Villain Throne:I Build An Empire On Bones

Kaelridge Manor,

Inside the Kaelridge estate, the air in Virel's office was thick with tension, heavy as a storm about to break.

Virel, the cunning uncle, slouched in his chair, his sharp eyes glinting with barely concealed malice. Across from him sat Daksha, calm but watchful, and Elyra Kaelridge, her face a mix of worry and rage.

Elyra leaned forward, her voice sharp with impatience. "Uncle, enough stalling. Tell me what happened to Zairen. How did he awaken? Why's he out there risking his life? Spill it—everything."

Virel sighed, his tone dripping with fake sincerity, like poison coated in honey. "Fine. It started two weeks ago. Zairen snapped. Beat the butler to a bloody pulp and killed him. I called him in, tried to talk sense into him, but the little brat threatened me. Called me a 'fat leech' with those fake tears in his eyes, like he's some tragic hero."

Daksha let out a small, involuntary chuckle. Virel's eyes snapped to him, venomous. Elyra shot Daksha a glare, and he straightened, muttering, "Sorry, my mistake. Go on."

Virel's lip curled in disgust. "I told him he wasn't well. Told him to go to the healing room and get his head checked. But he cursed me out again, said I've done nothing for him his whole life. Sobbed like a damn child, then marched straight to Viscount Draven. Had the gall to demand training with his elite soldiers."

Elyra's eyes burned with fury as she leaned forward, her voice sharp and accusing. "You let him? You let my little brother mouth off to the Viscount? Our family's honor is ruined! Our name's dragged through the mud!"

Virel shrugged, his smirk cold. "Draven overlooked it—likely for your father's sake. Elyra. He wasn't amused by Zairen. But Zairen wouldn't quit. Kept pushing, saying he was ready to fight. Draven sensed something—said the boy was awakened, mana pulsing in his veins, clear as day. So, Draven gave in. Sent him on this raid with the Ashen Fangs, an elite mercenary group your father know the leader. What was his name huhh oh yeah Varek's .Varek's leading it."

Elyra's eyes widened, her voice cracking with disbelief. "Varek? Varek Kaelthorn? And nobody told me? My brother's out there with killers, and you kept it from me?"

Virel's lips twisted into a sly smirk, his tone oily with false concern. "Calm down, Elyra. Zairen's with the Ashen Fangs, an elite mercenary group. Your father knows their leader, Varek Kaelthorn. The Viscount assured me Varek will protect Zairen and train him. This is his chance to earn merit and join the elite soldiers' training."

Then Elyra, said with rage and fury, "But why didn't anyone tell me? Am I not important in this family?"

Virel leaned back, his tone patronizing, like he was soothing a child. "We were going to tell you, Elyra. But it happened fast. We didn't want to disturb your… delicate studies."

Daksha shifted uncomfortably. Elyra stood, her chair scraping the floor, her eyes blazing with fury. "Delicate? Delicate? I'm going to the Viscount. I'm dragging Zairen back before he gets himself killed."

Virel leaned back, his eyes glinting with malice. "If you go after him, you'll ruin his chance. He'll hate you even more. The Viscount promised to keep him safe—do you think Draven would lie?"

Elyra's voice trembled, not with fear but with raw, aching guilt. "I don't care what the Viscount promised, and I don't care if Zairen hates me. I'm doing this for him. I won't let him die out there just to prove a point. I won't let him drag us all down with him."

She stormed to the door, yanking it open. Virel called after her, his voice tight with irritation. "Elyra, wait!"

She didn't look back. The door slammed shut.

Virel slumped in his chair, muttering a bitter, "Damn it" He glanced at Daksha, his tone shifting to a desperate plea. "Master Daksha, please. Talk to her. If she drags Zairen back, he'll lose it. He'll never speak to her again."

Daksha stood, his voice calm but firm. "I'll talk to her, Lord Virel. But if Elyra won't listen, that's on her. Not me." He walked out, leaving Virel alone.

Virel leaned back, his eyes narrowing, a cruel smile creeping across his face. "One chance to get rid of that little shit, and it's slipping through my fingers. If Zairen dies out there… all the Kaelridge fortune's mine." He sighed, the dream of power flickering in his mind.

Meanwhile, at Elyra's room…

Daksha knocked softly. "Elyra? Can I come in?"

"Yes, Master," came her muffled reply, heavy with emotion.

He stepped inside and saw her packing a bag, her movements frantic. "Elyra, where are you going?"

Her voice was sharp, laced with pain. "To find Zairen. To bring him back. And don't try to stop me, Master. I have to do this."

Daksha sighed, his tone gentle but steady. "I'm not stopping you, little Lyra. But don't drag him back against his will. You told me you hated him once—blamed him for things that weren't his fault. You said you wanted to apologize, to make things right."

Elyra froze, her hands trembling as she clutched a shirt. Her voice broke, raw with regret. "I was wrong, Master. I was stupid. I hurt him, and I see that now. But I can't let him die out there. Not like this."

Daksha's eyes softened, but his words were firm. "Give him a chance to prove himself. If you storm in and pull him back, he'll hate you more. He's already gone with the Fangs. Let him fight. Check on him, sure, but don't force him."

Elyra's shoulders slumped, her voice barely a whisper. "I just want to know he's safe. I need to see him. To say I'm sorry and i asked for his forgiveness"

Daksha nodded, a faint smile breaking through. "Alright, Lyra. How about I come with you?"

Her eyes snapped up, fierce with determination. "No, Master. This is mine to fix. I need to face him alone. I owe him that."

Daksha chuckled softly. "Stubborn as ever. Fine. Let's go to dinner, then. We'll talk more."

Elyra nodded, her heart heavy but resolute. They left for the family dinner, the weight of their choices hanging like a blade over their heads.

At the family dinner, silence choked the room.

Elyra, Daksha, Meralyn, Calyen, and Virel sat around the table, the clink of cutlery the only sound. No one spoke. The air was thick with unspoken fears and secrets.

Elyra set her fork and spoon down, her voice soft but heavy with regret. "Uncle Virel, I'm sorry for snapping at you. Zairen's childish antics made me lose my temper. I shouldn't have taken it out on you."

Virel's smile was warm, but his eyes were cold as stone. "It's alright, Elyra. Family fights happen. We're all worried about Zairen. Your aunt hasn't slept in days."

Elyra glanced at Meralyn, who nodded, her voice trembling with fake tears. "It's true, Elyra. I just want him to be safe." Her eyes glistened, but the sorrow felt hollow.

Calyen, Virel's son, stared at Elyra's beautiful face, his thoughts dark and twisted. Goddamn Zairen. If that idiot wasn't causing trouble, I'd be in Elyra's arms right now. He licked his lips, his gaze hungry, unnoticed by the others.

Elyra turned to Virel, her voice firm despite the pain in her chest. "Uncle, I know Zairen's been a pain. He's tormented you, insulted you. I'll make him apologize when he's back. You've done so much for us since our parents died, and he disrespected you. I'll knock some sense into him."

Virel waved a hand, his tone smooth but laced with deceit. "Don't worry, Elyra. Families are messy. I just hope Zairen comes back safe."

Elyra nodded, her voice steady but fierce. "I'm going to the Viscount tomorrow. I need to check on Zairen."

The table froze. Calyen shot up from his chair, his voice sharp with disbelief. "What? Why, sis?"

Elyra met his gaze, her eyes blazing with determination. "I need to see he's okay. And Seressia asked me to meet her. It's important."

Meralyn's voice was soft, manipulative. "Elyra, wait a few days. Your fifteenth birthday is coming. We need to plan. You're growing up so fast."

Elyra forced a smile, her tone resolute. "Sorry, Aunt Meralyn. I'll be back soon. It's just a quick trip."

Virel sighed, his voice calm but calculated. "Fine, Elyra. We'll wait for you."

Elyra nodded, her heart pounding with resolve. The others returned to their food, the silence heavy again. Calyen clenched his fork, his thoughts seething. Zairen, you bastard. Because of you, I'm losing time with Elyra. When you're back, I'll make you pay.

The dinner continued, each bite laced with tension, as the family sat under the shadow of Zairen's reckless choices.