[{"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-537":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},1366236,1806,"Chapter 537: A Hopeless World [8] [King Who Sold His Kingdom]","reincarnated-as-the-villainess-s-son-chapter-537",537,"\u003Cp>[Vendrick Continent, Home of Werewolves.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A dark misty cloud covered the sky of the now-renamed Arisha Kingdom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the deep winters of Vendrick, the atmosphere had always been dark but not this dark.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The kingdom had just been inherited by the newly crowned Amaury.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And for the first time, the new king was going to address his citizens.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>---\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amaury stood with a blank stare in front of a mirror.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was well dressed, so much so one would think he was an emperor rather than a king.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crown rested on a table nearby; he hadn’t put it on yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amaury shifted his gaze to the jewelry and accessories he wore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He closed his eyes, got a hold of his feelings, and opened them again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this time, there was someone else standing by his side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A man wearing a cloak made Amaury turn around to look at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How are things going?\" He asked, tilting his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I have most of them under my control.\" Amaury said. \"The duke’s family has been a problem, but taking their daughters was enough to tame them.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cloaked man did not react with surprise, disgust, or praise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And the others?\" he asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The northern clans bent the knee the moment my father died,\" Amaury replied, adjusting the cuff of his sleeve with slow precision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They feared instability more than they disliked me. The eastern houses only care about trade routes. As long as their caravans move, they don’t care who sits on the throne.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And the duke’s family?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amaury’s reflection met the cloaked man’s through the mirror.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They were proud,\" he said quietly. \"Too proud to openly oppose me, but too ambitious to accept me. Leaving them alone would have meant rebellion within a year.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So you chose leverage.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I chose peace,\" Amaury corrected, though his voice had cooled. \"I am more surprised they care about their family members.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And what are your plans for their daughters?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I would be getting them with child soon.\" He said, though there was no excitement in his voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Once the duke thinks they have a chance of getting their blood on the throne, they will become obedient immediately.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\".....\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man didn’t say anything as he only nodded his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A knock came at the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your Majesty,\" a voice called from the other side. \"The council and the citizens are waiting in the courtyard.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmm.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amaury looked at the mirror one last time, picked up his crown, and walked toward the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How much longer do I have to wait?\" He asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amaury paused for a long second before he responded. \"Not long.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amaury stepped out of the chamber, the heavy doors opening with a low groan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The palace servants lining the hallway bowed low, not daring to meet his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man was gone, leaving Amaury alone once again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he walked toward the balcony, he couldn’t help but wonder. ’What is his end goal?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amaury was well aware that he had made a deal with a devil.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he wasn’t sure what price he was going to pay.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’I don’t think all he wants is the blood of every citizen.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Amaury had agreed to the price, that didn’t mean he wasn’t concerned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’...It doesn’t matter.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He drew in a deep breath and got his emotions stable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’For now, I should focus on my strength and authority.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amaury’s gaze shifted to the woman who stood like a statue on the side of the balcony.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was the eldest daughter of the Western Duke, Caitlyn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amaury slowed when he saw her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She stood near one of the stone pillars, hands folded in front of her, posture perfect, chin slightly lifted in the way only nobles trained since childhood could manage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cold wind moved strands of her silver-brown hair, but the rest of her did not move at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She gave Amaury a hateful look as he walked closer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You are to stand behind me, like a traditional wife.\" He spoke. \"That’s all.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A horn sounded below in the courtyard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’The signal.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amaury stepped forward to the balcony rail.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Caitlyn followed his order as she stood a few steps behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>---\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ladies and gentlemen, I’m your king, ruler of Arisha, and soon to be the ruler of Vendrick, Amaury Arisha.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The voice of Amaury flowed clearly into the ears of the citizens below him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A huge number of people had gathered to see him today.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most were welcoming, but a few were indifferent as they were not affected by the crown.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>....Until now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’m very happy and also pained to announce that we’ve eliminated the tyrant that was my father.....\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\".....His only achievement was keeping the kingdom stable, but he was a coward. He lost our ancestors’ land to those filth and half-werewolves. Because of him, we lost a lot of soldiers who should not have died.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amaury let the murmurs spread before he continued, his voice carrying the weight of command without needing to shout.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We survived,\" he said. \"But survival without pride is slow death.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some of the older warriors in the crowd lowered their heads.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had lived through those campaigns.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What Amaury was saying was truth mixed with lies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it’s hard to detect lies when you are emotional.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My father believed hiding behind walls was wisdom,\" Amaury went on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He believed peace meant shrinking, conceding, enduring insult after insult so long as the capital did not burn.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes swept across the people; he ignored the elderly as his speech was meant for the young ones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And he could see it was working.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I do not.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wind picked up, tugging at his cloak, making the dark banners along the walls snap sharply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We are werewolves,\" he said. \"We are not meant to live like cornered animals, watching others take what was ours.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A low rumble of agreement moved through the crowd now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind him, Caitlyn’s fingers tightened slightly over each other.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amaury raised one hand, and the noise faded again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But understand this,\" he said, his tone cooling. \"Strength without order is ruin. Pride without unity is civil war. And I will not allow this kingdom to tear itself apart.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His hand rested on the stone railing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So as the king of the newly formed kingdom,\" he spoke, his voice gradually becoming louder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I declare that the Vendrick Continent will become one under our name!!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a heartbeat, there was only silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then the reaction came.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An enormous cheer erupted through the citizens.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The chant rolled through the courtyard like thunder, striking stone walls and echoing back twice as loud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"LONG LIVE THE KING!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amaury did not smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His mind wandered back to Heather.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’I will make you regret not choosing me.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The king who sold his kingdom was strong and ambitious yet pitiful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>***\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Aljanah Household.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Guest House.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Elijah’s POV.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Urgh.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elijah groaned at the sudden pain that ran through his chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes fluttered open to look at his chest where a deep scratch had been made.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a tired sigh, he looked at the sleeping girl who was the reason for it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Heather was unaware of it as her body curled around him like a cat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her arm was thrown across him, her fingers loosely curled as if she was afraid he might disappear if she let go.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her breathing was slow and even, completely unbothered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...You fight like a wild animal even in your sleep,\" he muttered quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He carefully lifted her wrist and moved it aside, sitting up on the edge of the bed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cold air of the room brushed against his skin, helping him wake fully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The scratch wasn’t deep, but it had drawn blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thin red lines crossed his chest, already starting to close.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He glanced back at her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Heather had rolled onto her stomach now, face half-buried in the pillow, golden-brown hair a mess.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elijah’s expression softened, he smiled and gently gave a kiss on her cheek before he stood up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Taking his pants thrown on the ground, he wore them and walked out of the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The morning light made him more aware as he stretched his body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Heather had come to see him a day before after talking with her grandfather.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was worried that Amaury would try to kill him at any given opportunity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’....’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elijah’s mind was a mess at the very thought of Amaury standing opposite him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why would you do such a thing?\" He muttered as he walked down the empty hallway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it didn’t take long before he met someone he didn’t want to.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kana walked from the other side of the hallway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her gaze immediately fell on his chest, which was still healing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She slowly walked towards him. \"Your girlfriend did this?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah...yeah.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elijah mumbled, rubbing his temples because he clearly felt jealousy in her voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kana stopped right in front of him, close enough that he could see the faint twitch at the corner of her eye.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fucking brute.\" She whispered in anger. \"I would have been much more gentle with you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elijah let out a long breath. \"Kana, not this early in the morning.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her gaze didn’t leave the scratches on his chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were already fading, thin pink lines where skin was knitting itself back together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"She hurt you,\" Kana said, voice low.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"She didn’t mean to,\" Elijah replied. \"She was asleep.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kana crossed her arms. \"You always take her side.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elijah let out a sigh as he looked at her for a long second.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was evident to him that she really liked him and there was no denying that he also had a special place for her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>....it was undeniable that they had good compatibility.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’....Still, I don’t think I should bring this up with Heather.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is this bitch bothering you, dear?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking of her, Elijah heard her voice from behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He found Heather walking toward him wearing his shirt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She stopped right beside Elijah and slipped her arm around his waist like it was the most natural thing in the world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Kana,\" she said, voice calm but sharp underneath. \"You’re loud this early.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kana’s jaw tightened. \"I could say the same. Some of us let people sleep.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Heather glanced at Elijah’s chest, then at Kana again. \"You’re staring a lot.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’m assessing damage,\" Kana replied flatly. \"Someone has to.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elijah rubbed his face. \"I’m right here, you know.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Neither of them looked at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Heather leaned slightly into him, possessive without trying to hide it. \"He’s fine.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I would be, without you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Listen here you small fuc—.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Am I seeing things?\" Elijah cut them off, looking at the sky. \"Or are those real?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other two also turned their gaze toward the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sky that was filled with white creatures moving toward Akasha.\u003C\u002Fp>",1803,"2026-06-05T21:29:27.041Z",1,"novelbin.me","2ee618a26acf269664cce8871c3d449645aff1b1fc1e08e79af691c29f4699bb","reincarnated-as-the-villainess-s-son-chapter-538","reincarnated-as-the-villainess-s-son-chapter-536",556,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Freincarnated-as-the-villainess-s-son-cover.jpg"]