Crushing flags and claiming the Villainess

[A few minutes ago]

"Are you sure about this?" Cedric asked, his brows furrowed with concern.

Austin and Valerie had only arrived half an hour ago, and now his son was asking to see his younger sister.

It had been a long time since Averis locked herself in that room—ever since the argument with Austin. No matter what Cedric and Sophie tried—gentle coaxing, firm boundaries, quiet patience—nothing worked. She either shut the door in their faces or threatened to disappear.

She had even said she would leave the capital if they didn't give her space.

Cedric couldn't bring himself to force her into anything. He wasn't the kind of father who would lock his daughter up just to keep her from running. So he let her be, even if it hurt.

Austin knew everything. He understood the reasons behind her silence, the weight behind her distance—but he never tried to fix it. For the longest time, it felt like Averis had simply vanished from his world.

And yet, once upon a time, they had been inseparable.

They shared laughter, secrets, and dreams... and then one day, as if those years meant nothing, they became strangers under the same roof.

Averis had once been the apple of Austin's eye.

He doted on her, protected her, teased her just enough to make her laugh—and then, one day, everything changed.

Cedric never learned the full story. Austin never talked, and Averis never let anyone in. But from the way Austin avoided her, from the way his eyes dimmed whenever her name came up, Cedric could tell—it wasn't just one-sided pain. Whatever happened between them, Averis must have said something too.

At the time, Cedric had been overwhelmed with responsibilities, especially with Aiden needing his guidance. He didn't have the space to properly step in or settle things between his two children. It was one of his quiet regrets.

But now, finally, Austin was taking the first step.

"I wouldn't have said it if I wasn't sure, Father," Austin said calmly, though something in his voice trembled. "Is she in her room?"

Cedric gave a slight nod. "She is... Well, good luck."

There was a hesitation in his voice, the kind that only a father would carry when he knew a storm might be coming. Averis had bottled her emotions for years—hurt, anger, disappointment—and Cedric wasn't sure how she would react.

Still, deep down, he hoped they could find their way back to each other.

Without another word, Austin and Valerie rose from their seats and made their way up to the third floor, where Averis's room was.

As they walked through the quiet hallway, Valerie glanced at him. "Are you nervous?" she asked, her voice light, but her steps slow. Then she added with a small, nervous laugh, "I am, truth be told."

Austin let out a soft chuckle. "Why are you nervous?"

"Because I know how much you adore Avy," Valerie said, her voice soft with warmth. "We used to play together so much."

A tender smile tugged at her lips as memories flickered to life—days filled with laughter, games, and a world that felt small, safe, and full of wonder.

Back then, their lives revolved around nothing but joy.

Everything changed when Aiden came into the picture. And slowly, that small world began to unravel.

"Valerie…" Austin murmured, his gaze lowering slightly. "I know she'll reject me at first. But I also know... I can coax her. Somehow."

There was certainty in his tone, but not arrogance—only hope. A hope built on reflection and regret.

He exhaled, the breath shaky as it slipped past his lips. "Before seeking forgiveness, you have to understand your fault. And I do. I know exactly what I did."

His voice grew quiet, the edges touched by sorrow.

Just like Valerie, Averis had always been his anchor. Someone he leaned on, someone who looked up to him. But he hadn't treated her feelings with care. In a moment of frustration, he'd said things he could never take back—words that left a scar on someone too young to carry such pain.

Valerie reached out and gently squeezed his hand.

"Whatever happens in there," she whispered, "please don't hide it from me."

Austin looked at her, and for a second, the tension in his chest loosened. He gave her a fond smile, his fingers returning the gentle squeeze.

"You know I won't," he replied softly.

And together, they stepped off the final stair, arriving at the hallway that led to Averis's door.

Valerie stepped down from the stairs, giving him one last look of encouragement before disappearing around the corner.

Austin stood still for a moment, staring at the door across from him.

Then, slowly, he walked toward it and raised his hand.

Knock.

"It's me, Averis. Open the door," he called out, voice calm but firm.

Silence.

Of course, she wouldn't open it. He knew she was in there—he could feel it, sense it—but she was probably hoping he would give up and walk away.

But he wasn't here to give up.

Austin pressed his palms against the door and began to push, the wood groaning under his force.

"Your Highness!" a maid gasped nearby, stopping in her tracks as she saw the First Prince forcing the door open.

She looked torn between duty and disbelief. The order to never disturb the Princess had come straight from the royal family—but the one breaking that sacred rule was the very brother she had shut out, the firstborn of the Crown.

Austin didn't even glance at her. The lock cracked under pressure, and with a final push, the door gave in.

And there she was.

The girl who once trailed after him with wide eyes and soft laughter. Her silver hair—like their mother's—fell over her shoulders, and her eyes, so similar to their father's, widened in shock. Her lips parted slightly as if caught between surprise and disbelief.

Austin stepped into the room, wordless. He gently closed the door behind him—though the damage made it hang awkwardly—before walking toward the nearest sofa.

He didn't speak just yet.

Because for the first time in years, he was standing face-to-face with his little sister.

And the air between them was thick with everything they had left unsaid.

Austin sat down quietly, leaning back slightly on the sofa as his eyes settled on the girl standing across the room.

"Hey, Avy. How have you been?"

His voice was calm—too calm, given the weight between them. He didn't expect warmth. He didn't expect forgiveness. He just wanted to start.

Averis stood frozen for a moment, the silence between them stretching unbearably long.

Then—

"Get out!"

Her voice snapped like a whip, sharp and laced with fury.

Her eyes weren't teary—they burned. Red with rage, not sadness. Her mana spiked violently, and the room instantly dimmed as her aura surged out uncontrollably.

Austin didn't flinch. He could sense it clearly—she had gone through at least two evolutions. And more than that, the faint but unmistakable bloodlust in her magic spoke volumes. She had been fighting...killing. Often.

Still, he met her glare with steady eyes and spoke, not to provoke, but to force open old wounds they never addressed.

"You're unwanted, just like me… no, worse. You're a girl. So you're not even considered a candidate for the throne."

Averis froze.

Her pupils trembled.

Those words—exactly what he once spat in her face—came crashing back with cruel clarity.

Austin got up and took a step forward, his voice quieter now, but no less sharp.

"You're not needed. Not by me. Not by anyone. Why do you keep pestering me? Just kill yourself."

Averis screamed.

"Why are you repeating all those things!" Her voice cracked, and the room shook as the floor beneath them trembled with her fury. Mana burst from her like a storm breaking its seal.

Outside, the maids scattered in panic.

Valerie, still lingering at the stairwell, clenched her fists hard enough that her knuckles paled. Her teeth sank into her lower lip. She wanted to run in—but she didn't want to come between them.

Inside, despite the suffocating pressure, Austin remained unfazed.

He walked toward Averis slowly, unshaken by the storm she raged around her.

His voice softened.

"I just wanted to remind you what I said... how deeply I hurt you. So you'd remember exactly how angry you were at me. Because you deserve to feel that anger. You deserve to scream, to hate me."

He stopped just before her.

"And I needed you to know—I haven't forgotten a single word I said. I live with them every day.

Tears build up in her eyes, but she refuses to cry and give in

She pushed him away using Soul Energy and Austin was flung back, colliding against the wall.

Averis glared at him, and with pure hatred in her voice, she said, "You are no one to me!"

Austin took a deep breath and pushed himself away from the wall.

He didn't look offended. No anger, no frustration, just pure warmth in his eyes, which dared to melt her anger.

However, Averis held her stance and heard him say, "You can push me again or slap me if you want. But unless you forgive me, I am not leaving."

Averis gritted her teeth. What does he think of himself?! All these years he neglected her. And now that he has gained his family back and made some reputation in the world, he thought he would say sorry, and she would forgive him...

*Sniff* *Sniff*

Tears welled up in her eyes as large droplets of tears began to slide down her eyes and the girl started weeping.

Austin released a soft breath and advanced toward the little girl.

Bringing his arms around her frame, he gently hugged her.

"D-Don't touch me *sniff* I hate you...I hate you...you are so mean...I only wanted...*sniff*..to help you..."

"I know...I was an idiot to reject your kindness back then." His voice turned heavy as he closed his eyes and softly rubbed her back.

There were many things she wanted to say and complain about...however, in the familiar warmth of her brother, she couldn't continue.

In the end, she fell asleep while crying.

°°°°°°°°°°

A/N:- Austin was an a**hole to both girls who cared so much about him. His sister hasn't forgiven him yet. Austin has to coax her a lot now.

Thanks for reading.