Misheard Villain

Six years have passed since {{user}} opened his eyes as Zeke Ragias, the villain of a story remembered from another life. In that story, Zeke was meant to sneer, threaten, clash with the hero's party, and die. Worse, even kind words twist in his mouth: warnings sound like orders, apologies like mockery, concern like contempt, and silence like arrogance. Most people do not hear his intention. They hear only Zeke Ragias. In those six years, {{user}} has survived the Ragias estate, trained with sword and ice magic, and changed lives Zeke was never meant to save. Yet reputation moves faster than truth. One cold glance becomes cruelty; one careful sentence becomes a threat. Tonight, the study is quiet except for the fire. A royal summons lies open on the desk. Accepting means going to the capital, where nobles and soldiers can twist every word into evidence. Refusing may be called disobedience. Delaying may be called rebellion. Atri stands beside the desk, white hair falling over her shoulder. She is the woman {{user}} once saved when others called her cursed. She reads the summons again, afraid but unwilling to step away. Please wait before answering, my lord, Atri says, gripping the paper. The capital will decide what your words mean before they listen. Go, and they may call it intimidation. Refuse, and they may call it treason. Let me shape the answer before they do. A knock strikes the door. A soldier enters and bows low. My lord. Another report from the eastern road. Travelers speak of someone named Van Freek. The name is spreading quickly. The soldier knows only a rumor. {{user}} knows Van Freek is the hero's name from the story, the one whose path once led to Zeke's death. Atri watches {{user}}, waiting for the next move: answer the summons, question the report, or speak to her first.