[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-reincarnated-as-the-villainess-s-son":3,"chapter-reincarnated-as-the-villainess-s-son-reincarnated-as-the-villainess-s-son-chapter-248":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Reincarnated As The Villainess's Son",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1366147,1806,"Chapter 248  [Summit Of Unity] [1] [Ashlyn]","reincarnated-as-the-villainess-s-son-chapter-248",248,"\u003Cp>\"Welcome, Sir Ethan.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's so nice to see you, my lord.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are you free after the summit?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The entrance of the main hall was crowded with the nobles of the Pargoina Empire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their pleasantry voices echoed in the boy's ears, with brown hair and grey eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had strikingly good facial features which complemented his slightly dark grey formal suit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Could you please give us some space?\" Ethan said, his voice soft yet firm as he placed his hand around the waist of the girl beside him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ruby turned to look at him, a small blush on her face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She wore a one-piece dress that covered till her knees, her long chocolate-colored hair tied down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sure, sir.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They quietly moved aside, still smiling at him, and Ethan walked further inside the main hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They halted at a quiet place as Ethan looked around and noticed how everyone looked at him with warm gazes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are you prepared?\" Ruby asked softly, leaning closer to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don't have to do much,\" Ethan replied, gently moving in front of her. \"All I need to do is go on the stage—.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Not that,\" she cut in with a light chuckle, \"About the offer from the Emperor.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Oh.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ethan nodded his head gently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few weeks prior, the Emperor of Pargoina, Quinton, visited him to talk about the summit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On that day, he proposed an idea to Ethan:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...To marry his eldest daughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn't hard for Ethan to see through his motives.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'He just wants to tie me down with the empire.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And even though a part of him wanted to marry Sylvania, he refused and instead he chose something else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'...I would rather be an adoptive son.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By doing so, he could have a chance to marry some high-ranking noble from another empire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that thought, his gaze moved towards Ruby, who looked at him, blinking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What?\" she asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He sighed. \"I am sorry, but to gain power, I have to marry someone else—.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's fine,\" she replied with a bright smile, \"I know my limits, and I would always welcome someone who can support you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ethan smiled lightly, his eyes looking at her lovingly. \"Thank you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ruby nodded as her gaze shifted around and immediately she noticed someone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She waved towards him, \"Father!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The middle-aged man who resembled her glanced up, his lips curled up as he walked towards her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My daughter, how have you been?\" Regan, her father, said with a bright smile as he patted her back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I am fine,\" Ruby replied as she pushed Ethan forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Father-in-law,\" Ethan said with a bright smile as he extended his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Regan's chest swelled up as he shook his head, his laughter echoed, \"Hahaha, how have you been, son-in-law!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tens of jealous looks immediately turned towards him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The nobles, no matter the rank, cursed the absurd luck of Regan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man who was nothing just a while ago now had turned into someone who couldn't be ignored, even by the Emperor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How is everything going?\" Ethan asked as he looked at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"By the grace of God, everything is great,\" Regan replied, his smile never wavering, \"Soon our family will be back to its past glory.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why just past glory?\" Ethan asked, a confident look on his face. \"Don't worry, I will ask the Emperor to give you a higher rank.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Regan turned silent for a while before he laughed heartily, patting Ethan's arm. \"Good, good.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Pardon my intrusion,\" a man walked towards them, his accent and the way he presented himself clearly showing he wasn't from the same empire. \"Does sire have time to talk with us?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ethan looked back and noticed a group of people waiting to meet with him, along with beautiful ladies around his age.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned towards Ruby, \"I will be right back.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ruby nodded, \"Alright.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ethan walked towards the nobles from the Mizraim Empire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though he knew they wanted to hook him with their daughters, he wasn't opposed to the idea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Esmeray killed him twice, he had become paranoid, but at the same time, he had also become someone who wanted to experience life more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And for him, the best way to do so was to engulf himself in pleasure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Hm?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But his steps halted as he found a boy with white hair standing alone in a corner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'...Azariah.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sense of satisfaction filled his mind as he looked at him, alone without anyone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'That's how it should have been.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He thought, resuming his steps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'...Remain alone until the day you die.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>***\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'The hell was he looking at?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Azariah thought, looking at Ethan, who pleasantly talked with some ladies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Fucking idiot.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He thought, taking a sip of the wine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The people around him kept their distance while he stood alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hm?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned to his side as he noticed someone walking closer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Tiffany?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Azariah mumbled, looking at the black-haired girl standing beside him, Ashlyn's sister.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Noah?\" she meekly called him as if trying to confirm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Do you need something?\" Azariah asked, looking around but couldn't find Ashlyn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Can we talk?\" she asked, her voice low.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Azariah thought for a moment before he nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She hesitatingly grabbed his hand before leading him away, curious gazes on them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They walked through the crowd before reaching a quiet place—a guest room that was opened for the nobles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Azariah silently stood at the entrance of the door, his gaze on the girl who stood inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A-Az,\" Ashlyn whispered, her lips trembled as she tried to smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She wore a golden-colored gown that had beautiful patterns carved on it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her golden hair, with strands of platinum in it, was tied neatly behind her back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Azariah's gaze turned towards Tiffany.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Please,\" Tiffany whispered with a tired smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He sighed as he walked in, looking around the simple room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tiffany guided him to sit down on the sofa while both sisters stood in front of him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...So,\" Azariah whispered, looking at them with a light smile, \"It's been a long time, hasn't it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tiffany nodded her head vigorously, her lips trembled as she whispered, \"...Why didn't you come to visit us?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...It's complicated,\" Azariah replied, trying to keep his smile. \"I would have if I had—.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No,\" Tiffany shook her head in response, \"You could have visited us if you wanted to, but you didn't.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Like I said, Tiffy,\" Azariah smiled, patting her head, \"...My condition wasn't good for me to visit you guys.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Why?\" Ashlyn, who stood quietly until now, interjected. \"What happened to you after that festival?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"....Nothing much,\" Azariah replied, glancing at her, \"I was, uh, let's just say I wasn't in the condition to meet with you guys.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then why did you hide it for so long?\" Tiffany asked, tears pooling around her eyes, \"...Did you think of us as a burden—.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No,\" Azariah cut in, his voice firm. \"I never thought about you both as burdens.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then why?\" Tiffany asked, wiping her tears, \"All I wanted was to see you again.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\".....\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Azariah gently patted her head without replying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn't say he did all that to protect them because he didn't want them to feel like burdens.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He just kept on rubbing her head without saying anything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are you going to stay away from us?\" Tiffany asked, looking up at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Azariah drew in a deep breath as he smiled at her, \"...I promise, I will try to visit you regularly from tomorrow onwards.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tiffany's mood brightened up a little as she gently nodded her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Taking a step back, she bowed deeply, \"...Thank you for all the things you did for us.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don't worry about it,\" Azariah replied, rubbing her head with a smile, \"I did it because I wanted to.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tiffany nodded as she turned towards the door, \"Then I will leave you both alone.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hey—.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His words died down as Tiffany quickly closed the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Azariah mentally sighed as he looked at Ashlyn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A soft smile filled with sadness adorned her lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\".....\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Azariah quietly looked at her as she walked closer before kneeling in front of him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Your dress—.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don't care about that,\" she replied as she looked up at him, her hands extended, grabbing his, \"...Can we talk, please?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Azariah gently nodded his head in response.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Did I do something that upset you?\" she asked, a sense of uneasiness clear in her voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...No,\" Azariah replied, shaking his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then why are you ignoring me?\" she asked, her voice cracking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I am not ignoring—.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I am not stupid, Azariah,\" she cut him off, a tear trickled down her eyes, \"...For months you have been avoiding me at any cost.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why?\" she asked, squeezing his hands, looking up at him, \"...Have I hurt you in some way?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's not about that,\" Azariah breathed, his voice tired, \"I just don't know how to deal with all this.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Somewhere in the corner of his mind, Azariah hadn't forgotten the thoughts he had about her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How he always planned to use her as someone who would be his shield.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone who would protect him in danger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As time passed, he realized how\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>messed up his thoughts were.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'I took her life for granted.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He sighed as he took out a letter from his bracelet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What is this?\" Ashlyn asked as he passed it to her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Your mother's last words,\" he replied, making her flinch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...I see.\" Ashlyn quietly nodded as she stood up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Please stand up,\" she said, gently looking at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Azariah got up from the sofa as he towered in front of her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...We should hug,\" she said, cocking her head to look up at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I mean, we can... keep talking,\" she whispered, trying to find the right words, \"...But I think we both need a hug.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Azariah looked at her for a while before he gently nodded. \"Fine.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She stretched her arms wide, embracing him while Azariah did the same.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ashlyn tiptoed, placing her head on his shoulder as she hugged him tightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'...You will be mine.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her thoughts started to run wild as she melted in his embrace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'...No matter what happens, I will make you mine.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She thought, gently kissing his neck.\u003C\u002Fp>",1700,"2026-06-05T21:29:08.031Z",1,"novelbin.me","2908bb35c2c96b5bee858863e986b62e9ae7fe1fbb21b118695d5142dfd42340","reincarnated-as-the-villainess-s-son-chapter-249","reincarnated-as-the-villainess-s-son-chapter-247",556,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Freincarnated-as-the-villainess-s-son-cover.jpg"]