UNMEI: Pantheon's Game-Chapter 131: Two Faced

When Dune's eyes fluttered open, the first thing he noticed was the ceiling, white marble, etched with golden patterns that shimmered faintly in the soft light.

The bed beneath him felt wrong, too soft and clean. His body, on the other hand, throbbed with pain, every limb felt heavy, his chest tight beneath fresh bandages.

Where the hell am i?

He forced himself to sit up, wincing as fire flared through his ribs. His mind was still foggy, but the images flashed through, Ceremony, Azrael, the pain, the blood.

The door creaked open, and Lady Silvie Ceresey stepped inside. Draped in elegant silks that clung to her figure, she carried herself like a queen even in private. Her hair was perfectly styled, her smile painted with just enough sweetness to feel practiced.

"You're awake."

Her voice was soft, smooth as honey. She walked toward him with careful grace.

"I was starting to worry. You've been unconscious for almost a whole day."

Dune grunted, his hand moving to his side where the pain throbbed worst.

"Where...?"

"You're in the Ceresey estate, of course."

She smiled, settling herself gracefully on the edge of the bed.

"I had you brought here after you collapsed outside. You should be grateful, you know. If I hadn't came, who knows what would've happened?"

Dune exhaled through his nose.

"Thanks. But I'll be going soon."

He tried to move, but his body protested sharply. Silvie leaned in slightly, her hand lightly touching his bandaged arm.

"You're still injured Dune. Rest. You shouldn't be thinking about leaving so soon."

She tilted her head, eyes narrowing slightly.

"But... tell me, Dune. What happened to you? Who did this?"

He met her gaze, his expression flat.

"Nothing important don't worry about it."

Her smile faltered for a heartbeat.

"You expect me to believe that? I brought you here half dead, and you're covered in wounds clearly made by someone."

Dune remained silent, his jaw tightening. Why is she even worried? We don't even know each other.

Silvie exhaled softly, her tone shifted, becoming lower, more serious.

"It was Rodenys right?"

"You don't understand, do you? everything is moving right now. The families are making their moves. If you keep acting like you're separate from all this, you'll get crushed."

She turned to face him, her eyes glittering.

"Do you think it's a coincidence? That you were attacked after humiliating Raves Rodeny? After disrespecting their family again and again? They won't stop until you're either dead or controlled."

Dune's fingers twitched. "So be it then. I'm not joining anyone's side."

Silvie moved closer again, but this time slower, deliberate.

"But what if I told you there was a way to survive? A way to not just survive, but fight back and win?

Her fingers lightly touched the tie of her outer robe, letting it loosen slightly.

Dune's eyes narrowed. He could already feel it, that same disgusting aura he had sensed back during the ceremony. But now it was stronger, crawling against his skin like invisible filth.

Silvie let her robe slide halfway off her shoulders, exposing the smooth line of her neck and collarbone. She leaned in, her voice almost a whisper.

"You and I... we could change everything."

Dune's hand shot up, pressing against her hand and pushing her back. Calmly, but without hesitation. He stood, wincing as pain lanced through his body, but he ignored it as he slipped on his jacket.

"Enough." His voice was colder now.

I felt this filth back at the ceremony. But now it's even worse. His gaze sharpened, cutting through her like a knife.

"Stop pretending. What do you really want?"

"What do you mean Dune?"

"You think i'm stupid?"

Silvie pulled her robe back around herself, tying it tightly. She straightened her posture, voice turning sharp and businesslike.

"Marry me, Dune."

Dune rised an eyebrow, "what?"

"Join the Neville family and then marry me as a Neville. If we unite, the Ceresey and Neville houses can stand together, strong enough to challenge Rodeny and Amellia. We could end this game before they even realize it."

"The Rodenys already have plan, Raves is set to marry Hazel Amellia. If that alliance is sealed, smaller families like mine and the Nevilles will be overwhelmed and destroyed."

Dune covered his face with a sigh. "You've got Cassius. Strongest man in Sanatria, isn't he? Why are you so afraid?"

Silvie scoffed, shaking her head.

"Cassius is more loyal to the king, not to me, not to this family. He might be strong, but he won't lift a finger if it risks the throne's stability. And the Rodenys and Amellias... they're not weak either. A war would tear everything apart."

She stepped closer again, her desperation creeping into her voice. "But if you join us, if we tie our houses together, we can create a new power that even they have to respect."

Dune's eyes darkened. "And why the hell should I even consider that? I have no stake in your little family war."

Silvie's face twisted in frustration.

"Because this is how Sanatria works, Dune! Years ago, the Murderthrones took the crown the same way, by crushing their rivals and killing the king. That's how Aramir became ruler. The only way to survive here is to step on others and completely crush them."

Dune turned away, his voice like iron. "I don't care about any of this. All I want is to get stronger. To prepare for my first Neba Trial. Your families and your politics mean nothing to me."

"Dune come on..."

Dune glanced back at her. "Why can't you marry Lucas? Isn't he also part of the Neville family?"

Silvie's voice cracked as she called after him.

"If you refuse... everything will fall apart! Lucas Neville already rejected me, he's in love with someone else, someone who's about to be married to Rodeny!"

Dune's steps halted. His eyes flickered, realization hitting. "...Hazel?"

Silvie nodded, her face pale.

"Yes. Hazel Amellia. If she marries to Rodeny, Neville won't stand a chance. Both our families will be crushed by this new alliance."

Dune clenched his fists. The pain in his body throbbed, but his mind stayed cold.

"Then that's your problem. Not mine."

Silvie's voice grew desperate, raw. fгeewebnovёl.com

"Don't you understand? All I want is to survive! Cassius might eliminate us all, and even Atlas understands it, he knows what's coming! Talk to him if you don't believe me!"

Dune paused at the doorway, glancing over his shoulder. "If you really want to survive so badly... train. Take the Neba Trial. Fight for your own life, instead of begging others to save you."

Silvie let out a bitter laugh.

"I'm a lady. I've never trained a day in my life for that. It's impossible."

Dune's eyes were cold as stone.

"It's never too late. If you're willing to fight, I'll help you survive that trial. But if you're just looking for shortcuts and want to be dependent on others, count me out."

"Goodbye" He nodded once, firm and final, and walked away, his steps heavy with pain but steady with resolve.

His breaths were uneven, each step reminding him of the beating Azrael had left on his body. But beneath that pain, something steadier hummed.

He clenched his fist slightly, feeling the faint pulse of it spread outward from his chest, like a ripple in still water,

He was using Nebawave the whole time. A technique he barely understood, but just now, it had saved him.

"If I hadn't spread my Neba around... maybe I would've believed her. Maybe I would've fallen for that look in her eyes, the way she moved..."

I didn't even know Nebawave could be used like this.

When he reached Silvie with Nebawave, even in his weakened state, he could feel it. Beneath Silvie's soft words and practiced smile was a storm of rotting emotions, desperation, bitterness, envy. Nothing sincere.

His steps slowed as he reached the tall entrance doors of the mansion.

"That Neba around her... full of poison. All while her face played the part of a fragile lady."

He let out a breath, steadying himself.

Lies on the surface... filth underneath. Fake alliances sealed with smiles and dresses, but every one of them waiting to slit each other's throat the moment they can."

Dune gritted his teeth as he pushed open the heavy doors and stepped out into the cold air. His body ached, but his mind was clear.

"I don't want any part of this. I'll get stronger... pass the Neba trial... and the rest of them can burn each other to ashes for all I care."

He pulled his jacket tighter and limped forward. His path was set. And it didn't include playing noble games.