Crushing flags and claiming the Villainess-Chapter 250 - 249- Annoyance at its peak

Averis felt… uneasy. The sudden rush of voices, the crowd, the attention—it was all too much.

Until recently, she had lived far from people, tucked away in quiet solitude with only books for company. Her world had been still and silent, untouched by the chaos of everyday life.

Then one day, her brother came crashing back into it—apologizing, insisting, urging her to take the entrance exams for the Valorian Academy.

She didn't agree because of him. She did it because… she was bored. Yes, that's was the reason!

...probably.

Somehow, she passed the physical trial. And thanks to all the hours spent reading—everything from ancient history to strange love stories—she scored the highest in the written exams. That alone earned her a spot in the prestigious Apex Circle.

She hadn't expected much from school. Having lived in the shadows for so long, she figured she could slip by unnoticed. Even when her brother was killed in court, cold and public, she hadn't stepped forward. She believed no one would remember her.

But she was wrong.

So, so wrong.

"Your hair is so pretty."

"Nee~ are you really not the crowned princess yet?"

"Do you like sweet things, Averis? Want to get lunch together?"

"Ahh~ your eyes are so pretty."

She was surrounded.

Half the class hovered around her, talking to her like they'd known her for years.

She didn't hate them. They weren't being cruel. They weren't prying too deep or trying to hurt her.

But the constant chatter… the endless questions… it was starting to wear her down.

'Enough.'

She was just about to stand, ready to shatter the calm, gentle image they seemed to believe—ready to say something, anything—when a voice rang out,

"Leave her alone. She clearly isn't enjoying all this attention."

It was a firm, commanding voice that cut through the noise, sharp enough to make everyone fall silent and turn toward its source.

A boy stood at the edge of the group—black hair, furrowed brows, and eyes the color of deep teal. His gaze was steady, cutting through the crowd with quiet authority.

Averis recognized him immediately. She had seen him during the physical assessment. He was the best among the twenty-five participants—his name had topped the list.

"There's a difference," he said coolly, "between being friendly and being a nuisance. She clearly isn't comfortable with all this noise and questioning."

One of the boys scoffed, folding his arms. "Just say you're jealous, commoner. That she doesn't give someone like you the time of day—"

"You're Jimmy, right?" Averis suddenly stood, cutting off the boy mid-sentence. Her voice was calm, yet clear enough to turn heads. "Would you mind sharing lunch with me?"

The entire group froze.

Even Jimmy blinked in surprise, as if unsure he'd heard her right.

"M-Me?" he stammered, caught completely off guard. "Y-Yeah. I'd love to."

"Good," she replied, already stepping around her desk. "Lead the way."

Though still stunned, Jimmy didn't hesitate to turn and walk toward the door. Averis followed closely behind, leaving the classroom in complete silence.

"…What just happened?" someone finally muttered.

Averis didn't look back. She just let out a long breath, pressing a hand to her chest as they walked. The space, the quiet—it felt like air after drowning.

"You okay?" Jimmy asked, glancing sideways and instantly averting his gaze upon seeing her pat her chest.

Agh...she didn't catch his peeking, right?

She nodded. "Yeah… I'm better now. Thanks for stepping in."

He smiled gently. He knew she wasn't really asking him to lunch out of interest—she just needed a way out. Still, he didn't mind.

"Well," he said, tucking his hands into his pockets, "since we're both heading to the common hall anyway, want to walk there together?"

Averis gave a small shrug, and the two stepped into the common hall together.

It was only their first day, but the sheer energy inside was overwhelming.

The space buzzed with noise and motion, packed with students laughing, shouting, and darting between tables.

"Woah…" Jimmy muttered, eyes wide. "This feels like a mini carnival."

It wasn't far from the truth. Since it was the start of the term, nearly every student had shown up—meeting friends, exploring the updated menu, soaking in the excitement of a new beginning.

Averis exhaled softly. "Let's find a seat first."

They weaved through the chaos, dodging elbows, bags, and the occasional tray, nearly spilling soup.

After a bit of effort, they found a small table tucked near the far side—empty and thankfully quieter.

"You sit here," Jimmy said. "I'll grab our lunch."

Averis glanced toward the crowded counters and quickly nodded. "Avoid beans, corn, and milk."

Jimmy laughed under his breath as he walked away. There it was—that little trace of royalty in her tone, careful and composed. Princess or not, he didn't mind.

Left alone, Averis let her eyes drift across the noisy hall.

This was the same place where her brother and sister-in-law used to study. They had spent nearly two and a half years here. Laughing. Training. Planning their future.

She tried to spot familiar faces in the crowd, but the constant motion, the noise—it was too much. Her thoughts wouldn't stay still.

At a nearby table, a group of students was chatting loudly. Words like "the border clash," "reinforcements," and "casualties" floated to her ears.

Averis stiffened.

She turned her head quickly, pretending not to hear, but the damage was done.

Her heartbeat faltered, not from fear, but from something deeper.

The images came uninvited.

Her brother's tired, empty eyes.

Valerie's pale, trembling hands.

Sebastian's lifeless body, cold and broken.

The war had carved through her family like a blade—and yet, here they were, laughing about it like it was some story in the news.

'How can they talk about something so horrible like it's just… casual conversation?'

Only those who've never lost someone in the line of fire can speak of war with such ease. Only those untouched by grief can treat it like gossip.

Averis looked down at the table and placed her hands in her lap, willing her thoughts to quiet.

She just wanted this day to end.

"Hey, you okay?"

The gentle voice pulled Averis from her thoughts. She blinked and turned to her left, finding Jimmy standing there, holding two trays and wearing a worried expression.

"Yes, I'm fine," she said quietly, scooting to the side so he could sit.

Jimmy set the trays down with a sigh. "Man… that was hectic," he muttered, rubbing the back of his neck. "People were swarming like it was the last meal on planet. Even the chef was rushing like he was handing out liquid gold or something."

Averis shook her head. "This is madness…"

The crowd was too loud, too chaotic—an endless blur of noise and movement that made her want to disappear.

She glanced at the tray he brought her. A sandwich, a brownie, and some sliced fruit.

"I couldn't get anything to drink," Jimmy said, already taking a bite of his pancake.

She gave a small nod in acknowledgment but didn't respond. Her nerves were fraying again. The buzz of voices, the clatter of dishes, the shrieks of laughter—it was all crawling under her skin.

'I should've stayed in my room…'

She picked up the sandwich, thinking she'd eat quickly and leave.

But then—everything went still.

Not just in her head. The entire room fell quiet.

She froze, halfway through her first bite, and turned to Jimmy. He was staring toward the entrance with his lips slightly parted—the piece of pancake half hanging out.

Her brows furrowed. "What is it?"

She followed his gaze—

—and understood immediately.

The crowd had shifted, parting to create a wide, open path down the center of the hall. The kind of space that didn't happen naturally. It was the kind carved out by awe, curiosity, or fear.

At the far end of it, someone was walking in.

A man.

The man.

Whispers about him had filled the Academy since orientation. Stories, rumors, tales of what he'd done, what he might do. He was already a legend—and not necessarily a comforting one.

Beside him walked a girl—his fiancée. The other half of the reason for the silence. Beautiful, composed, and sharp as glass, she matched his presence perfectly.

Neither of them spared the crowd a glance.

He didn't even look at the space parting for him—his eyes never left the girl at his side. As if she were the only thing that existed in his world.

Austin, who was walking with his beloved's hand in his hand, suddenly noticed something in the corner of his eye.

A beautiful shade of silver.

He turned towards her, and there she was.

"Averis." He called out and approached the seat with Valerie beside him.

Everyone turned towards the Princess, and the poor girl continuously shook her head, saying, 'Don't come near!' She was already being tortured a lot.

Austin maybe intentionally ignored her plea and stood before her, "You have settled in-hmm?" Austin suddenly frowned, seeing the boy beside her, sitting closely.

A little too close

Averis could read his thoughts as she instantly said, "Just a classmate!"

Valerie chuckled, seeing her reaction.

Meanwhile, Austin kept glaring at Jimmy, making the latter rethink his life decisions already.

In a heavy voice, Austin told him, "Only someone stronger than me can be her partner."

"...." (Averis)

Just kill her already!!

°°°°°°°°°

A/N:- Austin's brotherly instincts tingled, and he made his point clear.