Villain's Second Heart: Trapped in A Fantasy Novel (BL)-Chapter 23: Dinner and A Show

"And for you, sir?"

Oberyn jumped from the sudden noise as their waiter turned to him with a smile.

"Uh..."

"He'll have the Grimberry Red, same as me. In fact, bring the bottle."

"Straightaway, Lord Gohm."

The waiter bowed and disappeared to get their drinks.

Demetrius crossed his hands and casually looked around the venue. The restaurant was a luxurious, high-end hall with sterling chandeliers that glowed with warm magical light. Every facet of the venue, from the decorated wood furnishings to the chiseled marble ceiling screamed opulence.

Demetrius had no eye for such things, however. He was seeking to catch the gaze of the other Lords - perhaps even the king. To show off his prize.

Nephilim were known for their otherworldly beauty and grace. They were deadly, powerful, and unwise to the world around them. There wasn't a lord or lady around who wouldn't fancy the company of such an illustrious being.

Thankfully, Nephilim were rare in Asteria - in the whole world, in fact. Many knew not of their existence entirely, only existing in 'fairy tales' describing beautiful beings known as fae who dwelled in the forests, rivers, and empty halls where no humans dared to venture.

If there were more Nephilim, the corrupt nobles of Asteria would have certainly devised some systemic way to exploit them, but at present, Oberyn was safe from such machinations.

Not to say there hadn't been 'offers'. Some lords, even a Princess, petitioned him to be their paramour - an offer he refused outright and dared not even entertain. It might free him of his curse, but he would just be trading one set of chains for another.

Not to mention how much it sickened him to be touched by such vile humans. Even the thought made his skin crawl.

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Oberyn also looked around the room nervously. He caught many eyes leering at him. Saw lords and ladies pointing him out, either to gossip or gawk.

He opened his menu and used it to hide himself, ducking behind it. He glossed over all the entrees, but he wasn't hungry. The looming sense of dread and humiliation made it hard for him to think about food.

Demetrius reached across the table and pushed the menu in front of Oberyn down. "Now, now, that's quite rude to do. Didn't they teach you any manners on the moon?"

The waiter returned with their drinks, filling a goblet for each of them and setting them in front of the two men.

"Are you ready to order, my little angel?" Demetrius smirked. He spoke at the waiter without looking at him. "I'll have the lamb, medium-rare."

"Uh...just a salad for me?" Oberyn said.

"No, no - that's a red wine you have. So you will have red meat. Waiter, he'll have your finest cut of steak. He's a tender little thing, so make it medium."

The waiter hesitated, making direct eye contact with Oberyn. They shared a knowing glance.

"My pleasure, Lord Gohm."

The waiter disappeared - the only sense of a lifeline that Oberyn had in this situation.

"I guess I'm having the steak."

Demetrius raised his wine goblet, ushering Oberyn to join him in a toast. The Nephilim begrudgingly accepted.

He took a sip from the wine. It was a strong, full-bodied wine - with hints of earthy flavors and a tart fruity smell.

It burned his throat. Oberyn wasn't a drinker - he was only eighteen, the legal drinking age in their world. He'd only tried it one other time.

"Exquisite, isn't it?" Demetrius smiled through crooked, fanged teeth.

Oberyn took another small sip. It wasn't bad, but he would be loathe to admit it.

Dinner arrived, and the two began eating in relative silence. Demetrius continued to dart his eyes around the room like a hawk, making sure to wave at all his noble friends once he caught their gazes.

Oberyn watched as Demetrius swirled a piece of lamb in the blood pooling in his lavish dinner plate. It made his stomach churn.

Lamb - the most innocent of creatures. Oberyn felt like even Demetrius' dinner choice was a thinly veiled threat.

About halfway through his meal, Oberyn set his fork and knife down. He'd had enough.

"Done already?" Demetrius chuckled, suckling on his bloody lamb.

"Nephilim don't need to eat much."

Demetrius stopped eating as well. "I see you're as eager for our after dinner festivities as I am, my angel."

"After...what?" Oberyn's eye twitched. His blood was ice in his veins.

Demetrius leaned over the table, blood and garlic on his breath. "Oh, you know. One dinner here is a thousand gold coins. I would hate to think you're ungrateful."

Oberyn slid away, his chair loud against the stone floor. "I would hate to think I'm grateful. I'm not going anywhere with you."

Demetrius reached under the table, touching Oberyn's knee. "Now, now. Don't make a scene. I told you what would happen, didn't I?"

"Threaten me all you want. You'll be the one making a scene. I'm leaving."

Oberyn rose from the table, looking at the despicable man across from him. He took only a single step away when Demetrius darted after him, grabbing his arm.

"You're not going anywhere, you little shit!"

The restaurant grew silent. All eyes were on them.

"I'll have you killed. No, I'll have you tortured and enslaved. You think you can defy me, you runt?"

His voice was a slithering hiss, speaking low enough so that only Oberyn could hear.

"Get the fuck OFF me!" Oberyn screamed, slapping Demetrius away.

The Nephilim stood defiantly in the center of the restaurant, his eyes locked with Demetrius'.

Suddenly, a voice, raw and commanding, filled the room.

"What is the meaning of this, Demetrius!?"

It was the king of Asteria himself, rising from his table where he was seated in a circle of nobility.

Demetrius looked wildly back and forth between the king and Oberyn. What little color he had in his face drained. His beady eyes grew even smaller.

"Now look what you've done!" Demetrius snarled. "You've made a fool of us both, you damn mutant!"

Demetrius shook his head, pointing at Oberyn and screaming. "Guards! This Nephilim has defied a direct order! Have him arrested at once!"

Suddenly, guards began to rush toward them. Oberyn's eyes lit up with fiery amber light as magic began to course through his veins.

"Demetrius. You're the fool for thinking a human could ever tame a Nephilim."

And suddenly, a flash of light as the entire restaurant erupted in magic.

BOOM!