Crushing flags and claiming the Villainess

"Is it really okay?" Selner asked softly as she walked beside Austin across the quiet bridge.

She wasn't in her usual white shirt and skirt today. Instead, at Valerie's suggestion, she wore a flowing white skirt and a light blue blouse. Her round glasses gave her a gentle charm, and her hair was tied up in a neat bun—though a few curly strands had slipped loose and framed her face.

She looked stunning.

"What is?" Austin asked, offering his hand to her.

Selner took it and lightly hopped over a small wet patch on the bridge.

"I mean… You're bringing me here like this. It kind of feels like a date, doesn't it?"

Austin chuckled. "Well, yes, sort of." He tilted his head, smiling at her.

"You don't think Valerie would be upset about it?" she asked

He gave a small shake of his head. "Selner, she's the one who picked out that dress for you. If she didn't want us to come here, she would've said so. You know her well enough to be sure of that."

Selner looked uneasy. "Even after knowing… our past… neither of you seems bothered by it."

Austin turned to face her, one brow slightly raised. "Tell me honestly, Selner… are you enjoying yourself here?"

She blinked, a little caught off guard by the question, then glanced around.

The village was quiet, cradled gently by the hills. It wasn't lavish or bustling—just simple, serene. A cool breeze drifted through the trees, the soft rustling of leaves adding to the calm. The faint scent of bread baking somewhere nearby, the distant chatter of birds, and the warm light of the early sun… it was all oddly comforting.

With a faint nod, she answered, "Yes… It feels nice. Peaceful."

Austin smiled and resumed walking, gently tugging her hand along. "Then forget everything else. What matters is how you feel right now."

Selner hesitated but followed.

She didn't know how to respond to that—because Austin wasn't like the others. Valerie always gave a certain look whenever he is near other women, a quiet warning. And Austin himself… he wasn't the kind of man to drift. He was respectful, always clear about where his loyalty stood.

But now, walking beside him through this sleepy little village, she felt it—something different.

He was kind. Steady. Present. His warmth wasn't loud, but it lingered—like sunlight brushing against your skin when you least expected it.

And that—more than anything—made her nervous.

Because somewhere, without meaning to, a fragile hope had begun to bloom in her chest.

"So, what do you wanna eat?" he asked, breaking the quiet as they stepped into the heart of the small market square.

It was still early. Most villagers were tucked away in their homes, starting their day. The stalls were just being set up, and the scent of fresh dough and sweet tea floated lightly in the air.

Selner glanced around, then said with a soft smile, "Anything warm and sweet."

Austin gave her a knowing nod and let his instincts guide him.

Soon, he stepped into a small eatery tucked between two houses. Inside, a middle-aged man was flipping chairs back onto the floor and wiping down the tables.

"The store's not open yet," the man said without looking up.

Austin walked closer, reaching into his pouch. "Can you make us something warm and sweet? We're travelers." He placed a small sack of gold on the counter.

The man's hands froze. He looked up, then down at the sack.

Austin's golden hair, his quiet confidence—it was clear he wasn't an ordinary wanderer. A noble, no doubt. But still…

The man gave a brief nod and picked up only a few coins. "Give me twenty minutes."

Austin smiled, grateful. "We'll be right outside."

He stepped out into the fresh air again and found Selner crouched near the edge of the road, softly laughing.

She was feeding a small squirrel, letting it nibble from her palm. Another one was perched on her knee, its tiny paws brushing against her sleeve.

Austin blinked. "It'll take a while," he said, walking toward her. "But… how did it get so close to you?"

Squirrels and other small creatures usually didn't trust people so easily.

Selner glanced up at him with a gentle smile. "Maybe it sensed something… that others can't."

Austin hummed, crouching beside her. "Lucky squirrel," he said, watching it with interest.

But the moment he got closer, the tiny creature froze, then dashed behind Selner's hand, peeking at him cautiously.

Austin raised a brow. "Hey now… don't be like that. I'm a good guy." He offered a few grains, holding them out with an open palm.

But the squirrel took one look—and bolted, disappearing into the bushes in a flash.

Selner couldn't help it. She laughed, covering her mouth with her hand. "Well, he definitely didn't sense anything good from you."

Austin narrowed his eyes at the bushes, deadpan. "Ungrateful little thing."

Selner's laughter softened, and for a moment, they just sat there—shoulder to shoulder, crouched close to the earth, as the morning sun rose a little higher in the sky.

A gentle peace wrapped around them. Not forced, not loud—just quiet and real.

"Austin…" Selner's voice came softly, almost unsure. "… Are you doing all this just to thank me? Or because you feel bad for me?"

Her gaze dropped to the ground, fingers lightly brushing over the edge of her sleeve. Austin could sense her hesitation—how long had that question been sitting in her heart, unspoken?

And honestly… he understood.

She had been through a lot. Yes, he was grateful for what she'd done for him. And yes, he felt a quiet anger toward those in her family who had taken her powers, leaving her here all vulnerable. But this moment… this day…

"It's neither of those things, actually," he said gently.

Selner looked up.

"I brought you here because I wanted to," Austin continued, his voice calm, unwavering. "You looked bored. Restless. And I figured… if I've taken the responsibility to look after you, then part of that means helping you unwind once in a while."

He offered her a small, warm smile.

"This isn't a favor. It's not guilt. It's just me… doing something for someone I care about."

Selner's brows rose slightly. "I'm your responsibility, huh? Do you even understand the weight of what you just said?"

Austin raised an eyebrow. "Do you see me caring about just anyone?"

Selner didn't answer. She didn't have to.

Her silence, paired with the faint look in her eyes, said enough.

Just then, the restaurant owner stepped out, carrying two warm plates. "Only had time to prepare crepes."

Austin smiled and stepped forward, taking the plates with a respectful nod. "Thank you."

He turned and handed the vanilla one to Selner.

She blinked, caught off guard—and then smiled softly.

He still remembers…

Crepe in hand, they began walking again—no real direction, just letting the quiet roads guide them.

They talked about this and that—things that didn't matter, yet still filled the silence in a way that felt… peaceful.

Until Selner asked, "Now that the Council is backing you and the conflict with Drenovar is resolved… when are you planning to move against the other side?"

Austin didn't answer right away. He took a small bite of his crepe, letting the question settle in the air.

Then he said, "Soon. But it's not going to be a charge of swords and fire."

Selner let out a thoughtful hum. "What do you mean?"

Austin's eyes stayed forward, voice calm and focused. "I need to trigger the awakening of the three remaining Generals. And what better way to bring them back than by threatening the one they swore their lives to?"

Selner's eyes narrowed slightly. "Target their Lord."

Austin gave a low hum of approval. "Exactly."

His grip on the crepe tightened just a little.

"I'm just waiting for the meeting between Eryndor and the Council. Once that's over… I'll be free to act."

Selner didn't say anything after that.

They soon finished their dessert and stopped by a small lake.

The blue water matched the blue sky over their heads.

They sat silently at the bank, enjoying the weather and the silence.

"I never really imagined this," she began, "...that I would be sitting here in peace, without a single stress over my head and enjoying my time with you."

With a smile, she added, "The moment I helped Valerie regain her memories, I believed that was my end. They could have sent me to prison as well...but it turned out better than I expected. They are quite forgiving."

Austin heaved a sigh of relief. If she had been imprisoned he wouldn't have been able to do anything.

A moment of silence before he asked, "Do you like this life...silent and peaceful?"

Selner's brows raised. That question held a deeper meaning and she understood it quite well.

But, for some reason, she didn't think of the consequences and just responded, "I could kill to have this life forever."

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A/N:- Thanks for reading.