Assistant to the Villain, #2
Apprentice to the Villain
by Hannah Nicole Maehrer
Contents
Chapter 6
Overview
King Benedict turns Trystan’s public unmasking into a larger act of propaganda by accusing The Villain of causing the Mystic Illness. Trystan, still shattered by Evie’s apparent death, nearly submits to despair until the empty coffin disrupts the spectacle. Evie’s dramatic reappearance alive reverses the chapter’s emotional direction and threatens Benedict’s carefully staged triumph.
Summary
Chained on the dais before Rennedawn’s nobles, Trystan Maverine remains numb after seeing Evie Sage’s body in the glass coffin. Arthur Maverine urges Trystan to focus on escaping before King Benedict unmasks him, but Trystan deflects with bleak humor about the pastries being thrown at his feet.
Arthur tries to remind Trystan that his future is at stake, but Trystan believes he has no future without Evie. When Arthur begins to say what Evie would want, Trystan angrily forbids his father from speaking of her, startling the nobles into silence.
King Benedict steps forward and addresses the crowd, accusing The Villain of terrorizing Rennedawn. Benedict escalates the spectacle by claiming Trystan has kept Fate’s precious guvre for ten years and is therefore responsible for the Mystic Illness, turning the crowd’s outrage against him with a new false charge.
As Benedict prepares to unmask Trystan, Trystan quietly taunts him by saying the role of villain suits Benedict. Before Benedict can strike him, a noblewoman screams that the coffin is empty. The crowd parts at Trystan’s command, revealing that Evie’s body has vanished.
A familiar whistle draws every eye to the top of the grand staircase. Evie Sage appears alive, adorned with flowers in her hair and smiling wickedly, terrifying the crowd and stunning Trystan. Her teasing complaint about not receiving an invitation confirms to Trystan that she is truly alive.
Who Appears
- Trystan MaverineThe chained Villain, grieving Evie until her reappearance restores shock and hope.
- Evie SagePresumed dead in the coffin, she reappears alive and theatrically interrupts Benedict’s spectacle.
- King BenedictStages Trystan’s unmasking and falsely accuses him of causing the Mystic Illness.
- Arthur MaverineTrystan’s chained father, urging him to focus on survival and escape.
- The noblesAudience members who mock Trystan, believe Benedict’s accusation, then panic at Evie’s return.