Villain of Fate: The Tyrant System-Chapter 90: Shoulder Against the Storm

Shoulder Against the Storm

In the small garden, Bianca De Dominicis pulled Julian D’Aurelius down beside her on the cold stone bench.

A shaky glow from the lamp touched the leaves above, spilling warm color into her deep red hair. Smells of night jasmine floated by, yet under that sat a weight - dread.

Frost lingered under her nails, a leftover chill from what came before.

"I think something’s wrong with my grandpa," she said quietly, though her voice tried to stay steady. "He was perfectly healthy, and suddenly this happened. Do you think he was poisoned?"

Julian glanced at her.

The heiress of the De Dominicis household.

Confident. Sharp. Ruthless when needed.

But right now, she looked like a granddaughter who had just realized the world could still take something precious from her.

"I think it’s possible," he replied after a beat. "But we still need to investigate carefully."

He nodded, measured and calm.

[It’s not poison; it’s a Bright Life Sucking Leach.]

[That parasite has to be planted at close range. If Evan didn’t come here personally, then it’s probably that idiot Ryan.]

[Such a brainless fool, colluding with an outsider, thinking he can become head of the De Dominicis household.]

[If you let someone else hold your secrets, you’ll be licking their boots for life.]

Bianca’s eyes changed instantly.

The warmth drained.

What remained was steel.

So it really was Ryan.

Last time, she had spared him—not because she lacked evidence, but because she wanted to use him as bait. A foolish pawn was more useful than a cautious enemy.

She had planned to pull the string slowly.

But he dared touch her grandfather.

That crossed a line.

Her fingers tightened unconsciously in her lap.

No more bait.

No more patience.

She exhaled softly.

"I don’t care much about the household’s wealth," she murmured, almost to herself. "It’s more than enough to spend in this lifetime."

A small bend touched her mouth - yet nothing about it felt light. It stayed cold, like a smile that forgot how to warm.

"But not everyone thinks that way."

Julian didn’t respond.

That was unnecessary for him.

Between them, the quiet felt odd yet right somehow.

After that moment, suddenly, Bianca tilted a little, placing her head softly against his shoulder.

Julian stiffened.

A strand touched his skin just below the ear. Smelled like roses mixed with a sharp tang of orange peel. Heat lingered where it rested.

A tiny move came without thinking.

Her gaze snapped up at him, irritation flashing across her face.

"If you behave," she said, narrowing her eyes, "I’ll wear a bunny girl outfit for you next time."

Julian blinked.

"Bunny girl outfit? Just don’t get dandruff on my shoulder."

A low mutter came out, even as his lips barely shifted upward at one edge.

[Don’t make promises you can’t keep.]

[I hate dishonest people the most. If you say it, you better do it.]

[A bunny girl costume? I don’t care about that. I’m a righteous man.]

[If you’re really sincere, you could wear a blood dropper instead.]

Bianca froze slightly.

Blood dropper?

What on earth was that?

Some weird thing from his brain again?

She almost asked—but decided not to. Knowing Julian’s inner thoughts was already dangerous enough.

Instead, she leaned back onto his shoulder again, slower this time.

He didn’t move.

Good.

For a few quiet seconds, she allowed herself to close her eyes.

The weight of responsibility. The scheming relatives. The leech on her grandfather’s heart.

All of it felt distant in this small pocket of warmth.

Julian’s shoulder was firm.

Solid.

Annoyingly reliable.

Listening to his chaotic internal monologue was strangely comforting.

He might think nonsense half the time—but at least he wasn’t pretending.

That honesty... was rare.

The bamboo rustled gently.

Then—

"Miss! Divine Doctor Amara has finished treating the patriarch. You should come and see."

A bodyguard’s voice shattered the moment.

Julian subtly exhaled.

"Let’s go, let’s check on Grandpa," Bianca said, straightening.

He stood too.

[Bro, if you came two minutes later, I’d have needed a massage. Shoulder duty isn’t free.]

Bianca rolled her eyes.

Unbelievable.

They walked quickly back into the residence.

The moment they entered the patriarch’s room, a pungent herbal aroma hit them. Smoke lingered faintly in the air—thick, medicinal, almost bitter.

The cleansing incense.

On the bed, the patriarch had already woken.

A nurse supported him while feeding him a bowl of dark medicinal soup.

He looked thinner somehow.

Weaker.

As if something had truly drained him.

"Grandpa," Bianca said immediately, stepping forward. "Are you feeling better?"

The patriarch gave a faint nod.

"I’m fine... just weak. I’ll sleep after drinking the medicine."

His voice was hoarse, but steady.

Amara stood nearby, calm but alert.

The Bright Life Sucking Leach had already crawled out under the influence of the incense and collapsed into a shriveled golden husk. She had sealed it carefully inside a glass vial.

She planned to study it with her grandfather.

That man named Evan.

Disgusting didn’t even begin to describe him.

"Let the patriarch rest for a couple of days," Amara said gently.

Everyone nodded.

Relief loosened shoulders around the room.

After offering a few more words of reassurance, the family members gradually exited.

Julian stepped out last.

Just as he reached the corridor, his phone vibrated.

He glanced at the screen.

Mike Valquin.

He answered.

"Bro, didn’t you say to call you when my household deals with Black Magic? Hurry up, a lot of people are already here."

Mike’s voice sounded half-excited, half-nervous.

Julian glanced back once toward Bianca.

"Alright, I’ll be there soon."

He hung up.

According to the original storyline—

Today was the day Evan would make a grand display at the Valquin household.

He would remove the Black Magic disturbance in spectacular fashion.

And earn himself the title of top Black Magic remover—becoming the number one exorcist master in Valemont.

Julian slipped his phone back into his pocket.

The game board was shifting again.

He turned to Bianca.

"I have to head out."

She studied him for a moment.

"Be careful."

It wasn’t dramatic.

Just simple.

Real. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

He gave a small nod.

Then walked toward his car.

Tonight—

The Obsidian Kings would try to shine.

And Julian intended to watch very, very closely.