Finally, the big gala night had arrived, bringing with it a mixture of excitement and anxiety. The vast palace grounds were bathed in a silver glow as a result of the moon's high position in the sky. As the aristocracy and nobility of Avalonia arrived in gilded carriages, their eyes wide with curiosity and trepidation, the air was charged with tension. They were all aware of Vincent's brutal exercise of authority; rumors of Emelia's impending death spread like wildfire throughout the city.

Perched on a balcony with a commanding view of the grand ballroom, Vincent surveyed the assembled crowd below. His impeccably tailored black suit clung to his towering, commanding frame, the dark fabric giving off a subtle shimmer in the torchlight. He exuded a dangerous aura and had a posture that was both regal and menacing. As usual, his butler was discreetly watching over him.

It would be a test tonight. a magnificent show. Not just for the aristocracy of Avalonia, but also for Vincent.

As the clock reached midnight, lords, ladies, and dignitaries crowded into the ballroom. There was a noticeable sense of tension despite the quiet background music from the orchestra. With all eyes focused on the imposing doors, everyone was waiting for the man who now held Avalonia's destiny in his hands.

Vincent inhaled deeply. That was it. It was time to reveal his true self to them.

With deliberate and slow steps, he made his way down the grand staircase. The room went silent as he got to the bottom. Now everyone was watching him.

Vincent's voice broke the silence, smooth as silk but with a sharp edge that sent shivers down people's spines. "Ladies and gentlemen," he said. I appreciate you coming to see me tonight. I hope you've heard the rumors about my strength, my determination, and my intentions.

A whisper went through the assembly, but nobody ventured to say anything.

A chilly smile turned Vincent's lips. "I refuse to squander time on small talk. You all gathered here this evening to assess the Crown Prince of Avalonia's actual leadership prowess.

He looked around the room, locking eyes with the strongest nobility, the men who had once stood shoulder to shoulder with his father and thought themselves to be untouchable. Now, though, they shuddered. Alright.

"You've been told tales of what transpired with Emelia Rose," Vincent uttered, his voice quiet but resonant in the quiet hallway. It's possible that some of you felt it was overdone. A story to make kids shiver."

He took a moment to let his words register. "It was not."

The room filled with tension as thick as fog. Standing in the corner of the room, Lord Blackstone's face as pale as a ghost, a bead of sweat trickled down his brow. Vincent gave him a lingering look and a small smile.

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

"It's General Rodrick," a whisper was heard. "However, why is he here?"

One of Avalonia's most feared and revered figures, General Rodrick was a warrior who had previously supported Vincent's father. However, something wasn't right. His eyes shone with a darkness that Vincent was all too familiar with.

Vincent grinned more broadly. "Rodrick," he uttered with a mocking tone. "To what do I owe this... unexpected visit?"

The general came to a halt a short distance away from Vincent, placing his hand on the sword's hilt. His tone sounded icy and gravelly. "I've come to ensure that Avalonia doesn't fall into the hands of a boy playing at being king."

A wave of dismay swept across the space. The nobility shifted uneasily, sneaking glances at Vincent to see how he would respond.

Vincent, though, just laughed. It was a sound so dark and foreboding that it chilled everyone in the room.

"And how do you intend to do that?" With amusement in his eyes, Vincent enquired. "By challenging me?"

Rodrick's face became stern. "If necessary."

There was an unbearable silence for a while. The air was charged with tension, akin to the moments before a tempest. Vincent sensed that the court was watching him and hoping to see how he would respond to this outward show of defiance.

With the shadows appearing to grow deeper around him, Vincent took a step forward. Within him, the Villain System throbbed, giving him strength and speaking for him.

"You think you can stop me?" Vincent's voice was deadly quiet, scarcely more than a whisper. "You think you can challenge me?"

The room's temperature dropped. The world appeared to be bending to Vincent's will as the lights ever so slightly dimmed.

As he readied himself to strike, Rodrick's muscles tensed and his hand gripped his sword tightly. The nobility remained motionless, holding their breath.

Vincent suddenly raised his hand, causing the shadows to come to life. They blasted from all four corners of the space, coiling like snakes around Rodrick. The general's eyes grew wide with shock as he made an ineffective effort to fend off the dark tendrils.

"I could kill you where you stand," Vincent stated in a cool, collected tone. "But that would be too easy."

As Rodrick's struggles became more intense, the shadows drew closer and lifted him off the ground. The once-great general was brought to his knees by Vincent's overwhelming power, and the room fell silent as the nobles watched in horror.

"You wanted to see if I'm fit to rule?" Vincent questioned, a low growl in his voice. "Let this be your answer."

Rodrick let go of the shadows with a snap of his fingers and collapsed to the ground, struggling to breathe. Forgotten, his sword clattered to the ground next to him.

Vincent cast a chilly, ruthless gaze upon him. "Get out of my line of sight," he growled. "And let this be a lesson to anyone else who thinks they can challenge me."

With a pale face, Rodrick stumbled to his feet and left the room, leaving behind his footsteps that echoed in the stunned silence.

Vincent turned his indiscernible expression back to the throng. He could see the fear in their eyes, and he knew it because he had them. Each and every one of them.

"Ladies and gentlemen," he said, returning to his smooth voice. "Enjoy the rest of the evening."

The orchestra started up again, but the music sounded hollow after seeing such an impressive display of power. The court was now fully and solely his.

Though Vincent was enjoying his victory as he stood there, he couldn't get rid of the feeling that something sinister was approaching. A whisper from the Villain System reminded him that true power came with adversaries far more deadly than General Rodrick.

This was just the start.