The Regressed Villainess Tore Up The Annulment Papers - Chapter 8

Chapter 8: The Northern Lords' Assembly (3)

"Eugene, who is this?"

Julian asked, releasing Eugene's hand and turning his attention to Aria, who stood frozen behind him like a statue.

"Ah, I should have introduced you first. My apologies."

Eugene stepped aside, allowing the two to face each other.

"This is Aria Floris of the Floris County, my... fiancée, whom I've mentioned a few times. Aria, this is Julian Dustin, the eldest son of the Dustin family, as I mentioned earlier."

Instead of exchanging greetings immediately, however, they simply stared at each other, their expressions unreadable.

"Hmm... I see. So this is the rumored fiancée."

"......"

Julian narrowed his eyes, his gaze sharp and assessing. Aria met his stare with an icy glare that could freeze the sun.

The tension between them was palpable, thick enough to cut with a knife. Eugene shifted uncomfortably, caught in the crossfire of their silent battle.

It was Julian who finally broke the icy silence.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Lady Floris. I've heard a lot about you, both from Eugene and through the whispers on the wind."

"...Likewise, though I can't say the pleasure is mutual. I heard about you from Eugene on our way here. But I must confess, you're quite different from what I expected, which is... surprising."

"Haha, I see. Well, close friends tend to exaggerate, you know. I'm curious to know what you've heard that would lead to such an impression."

Eugene had no idea what was going on, but the situation didn't look good.

It was clear that neither Aria nor Julian was particularly fond of the other.

'I can understand why Julian might be acting this way...'

He had confided in Julian on several occasions about his relationship with Aria, seeking advice from his closest friend.

Julian had always been a patient listener, offering support and guidance even when the topic was repetitive and frustrating.

He was the one who had gently suggested that breaking off the engagement might be the best course of action for both of them.

So it was understandable that Julian might harbor some resentment towards Aria.

Eugene didn't blame him; he understood completely.

'But why is Aria acting this way? It's their first meeting, and he hasn't done anything to provoke her...'

He couldn't decipher her behavior, but he couldn't let their silent feud escalate. He decided to intervene.

"Now that introductions are out of the way, shall we head to the assembly hall?"

"...Yes, the others have already arrived. We can start as soon as you're ready."

"Eugene, would it be alright if I observe the assembly as well? I promise I won't be a distraction."

He nodded in response to both Julian and Aria's requests.

***

They entered the assembly hall, where a group of young nobles, mostly around their age, had already gathered.

They turned their attention to Eugene, their faces lighting up as they rushed to greet him.

"Look who's finally here! It's good to see all of you. How have you been?"

Despite the potential for annoyance, Eugene patiently responded to each greeting, his demeanor warm and welcoming.

A faint smile touched his lips as he caught up with his peers. Aria watched from behind, a strange feeling welling up inside her.

'Eugene... has more friends than I realized. And they all seem to genuinely like him, there's no hint of envy or resentment.'

She was also well-connected in the capital's social circles, but...

Those relationships were built on a foundation of self-interest and thinly veiled contempt.

'They all abandoned me after the curse, deeming me useless and worthless.'

That's why she found the genuine warmth and camaraderie between Eugene and his Northern peers so fascinating.

Unlike the slender and refined Julian, they shared Eugene's ruggedness, their physiques and demeanors reflecting the harsh realities of their homeland.

As they chatted, their attention eventually shifted to Aria, who had been silently observing from behind Eugene.

"Brother, who is this beautiful lady?"

A young man, emboldened by curiosity, voiced the question everyone was thinking. Eugene, his expression slightly embarrassed, replied,

"This is Aria Floris, my fiancée. She wanted to observe the assembly, so she accompanied me here."

A brief silence followed.

"Wait, your fiancée? Oh..."

Their faces, initially welcoming, hardened as they processed the information.

Some even displayed open hostility, their glares barely restrained by Eugene's presence.

'His warning in the carriage was about this, wasn't it?'

But there was a difference.

Their animosity wasn't simply directed at her as an outsider, but at Aria Floris herself.

It made sense, she supposed.

Even their brief interactions revealed the depth of their respect and affection for Eugene.

And she was the fiancée who had treated him with callous indifference, the woman who had broken his heart. Rumors of her behavior would have undoubtedly reached their ears.

'I'm nothing but an unwelcome guest...'

The old Aria would have retaliated with venomous words, her sharp tongue lashing out at their perceived disrespect.

Her kindness was reserved for Eugene alone.

But she couldn't bring herself to do that now. She understood their feelings, their protective instincts towards the man she had wronged.

She lowered her gaze, avoiding their accusing stares.

"It's rude to stare at someone like that. Let's move over there and continue our conversation."

Thankfully, Eugene sensed her discomfort and led them away from the entrance, towards a secluded corner of the hall.

Aria found herself alone, abandoned near the entrance.

A figure approached her, his expression cold and disapproving.

"Do you understand now? You're not welcome here."

"...Master Dustin."

"Eugene... he's like a spiritual leader to us. But it's not just because he's the heir to the Dukedom."

Julian stood beside her, his gaze fixed on Eugene, who was engaged in a lively conversation with the other young nobles.

"In the North, every noble, regardless of gender, is obligated to serve in the military upon reaching a certain age. It's a tradition, a trial by fire."

A barbaric custom. Julian's voice was laced with disdain.

"Countless young men and women are sent to the front lines, only to die meaningless deaths. Only a handful survive, those deemed worthy of ruling. It's a tragedy."

"...What are you trying to say?"

Aria frowned, growing impatient with his cryptic pronouncements. Julian looked at her, his expression a mixture of anger and pity.

"There's someone who fights for those children, who risks his life to protect them, who throws himself into the most dangerous battles without a second thought. He doesn't seek reward or recognition... he's a fool, sacrificing himself for the sake of others."

Who do you think that person is?

Their gazes met, locking in a silent battle of wills.

"You know nothing about Eugene. You judged him based on superficial appearances, you rejected him without ever truly seeing him. And now..."

How dare you cling to him now?

Julian snarled, his voice dripping with venom.

"...I know I've hurt him, that I've made mistakes I can never fully atone for."

"Ha! So you're finally aware of your own failings? Then..."

As Julian was about to continue, Aria interrupted him, her voice devoid of emotion, her eyes blazing with a mixture of grief and resolve, a madness born of regret and determination.

"I intend to spend the rest of my life... yes, every remaining breath I have, making sure he never experiences that pain again. So..."

Stay out of our way.

Since her return, Aria had been incredibly forgiving towards Eugene. But she was still the same woman who had once ruled the social circles of the capital with an iron fist, a woman capable of ruthless cunning and manipulation.

That part of her hadn't disappeared.

"...You're a far more interesting woman than I was led to believe."

"I doubt I'm as entertaining as a certain deceitful liar."

"......We should start the assembly now."

Julian, fleeing from her sharp retort, gathered the scattered nobles and initiated the meeting.

Aria pulled a chair to a secluded corner of the hall and sat in silence, observing the proceedings.

They discussed politics, diplomacy, resource management, even military matters, their conversations lively and engaging.

"And lastly, a report from the Dustin family."

Time flew by, and the assembly neared its conclusion.

"Recently, we apprehended a suspicious individual lurking near our territory. Upon interrogation, we discovered he was a member of a shadowy organization known as the Demonic Cult. If anyone encounters similar individuals in their territories..."

The Demonic Cult. The name, spoken aloud by Julian Dustin, sent a shiver down Aria's spine.

Her eyes narrowed, her gaze hardening. She wouldn't forget that name, the name of the organization responsible for her curse, for Eugene's death.

Her mind raced, memories of her past life, of the horrors she had witnessed, flooding back.

She had to warn Eugene. She had to protect him.

This time, she wouldn't fail him.

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