The three-month trial to prove that the love between Richard and I was indestructible came and went. As expected, blinded by my own denial, I made no progress with my destined partner. Instead, every encounter we had I simply ignored, and it is only now—analyzing everything that happened in detail—that I realize with my indifference I hurt him deeply. What's worse is that now, the sorrowful look in his eyes when our time expired and I returned to my territory is etched into my memory. I was meant to be returning to my great and only love, who was supposedly waiting with everything organized for our wedding three days after my arrival to cement our love before the supernatural world.
How pathetic and delusional I was not giving a chance to my destined partner, rejecting him mercilessly, causing the sadness in his eyes and the pain he felt at breaking our bond to worsen. And I can't understand how, after inflicting so much harm, he came to my aid when I needed him most. But what hurt the most was realizing too late that I did have feelings for him, only to fully acknowledge them when he died in my arms saving me.
When I arrived back in my territory, things were not as I had expected. There was no joy, let alone signs of an impending wedding. Instead, there was the spilling of innocent blood, and the culprit was the last person I would have expected.
Richard, my tragic love, was slaughtering anyone who opposed his reign, and I arrived just as he was torturing my siblings while my parents lay dead on the ground.
Reacting as best as I could, I ran toward him, still harboring absurd love and hoping for a logical explanation, but I was never prepared for what was to come, nor for the cruel truths and actions he would unleash upon me and all I held dear, all I should have protected.
"Richard, what on earth are you doing?" I yelled with all my might, the scene before me inhumane and at odds with the man I loved.
At the sound of my voice, Richard smiled, but this smile, unlike any before, struck fear into me. His gaze—insane and bloodthirsty—terrified me, yet I was resolved not to flee, not to abandon my family in their time of need.
"Your Majesty, you've arrived just in time to enjoy the show I've prepared solely for you," he declared. "Today, I shall reveal my true face and my intentions. I'm tired of pretending to love you. The only woman worthy of me is Lana, and it's time we take our place as rulers of both the supernatural and human realms. For that, some blood sacrifices are necessary, but don't worry. You will be the grand finale."
My heart shattered further as I watched Lana and the man I was willing to sacrifice everything for embracing and caressing each other shamelessly. At that moment, I felt like the most foolish and miserable being because in seeking happiness with Richard, I forgot that a kingdom depended on me, and now many were dying due to my negligence.
"You fiend, how could you deceive and use me? I gave up everything for you, and this is how you repay me—by destroying my family and territory."
Richard's laughter mocked my anguish. "Don't make me laugh, Monica, with your cheap talk of love and sacrifice. I never asked for any of it. You threw yourself into my arms for my taking, and now, with your cooperation, I will achieve ultimate power. And for that, you must die: a pure and chaste sacrifice, so your powers will transfer to me, and I will become what I've always aspired to be—the king of the world."
I was frozen, unable to react, until the screams of my sister jolted me into the grim reality as our brother was ruthlessly beheaded, and I couldn't save him.
"One less, now it's your dear sister's turn. But before she can rest, you should know she didn't leave this world unclaimed by a man, which was my doing," Richard sneered. "Don't worry—your parents and brother didn't witness the scene, but they probably heard her cries for help. A shame they could do nothing to save her from experiencing a real man like me. And you were spared only because I need you pure for the sacrifice."
Richard's words snapped me from my daze. I turned to see my younger sister, her clothes torn, filthy, covered in blood, and weeping inconsolably clutching our lifeless brother.
Realizing what had befallen her, a wave of revulsion and immense hatred rose within me for the horrific acts Richard had forced upon her.
"You're a monster. How could you do something so vile and low to an innocent thirteen-year-old girl who's not to blame for being my sister? And you, you vile woman, how could you allow this? You're a woman, too, with a mother and siblings! Someday you might have children!"
"Friend, to get ahead, sacrifices must be made. As long as I'm not at the bottom of the food chain, I couldn't care less," Lana coldly replied, unfazed by my words. "All that matters to me is getting what I deserve, and that's the throne—a role too grand for you."
Lana's answer revealed the truth that she and Richard were two of a kind: psychopaths willing to do anything for power.
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