He belatedly realized that during every agonizing night in that isolated prison, I had bitten my finger, writing my last will and testament.
I desperately wanted to die, but he’d used the remains of my family to threaten me, forcing me to live, to live in constant, unbearable agony.
I had done nothing wrong.
Being born into the royal family was not my fault.
My King initiating war was not my fault.
Yet he had heaped all his resentment and hatred upon me.
Kael clutched his chest, feeling the excruciating pain of the parasites gnawing within him. So this
was how much I had hurt?
The Elder Healer was no benevolent soul. As payment, he had made Kael test a new poison as well-
not lethal, but designed to inflict torment for life.
I opened my eyes, and the first thing I saw was Kael’s haggard face.
He had lost so much weight.
Perhaps he was having a terrible nightmare, for his brow was tightly furrowed.
He was murmuring: “Serene, Serene…”
He must have been dreaming of me.
My expression was calm as I gazed at the royal bed hangings, which seemed vaguely familiar.
It took me a long moment to realize they were from my former princess’s chambers.
Perhaps sensing my movement, Kael’s eyes also opened, fixed on me.
Two seconds later, realizing it wasn’t an illusion, he excitedly gripped my wrist.
“Serene, you’re awake.”
I couldn’t pull free. I simply stated softly, “Your Majesty, there is no Princess Serene anymore. And
no ‘Serene.”
“I am Lyra, a remnant of the former regime, a slave of Kael’s domain.”
Our gazes intertwined. Kael’s eyes surged with intense emotion.
After a long silence, he gave a self-deprecating laugh.
“King Alaric won.”
“His move, sending you to me… it was truly brilliant.”
Kael’s throat felt constricted. He said, “I surrender. I admit I cannot bear the cost of losing you.”‘
“You are Serene. Always my Serene.”
It was the first time Kael had ever shown such vulnerability before me.
So openly admitting that he couldn’t lose me.
However, it was too late.
From the day I fell in love with him, our tragic end was sealed.
“Your Majesty,” I said softly, telling him, “You may not believe this, but back then, I was the one who voluntarily sought the decree, stubbornly insisting on marrying you!”
Kael watched me in silence.
As he turned his head away, I saw his eyes had reddened.
“Don’t call me Your Majesty.” Kael said, his voice trembling, even pleading a little. “Like on the plains, call me Kael, or my husband… please?”
I remained silent.
He didn’t move, just lingered there, enduring the silence with me.
I spoke, saying I wished to walk outside.
He helped me to my feet. I saw the withered, yellow leaves in the courtyard.
I must have been unconscious for a long time.
“Oh, and Serene, I forgot to tell you.”
Kael turned, pointing in a certain direction. “I’ve had our child moved to the royal crypts.”
