Reincarnated As The Villainess's Son

Chapter 310 Heart Of Yggrisial [6] [Aetheria]

Chapter 310  Heart Of Yggrisial [6] [Aetheria]

"The Solace Kingdom demands that the World Tree be handed over to the protection of the Demiurge."

A heavy, suffocating silence lingered within the hall.

Hayes's sapphire eyes scanned the room, his professional smile faltering ever so slightly as he registered everyone's glare at him.

"I'll take that as a humorless joke," Nerissa said, her chin resting on her hand, faint disdain in her voice.

"Regretfully, this is no joke," Hayes replied smoothly, forcing his smile to remain intact. "It is the sincere demand of the Solace Kingdom—"

"Then we can end this meeting right here," Nerissa cut into his words. "It's impossible. Handing over Yggdrasil to lesser beings is out of the question."

"Lesser beings?" Hayes tilted his head, feigning confusion.

"I was under the impression that you elves care more about Yggdrasil than your pride. Or am I mistaken?"

"It's been almost ten thousand years since we elves have been taking care of the World Tree," Mariam said, her voice calm yet oppressive.

"By handing over the World Tree, we will also lose the Tamriel Kingdom. You are asking too much here."

Hayes sighed deeply, even though he was trying to maintain his calm, deep down he was afraid of Mariam.

His gaze briefly shifted toward Himmel, who, oddly enough, wasn't focusing on him.

He was focused on the guards who had followed him.

"It seems I'll have to deliver some disappointing news to my king," Hayes said, not hiding his disappointment. "Nevertheless, let us proceed to our next demand."

His sharp eyes fixed on Narcos, seated at the center of the table. "We require the Aetheria artifact."

There wasn't much reaction from anyone.

The elves had anticipated this demand.

Given the state of the Solace King, it was no surprise they would seek Aetheria—an artifact that can support a dying body for years.

But its main function is to keep a person from going insane or falling into madness.

One of the artifacts that the first head of Segyal Highbloods made.

An artifact that works with a small portion of Yggdrasil's essence.

"Is there nothing else we can offer instead?" one of the elders asked hesitantly.

"It's non-negotiable," Hayes shook his head firmly. "The Solace Kingdom is in dire need of Aetheria."

"So it should be enough to give us the cure for the Yggdrasil, right?" Nerissa asked, tilting her head. "What is stopping us from exploiting your weakness?"

Hayes chuckled softly. "The Solace Kingdom can afford to wait a few years for Aetheria. But can the elves afford to wait?"

He turned to look at Reis. "How long does the Yggdrasil have before it dies?"

Reis smiled faintly, his tone almost casual as he answered. "Three, maybe four years at most. We damaged it quite thoroughly—"

"Silence!" Nerissa snapped, making Reis flinch under her glare.

He quieted down as another wave of pressure dawned upon him.

A silence lingered in the place.

Hayes kept his smile while the elves had an uncomfortable expression on their faces.

"We will meet your demand," Mariam finally said, her voice steady. "Aetheria will be provided to you."

Hayes's smile widened. "Excellent. Now, to our third demand."

All eyes were on him as he turned toward Narcos.

"We propose a marriage alliance," Hayes said smoothly.

"Continue," Narcos said calmly.

Hayes leaned forward slightly. "The Solace Kingdom requests the hand of your daughter in marriage to the Demiurge Prince."

"Absolutely not!" Rosalie burst out before Narcos could respond. "We are not sending our daughter to marry barbarians—"

"Careful," Reis interjected with a sly grin. "Such language is unbecoming."

"You are barbarians," Rosalie shot back, glaring at him. "And you will hold your tongue, lesser."

"Why?" Narcos said, looking at Hayes. "What does the Solace Kingdom gain from this?"

"That is not something we can disclose at this time," he replied, keeping his demeanor. "However, I assure you, it is for the betterment of the elves—"

"How so?" Nerissa asked, feigning curiosity. "I am quite interested."

"You will come to understand in time," Hayes replied cryptically. "For now, know that the Solace Kingdom harbors no ill intent toward the elves."

Nerissa chuckled, clearly unimpressed by his words.

"I will not agree to this," Rosalie said firmly. "No matter the cost."

Hayes sighed deeply, though he was quite satisfied with the outcome.

The elves were playing right into his hand—just as his prince predicted.

"Then how about this," Hayes said, glancing at Himmel. "Why not betroth the 'outsider' to the Demiurge Princess instead?"

"Hm?" Himmel tilted his head in response. "What?"

"You heard me, Heir Himmel," Hayes replied, his tone calm yet commanding. "You would make a fine groom for the Demiurge Princess."

"I accept this arrangement," Nerissa declared, her tone icy as she glanced at Himmel. "He will marry—"

"I will not marry a fucking blue ball species," Himmel cut into her words, glaring at her.

"Don't you want to help the elves?" Nerissa asked, turning to him with a cold stare. "Then prove yourself useful for once."

"Fuck the evl—Ahem." He cleared his throat as everyone glared at him. "I am already engaged, and I want to be loyal to my future wife."

"Break that engagement," she said, not hiding her disdain. "It's better to marry a lesser than those filth."

"Enough, Nerissa," Mariam interjected sharply, rubbing her temples in frustration. "He has the right to choose whom he marries."

"And why should he?" Nerissa countered, her voice rising. "I wasn't given a choice. Why should he be any different?"

Mariam sighed, exhaustion clear in her features.

"He will marry—"

"I will not," he cut into Nerissa's words. "You have no right to force me."

"Do you forget who I am to you?" she whispered, her tone dangerously low.

Himmel frowned in confusion, unable to understand her words.

"Is Lady Nerissa threatening Heir Himmel?" Reis said with a bright, mocking smile.

"I am not threatening him," Nerissa replied coolly. "Merely educating him."

She turned to her butler. "Sir Fredrick, if Reis speaks again—kill him."

Reis smiled, flattered as he tensed up, his panicked gaze turning toward Hayes.

"That was a threat," she said, raising her brow. "See the difference?"

"Anyway, is Heir Himmel going to marry—"

"No."

"Yes."

Himmel glared at Nerissa, who calmly looked back at him.

"It seems we are at a disagreement here," Hayes said, glancing at both of them.

But before he could elaborate further, one of his guards, clad in beautiful blue armor, stepped forward and whispered something in his ear.

Hayes abruptly looked at him, a shocked expression etched on his face, which he quickly masked.

"The marriage alliance is important, and we wish to keep that demand," Hayes said, looking at everyone. "But Heir Himmel clearly isn't keen on marrying the Demiurge Princess."

"Here is an alternative then," he drew in a deep breath before delivering his proposal.

"Heir Himmel may marry the First Princess of the Solace Kingdom instead."

*****

"Argh, my head hurts."

Pasithea groaned, pressing her fingers to her temples as she slouched on the bench.

"Who told you to drink so much?" Zenith asked, rubbing her back. "Was it necessary to compete with me?"

"How are you even fine?" Pasithea glared at her, squinting against the piercing sunlight. "You drank just as much as I did."

"I have better tolerance," Zenith replied with a nonchalant shrug.

"Why is it always me?" Pasithea muttered, letting her long blonde hair fall back as she leaned further against the bench.

"Don't you have a meeting today?" She asked, looking around the place.

The students were roaming around a garden that was decorated with beautiful flowers from all over the world.

"Yeah..." Pasithea groaned, her shoulders slumping. "And I missed it. My parents are going to kill me."

Zenith rubbed her back while her gaze shifted towards Serisha, who walked toward them.

"Here, drink this." Serisha handed Pasithea a cold bottle. "It should help with the hangover."

"Thank you, darling~" Pasithea chirped before downing the drink.

"Something I can help with?" Serisha's crimson eyes shifted to Zenith, who kept on staring at her.

"...Can we talk?" Zenith finally asked, her voice quieter than usual.

"Of course," Serisha replied, nodding without hesitation.

"We'll be back in a bit," Zenith told Pasithea, who waved them off lazily.

As they began walking along the winding garden paths, Serisha remained silent, clearly waiting for Zenith to speak first.

"Say....." Zenith began, glancing at her. "Is there....something going on between you and Himmel?"

Serisha stopped in her tracks, turning to face Zenith.

"Don't get me wrong, I am not suspect—"

"Yes, we are dating."

But much to her surprise, Serisha nodded in agreement.

 "He's mine, so you and your mother should keep your filthy hands off him." She said, her voice serious.

Zenith's mouth agape as she looked at her in utter shock.

Her mind unable to process her words.

"Pfft—" Serisha suddenly started giggling, covering her mouth as she laughed. "Oh, Zenny, you should've seen your face."

"Wait, what?" Zenith frowned in confusion.

"Of course, it's a lie." She said, resuming her walk. "I have hardly known him for like half a month."

"....Right." Zenith mumbled, trailing behind her.

"But why ask such a question?" Serisha glanced at her curiously.

Zenith hesitated for a while, unable to find the right words.

After a while, she said, "Uh, I think I saw you guys hugging each other last night."

"Hm?" Serisha tilted her head in confusion. "What do you mean?"

"I mean..." Zenith paused, gathering her thoughts. "I'm pretty sure I saw the two of you together in my room."

Serisha frowned. "That's impossible. I was the only one in your room last night."

"No, Himmel was there too," Zenith insisted.

"He wasn't, Zenny." Serisha's tone was firm but calm. "I was the one who brought you to your room."

"Really?" Zenith mumbled, unsure about her own memory. "But I think—"

"You were drunk at that time." Serisha cut in her words. "It was probably just a hallucination."

"Maybe..." Zenith murmured, still unconvinced. "But are you sure—"

"Zenny, I've known you for years." Serisha's crimson eyes softened as she spoke earnestly. "Why would I lie to you?"

"Right, it might be my imagination."

"Hallucinating about a boy, huh?" Serisha teased with a soft smile. "Is our Zenny finally developing feelings for someone?"

"Hell no." Zenith grumbled, clearly repulsed by the thought. "I could never like a guy who openly flirts with my mother."

"Yeah, he isn't likable anyway." Serisha nodded her head. "Better stay away from him."

"Hmm?"

Zenith abruptly halted her steps.

Her gaze moved around the place until it landed back on Serisha.

Like her, she also had a serious look on her face.

"Did you feel that?" Zenith asked softly.

"Yes." Serisha replied, looking around the place. "Someone is keeping an eye on us."