The Valkyrie Returns and Slays (Raven) novel Chapter 44

Chapter 44

“The person I like is right in this room, but it’s not you,” Preston said coolly, his voice devoid of any warmth.

Amber’s face drained of color. Her knees nearly buckled as she staggered back a few steps, eyes wide with disbelief.

A hush fell over the room, and then, almost instantly, a spark of hope ignited in the eyes of several girls.

66%

Psychology was a powerful thing. Many swore that Preston had looked at them more than once tonight. Some were even convinced that he’d fallen for them at first sight.

“So… the one you like is…?” Evelyn hesitated, trying to prod for an answer.

Before she could finish, Preston’s lips curled into a smirk. “Let’s talk about it when we get back.”

With that, his expression darkened as he shifted his gaze toward Adam, who was still sprawled on the floor.

“I just heard,” Preston said, his voice edged with steel, “that you accused a distinguished guest of being a thief–without any evidence.”

Adam shuddered. He opened his mouth, but before he could stammer out a defense, Preston turned to the bodyguards behind him.

“Take him down and punish him according to family rules.”

“Young Master, Madam, please spare me!” Adam cried, scrambling to his knees. “I have served the Fuller family loyally for years! Even if I haven’t made great contributions, I have still-”

Evelyn hesitated, but ultimately didn’t speak up on Adam’s behalf.

She sighed helplessly.

Preston had grown beyond her control, and she knew it.

If she had any sway over him, she wouldn’t have resorted to such underhanded tactics to force his hand with Amber tonight.

But Preston had made it clear–he wasn’t playing along.

As the guards dragged Adam away, the murmurs in the room turned into something else. Suspicion. Curiosity.

Had Preston been serious just now? Or had he only said he liked someone to avoid Amber?

The timing was hard to ignore. He had barely finished his declaration when he immediately defended Raven. Whispers spread like wildfire.

Even Amber found herself glancing toward Raven, though the moment she took in the sight of the ordinary–looking girl, she scoffed inwardly.

5

Impossible! Thought Amber. Unless Preston had gone blind, there was no way he’d fall for someone like Raven–a girl fresh out of prison, with nothing to her name.

But just as she convinced herself of this, she caught sight of Preston again.

The next moment, her face suddenly stiffened.

She had seen it. The way he looked at Raven–an unmistakable flicker of tenderness in his eyes.

And in Preston’s eyes, there was a hint of extreme tenderness and affection!

Her eyes suddenly widened a little. It couldn’t be true! She knew Preston was the true hegemon of Bastion. How could Raven have anything to do with her?

1/4

16:32 Mon, 14 Apr S

Chapter 44

64%

How could Preston, the best of the younger generation and even a top student at Regalhold University, possibly fall in love with Raven, a nobody with

nothing to her name?

Amber

fingers clenched into fists. She refused to accept it.

Before the tension in the room could escalate any further, Patriarch finally spoke, his voice cutting through the strange atmosphere like a blade.

+5

“As I mentioned before, the Fuller family will be selecting a lucky guest tonight,” he announced with a genial smile. “The winner will receive a guaranteed spot at Regalhold Common School–courtesy of Preston.”

The mood shifted instantly. The crowd, momentarily distracted from the brewing drama, turned their attention back to the main event.

Many had attended tonight’s banquet with the sole hope of securing a spot at Regalhold Common for their children.

At this moment, the eyes of many people in the venue were filled with a little anticipation as they looked at Patriarch.

“If you haven’t taken a seat yet, please do so quickly. Preston will draw a random number, and the corresponding guest will have the right to decide who

receives the placement,” added Patriarch.

A flurry of movement followed as people rushed to find their seats.

Amidst the commotion, Hailey, still dazed from the night’s events, slid into a chair.

Pressing her hands together, she whispered a silent prayer. If not for herself, let it be Raven.

Once everyone was seated, a servant stepped forward with a lottery box.

Preston reached in and pulled out a slip of paper. His brow lifted slightly as he read the seat number, and then, almost instinctively, his gaze flickered

toward Raven.

Could this be… fate between him and Raven? He thought to himself.

Then, under everyone’s expectant gazes, Preston showed the card to the crowd:

Holding up the card for all to see, he spoke clearly, “Row one, seat eight.”

Upon hearing this, all eyes turned to Raven.

A stunned silence fell over the crowd.

Then, a sharp voice broke through. “How is that possible? How could she get the placement at Regalhold Common?”

Hailey jolted in her seat before springing to her feet.

In her extreme excitement, her voice trembled noticeably,

“Raven! It’s you! You got in! We can go to Regalhold together!”

Her excitement was palpable, but before she could say more, another voice cut in, sharp and venomous.

“Preston, she’s not qualified to get a place at Regafhold Common School. I suggest we draw again!”

The room stirred with murmurs of agreement.

“Yeah! She didn’t even graduate junior high. And she was in prison! She’s not qualified to attend Regalhold Common!”

“Mr. Fuller, pick another name!”

The clamoring voices grew sharper, but Preston

remained unmoved. His expression darkened, his patience wearing thin.

2/4

16:33 Mon, 14 Apr

Chapter 44

However, just as he was about to speak, Raven turned to him.

“I don’t need the spot,” she said evenly. “Can I give it to someone else?”

For a split second, Preston was caught off guard. His heart did an odd little jump at the way she looked at him.

“Hmm?” he muttered, momentarily lost in thought.

Raven frowned. “Can I?”

A slow, amused smile curled Preston’s lips. “Of course. As I said, the winner has full control over the placement.”

Raven nodded, then turned to Hailey. “It’s yours.”

The moment the words left her mouth, the room plunged into stunned silence.

Hailey gaped at her. A look of deep anxiety appeared on her face as she looked at Raven. “But… what about you?”