I will not die a Villainess's death

The Akatsuki kingdom was fundamentally different from the empire. Even the royal castle was different and built on top of a cliff.

It was only built in the traditional style of slopes that Elysia had seen in the other world, but it was also made up of fire-resistant material.

"Don't look too intimidated right now. We are relatives so this is also your culture."

Chrome took them inside the castle. The guards bowed to them as they passed through the corridors. Their whole future screamed 'different' to Elysia.

It was her first trip to any other nation in this world so it was a little nerve-wracking. Especially when the guards were looking at her with nervous but cautious eyes.

"Don't look so taken aback. Just look forward for now and don't let the stares get to you. Hold your head up so that it shows that you are royalty."

Whatever Chrome was saying was giving over Elysia's head. And she did not care much about showing her confidence as well.

What she was most concerned about was making a good first impression on the Akatsuki royalty family. So far, Elysia had a bad track record when it making first impressions.

"Don't look so tense Elysia. My mother and siblings know about you so you do not need to go out of your way to impress them."

Chrome's words were said to lighten Elysia's burden but she did not feel lightened at all. The was even more nervous to hear him say that.

It was a problem for the Akatsuki nobility to know about Elysia because it also meant that they knew the tumors about Elysia. She will not be able to make a fresh start in her state.

"Somehow, I have a feeling that things will not work out how we want them to. My track record with new authority is not the best."

Elysia decided to be truthful in this matter. She could hear the outspoken words Lucas wanted to say. But despite knowing that Lucas was going to encourage her, Elysia was not confident enough to be positive.

"Well, I want to tell you that you will be alright but I can see that you are not going to believe me. So I will just show you that everything will be alright."

Chrome had too much confidence but somehow, Elysia did not think it was a bad thing. She admired his ability to be this positive despite all things he had done through.

But Chrome was Chrome and Elysia was Elysia. They were both their persons and could not be compared to each other.

"Whether you are ready to go or not, it no longer matters. It's time to face the music."

"Chrome wait, I am not ready-"

But the deed had already been done. It was too late for regrets or to stop Chrome. He had already opened the main door and on the other side stood the royalty of the kingdom.

As soon as Elysia saw that, she realized that her attempt to make a good first impression on this kingdom had all but evaporated.

There she stood, with her hands stretched out and ready to stop Chrome when he had already opened the door.

"Everyone, I am home. And look who I brought back with me."

To Elysia, all the eyes looking back at her looked scary and intimidating. She wanted to hide from those eyes for some time and not be found by anyone.

But that was not possible and Elysia was also old enough to take responsibility for her actions. She needed to face the new challenge in front of her.

"Whatever you are thinking is not it. Don't overwork your brain too much or you will give yourself a headache."

Lucas walked from behind Elysia, his steps sure and strong. Elysia knew that she could not hide away now that even her brother had taken a step out in the hallway.

The nobles of Akatsuki looked back at Elysia with haughty expressions. She did not have to be a mind reader to realize that she was being judged by everyone present in the room.

"Lucas Dirac, why are you back here so soon? Don't tell me that you had to run away from the empire with your tail tucked in between your legs?"

The Queen asked that question, her head held high. It seemed impossible to say anything against that intimidating presence.

No one inside the room spoke anything against her question. Even when she was being outright rude to Lucas Dirac, no one had enough courage to go against her wishes. Not that it was surprising in the least.

"Mother, I told you not to egg my guests more than you have to. It is not a good thing for our kingdom to lose any more allies because of your sharp tongue."

The only one who spoke against the queen was Chrome, the current emperor. He was also the only one seated above the queen but the seat at his side was empty.

The queen only scoffed at his words, her arrogance and dislike clear in her eyes. She was the emperor who seemed to not get along well.

'Then again, they do not look alike so I should butt my head out of their matter.'

The reason the emperor did not resemble the queen was likely because they were not blood-related. That fueled their annoyance and soaked the seed of hindrance between them.

"Emperor should know when to butt out of matters that do not concern him. I am the current queen, the one who looks after the residents of the palace. Even the emperor has no right to tell me how to behave in here."

The queen let everyone know her anger and disagreement. Elysia could see that the queen did not have a problem with her or her brother but she was arguing just for the sake of arguing.

Elysia did not know what she should do. All she could do was look back at Lucas's back for clues. Lucas only gave Elysia a reassuring glance and Elysia felt herself relax.

But that only lasted as long as Lucas did not open his mouth. Because as soon as he opened it, he gave Elysia a heart attack.

"I don't care how you both resolve your pissing contest but if you dared to say anything against my sister or me then I will take action against you all."

Elysia knew that Lucas was sick and Chrome knew that as well. So Elysia was convinced that everyone else knew about it as well.

But it seems that was not the case here. The queen looked pained and threatened by Lucas's words. She looked genuinely scared of what Lucas could do to her.

Elysia was sure that she would not have made that face if the queen knew Lucas's condition.

"See mother, you are annoying Lucas right now. I am sure you do not want to cause any more trouble, right?"

Chrome looked too happy to see the queen fall quiet. She looked at Chrome and then at Lucas before sighing and backing down.

However, Elysia was aware of how she was being neglected right now. In fact, no one had either paid attention to her or addressed her properly.

She was not sure if she needed to bow to anyone and show courtesy here but Elysia did not dare move. The safest thing to do for now would be to follow Lucas's lead.

"Anyway, I have Lucas's room prepared but Elysia needs a place to stay tonight. Does anyone have room in their palace? Or should I assign someone random to place her with?"

For a solid minute, no one dared to even move. No one even dared to breathe, looking at each other to see what the other would do.

But as soon as they realized that it was the best opportunity to get into their emperor's good grace, they all began to volunteer themselves. From the smallest to the oldest, everyone was ready to house Elysia in their quarters.

Some tried to be evasive, the others tried to seem disinterested but Elysia was not ready to give any of them the time of the day.

She looked around at the fake smiles and even faker greetings. But nothing caught her fancy.

Not until she looked in the corner to see a teen sitting there with a calm face. He looked detached and his temperament was calm.

And suddenly, Elysia was sure that this kid was the one who had to house her for tonight. He was the only one who looked like would give Elysia any relief tonight.

"I'll house with him tonight if you don't have a problem."

The whole court went quiet as soon as Elysia made her choice. She was not sure what she had done wrong to make everyone look at her as one but Elysia did not lower her hands down.

"Lady Dirac, are you-"

"Well, if this is what you want Elysia then so be it. You will be housed in Feize's room tonight."

Chrome cut the speaker off. And it was decided where Elysia would stay.