Chapter 9 – The Villainess’s Butler, The Cake, and Chaos

The next morning, Aeron walked into the dining room yawning like a zombie who hadn't clocked out. His white hair was a mess, and he was wearing slippers that said "I Regret Everything" in bold letters.

Lyra blinked. "Did you… sleep at all?"

Aeron slumped into the chair beside her. "I had a staring contest with the ceiling. It won."

Selene, already seated at the head of the table and dressed like she was about to conquer a small country, glanced at him with mild amusement. "You look awful."

"Thanks," Aeron said. "It's my new look. I call it: 'existential dread with a hint of pancakes.'"

The butler arrived to pour tea, and Selene's eyes narrowed.

"Wait," she said. "Who are you?"

The man bowed elegantly. "Sebastian, my lady. The new butler, assigned by your father."

Aeron stared. "Sebastian? That's suspiciously butler-like."

Sebastian did not blink. "It is also conveniently my real name."

Lyra leaned closer to Aeron and whispered, "This feels like the beginning of a soap opera."

Selene ignored the dramatics. "If you make a single mistake, Sebastian, I'll personally have you reassigned to the stables."

Sebastian bowed again. "Understood. Would you like two sugars or three in your tea?"

Aeron raised a hand. "I'll take twelve."

"You'll die," Lyra muttered.

"That's the point," Aeron said. "Sweet release."

The butler smiled politely and moved to prepare their plates. A fancy three-layer cake arrived at the center of the table—chocolate with red velvet accents. It looked sinfully expensive.

"Who ordered cake for breakfast?" Lyra asked, suspicious.

Selene raised her hand. "I did. For him."

She gestured at Aeron.

"Is it poisoned?" he asked casually.

"It's not poisoned."

"That's exactly what someone who poisoned the cake would say."

Selene rolled her eyes. "Just eat it."

Aeron took a small bite.

Everyone watched.

He chewed. Swallowed. Blinked.

"…Holy stars," he whispered. "This is better than happiness."

Lyra reached out to try a piece too, but Selene calmly stabbed her fork down between Lyra's fingers.

"No."

Lyra froze. "Did you just… fork-threaten me?"

"This is between me and him," Selene said coolly.

"Okay, Game of Thrones," Aeron muttered.

Selene's expression didn't change, but there was a smug glint in her eyes.

"You'll be attending the Autumn Gala with me," she declared suddenly.

Aeron choked on cake.

"What."

Selene sipped her tea. "The Autumn Gala. This Friday. You're going with me."

"But—"

"No buts," she said. "You'll wear a tuxedo. You'll smile. You'll pretend to enjoy yourself. You'll dance."

Aeron blinked slowly. "Dancing?"

"Yes."

"I don't dance. I flail rhythmically and hope for mercy."

Sebastian, without missing a beat, offered, "I can provide a crash course in ballroom etiquette."

"I'd rather crash," Aeron said.

Selene ignored him. "I expect you to behave."

"I'm offended by the assumption that I ever behave."

Sebastian returned with a silver platter holding an invitation embossed in gold. It had Selene's family crest on it, along with Aeron's name—already printed.

"You already sent this to the press, didn't you?" Aeron asked.

Selene smiled. "They're very excited."

Lyra leaned back in her chair, arms crossed. "You're dragging him into the spotlight now? That's cruel."

Aeron nodded. "She's got a point. I haven't even emotionally recovered from yesterday."

"You'll be fine," Selene said.

"You keep saying that like it's true."

Just then, Sebastian returned with more cake, accidentally bumping the edge of the table.

The entire cake tower wobbled—slow motion.

Selene's eyes widened.

Lyra gasped.

Aeron reached out… but it was too late.

SPLAT.

The cake landed face-first on Aeron's lap.

There was silence.

"...I regret everything," Aeron said again, staring at the frosting slowly sliding down his shirt.

Lyra burst into laughter. Selene looked like she was trying not to. Sebastian apologized at least fifty times.

Selene finally stood and tossed a napkin at him. "Go change. You look like dessert."

Aeron stood, covered in icing, and declared, "This is an act of war."

He turned to Sebastian. "You. We'll settle this with a dance battle."

Sebastian bowed. "It would be my honor."

Lyra giggled so hard she nearly fell out of her chair.

As Aeron stormed off to clean up, trailing frosting, Selene stared at the mess on the floor, then looked at the remaining cake.

She cut another slice.

"…Still worth it," she murmured.