A loud noise of shattering glass resounded in my ears, resembling a lightning bolt that caused my body to startle, all triggered by a sound.

The crimson sky began to fracture as if it were made of glass.

The occasional cracking sound is the sole noise permeating this desolate place, where there is a perpetual crimson sky and barren land with no distinction between day and night.

I want to return to the Rhinecrest where Azriel was. It was a place full of uncertainty and time does not exist, but being alone in this eerie place is daunting.

What could’ve happened to him before I arrived here? I am convinced that this is still Rhinecrest, yet it seems like my mind is deceiving me. Whether this is a nightmare, reality, or a transient phase, I struggle to discern what’s real and what’s not.

Come to think of it … if the red skies will be shattered as a whole, will I be able to wake up and see the world once again?

“As you can see, this is the princess of Eurhyia that you've been looking for. Now that you can see that she's alive but unconscious, do me a favor and tell the Eurhyian king not to start a war against me. Because I guarantee you, you'll regret it. I'm going to seek your head first and hang it on my castle's gates for everyone to see. If that’s your death you wish, then do as you please."

That voice is certainly Raleigh’s. It seemed like the voices were from the sky, but I think they were close to where my body is lying. But … who is he talking to?

“Look at you, welling up in tears, mourning as if Her Highness is dead. You were full of arrogance when you waltzed into my territory, and now you’re crying like a wimp? It’s a shame that we have the same blood running in our veins.”

Raleigh’s words are sharp enough to tear a sensitive person's soul. His words, however, sounded like he was talking to his family member. A family member that he resents.

“I’m Her Highness’ dog. She might not have put it that way back in the days when I was serving her, but my actions made me look like one. I did everything she asked me to do, but even if we were friends, I never once felt an ounce of love from her. I proposed to her, but …” the voice paused, and these words can’t be no one else but Jarvis’.

“I remained loyal regardless. But when I found out that she was about to marry the crown prince of the empire, I turned my back on her. This … makes me pathetic. It makes me feel useless that I can't do anything to save her."

Raleigh mentioned that he was from Eurhyia, but I didn't know that he's related to Jarvis of all people. Jarvis never mentioned that he had a brother, but their conversation was clear enough for me to get a grasp of what was happening outside.

Evrart must've threatened Raleigh to start a war if I won't be brought back. Considering how lunatic my brother is to keep me, this is far from surprising. I knew that he’ll look for me one way or another if he won’t hear from me.

But this isn't the time to be concerned about Evrart's well-being. He may be acting like a child for seeing me like a toy that was stolen, but he'll live even without me.

To think that he sent Jarvis here, I’m sure Evrart is beginning to lose his sanity it again.

“There’s no need for you to worry. As I said earlier, I’m finding ways to awaken her. This is an Izavene matter, so you should stay out of it. Leave this place as soon as possible. You’re not the most pleasing person to see, so don’t make me call the guards. Not everyone is lucky enough to leave this place alive or leave with their limbs intact. I’m being patient with you even if you don’t deserve an ounce of mercy from me.”

“I understand. You’re free to resent me as long as you wish. After all, it’s my fault. Just do your word and everything will be fine.”

“Resent you?” Raleigh laughed mockingly. “The flames of my hatred for you have burnt out over the past 26 years. All that remains of it is ash. I’m not a Vasezzac anymore, but a Laszlo. We’re no longer brothers.”

After the silence, Jarvis spoke one final time.

If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

“Contact me again when she wakes up. She sure despises me now but I want to stand by her side and apologize for turning my back against her.”

“And if I don’t want to? It’s pointless. She won’t need your help anymore. I’m a grand duke, and I can provide all kinds of assistance that she’ll be needing. She won’t need a dog like you.”

Raleigh seemed confident that Jarvis didn't affect him, but his defensive words revealed otherwise. By repeatedly urging Jarvis to leave, Raleigh showed he couldn't tolerate his presence. While Raleigh usually resorts to violence, he spared Jarvis. The reasons could be Raleigh no longer wanting reconciliation, holding back from harm, or avoiding complicated situations.

He sure changed a lot.

──•~❉᯽❉~•──

"Wake up, my dear. Wake up," My head felt light upon opening my eyes – the surroundings appeared hazy, yet inexplicably, the fractured, red skies gave way to a white room with white ceilings and walls. What is it this time?

The man who uttered the soothing words stood before me – a middle-aged man dressed regally, unmistakably attired in kingly attire, gently cupped my cheek as if it were a fragile piece of glass.

"Thyra, my child. Why aren’t you saying anything?”

It was only then I realized that the person before me was my father, the late king of Eurhyia. Am I … dead?

"Father? You're alive? Is this a dream, or I'm already dead? I’m so confused right now that I can no longer identify what’s real and what’s not."

Tears streamed down my cheeks as I grasped his hand that was cradling my cheek, relishing the warmth emanating from it.

Whether this is real or not no longer matters. Simply seeing my father in this moment is comforting enough for me.

“You’re about to wake up soon, but you can no longer live as Thyra Edevane. That name would put you in danger. But your goal remains the same, is it not? You want to save the life of the man who killed me.”

Father’s words felt like a bucket of freezing water poured on my head. His words are right, and killing Azriel is the last thing on my mind.

I forgave him, and none of my hatred matters anymore.

"You must be angry with me for loving my enemy." I let out a sarcastic laugh and ran my fingers into my hair. Father's expression, however, remained stern. What he's thinking remains a mystery to me.

“Forgiving is the first step to begin healing. I won’t resent you for loving him, but I know you already know your place. This relationship won’t cause any good, and making it work would make things complicated. When you wake up, excessive powers will run in your veins. But never abuse this power. The request I’ll ask for is for you to mend things between my wife and your mad brother. Evrart will never be in his right mind unless he becomes free of guilt. Corianne is in the imperial palace, and whether you like it or not, you’ll end up being a part of the imperial family.”

Corianne ... It has been a considerable time since I last heard my stepmother's name. The mention of her name sends shivers down my spine.

Yet, upon reflection, it has been some time since I felt a deep emotion – as if my senses are slowly returning. Each new development leaves me with more questions left unanswered.

My father has already passed away, yet his presence here feels real.

“I don’t understand. How can I be a part of the imperial family? I already told the empress that I won’t marry his son. I can’t be an empress either, for I’m not a red diamond Izavene like the Ruivenfieres, Chavalleves, and Ashleighs.”

“Is Azriel the only man in the imperial family?”

The answer I can think of is none other than Hervouet. That’s stupid. He’s not suggesting me to marry that bastard, isn’t he?

“Your name will be Roxana. That’s all I can say. Take good care of yourself, Thyra Edevane. This will be the last time I’ll be calling you with that name.”

Father’s figure faded, and I reached for him to say my last words. The moment I opened my eyes, I found myself alone on a bed, in a familiar, but unlit room – my room in Raleigh’s castle.

This is no longer a figment of my imagination or another dream, isn’t it?

I winced as I begin pain coming from the insides of my body. My veins felt like it was burning, and my bones are being stabbed individually with a knife.

But despite the pain, I couldn’t shout to express the agony I’m having from within. Excessive strength runs all over my body, and it was too much for me to bear.

The bed turned to ashes as I held onto it, sending me to the ground. The impact confirmed I am alive and out of Rhinecrest. But … where is Azriel?

The mere thought of Azriel made my head feel like it might split, and the surroundings seemed stifling. I rose from the ground and hurried to the room's window.

As I attempted to draw back the curtain, it disintegrated into ashes, mirroring the fate of the bed.

If I try to open the window, will it meet the same fate?

I placed my hands behind me to stop myself from holding anything else. Moon shone brightly from the outside, and my heart sank as I realize that my body felt … foreign.

I lifted my hands in front of me and took a good look at them. My alexandrite ring remained on my left ring finger, and the hand chain given by Azriel is still attached to my right middle finger down to my wrist.

Seeing objects disintegrate into ash as I touch them brings back memories of Azriel revealing his powers by removing his gloves, demonstrating his capacity to turn everything into ash. I recall this vividly from our time in the hidden library back in Marrossi.

The idea of having immense powers... Why does it sound familiar?

I closed my eyes to remember, sensing a constriction in my chest. It struck me – Azriel's powers have become integrated within me. And if that's true ...

I covered my mouth as tears welled up in my eyes. My legs gave way, bringing me to my knees.

It can only mean one thing – with his powers now within me, the life of the one who once owned it might no longer be there.

Azriel … has left the world.