At the Black Family Mansion in the Capital.
In front of a mirror, Van stood wearing his Academy uniform. His uniform consisted of a short-sleeved white shirt, black dress pants, a black blazer with white stripes along the edges, and a golden tie.
'I'm so handsome,' Van thought as he looked at himself in the mirror.
Three weeks had passed since the incident at the royal palace. They hadn't left the capital because Van was about to start his education at the Academy soon.
However, even after three weeks, Van still couldn't forget the incident. Thinking about it gave him chills.
- - - - -
*FLASHBACK
"HAHAHA, great suggestion, Augustus! I agree!" Father said.
Van, hearing his father's agreement, immediately glared at him.
'Just wait! I'll tell Grandma you used to torment Oliver and Olivia when you were little!' Van thought.
"I agree too, but shouldn't we ask the children involved first?" Mother asked while looking at Van. Empress Elizabeth also turned her gaze toward her daughter, Vivian.
Vivian, whose face was already red like a tomato, blushed even more under everyone's gaze.
"I want to," Vivian whispered in a very soft voice.
"Do as you please," Van replied calmly and continued eating the steak in front of him.
Although his expression looked calm, inside he was panicking.
'REJECT IT! I'M BEGGING YOU! I'M FINE WITH BEING ENGAGED TO ANYONE ELSE, BUT NOT THIS LITTLE PRINCESS!' Van thought, full of anxiety and fear.
Others might not know, but he knew very well what this little princess would become as she grew up.
In front of others, she seemed innocent and pure, but behind their backs, she was obsessively possessive of the one she loved and would do anything to make them happy.
Don't be fooled by her having the [Holy] attribute and assume she's a good person. That magic attribute was just luck—it didn't mean she was virtuous or chosen by the [Gods].
As the author of this novel, Van had created this as a plot twist for readers. Imagining that the sweet and innocent princess turned out to be an obsessive yandere would surely leave readers shocked and speechless.
And sure enough, when the truth was revealed, everyone flooded the comment section with hate toward Van. They all cried in despair, realizing that their beloved goddess was actually a yandere.
Now, Van was reaping what he had sown. He was being forced to get engaged to everyone's "Fallen Goddess."
'D*mn it, why did it have to turn out like this?' Van thought in panic.
"Alright then! Since no one objects, I hereby declare Van Black and Vivian Elena von Avalon officially engaged!" King Augustus declared.
'D*mn it! I'm doomed!' Van thought.
"Grrh!" Prince Caesar angrily chewed the meat in his mouth upon hearing his father's declaration. He glared at Van with intense hostility.
"By the way, Augustus, I suggest not spreading this news just yet. After all, the kingdom is still mourning after the recent attack," Father advised his friend.
"You're right, William," King Augustus replied with a tinge of sadness as he recalled the attack by the [Gehenna Cult] during Avalon Kingdom's birthday celebration.
"Don't be too down, Augustus. Those people were just madmen. Let's drink today in celebration of our children's engagement," Father said, handing his friend a glass of wine.
"Yes, you're right! Let's enjoy ourselves! We won't stop until we're both drunk!" King Augustus exclaimed, taking the glass.
"Good grief," Mother and Empress Elizabeth sighed in unison, watching their husbands' behavior.
Van just glared sharply at the two who dared to party over his suffering.
'Just you wait! I, Van Black, will remember this injustice! I'll repay you tenfold in the future!' Van cursed inwardly while chewing the meat in his mouth. 'Delicious!'
On the other hand, Vivian kept glancing at Van shyly and blushing.
Seeing their future sister-in-law's behavior, Oliver and Olivia looked at each other, communicating telepathically.
'So, she's our sister now?' Oliver asked.
'I don't know. Ask Big Brother Van,' Olivia replied.
Oliver turned toward Van and his [True Eye] seeing black, red, and gray auras radiating from Van's body. Oliver shivered and looked back at Olivia.
'Forget asking him. He might kill me if I speak to him right now,' Oliver thought.
- - - - -
Recalling that incident, Van unconsciously wanted to rain [Shadows] down upon his Father.
*TUK
*TUK
The sound of knocking on the door snapped Van out of his thoughts. He opened the door and saw Arthur standing there waiting for him.
Arthur was also wearing the same uniform, though his tie was different. While a golden tie signified a student of noble status, Arthur—being a noble's subordinate—wore a silver tie.
"Are you ready for your first day at the Academy, Young Groom?" Arthur teased.
"Tch. Stop calling me that," Van replied flatly, though Arthur knew Van was annoyed.
'Since when did this guy become informal? Whatever, he never had proper manners anyway,' Van thought.
"Do I really have to attend the Academy too? This uniform is so uncomfortable. It's hard for me to swing a sword," Arthur complained.
"I don't care," Van replied and walked away.
"Tch, damn lolicon," Arthur muttered, following Van.
Van finally arrived at the mansion's front yard. There, Father, Mother, Grandpa, Grandma, Oliver, Olivia, Sebastian, and the others were gathered.
"Take care," Father said.
"Ugh, Van, we're going to miss you so much," Mother said while hugging him.
In contrast to Mother's sentiment, Oliver and Olivia's eyes sparkled with joy at the sight of Van leaving.
'Go far away, you jerk brother! I'll get my revenge when you return!' Oliver thought.
'Go far, Demon King!' Olivia thought.
"Van, here's some allowance for you," Grandma said, handing him a ring.
Van took it and channeled his [Mana] into it. Seeing the massive pile of coins inside the ring, Van was speechless.
'Grandma… You're the best!' Van thought.
"I've also bought you a villa near the Academy. Although non-students aren't allowed inside the Academy, you should be able to take care of yourself with the [101 Shadows] skill," Grandpa said.
'Only this old man could think of using [101 Shadows] for household chores,' Van thought.
"I'm off," Van said as he entered the prepared carriage.
A horse-type beast began pulling the carriage, leaving the mansion behind.