Extra's POV: My Obsessive Villainous Fiancee Is The Game's Final Boss

Ren stood in front of the inn, his arms crossed. While he was physically present, his mind was on everything that had happened in the last three weeks.

The day after the king's death, the entire capital had been locked down. Soldiers had roamed the streets, searching for any sign of crime or conspiracy. Many gangs had been uprooted and blood had flowed through the streets.

Everyone with even a single shred of common sense had locked themselves in their houses, praying no soldier set their eyes on their house.

It hadn't taken long for the palace to announce that the Crown Prince had been poisoned, and the blame had swiftly been placed on the Penny Prince. According to the official reports, Anders had fled the city, and his whereabouts were unknown.

But Ren knew better. The Prince was long dead and his body had collapsed into nothingness along with his hell. It would never be found.

With both the king and his heir dead, a message had been sent out to all seventeen lords across Albion, summoning them to Steadfast for the coronation of the second son, Kane Vermilion.

The soldiers had also been recalled and all investigations into the deaths had been wrapped up.

With the news that his father would be coming to the capital, Ren knew it was time to leave the Underwood Manor.

While he could've stayed with Lilith, he knew his father wouldn't tolerate being someone else's guest when he arrived in the capital. Lord Ross was a man who believed that if he could afford to take care of himself, then he damn well should.

And so, Ren had rented out an entire inn, making sure that when his father arrived, there would be no outsiders overhearing their discussions.

With the capital filled to the brim with people due to the now cancelled king's tournament, it had been impossible to find an empty inn. So, he had instead found an occupied inn and with the money he now had, paid off the other patrons. The costs hadn't even amounted to a drop in the bucket he now had.

Of course, Lilith still visited him every day. She practically spent most of the time at the inn, arriving in the morning and departing at night. Fortunately, Ren had been able to convince her to stay at the Underwood manor to welcome her father today.

"Still lost in thought?"

Ren blinked, Thorn's voice pulling him back to the present. He turned to see his friend leaning against the inn's wooden post, arms crossed.

"How long before Lord Ross gets here?" Thorn asked casually.

Ren blinked, before turning back to the road stretching in front of the inn. Riding towards them was an entourage, carrying banners he recognized. "He's already here."

Thorn straightened and they both watched as Lord Ross and Lord Underwood rode side by side, their guards trailing behind them.

As they came to a stop in front of the inn, Ren bowed deeply. "Father. Lord Underwood. Welcome."

Lord Underwood dismounted first, grinning broadly as he clapped Ren on the shoulder. "Look at you, lad! Causing trouble and making a name for yourself! News of your exploits reached us back home. A bet for a million coins? The balls on this brat!"

Ren smirked slightly. "Thank you, my lord. It was just being at the right place at the right time."

Lord Underwood barked a laugh. "Being at the right place he calls it. Did you hear that, Abram?" he turned to Lord Ross who had taken his time to dismount.

"Terence." Lord Ross nodded towards his son, his face stoic.

"Let's go inside for now, kid." Lord Underwood grinned at Ren as he adjusted his cloak. "I'll be heading straight to my manor in a few minutes."

Ren nodded, leading his father and Lord Underwood into the inn's empty tavern.

Lord Ross took a seat, studying his son for a moment before speaking. "I've heard about your… exploits."

Ren remained silent, waiting.

Lord Ross nodded slowly. "You did well."

Lord Underwood snorted. "Come on, Abram. Would it kill you to say you're proud of the boy?"

Lord Ross turned his blank face toward Ren with a pause before speaking. "I'm proud of you." His tone was as flat as ever.

Ren bowed slightly. "Thank you, father."

He explained everything that had happened, leaving out Fuchsia, and the whole debacle with Anders and Octavian. They didn't need to know that.

Then, he informed them of the letter he'd received a few days ago. "Father, I received an offer from Lord Rosefield to buy back the barony I won from Vesper's bet."

Lord Ross and Lord Underwood exchanged a glance.

Lord Underwood rubbed his chin. "If he had the money, why'd he let the land go in the first place?"

Lord Ross frowned slightly as he turned to Ren. "It's your land, Ren. The decision is yours. What do you want to do with it?"

Ren leaned back in his chair, rehashing the same arguments he'd made in the safety of his mind. Owning land meant responsibility. And while there was something about taking over a barony and trying his hand at community building, Ren had plans that conflicted with it.

He needed to be mobile and not tied to anything if he wanted to roam and stop the coming Calamities. With a nod to himself, he made his decision.

"I won't sell the barony." He told his father. "Instead, I'll give it to Darius. Felix is already inheriting the Ross lordship. Darius would put the land to good use."

Lord Ross stared at his son before nodding, accepting the decision without argument. Lord Underwood frowned but said nothing.

"But I want something in exchange, father." Ren met his father's gaze, not backing down. "I want to be freed of all responsibilities to the Ross family when I turn sixteen." Ren said. "I want the freedom to explore the world."

"Freedom." Lord Ross hummed, staring at his son, the gears turning in his head. A few seconds later, he spoke.

"I recognize the look in your eyes. Wanderlust." He said, his voice the softest Ren had ever heard it. "Keeping you tied down will do more harm than good."

"Very well." He nodded. "You shall have your freedom."

And so, Ren secured what he needed. The freedom to go confront the Red Plague when the time came.

Game on.