Villain: The Play of Destiny

Sunday, March 31st, 2041

Imperial Racecourse, Dubai, UAE.

Tonight was this year's much-awaited Dubai World Cup. As the race with the biggest prize in the world, today's Prize-pool of 120 Million Dirhams, which was equivalent to 40 Million Neris, did not disappoint anyone in the least.

At 1 pm, the doors were opened for the guests, and Keith and Rebecca arrived on time.

They were led inside the Presidential Stand that was reserved for them, and the blonde girl, who was a little dissatisfied at being dragged to the Races so early, folded her arms on her chest and sank back into the couch.

She had been peacefully sleeping in their suite back in the hotel when he had woken her up and brought her here.

"Why are we here so early?" She complained. "The first race would not start until 3 pm."

"I know." He chuckled and sat next to her as they both looked at the beautiful race-course, which was being scorched under the heat of the proud sun. "But I thought you would love to make some money." He playfully said, and as expected, her expression immediately brightened up.

"How?!" She impatiently asked.

Keith did not answer her but picked up the pamphlet placed on the table, and then started filling it up.

Rebecca curiously watched him fill up the 'Pick a Winner' card, and then accepted it as he handed it over to her.

"You can put your name on it and submit it." He said as he picked up the tablet and then filled out a similar form on it, but placed his name on that one.

"What's the difference between the two?" She curiously asked after she filled up her name on the card.

"The one you have is Official, and the one I filled is Unofficial, associated with the Underworld." He smiled at her. "And of course, mine pays a lot more."

"How much?" She narrowed her eyes at him.

"Yours would earn you over 30 Million Neris. And mine should earn me over 200 Million." He grinned as he watched her eyes narrow some more.

"How do you know that the results would be as you have stated?" She seriously asked. "Are these races fixed?"

"No, they are not fixed." He shook his head. "I am just in a good mood today, and my instincts are tingling very sharply. Whenever that happens, luck favours me..."

"Hmph!" She angrily glared at him and then stood up to go and submit the card, not letting him finish his words. She knew that he was talking nonsense, but she decided to listen to his arrangement nonetheless.

"I want more money!" She spoke as soon as she returned inside their stand.

"Not possible." He shook his head. "Since you are with me, only one of us can take part in the Unofficial Betting. I have already submitted my name." He smirked at her, irritating her some more.

"We will share the winnings!" She said and then sat next to him. "50/50..."

"No." He shook his head. "Unlike you, I actually need all the money I make here today."

His words surprised her, and she frowned a little.

"For Noxville?" She guessed.

"Yes." He nodded.

"Okay." She just shrugged and did not care about the money anymore.

He could not help but smile at her reaction and then planted a kiss on her cheek.

Rebecca smiled at his affection and then stole a quick kiss from his lips before he could get away.

"But do remember your promise!" She reminded him.

"Of course." He chuckled and nodded.

Keith had promised her that before they return to Netheria from their trip, she would be able to Cultivate.

The last month and a half had been a very busy period for him and everyone around him.

Qingyue's business required all her attention, so he could not spend much time with her.

Rebecca too was busy helping her mother finalise everything. The GrayMart had finally gone live last week, and so far, it was being well-received.

Venessa was busy with the Family Business. And she was perhaps the busiest of them all. It was not easy to assemble a team of the best Engineers for a Spacecraft Manufacturing Company. And there were also the construction projects on the land that they had acquired from Rebecca's father that needed her attention.

Keith and Amelia had their own plans to make for Noxville. Both of them wanted them to be perfect, and thus, it took them a lot of time to finalise everything. And then there were the other Businesses of their group that required his attention.

He finally had some free time on his hands, and he wanted to make the most of it now. And of course, he planned on helping his beautiful Fiancee, who had been quite understanding for the past few weeks, patiently waiting for him to get free to help her with Cultivation.

The two of them happily chatted with each other for the next half an hour before they left for the Presidential Restaurant to have their lunch.

Something Keith really appreciated about her was the fact that she was a true foodie, and it was quite fun to have her around for a meal as she would never shy away from trying something new. However, the dishes that did not look pleasing to her eyes were usually completely neglected by her.

They both tried the different cuisines that were served there. The food was, of course, very delicious. But it was not anything unique that they had already not tasted in their country. However, they both enjoyed their meal which consisted of dishes from the Indian, Turkish, and Arabian Cuisines.

They took their time having their lunch, and when they returned to their Presidential Stands, they had some company now.

"Lord Erebus, Lady Rebecca!" Hermes respectfully stood up and bowed to Keith and his blonde Fiancee. The Messenger God was unusually overly-respectful today, and the reason was clear to both of them.

There were a few other people on the Stand. It was the Lady of the Night and her entourage.

"Lord Hermes! You seem well." He greeted the man with the pin-straight long back hair before walking up to the Persian Princess and sitting next to her.

Both of them turned to look at each other and just nodded before putting their attention somewhere else.

Nyx openly discussed her matters with Hermes, but both Keith and Rebecca paid no attention to her words. Of course, the blonde girl did not really need to pay any attention as she would not miss out on a single detail even without paying any attention to their conversation.

Eventually, when Hermes excused himself from their Stand, the blonde girl finally mustered up the courage to talk to Nyx.

"Thank you for your present, Lady Nyx. I love the pendant!" She brightly smiled.

"I am glad you liked it." Leilah smiled back at her and glanced at the pendant the blonde girl was wearing on her neck. "Always keep it on you."

"Keith said the same thing." Rebecca nodded and smiled some more. "And I have been keeping it on me."

"And I suppose it's working?"

The sudden question took the blonde girl by surprise, but then she understood what Leilah was talking about and nodded her head.

"Yes. It is helping me keep the unwanted memories at bay."

"I am glad to hear that," Nyx said and then turned to look at Keith. "I received your final plans this morning. And I approve of them. You can start the Construction in May."

Keith frowned at her words, as it was a month earlier than he remembered from the Dream. But since he was getting involved now, the future was bound to be different from the Plans of Destiny.

"Alright." He nodded to her and then all of them turned to look at the Racecourse, where the first race of the day was about to start.

"Which horse have you decided to bet on?" Leilah curiously asked.

"14." He told her.

"Interesting..." She lightly smiled and her smile only broadened when Horse 14 won the first race.

"Yay!" Rebecca happily clapped her hands as the horse they bet on won the race.

Though she already trusted Keith, it was still a pleasant surprise for her that his first prediction came true. And the smile on her face was very meaningful.

Leilah stood up after the race ended and then turned to smile at Rebecca.

"Would you like to come with me? There are a few people who want to meet me, and I would like your company."

The blonde girl seemed surprised at her words and turned to look at Keith, who was curiously looking at the Lady of the Night.

"The one that seeks your Audience is here, Lord Erebus." Nyx smiled at him.

"I see." He nodded to her and then nodded to his Fiancee, who accepted Leilah's invitation and left with her to meet the special guests she was talking about.

As soon as he was alone, Hermes contacted him and informed him that Hades was there and requested to enter his Stand.

Keith smiled and told Hermes to keep Hades waiting for some time. And Hermes did not show any hesitation in doing as he asked him to do.

He was in no rush to meet the Child of Destiny and just picked out his cell phone to chat with his little sister, who was watching the World Cup from home.