The Villain Professor's Second Chance

As she took a moment to collect herself, she heard a familiar voice call her name from behind. Turning, she saw Sharon, her adjudant, approaching with a look of concern etched on her face. Sharon's formal demeanor never wavered, even in the midst of such chaos.

"My Lady, are you alright?" Sharon asked respectfully, her eyes scanning Sophie for any sign of injury.

Sophie nodded, offering a reassuring smile. "Yes, Sharon. Just tired. It was a surprise attack, but we managed to pull through."

Sharon's expression softened slightly, but her eyes soon darted towards the remnants of the battle. "Indeed, it was quite the ordeal. But I must say, there's been quite a bit of talk about Earl Drakhan's role in all this. It seems people are praising him for his actions tonight."

Sophie raised an eyebrow, curiosity piqued. "Is that so?"

Sharon nodded vigorously. "Yes, my Lady. Though I bet he must have employed some of his usual dirty tricks. Draven has always had a knack for turning situations to his advantage, hasn't he?"

Sophie listened quietly, her mind wandering as Sharon continued to rant. She couldn't help but notice the focus of her thoughts drifting towards Amberine. The young woman had fought valiantly, and there was something about her determination that resonated deeply with Sophie. She watched as Amberine interacted with the investigation team, her posture tense and eyes distant.

"My Lady?" Sharon's voice broke through Sophie's reverie, pulling her back to the present.

"Yes, Sharon?" Sophie replied, trying to refocus her attention.

"I was saying, it's hard to believe that Draven could be so... noble. Given his history and all," Sharon remarked, her tone skeptical.

Sophie nodded absently, her gaze still fixed on Amberine. "Yes, it is surprising."

Sharon followed her gaze, noticing where Sophie's attention was directed. "Lady Amberine fought bravely tonight, didn't she? Quite impressive for someone of her standing."

Sophie smiled faintly. "Indeed, she did."

Before Sharon could respond, a familiar figure approached them. Lancefroz, Duke Icevern, walked towards Sophie with a determined stride. Sharon immediately knelt, her head bowed in respect. Lancefroz didn't even glance at her, his focus solely on Sophie.

"Sophie, are you alright?" he asked, his voice filled with genuine concern.

Sophie nodded. "Yes, I'm fine. Just a bit tired."

Lancefroz's gaze shifted to Amberine, who was still engaged with the investigation team. "Did you observe the whole thing?" he asked, his tone serious.

Sophie followed his gaze and nodded again. "Yes, I did."

Lancefroz sighed, his expression contemplative. "We all know Draven's history with the Polime family, but he saved that child tonight. It's a mystery, but at the same time, it's a good thing."

Sophie watched as Lancefroz turned to leave, his mind clearly occupied with the events of the evening. Sharon, still kneeling, looked up at him in shock. She had always scoffed at the idea of Draven being anything other than a villain, but hearing Duke Icevern's affirmation left her speechless.

As Lancefroz walked away, heading towards the queen's direction, Sharon slowly rose to her feet, her expression a mix of disbelief and confusion.

"My Lady, did I hear correctly?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Sophie nodded, her eyes still on Amberine. "Yes, Sharon. It seems Draven's actions tonight have surprised us all."

Sharon shook her head, trying to process the information. "I can't believe it. Earl Drakhan, saving someone from the Polime family... It's unheard of."

Sophie smiled faintly, her mind once again drifting to Amberine. "People can change, Sharon. Sometimes, even the most unexpected ones."

Amberine, meanwhile, stood amidst the investigation team, her thoughts miles away. She remembered the sight of Draven holding back the two demons, his left arm dripping with blood as he forced himself to protect them all. The memory was vivid, each detail etched into her mind.

She could see the determination in his eyes, the strain on his face as he pushed his magic to its limits. The blood that flowed from his arm had been a stark reminder of the price he was willing to pay. Despite his reputation, Draven had fought with everything he had, risking his life to save others. The image of him standing firm, despite his injuries, left a lasting impression on Amberine.

Her eyes glazed over as she relived the moment, the chaos of the battle fading into the background. She remembered the way his magic had crackled in the air, the sheer force of his will holding the demons at bay. It was a sight she would never forget, a testament to his strength and resolve.

Just as she was lost in her thoughts, Elara approached her, noticing her distant gaze. "Amberine!" she called, but there was no response. Amberine was too absorbed in her memories to hear her.

Elara frowned and stepped closer, nudging Amberine's foot with her own. "Hey, snap out of it!"

"Ouch!" Amberine blinked, her eyes refocusing as she turned to face Elara. "What is it, Elara?"

Elara crossed her arms, her expression a mix of annoyance and concern. "You were spacing out," She uttered, returning to her usual indifferent face. "Are you alright?"

Amberine sighed, rubbing her temples. "I'm fine, just... thinking."

Elara raised an eyebrow. "About what?"

Amberine hesitated, then shook her head. "It's nothing. Just... the battle."

Elara's eyes narrowed. "You're thinking about Draven, aren't you?"

Amberine's cheeks flushed slightly. "Maybe. It's just... he was different tonight."

Elara snorted, rolling her eyes. "Don't get too sentimental. He saved you as a professor,"

Amberine bit her lip, unsure how to respond. Elara's usual indifference was tinged with something more, a hint of protectiveness that she rarely showed.

"I'm heading back. My father is waiting for me," Elara said, her tone brusque. But as she turned to leave, she paused, glancing back at Amberine. "Don't do anything stupid, Amberine."

This time, Amberine immediately understood the meaning behind her words. It's not for her to don't do anything stupid, but 'Take care when you're back'.

Amberine smiled, understanding the unspoken message. "You too, Elara."

Elara snorted again, but there was a softness in her eyes. "Don't get used to it," she muttered before walking away.

Amberine watched her go, a warm feeling settling in her chest. Despite their differences, Elara had a way of showing she cared, even if it was through gruff words and harsh looks that she often showed her.

As Amberine stood there, lost in thought once more, she felt a presence beside her. Turning, she saw Sophie, the woman who had been watching her from a distance.

"Lady Sophie," Amberine said, startled. "I didn't see you there."

Sophie smiled gently. "I didn't mean to startle you. I just wanted to see how you were holding up."

Amberine nodded, trying to steady her nerves. "I'm alright. Just... processing everything."

Sophie looked at her with a kind, understanding gaze. "It's been quite a night, hasn't it?"

Amberine sighed, her shoulders sagging slightly. "Yes, it has. So much has happened."

Sophie reached out, placing a reassuring hand on Amberine's shoulder. "You've done well, Amberine. You fought bravely tonight."

Amberine's eyes widened in surprise. "Thank you, Lady Sophie. That means a lot coming from you."

Sophie gave a gentle nod. "You have a strong spirit, Amberine. Don't let tonight's events weigh too heavily on you. Everyone is talking about how you held your ground."

Amberine felt a warmth spread through her chest at Sophie's words. "I just did what I had to do."

Sophie chuckled softly. "That's what makes you remarkable. Not everyone can keep their composure in the face of such danger."

Amberine smiled, feeling a bit more at ease. "Thank you, Lady Sophie. Your words mean a lot."

Sophie's expression turned thoughtful. "I've noticed you've been rather focused on Earl Drakhan. His actions were... unexpected, weren't they?"

Amberine nodded, the memory of Draven's fierce determination still fresh in her mind. "Yes. I guess he surprised everyone tonight." she shrugged.

"Can I ask you a question, Amberine?" Sophie suddenly asked. Amberine could see the determination inside her eyes, as if trying to discern something within her mind.

She then remembers that this person before her is the rumored fiance of the terrifying Professor Draven. Someone this gentle getting engaged with a person as cold, indifferent, and ruthless as Draven. The thought of that made her want to laugh, but the glimpse of the scene when Draven saved her made her stop her thought of chuckling.

"Yes, anytime, Lady Sophie," Amberine replied respectfully.

Looking at Amberine's eyes, Sophie asked her question. "What do you think about Draven?"

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