When death stares... do not be afraid. [1]
The sleek black car glided smoothly along the winding forest road, its tires whispering against the pavement as we moved towards our destination.
Inside the car, I sat in the backseat, my hands clenched tightly in my lap as I gazed out the window at the passing scenery.
The trees blurred together in a green haze, their branches reaching out like gnarled fingers against the sky.
'Why now, damn it.'
I thought, unable to shake the feeling of unease that had settled over me since my mother had announced our impromptu trip to the church.
Glancing at her, I found her sitting beside me in silence, her expression unreadable as she stared straight ahead.
She seemed lost in thought, as if her mind was somewhere far away from the reality of the present moment.
Her indifference towards me was really uncomfortable, and in all honesty, I didn't even want to be here with her.
She had just tried to kill me a while ago, and now she was sitting like nothing had even happened.
As the car wound its way through the forest, the familiar sights and sounds of the city gave way to the serene tranquility of the countryside.
The air grew cooler, the sunlight filtering through the trees in dappled patterns of gold and green.
After what felt like an eternity, the car finally came to a stop in front of a majestic stone building nestled amidst a grove of ancient oaks.
As the car stopped, my mother turned her gaze towards me.
"We're here, Azariah. Don't do anything stupid this time," she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper.
I nodded, my throat dry, as I stepped out of the car and followed my mother toward the entrance of the church.
The heavy wooden doors swung open with a creak, revealing a dimly lit interior filled with the soft glow of candlelight.
All who were present turned towards us as we walked in.
My mother—
'Stop calling her my mother for fuck's sake, she is not my mother!'
I bit my tongue tightly to keep myself sane. The memories of Azariah and mine have been mixed in such a way that it's making it hard for me to understand who he is and who I am.
'Fuck!'
Anyway, all the people present in the church stood up, showing deep respect and fear towards her, as most of them bowed to welcome Esmeray.
Esmeray didn't acknowledge their respect as she walked towards the front where two people stood, but unlike the rest of the people, they didn't bow their heads, as they were on equal status with Esmeray.
The other two Dukes beside my mother of the Pargoina Empire.
"Lady Esmeray." They both nodded in acknowledgment of her presence as Esmeray approached them.
"When will the portal open for the main church?" Esmeray asked without any change in her tone as she looked at both of them.
"In a few minutes. All of the ones who were called have already arrived, and you are the last one," the one with brownish-black hair replied with an indifferent face.
He is the current head of the Mairac dukedom and, apart from my mother, one of the most powerful fighters in the empire.
Alvin Sai Mairac.
As Esmeray nodded, his gaze turned towards me. "After what you did yesterday, I would say you have guts, kid."
After saying this, he ignored my presence as he walked towards the lower nobles.
"Mind if I talk for a while with my son-in-law, Lady Esmeray?" As Duke Mairac walked away, the other man who stood with him said, looking at Esmeray.
He was a tall, imposing man with a stern expression and piercing eyes blue eyes like his hair that seemed to bore into my soul.
He was Azariah's father-in-law, head of the Mendonca dukedom.
David Shea Mendonca.
As Esmeray nodded in reply, my stomach churned with nerves as my eyes met his.
He quietly walked towards a corner, and I, left with no other choice, had to follow behind him.
"What was the stunt that you pulled last night!?" As soon as we were away from the eyes of the people, he immediately barked at me in anger.
"What was?" I asked, fully acting like Azariah, an arrogant prick.
"You had to do that to the princess in front of everyone, huh?" He asked again, glaring at me.
"She deserv—"
"Don't you dare say that, you were the one who is in the wrong." Before I could complete my sentence, he interrupted me in a harsh tone.
"Whatever." I shrugged, not bothered by his words.
"Do you even at least think once how Christina would feel about it?" He said again, his voice laced with anger.
"What does she have to do with this?" I retorted, my tone sharp as I tried to maintain Azariah's arrogant facade.
"She does, Azariah. She is the one who cares for you even after all you did to her," he replied as he tried to hold back his anger.
"She means nothing of it, and I am pretty sure she is doing all that because you told her to, don't you?" My sharp tone didn't change as I rebuked.
"She's going to be your wife, damn it! Have some respect for her!" David's voice rose, his frustration evident.
"She's just a pawn in this political game, isn't she?" I dismissed, waving my hand casually.
David's face contorted in anger, his fists clenched at his sides. "You're a fool, Azariah. You don't know what you have until it's gone."
"Yeah, who are you trying to threaten? Do it if you want to. I'm pretty sure you can't do shit," I replied with a smirk, which for sure irked him a lot.
"We'll see."
With that, he turned sharply on his heel and stormed away, leaving me standing alone in the corner, feeling a twinge of guilt that I quickly pushed aside.
"It's for the best." I mumbled as I rubbed my chest that ached with unknown pain.
If my words have even a slight effect on him he might call off the engagement which will be best for that girl and for me as well.
Because my title from the game the [Villainess Maker] isn't just for show.
It truly means what it says.
That I am the bane of the heroines, being close to me will only give them a bad ending.
And the same goes for me as well, if I want to avoid my death as well for Esmeray will kill me the moment she felt that I have become useless to her.
"It's for the best." I mumbled again reassuring myself again as I walked at back to the place were all people were present.