The Return Of The Exiled Villain

After classes ended, Gray and Seraph walked together toward the academy’s grand cafeteria.

The hallways were bustling with students excited about the upcoming Inter-Academy Competition, their voices filling the air with chatter and anticipation.

Seraph walked gracefully beside him, her pure silver hair catching the light, drawing more than a few envious or admiring glances from the other students.

They entered the spacious cafeteria, which was already crowded.

The aroma of freshly cooked meals wafted through the air: roasted meats, fragrant stews, fresh bread, and various spirit-infused dishes that glowed faintly with mana.

Gray and Seraph moved through the line, selecting their food.

Gray chose a simple but hearty meal: grilled spirit beast steak, seasoned vegetables, and a bowl of nourishing qi rice.

Seraph opted for something lighter and more elegant, a delicate salad with crystal fruits, steamed fish infused with wind mana, and a small portion of honey-glazed pastries.

They found a relatively quiet table near the large windows overlooking the academy gardens. Gray sat down first, and Seraph took the seat across from him.

For a while, they ate in comfortable silence, the clinking of utensils and distant chatter forming a soft background noise.

Gray was midway through cutting his steak when Seraph suddenly spoke, her voice quiet but clear.

”Gray... I’m getting married after the Inter-Academy Competition.”

Clatter...

Gray’s fork slipped from his hand, falling onto the plate with a sharp metallic sound.

His black eyes widened slightly in genuine surprise, and his eyebrows furrowed as he stared at her in pure confusion.

Seraph looked down at her plate for a moment, her expression calm but carrying a trace of resignation.

She took a small breath before continuing.

”The Prince of the Elven Kingdom... Prince Lirien Sylvaris... has formally proposed to me. The engagement will be announced shortly after the competition ends.”

Gray remained silent for a few seconds, processing the information. He slowly picked up his fork again, but didn’t resume eating.

Seraph continued softly, filled with complicated emotions.

”It happened during the summer. The Elven delegation visited the capital for diplomatic talks. Prince Lirien... he took a great interest in me. At first, I thought it was just political courtesy, but then he made his intentions clear. He wants me as his consort. My father, the Emperor, has already given his approval.”

She paused, poking at her salad with her fork.

”The political benefits are obvious. An alliance between the Human Empire and the Elven Kingdom would be incredibly valuable. Trade routes, shared resources, and military cooperation against demonic threats. My father believes this marriage could strengthen both nations significantly. Prince Lirien is talented, powerful, and respected among the elves. From a strategic standpoint... It’s a good match.”

Gray’s expression remained mostly neutral, but his mind was racing.

’Her Spirit Eyes,’ he thought immediately.

’That’s why. The elves must have sensed her unique ability, the power to see and contract spirits as a human. It’s an extremely rare talent even among high elves, so they want her bloodline.’

Seraph seemed to sense his thoughts.

She looked up at him with a small, sad smile.

”You already figured it out, didn’t you? Yes... It’s because of my Spirit Eyes. The elves discovered my ability during the visit. They were... very interested. Prince Lirien himself said he wanted a wife who could help elevate the Elven Kingdom’s spiritual arts. My father accepted because it aligns with his vision for the empire. He said it was my duty as the first princess.”

She let out a soft, bitter laugh.

”Duty... I’ve heard that word my entire life. I thought that after becoming stronger, I could have some freedom. But it seems even my power has become a tool for politics.”

Seraph looked directly at Gray, her silver hair framing her face as her icy blue eyes (inherited from her mother’s side) met his black ones.

”I don’t love him, Gray. I barely know him. But... I don’t have much of a choice. Refusing would strain relations between our kingdoms. My father made it very clear that this marriage is important for the empire’s future.”

She reached across the table and gently placed her hand over his.

”I wanted you to know first. Before the news spreads. You’ve always been... important to me. Even when we were children. Even after everything that happened with your exile. I never forgot you.”

Gray remained silent for a long moment.

A political marriage.

The elves want her Spirit Eyes, and the Emperor is using his daughter as a bargaining chip. It was all too familiar... the same calculations that had led to his own exile.

In the end, it all led to a single root cause: the Royal Family.

’...Should I destroy the Royal Family already?’

Gray suddenly thought.

In the past, he was already thinking of doing so since he still had some grudges towards the Royal Family itself.

And now, Seraph is being forced into a marriage.

Thinking about this, Gray finally spoke,

”Do you want this marriage?”

Seraph’s hand tightened slightly over his.

”...No. But wanting something and being able to have it are two different things for someone like me.”

She smiled sadly, squeezing his hand once more before pulling back.

”I just... wanted to tell you myself. Before the whole academy starts gossiping about it.”

Gray looked at her for a moment, then said calmly:

”I have an idea.”

Seraph tilted her head to the right in confusion, her golden hair shifting elegantly with the motion.

”Gray, there’s nothing that could potentially break the engagement...” she sighed, a hint of depression in her voice. ”The Emperor has already given his word. The elves won’t back down easily.”

”There’s one thing though,” Gray added calmly.

Seraph looked at him expectantly.

”Elves... really mind about their partner being pure. Sometimes, no matter what conditions, they wouldn’t accept a marriage if their partner weren’t.”

Upon hearing those words, an expression of realization appeared on Seraph’s face. Then, slowly, her cheeks flushed a deep shade of red.

”Does that mean... you want to elope with me?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper, eyes wide with surprise and a trace of shy hope.

Gray went blank for a second.

He stared at her, processing the misunderstanding.

Then, with a faint sigh, he explained:

”No. I meant using a spell. There are ways to temporarily make someone appear... not pure. A high-level illusion or aura manipulation. The elves have sharp senses, but they can’t see through everything if done correctly.”

Seraph’s face flushed even more, turning a bright crimson that reached all the way to her ears. She looked down at her plate, clearly embarrassed by her own assumption.

”O-Oh... I see...” she murmured shyly.

”I... I misunderstood.”

[Sanguina: Told you, he’s definitely someone who in the future will have at least ten wives.]

[Jasmine: ”...”]

Looking at her expression, Gray couldn’t help but want to tease her.

The usually composed and elegant princess was blushing like a normal girl; it was quite cute.

He leaned forward slightly, resting his chin on his hand as he looked at her with a faint, playful smile.

”You know... I didn’t mind the misunderstanding,” he said casually, his voice low enough that only she could hear.

”Elope with you? If that’s what you really wanted, I wouldn’t refuse.”

Seraph’s head snapped up, her golden hair swaying as her eyes widened in shock. The blush on her face deepened to an almost impossible shade of red.

”G-Gray?!” she squeaked, voice cracking slightly in embarrassment.

Gray’s smile widened just a fraction, his black eyes glinting with mischief.

”I mean it,” he continued, tone smooth and teasing.

”Running away together, leaving the empire and the elves behind... Just the two of us. Sounds peaceful, doesn’t it? No political marriages or duties at all. You could even wear a simple white dress instead of all those heavy royal gowns.”

Seraph covered her face with both hands, peeking at him through her fingers, completely flustered.

”Y-You’re teasing me... right?” she mumbled in a muffled voice.

”This isn’t funny, Gray...”

”Oh? I wasn’t joking, though,” Gray replied lightly, tilting his head.

”If you really don’t want to marry that elf prince, I could always ’steal’ you away. I’m quite good at disappearing when I want to. We could go somewhere far, maybe even to another continent. Just you and me. I’d take responsibility, of course.”

Seraph’s ears turned redder than her face. She lowered her hands slightly, revealing a mix of embarrassment and shy hope in her eyes.

”You... you really would do that?” she whispered, almost afraid to believe it.

Gray leaned back in his chair, his smile turning into a faint smirk.

”Who knows? Maybe I would. You’re my childhood friend, after all. And you’re quite beautiful. It wouldn’t be the worst decision I’ve ever made.”

[Sanguina: See? He’s already collecting more wives. Ten might be an underestimate.]

[Jasmine: ...Shut up.]

[Gray, stop teasing her so much. She’s going to explode.]

’Okay, okay...’

Seraph looked like she was about to short-circuit.

She stared at him with wide eyes, mouth opening and closing without making a sound, her usual elegant composure completely shattered.

”Gray... you... you can’t just say things like that so casually...” she finally managed, voice barely audible as she hid her face behind her hands again.

Gray chuckled softly, the sound rare and warm.

”I’m just saying... the offer is on the table. If you ever change your mind about enduring that political marriage, tell me. I’ll handle the rest.”

Seraph peeked at him through her fingers, her blush refusing to fade.

”...You’re mean,” she muttered, though there was no real anger in her voice, only a shy affection.

Gray simply smiled and returned to his meal as if he hadn’t just thrown her heart into chaos.