Chapter 11 — Beneath the Mask, Beneath the Crown
POV: Lucas
The room was already destroyed.
Shattered glass crunched beneath Lucas Aureth Valenor's boots as he paced the chamber, rage rolling off him in waves. A table lay overturned near the wall, its polished surface split clean through. Decorative plates lay in pieces across the marble floor, casualties of his temper.
"How dare he" Lucas hissed, slamming his fist into the wall.
"That bastard put his hands on me."
Roland Viremont stood near the wall, arms crossed, jaw clenched."That bastard humiliated us," he growled. "In public."
Edric Montclair leaned against a pillar, silent, eyes half-lidded as he observed the destruction. He said nothing—but his gaze flicked to every broken object, every careless mark Lucas had left behind.
Lucas laughed sharply, kicking aside a broken chair.
"And her," he spat. "That arrogant bitch—who does she think she is? Acting like she has the right to refuse me."
His lips curled.
"She should be grateful I even look at her."
Roland's expression darkened, but he didn't interrupt.
A knock echoed against the door.
Lucas ignored it.
Another knock—hesitant.
Roland sighed and moved to open it.
A young maid stood outside, posture stiff, head bowed low."Forgive the intrusion—"
Roland stepped aside, allowing her in.
The moment she crossed the threshold, Lucas turned.
"I told you I wanted to be left alone," he said coldly."Did you not hear me?"
The maid bowed deeply."My apologies, Your Highness."
Lucas's gaze lingered.
Anger still burned in his eyes—warped now by a trace of lust.
He approached her.
"What are you doing here?" he asked, voice low.
The maid swallowed once, then spoke evenly.
"His Majesty ordered me to inform you that he and the Third Princess will be departing for the Central Arena shortly."
Lucas stopped close.
Too close.
His hand reached out and settled against her waist, fingers pressing through the fabric of her uniform as if testing ownership. His other hand followed, sliding up her side to her chest, his thumb pressing in just enough to be unmistakable.
She felt his touch immediately.
Disgusting, she thought, keeping her face lowered.
Lucas's mouth curled.
"So Father can't even wait," he muttered.
His grip shifted—firmer now, fingers squeezing, dragging deliberately as if daring her to react.
The maid's face remained lowered.
Her voice did not change.
"I was told to deliver the message immediately."
Lucas watched her closely.
Waiting.
Nothing.
No fear. No tears. No protest.
His expression darkened.
"…Tch."
Annoyed, he released her roughly, stepping back as if she'd disappointed him.
"Go," he said. "Tell Father I'll join them shortly."
The maid bowed once more, movements precise.
"Understood."
She turned and left without another word.
The door closed.
Roland scoffed under his breath.
"…So you're just going to let that adventurer walk away?"
Lucas's smile vanished.
His eyes hardened.
"No," he said coldly. "Not today."
He turned to Edric.
"Montclair," Lucas continued, adjusting his uniform, restoring his composure.
"Send your people. I want everything you can find on that adventurer."
Edric inclined his head."It will be done."
Lucas adjusted his clothes and moved toward the door, started walking down the hall, rage simmering beneath the surface.
"Claire Ashborn," he thought, grinding his teeth."You'll regret this."
And then—
The memory of being thrown to the ground surfaced again.
His nails dug into his palm.
"And you," he thought coldly."I will make sure you regret touching me."
---
POV: Claire, Olivia & Hayato
They walked in silence.
Claire and Olivia were a step ahead, their pace unhurried but tense, while Hayato followed just behind them, his presence quiet—almost too quiet.
Neither girl quite knew what to say.
Olivia glanced back once, then again, before finally exhaling.
"…Once again," she said carefully, "thank you for earlier."
Claire nodded quickly.
"Yes. If you hadn't stepped in, I probably would've snapped and broken his arm."
Hayato gave a short nod in response.Nothing more.
Olivia shot Claire a look.
"Claire," she sighed, "you can't just attack someone from the royal family."
Claire clicked her tongue.
"Why not? He deserved it."
"That's not the point," Olivia pressed. "Just saying things like that could land you in serious trouble. And don't forget what happened three years ago."
Claire stiffened.
Olivia continued quietly, "If not for Lady Jane and Lady Cecil, you might've ended up imprisoned. Or worse—married off to him just to preserve the royal family's image."
Claire scowled.
"Serves him right," she huffed. "He was the one trying to drag me to dinner after I clearly rejected him. Honestly, I should've kicked him in the head instead of—"
"Claire."
Olivia pinched the bridge of her nose.
Claire crossed her arms and looked away."Hmph."
Behind them, Hayato listened in silence.
Just what have you been doing all these years? He thought, a faint sweat forming beneath his mask.
As they continued walking, Hayato's attention shifted.
People were watching.
Too many glances.
"…Just great," he muttered internally.
Then—
He felt them.
Several presences trailing behind them. Controlled. Measured. Observing.
And one more.
Stronger.
Approaching from the left.
The ones behind are watching, he assessed calmly.The one on the left… is coming closer.
Without slowing his step, Hayato let his aura expand.
Not fully.
Just enough.
A pressure rolled outward—sharp, unmistakable.
The watchers behind them reacted instantly.
Their presences scattered, withdrawing in opposite directions.
The one on the left halted.
Paused.
Then resumed moving—more cautiously this time.
Hayato's brow furrowed slightly.
"…Huh."
He knew that his aura was not weak. Anyone below SS-rank wouldn't dare approach after that.
SSS… or Calamity? he wondered.Which one are you?
Then—
Another aura washed over him.
Familiar.
Too familiar.
Hayato's lips curved awkwardly beneath the mask.
"…Of course you'd come."
He spoke without turning.
"You know," he said calmly, "I can see you."
Claire blinked and looked around."Huh? See who?"
Olivia frowned."What are you talking about?"
Hayato ignored them.
"If you don't cancel your magic," he continued evenly, his hand drifting toward the hilt at his side, "I'll treat you as hostile."
Silence.
Then—
"HEEEEEEE—!"
A shrill scream split the air.
"WAITWAITWAITWAIT—!"
A figure appeared mid-step, tripped, and crashed onto the ground.
"Ow!"
Claire and Olivia shrieked in unison and immediately ducked behind Hayato.
Hayato sighed deeply.
He stepped forward and offered a hand.
The girl took it eagerly, hopping back to her feet.
"Th-thank you!" Charlotte said, brushing dust from her shorts. "You're really scary, you know that?"
"Why were you following us?" Hayato asked flatly.
Charlotte beamed.
"Well! I saw what happened in the market," she said brightly, "and I got curious! A masked adventurer tossing royalty around? That's gold for a reporter!"
Olivia peeked out from behind Hayato.
"…Wait. You're Charlotte," she said. "From the Adventurer Guild broadcasts."
Charlotte grinned."Bingo!"
Claire tilted her head."You're way shorter in person."
Hayato was about to say something else when—
A heavy sigh echoed behind them.
"Haaaaaah…"
They turned.
A man stood there with his arms crossed, silver hair streaked with gray, expression carved from pure exhaustion.
"I've told you how many times," he said dryly, "not to stalk people."
Charlotte winced."Ahaha… Guild-Master David."
Claire and Olivia froze.
"G-Guild Master?!" they exclaimed together.
David's gaze shifted.
Then landed on Hayato.
Hayato sighed.
"…It's been a while," he said evenly."Guild-Master."
David stared at him for a long moment.
"…I should've known," he muttered.
The air around them subtly tightened.
Unseen threads—once loose—had just crossed.
And none of them realized yet how deeply.