hapter 135: Eyes, Nose, and Lips Part II 

Killian’s POV 

I told myself a thousand times not to do this. 

It would be better to bury it all. Memory of her, my sins, the blood centuries–old between us. But the moment I saw her standing there, alone in the open beyond the post, sunlight catching in her hair. Every lie I had ever told myself shattered into pieces. 

No matter her form or appearance. That heartbeat was still there. It’s almost laughable, how I truly fell in love with her only after she had died by my hand. I could practically hear Leonidas mocking me for my cowardice, hiding here, just watching her. 

“Just do it, you fool. How long will you keep running?” 

“Isn’t this what you’ve been waiting for?” 

“She’s right in front of you!” 

Leonidas‘ words echoed in my head. Even Elysian, my wolf, agreed with him. I drew a deep breath, swallowing the bitterness that rose within me. Finally, I stepped out from my hiding place and approached her once more. 

“Rosalyn,” I called. 

She flinched where she stood. The joy and peace in her expression vanished in an instant. 

“Your Majesty? I thought you had already returned to the kingdom,” she said stiffly. 

“I should have. But I need to speak with you,” I admitted, standing beside her. “Do you still have your shift watching over the wolf pups?” 

Rosalyn’s eyes narrowed warily. “No.” 

“Then maybe you have a moment to spare?” 

She crossed her arms, lifting her chin. “What is it you wish to say to me, Your Highness?” 

That title always stung when spoken by her. Ruby would usually just call my first name she only used that foolish title to tease me. I almost wanted to laugh. So this… this is what constant heartbreak feels like. 

“Please,” I murmured. “Five minutes. Then you can leave, and I won’t follow.” 

She hesitated, then gave a firm nod. “Alright.” 

I led her to the edge of the forest, where the trees leaned inward like silent witnesses. It was quiet there, save for the rustling of leaves and the distant sounds of the pack at work. 

Somehow, it felt right and yet, so very wrong. Maybe because of the simple truth that she was no longer mine. When she stopped, her arms still crossed, her eyes sharp as blades, I knew this wouldn’t be easy. And who could blame her, when I was the villain in this story? 

“I know who you are,” I began, my voice rough. “You’re not just Rosalyn Torrance. Not just Mikael’s mate. You know what I mean, don’t you, Ruby?” 

For a moment, shock flickered across her face before it was replaced by that familiar mask of cold, emotionless calm. And it made me sink even deeper into myself, to feel that coldness directed at me. Her lips pressed into a thin, tight line. 

“And?” 

God. Where do I even begin? 

“I should’ve known sooner. The signs were there – in your eyes, your voice, the way you moved.” My throat tightened. “You haven’t changed.” 

“It seems like I have,” she spat, fierce and unyielding. “I died, Killian. Because I was murdered. And you know that damn well.” 

The weight of guilt pressed heavier on my shoulders. I nodded, unable to form words, my tongue heavy. 

She went on, a storm finally breaking free. 

“Do you remember the look on my face when you gave the order for my execution? When you let them drag me out into that courtyard like I was nothing? Like I hadn’t fought beside you, bled for you, loved you?” 

“I remember everything,” I rasped. 

Successfully unlocked! 

Those memories carved themselves into me like open wounus. mer yoiden hair tangled in the wind. Her eyes filled with disbelief, and heartbreak. Her sword raised. Her blood on my hands. 

“I was a coward,” I said bitterly. “I let them twist my mind. I let their lies poison me. I let fear control me. And when they came for you I didn’t stop them. I didn’t save you.” 

1/2 

Chapter 135 Eyes, Nose, and Lips Part 1 

The words broke in my throat, like shards cutting as they came out. 

“I failed you, Ruby. The only person who ever saw me as more than what I was.” 

She turned away, her shoulders tense. “It doesn’t matter anymore. That life is over.” 

“It matters to me, I countered quickly, stepping closer though I didn’t dare to touch her. 

“I’ve carried your death like a stone around my neck for a thousand years. Every battle I fought, every night I lived through, I hated myself for what I did to you.” 

She said nothing. The corners of her eyes reddened, holding back tears. The wind stirred between the trees like a sigh. 

“I never stopped loving you,” I said, barely a whisper. “Even after you were gone. Even when I was sure you hated me. Even 

now.” 

‘Stop it, she snapped, her voice tight with anger and pain. 

“I’m not asking you to forgive me,” I said quickly. “God knows I don’t deserve it. I just… I just want you to know that I acknowledge my sins. That I betrayed you. And if you hate me for the rest of your life, I will bear it.” 

I looked at her and her eyes cut deeper than any blade. 

“But if there’s any part of you,” I said, my voice trembling, “that remembers the man I was before I hurt you. The one who fought for you, who was loyal, who would tear the world apart for you… I want him back. Even if it’s just to stand by your side now.” 

Tears brimmed in her eyes. She wiped them away roughly with her sleeve. 

“I forgave you a long time ago,” she said quietly. “Maybe even before I died. It wasn’t hatred that hurt, Killian. It was knowing that when the world turned against me, you of all people didn’t believe me.” 

I swallowed hard, guilt burning through me like fire. 

“I don’t know how to look at you,” she confessed, shaking her head, her hands clenched against her chest. “I see you, and it feels like I’m split in two. Part of me still loves you, and the other remembers what it felt like when you let me fall.” 

I took a step back, my throat tight. “I don’t want to hurt you again.” 

“I know,” she whispered. 

We stood there, in silence, past and present tangled together like old wounds. 

“I can’t be who I was,” she sobbed, clutching her hair as if trying to tear the pain away. “I have a family now. You’ve seen them. And I love them.” 

“I won’t ask you to leave them,” I said honestly, though my heart splintered into a thousand pieces. “I would never take them from you.” 

“I know,” she repeated. 

“Thank you for forgiving me.” 

That single word was all I could manage to say, the only closure I could offer. In response, she gave me a formal salute. A long silence stretched between us, thick with the weight of years neither of us could truly let go. Then, the sound of approaching footsteps. 

Mikael. Relief washed over his face as his eyes found hers. 

“There you are. I was looking for you thought you’d vanished off the face of the earth,” he said, with his usual hint of humor. The Beta moved to her side, casting me a wary glance. Rosalyn gave Mikael a light tap on the chest, though her eyes never left mine. 

“What do you think I am? A snail? Come on, let’s get back to the post,” Rosalyn replied. 

Together, Rosalyn and Mikael asked permission to leave. Then, side by side, they walked away from that place. And right then I felt the last part of her slip away from me once again. 

At least she’s happy. That’s enough even if it isn’t me by her side. I watched as she took Mikael’s hand, leaning him, the two of them speaking softly, sharing warmth. 

I let out a long, steady breath. This time, I wouldn’t follow. 

I would carry what I had done, and become better because of it whether she ever looked my way again or not. Because some debts can never be repaid. And some pasts are meant to stay buried. 

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Chapter 136 No Victory Without Sacrifice