The witch wants to survive.
W. Flower_Hwaryeong
“Die for me, Carcia.”
Crimson blood poured out from the piercing sword. Was it a dream? No. The pain in her stomach, so intense that even a groan escaped her, was proof. The man's gaze, piercing her lover, was truly indifferent. As if the fact that they had once loved each other had never existed. Her body, which could easily have died at any moment, barely lifted her head, placing her hand on the marble floor where the red water had pooled. Heinz Ian Helio. The man she had loved when she was a witch. Her cracked voice was filled with doubt.
“Why, why on earth…”
“Why are you doing this?” I wanted to ask, but even that was blocked by a hushed voice. Now, even breathing became difficult, and my body staggered forward. Through my vision, I saw him crouching down, holding the sword he had stabbed her with, and meeting her eyes. His eyes were a bright brown. I had thought they were kind eyes before… but now that I was about to die, they were incredibly cold.
“Carcia, this is your fault.”
“… …”
My fault?… Clear tears ran down my cheeks as my vision blurred. I loved him. And not only did I give him everything, I even gave him the throne he so desperately wanted. And now, my fault? It was more emptiness than anger. I didn't come forward for him to hear such words…
“You will suffocate me someday.”
“… …”
“And then you’ll kill me and take the throne. Together with ‘that guy.’”
“… …”
“That’s why I’m killing you. Before I die.”
Isn't it funny? Not only did the person I loved so much distrust me, but he also harbored feelings of inferiority and self-worth… What could be more futile in life? My eyelids grew heavy. I've lived five hundred years and never regretted it. But if I had known it would end like this… I shouldn't have loved…
Heinz, I shouldn't have loved you.
The rapid rise and fall of his chest began to calm. Death was drawing near. Confirming that Carcia's eyes were closing, Hines tossed the sword he had stabbed her with to the floor and placed a hand on her pitch-black hair. The hand stroking her hair, as if lulling his own daughter to sleep, was so gentle. If the dead Carcia had felt this touch, would she have smiled like before? Hines said with a bitter smile.
“I will spare that child, as you wish.”
“… …”
"That child needs to know too. Who the true winner is."
Watching Carcia, her entire body so cold it was hard to believe she was still alive, gave me a strange feeling. If you asked her if she was happy to have cleared the obstacle, she would say no. If you asked her if she was sad, she wouldn't be able to give an easy answer. It would have been better if she had been happy. It was a sense of relief. It didn't quite fit the situation, but it was certain.
“It ended badly.”
But I don't regret it. Unlike the person who created this situation, Heins's gently folded eyes were lovely. As soon as he raised his gaze, which he had lowered to tidy up, the terrifying sound of horse hooves filled the castle. A heavy, urgent sound. Heins had a rough idea. Who was the horse's owner?
“Car, Carcia!!!…”
An urgent voice was heard. A man running from afar, one of Carcia's confidants, the man who had suddenly appeared one day and bothered me. It was Vi Prometheus.
“Carcia, sir… why on earth…”
He had been running briskly, but his steps suddenly stopped when he saw Carcia collapsed in a red puddle. He let out a heavy breath, as if he couldn't accept this situation. Heins didn't like him like that. I thought it would take at least three days to reach the palace. Tsk, he clicked his tongue, and V's gaze fell on Heins.
“S, no way… you, Heinz, are you like this?!!”
"How rude. I am the emperor. I've been lenient with Carcia until now, but now that she's dead, you must show respect."
What?... The words failed him. He was overwhelmed with unacceptable emotions. Why was Karcia dead, and why was her lover, Heinz, so calm? V's gaze shifted to the discarded, blood-stained sword. The thought, "Could it be..." kept reverberating through his mind. Even though she wasn't his cup of tea as a man, he'd always believed his love for her was genuine. But... Heinz's lips lifted in a calm manner.
“Yeah. I killed him.”
Thud. Her heart sank to her toes. How could she say such a thing so calmly? And it was her lover… Her eyes rolled back. A heavy magical energy began to pour out of her body. Not only did the air become heavier, but even breathing became difficult. Hines collapsed to the floor, gasping for breath.
“…Say it again.”
“Ugh!, Are you, are you going to commit treason right now?!”
Treason? It wasn't impossible. She had given him her place, so he, who had always been by her side, had the right. If he didn't kill him right now, there was no place to vent his anger. V reached out. I'd kill him and follow Carcia. Determined, he gathered his magic. "You ordinary knight-turned-emperor, you were nothing in my hands."
Just as he was about to unleash his accumulated magical power, V's body suddenly froze. His gaze, instantly swept back, landed on the dead body of Karcia. A shimmering light, visible only to V, enveloped Karcia's body.
"no way…"
He released the magic he had gathered in a hurry and held Carcia's body in his arms. 'This is definitely...' Heins' body froze behind V as he muttered, and he barely managed to get up from his trembling body and looked at V. Just as he was about to ask, 'What on earth are you trying to do?', V, who had been holding the body, ran out of the palace.
“Please, don’t be late.”
V, who had run out, desperately rushed down the stairs, lifting Carcia's body. He had to do whatever it took to save her, whose soul had not left him.
Even if it means making a contract with the devil.