Lies, betrayals and revenge… Am I the villain?

Dinner ended with empty glasses, clean plates, and diplomatic smiles. The royal family rose gracefully, and the king, while removing the napkin from his lap, addressed those present with his usual calm yet firm voice:

—"I must take my leave. Thank you for sharing the table tonight."

Everyone stood respectfully. Susan stepped forward, intending to speak with Raz, but before she could say anything, he gently raised a hand, still smiling.

—"Wait a moment," Raz said in a serene tone, then turned toward the king.

He walked steadily after him, and just before the king crossed the dining room doors, Raz called out in a clear voice:

—"Your Majesty, may I have a word?"

The king stopped and turned his head slightly. His shoulders tensed just a bit.

—"Oh… right. I'd forgotten," he said with a somewhat theatrical sigh. He turned fully to face Raz and looked at his family.

—"Go ahead, I'll catch up with you shortly."

The queen and princesses nodded and left the dining room with the servants. Only Raz and the king remained in the hall.

—"Very well, Raz. What did you want to tell me?"

Raz smiled calmly, concealing his true intentions behind a courteous mask.

—"I'd like to request permission for Vaelis to accompany me to the city tomorrow. I wish to acquire a slave."

The king raised his eyebrows, visibly surprised.

—"A slave? What do you want a servant for? I thought you weren't that kind of man."

Ras thought. "Why does he look surprised? Didn't Alzareth tell him? Why did he say yes before?

Raz kept his smile, but his gaze sharpened. He responded with cold calculation:

—"A person, Your Majesty? I only wish to acquire something that benefits me. Something useful. Nothing more."

There was a brief silence before the king burst into laughter.

—"Hahaha! I didn't think you were so practical. I like the way you think."

He gave Raz a friendly pat on the shoulder.

—"Very well. Just this once, Vaelis will accompany you. He'll come to your room tomorrow morning to pick you up. Make good use of it."

—"Thank you, Your Majesty. I will."

And with that, Raz calmly returned to his room, feeling satisfied. His smile remained serene, but his mind was already scheming.

"This is how you gain influence in this world… by showing them what they want to see."

Meanwhile, in another part of the castle, the king rejoined his family in an elegant private room adorned with velvet curtains and a large lit fireplace. There sat the queen, the eldest princess Selena, and the younger princess Elysia, seated on upholstered armchairs.

The king settled into his personal throne beside the fire, and after a few seconds, spoke in a thoughtful tone:

—"Tell me… what do you really think of Raz? Do you believe he'll actually become stronger?"

Ariane , the eldest, smirked wickedly, full of malice.

—"Stronger? Please, Father… that boy can barely cast a spell. His magic level is pathetic. I don't think he'll go far."

—"Then what do you propose?" the king asked, tilting his head with interest.

Selena narrowed her eyes cunningly and replied in a low, almost whispering voice:

—"If there's truly some hidden power in him, we need to force it out. And if there isn't… better to find out now before wasting any more time. I have an idea."

The king observed her carefully.

—"What kind of idea?"

Ariane shifted confidently in her seat.

—"We tell the Supreme Mage's son, Eron, to take Raz into the training forest, under the excuse of an 'advanced exercise to improve his magic control.' A dangerous situation might occur there. If Raz has a hidden power, it will come out. And if not… well… he'll die without anyone questioning it."

The king let out a slight laugh.

—"Such a sharp mind you have, my daughter… "

—"It's necessary," she replied without hesitation. "We can't afford to protect a useless burden."

The king nodded, clearly convinced.

—"Very well… speak to Eron first thing tomorrow. it will be perfect."

The queen remained silent, staring into the fire with a neutral expression. Elysia also stayed quiet, but her eyes shifted toward the door with a faint trace of worry.

"Why do I have a bad feeling about this…?" thought the younger princess.

At the same time

Ras sat on his bed

The conversation with the king still echoed in his mind.

"He agreed without hesitation when I spoke of slaves as if they were things. Not even a flicker of morality… This king is no different from the tyrants in my own world."

He sighed and walked toward his desk. There it was, finally laid out over the polished wood: the map of the world he had requested.

Carefully, he unrolled the parchment and examined it in detail.

A colossal continent stretched before his eyes, clearly divided into four regions.

—"So that's how this world is divided…" he murmured.

Each zone had its own distinct features, clearly marked:

• The human territory: vast plains, castles, and walled cities.

• The demi-human kingdom: endless forests, colossal trees.

• The dwarven lands: dense mountain ranges, underground fortresses, deep mines.

• The demonic domain: a massive abyss, seemingly dry and barren within.

"Is this just one continent? Or the whole world? I don't know yet… but I will find out."

Just then, his stomach growled loudly. He doubled over slightly from the sudden impulse.

—"Again…" he whispered.

"I need blood."

He stood up quickly and walked toward the door, intending to leave, but just as he reached for the doorknob—

Knock, knock.

He froze, frowning. Now?

—"Who is it?" he asked, hiding his discomfort.

—"It's me… Susan," came her firm, though slightly uncertain voice from the other side.

Ras sighed and opened the door, wearing a fake but gentle smile.

—"Susan… is something wrong?"

—"I wanted to talk to you," she said, glancing around as if to make sure no one was listening.

—"About what?"

—"About what you told the king." She looked at him directly. "You said you needed an escort to go to a restaurant… is that true?"

Ras chuckled softly, rubbing the back of his neck.

—"Of course. You know how much I love trying new flavors."

Susan narrowed her eyes, clearly suspicious.

—"Just… be careful. This world is different. You don't know who you might run into out there."

Ras nodded gently.

—"Thanks. I'll be careful."

Susan hesitated for a few seconds, then, lowering her gaze slightly, added:

—"There's one more thing I wanted to say…" She took a deep breath.

"I'd like to spend more time with you."

Ras raised an eyebrow, surprised.

—"Huh?"

—"We're in another world… and the only people I know are you and Lili. You're… someone familiar. It feels good having you nearby."

A soft smile crossed his face—this time, a bit more genuine.

—"I'd love to spend more time with you too," he said, raising a hand to gently touch her hair.

Susan blushed and took a step back, turning her head away.

—"Don't touch me," she said, though her voice lacked its usual firmness. Then she lowered her gaze, murmured a "Good night," and walked away.

Ras watched her disappear down the corridor… and his fangs tensed.

"I was about to bite her… she had the perfect scent."

He quickly closed the door and leaned against it, breathing deeply.

—"Not yet. Not her… She's a hero. I can't do that… not yet."

His stomach growled again. He locked himself in his room, clutching his abdomen, trying to suppress his craving.

"Tomorrow… I'll get another prey."

"Besides…" Ras smiled. "She seems to be falling for me… she might be useful later. I can't let anything happen to her."

And so… the night passed