the Villainess they took for granted

Chapter 178: Chapter 178: The Emperor’s Funeral

The morning of the funeral arrived beneath a gray sky.

The capital had spent the preceding days in mourning.

The Emperor’s body had lain in state, allowing members of the court, the nobility, and the people to pay their final respects.

Now the final preparations were underway.

The funeral procession would begin within the next few hours.

The bells began before sunrise.

Slow.

Measured.

Their sound carried across the capital.

Cassian heard them from the inn.

He had been waiting there since arriving outside the city.

For days, he had watched the gates from a distance.

He had respected the restrictions.

He had understood why he could not enter.

But today was different.

Today, his uncle would be taken to his final resting place.

Cassian lowered his gaze.

He had spent days telling himself that he understood the restrictions.

He did.

He understood why he could not simply enter the capital after the Emperor’s death.

He understood why the succession had to be secured.

He understood why every movement around the Imperial family was being watched.

But he could not remain outside while his uncle was laid to rest.

He turned toward his secretary.

”I’ll attend.”

”Your Grace, the Ministry of War has already sent word.”

Cassian looked at him.

”What did they say?”

”They will arrange for Your Grace to be escorted to the funeral.”

Cassian nodded.

”Good.”

A pause.

”Are my men allowed to accompany me?”

The secretary hesitated.

”They have requested that Your Grace present yourself with only essential personnel.”

Cassian understood.

He had expected as much.

”Then my guards will remain here.”

”Your Grace—”

”They are not necessary.”

Cassian reached for his coat.

”I’m going to pay my respects to my uncle.”

He fastened the clasp.

”Nothing more.”

His secretary still looked uncertain.

Cassian noticed.

”You think I’m taking a risk?”

”I think the circumstances are unusual.”

”They are.”

Cassian looked toward the distant gates.

”But that doesn’t mean I should treat every Imperial soldier as an enemy.”

He had no reason to.

The Emperor was dead.

Adrian was Emperor.

And Cassian had no intention of creating even the slightest appearance of opposition.

He turned to his guards.

”You’ll remain here.”

One of them bowed reluctantly.

”Yes, Your Grace.”

Cassian picked up his gloves.

”I’ll return after the funeral.”

--

The Imperial escort arrived shortly afterward.

Six men.

All in the uniform of the Imperial Guard.

Their commander stepped forward and bowed.

”Your Grace.”

Cassian returned the gesture.

”I understand the arrangements.”

”Given the circumstances, His Majesty has ordered additional security for members of the Imperial family.”

Cassian nodded.

”Naturally.”

”You will be escorted throughout your visit.”

”Very well.”

The commander gestured toward the carriage.

Cassian paused before entering.

He looked once toward his own men.

They remained beside the inn.

He gave them a final nod.

Then he stepped into the carriage.

The doors closed.

The carriage began moving toward the capital.

Cassian watched the city draw closer.

He felt no suspicion.

Only anticipation.

He would see his uncle one final time.

And afterward—

perhaps he could finally speak to Adrian.

Perhaps the restrictions would soon be lifted.

Perhaps he could finally see Marian.

The thought of her softened his expression.

He had not seen her since before he left for Ashford.

Too much had happened since then.

The wedding that never took place.

The Emperor’s illness.

The death.

Everything had changed.

But Marian was still Marian.

And Cassian intends to bring her to Ashford and marry her.

--

The carriage stopped at the outer security checkpoint.

Cassian was searched before proceeding farther.

His belongings were inspected.

His documents examined.

His weapons removed.

He cooperated without protest.

There was nothing suspicious about the procedure.

If anything, he found it reassuring.

The Empire was being careful.

His uncle had died unexpectedly.

The investigation was still ongoing.

He understood the need for caution.

Once the inspection was completed, the commander opened the carriage door.

”Your Grace.”

Cassian stepped down.

He looked around.

They were not inside the central capital.

The commander gestured toward a waiting carriage farther along the road.

”We will take you through a more secure route.”

Cassian glanced toward the main road.

”Why?”

”The central route is crowded with mourners.”

That was reasonable.

Cassian nodded.

”Very well.”

He followed them.

The route gradually became quieter.

The sounds of the city faded behind them.

Cassian looked around.

”How far is the palace from here?”

”Not far.”

The commander continued walking.

Cassian followed.

Then he noticed something.

The men had stopped talking.

He slowed.

The commander turned.

”Your Grace?”

Cassian studied him.

”Where exactly are we going?”

”To the Imperial residence.”

Cassian’s gaze moved past him.

There was no palace in sight.

Only a narrow road bordered by trees.

Something was wrong.

He stepped back.

”That isn’t the road to the palace.”

The commander did not answer.

Cassian’s hand moved instinctively toward the weapon that was no longer at his side.

He had given it up at the checkpoint.

His eyes moved over the men.

Six.

No.

Eight.

Two more had appeared behind him.

Cassian’s expression changed.

”Who ordered this?”

The commander drew his sword.

”Your Grace, you are under Imperial arrest.”

Cassian stared at him.

”On what charge?”

The first man lunged.

Cassian moved.

He caught the man’s wrist and drove his elbow into his chest.

The soldier stumbled backward.

Another came from the side.

Cassian struck him hard enough to send him into the dirt.

For one brief moment, there was chaos.

Cassian fought without a weapon, using nothing but his hands.

He had no idea what was happening.

Only that these men were not escorting him to the funeral.

They were trying to kill him.

He broke through the first line.

Ran.

Behind him, someone shouted.

”Stop him!”

Cassian kept running.

Branches struck his face.

The ground became uneven beneath his boots.

He could hear the men pursuing him.

He reached the edge of the ravine.

Stopped.

There was nowhere else to go.

Cassian turned.

The men were approaching.

Slowly.

Their weapons were drawn.

He looked from one face to another.

”You’ll answer for this.”

No one replied.

The first man moved.

Cassian dodged the blade.

Another struck from behind.

He twisted away.

Pain tore through his side.

He looked down.

Blood.

For a moment, he didn’t understand what he was seeing.

Then the ground shifted beneath his foot.

His heel slipped over the edge.

Cassian reached for something.

Anything.

His fingers caught a branch.

It snapped.

And then he was falling.

The ravine swallowed him.

--

”Search below!”

Merrow’s men scrambled down the slope.

They searched the rocks.

The river.

The surrounding trees.

Nothing.

No body.

No sign of movement.

One of the men returned, breathing heavily.

”We can’t find him.”

The commander stared into the ravine.

”Search again.”

They did.

Nothing.

Eventually, the men returned to the road.

One looked toward the commander.

”What do we report?”

The commander was silent.

Then:

”The Duke attempted to escape Imperial custody.”

”And?”

”He resisted.”

The man looked toward the ravine.

”And then?”

The commander looked down.

”The Duke fell.”

A pause.

”Presumed dead.”

They mounted their horses.

Behind them, the ravine remained silent.

No one saw the body.

No one knew whether Cassian had survived.

But the report had to be delivered before the funeral procession began.

The commander turned his horse toward the capital.

--

Tbc

AN: ok... i know, this is a little cliche. I mean falling off, presumed dead... but this is what I think fits the plot so yeah.

Now, regarding Adrian. Just so you understand. He never had anything dramatic about the broken engagement. He never made a scene, and from an outsider’s perspective, he was almost non-chalant. And yes, this sets the plot beautifully bec now, although some people may assume, vivienne herself could not just say oh he did this! Although she may think it but no, based on his actions, also she loved and knew him for 18 years (and also the original novel). Anyway just me rumbling. Ok see you next Chapter!