was dressed as if he were about to attend a high-society gala—his tailored black suit clung to his tall frame with an effortless grace, his silver cravat meticulously tied. Every inch of him radiated control, power, and cold perfection.

In contrast, Stephany looked like a doll come to life in a delicate lavender gown, her porcelain skin flawless, her pink hair cascading down her shoulders like silk spun from moonlight.

"You’re late." Valerian’s voice was quiet but sharp, like the edge of a blade sliding from its sheath. His piercing gaze locked onto Evelyn as she sauntered in.

Evelyn met his stare with an amused tilt of her head, her ashen eyes glinting with mischief. She could feel his irritation crackling in the air between them like a storm waiting to break. If not for Stephany’s presence, she might have enjoyed provoking him further.

"Really?" she mused, feigning surprise. "I couldn’t tell. We witches don’t have the same sense of time as you mortals—except when we’re brewing potions, of course."

Without waiting for an invitation, she slid into the seat beside Valerian and flashed a disarming smile at Stephany. "Hello, my name is Evelyn Night. I’m sure you already know I’m a witch, right?"

Stephany blinked, momentarily taken aback by Evelyn’s casual friendliness. Though the witches’ face was unreadable, a mask of detached elegance. Even in the warmth of candlelight, she seemed untouched by the world—ethereal and emotionless.

"In case you’re wondering," Evelyn continued with a playful lilt, "I was born with a paralyzed face, so don’t worry about it too much."

Stephany’s lips parted slightly before she cleared her throat, forcing a hesitant smile. "H-Hello. My name is Stephany Cross. I’m Valerian’s sister."

"I know." Evelyn grinned before turning her attention to the food before her. "Wow, this is quite a spread."

"Eat all you want," Valerian said smoothly. "After breakfast, I’ll personally take you on a tour of the house so you don’t get lost around here. Once that’s done, you’ll begin your work."

Evelyn barely glanced at him as she reached for a piece of fruit. "About that—I need to return to my hut."

Silence stretched for a moment before Valerian set his fork down with a quiet clink. His icy gaze met hers. "What?"

"Well, what did you expect?" Evelyn scoffed. "You dragged me here last night without a second thought. My belongings are still there—ingredients, cauldron, personal spellbooks. I can’t exactly make potions out of thin air."

"I’ll send someone to retrieve them."

She snorted. "You can, if you don’t mind them turning into toads. I’ve placed curses on some of my things to prevent thieves."

Valerian exhaled slowly, pinching the bridge of his nose as if she were the most exhausting person he had ever met. "Fine. I’ll accompany you."

Evelyn chuckled, tearing off a piece of warm bread. "You don’t have to babysit me, you know. I won’t run."

"I will accompany you," Valerian repeated, his voice brooking no argument. "End of story."

Evelyn merely shrugged, popping the bread into her mouth. "Suit yourself."

She chewed thoughtfully, savoring the rich flavors. "I’ve never had food like this before," she admitted. "Living in this fancy house must be a dream. Back in my hut, I usually just eat herbs and plants. Cooking takes effort, and the nearest town is a full day’s journey away."

Stephany, who had been listening quietly, looked up in surprise. "Really? Maybe that’s why your skin is so smooth. You don’t eat meat?"

Evelyn raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Did you think witches cook chickens and eat them to stay young?"

Stephany flushed, embarrassed, but Valerian cut in before she could respond. "Stephany." His tone held a quiet reprimand.

"It’s fine," Evelyn waved him off with a smirk. "Looks like no one’s educated your sister on these things."

Valerian sipped his tea, his expression impassive. "She doesn’t need to know."

Of course not.

Stephany was meant to be pure, untouched by the darkness their family dealt in. Valerian wanted her to live a blissful, worry-free life—far away from creatures like Evelyn. Yet, fate had already dragged her into the night, whether he liked it or not. ƒreewebηoveℓ.com

Evelyn turned to Stephany, her voice softer. "There are different kinds of witches, you know. The good ones, like me, don’t dabble in dark magic or make deals with demons. We’re blessed by nature, which is why we remain young. But those who crave power—the ones who sell their souls for it—they decay. They grow into hags, twisted by their own greed. They do need youth’s blood to sustain themselves."

Stephany’s eyes widened. "Oh . . . Is that so?"

"Stop." Valerian’s voice was sharp, his attention solely on Stephany. His hard gaze softened, the way it always did when he looked at her. "You don’t need to know this. Focus on your studies and your music lessons."

"But, brother," Stephany argued, her voice rising with emotion. "This is our family’s legacy, isn’t it? It’s basically our duty. I want to learn about the creatures of the night."