Chapter 84: You’re Mine 

Killian’s POV 

The air reeked of burning flesh and blood. Smoke billowed across the battlefield like a dreadful specter, rising from the charred ruins that were once the Southern Kingdom. Corpses littered the scorched earth, warriors reduced to lifeless husks in a battle that never had a chance of victory. 

And in the midst of it all, I stood as the victor. 

My foot rested on Vandern’s corpse, his head twisted at a fatal angle, crimson blood still seeping from the gaping wound in his chest. That fool had considered himself my equal, had dared to threaten what was mine, believing he could claim Ruby as an act of revenge. That was his final mistake. 

This is the price of defying me three times. 

“I don’t understand why you ever thought you could defeat me.” 

I shook my head. “I was even willing to show mercy and forge a new alliance. It would have benefited us both far more than senseless bloodshed.” 

I took a deep breath, the thick scent of smoke and blood mingling with the taste of my cigar. “And do you know who suggested that? The very woman you sought to take. How noble of her.” 

“But of course, you’re just like the rest ungrateful swine.” 

My kingdom had expanded once again. The Southern Kingdom was no more. Its lands, its riches, and its people were now mine. I had no intention of seizing another territory. Unfortunately, circumstances forced my hand. I always knew after Lucius, then next target is Vandem would meet his end one day, in one way or another. But I never imagined it would come to this. My rage had been uncontrollable when Ruby was nearly abducted by that wretched kingdom. 

“May we meet again in Hell, Lucius.” 

A short laugh escaped my lips. 

“Ah, I almost forgot. We will never meet. I am eternal in this world.” 

The soft crunch of boots against gravel snapped me out of my thoughts, announcing the arrival of Leonidas. His attire, like mine, was stained with blood that did not belong to him, his expression a mix of solemnity and triumph. 

“It is done, Your Majesty,” he reported. “Every last threat has been eliminated. Without exception, this is all ours now. We may return to the kingdom.” 

The idea of returning didn’t immediately elicit a response from me. I had seen Ruby’s reaction when she looked at me upon my return from battle. Her wide blue eyes filled with sorrow. There was no trace of pride in them. Her paranoia made everything feel like a march toward the afterlife. She hated seeing me covered in blood and thought of me as fragile as a porcelain vase, ready to shatter at any moment. Ruby forgot who I truly was whenever she entered her frantic panic mode. 

I could tolerate the fear of my enemies, but not her sorrow. 

Ruby had once seen me as a monster. I would not let her see me that way now. Somehow, at some point, her opinion had become important to me. 

Perhaps since I accepted that deal. 

“No,” I refused, flicking my cigar from my fingers and grinding it under my boot. 

“You go home first. There’s something I need to take care of.” 

Leonidas frowned in confusion. “Is there something else that requires your attention? Do you need me to accompany you, Your Majesty?” 

I waved my hand dismissively. “Just go with the others. Tell Ruby I’ll be back a little late.” 

“Understood, Your Majesty.” 

With a signal to the remaining soldiers, they activated the portal and returned to my kingdom. 

I turned, my gaze locking onto a small village near the southern border. A plan was already forming in my mind. 

The inn reeked of fear the moment I stepped through the door. 

The innkeeper froze at the sight of me, his face turning deathly pale. The patrons, merchants and mercenaries alike immediately averted their gazes, their movements cautious if the slightest misstep would provoke my wrath. Smart. 

Successfully unlocked! “Room,” I ordered. 

“Y–Yes, my King,” the innkeeper stammered, rushing to grab a key. In his haste, he nearly tripped over himself as he led me to my room. “I–Is there anything else you require?” 

“Just don’t disturb me.” 

Chapter 84: You’re Mine 

I tossed a pouch of gold coins onto the counter, and the innkeeper’s jaw dropped. His eyes nearly bulged out of his head t the sight of the hefty sum. 

“Thank you, Your Majesty! You are most generous!” 

I didn’t offer any response and headed straight to my room. 

As soon as I was inside, I discarded my tattered clothes, washing away the remnants of battle. The water in the basin turned crimson, and though the deep wounds remained, they slowly closed, thanks to my powerful magic. Once i was clean, I put on the new clothes I had purchased simple yet fitting enough to avoid drawing unwanted attention. 

I would return to Ruby soon. 

On my way out of the village, something unexpected caught my attention. 

A small flower stall stood between two buildings, its blooming flowers strikingly vivid against the war–torn gray backdrop. The air carried a mixture of floral scents, but what stood out to me was the fragrance of fresh roses and wild lilacs. 

I had never given much thought to flowers, but I remembered how Ruby’s eyes softened whenever she looked at a garden, how her lips would curve into a beautiful smile. I wanted to see that again and I wanted to be the reason for it. 

Before I could think twice, my feet carried me forward. 

An old woman stood behind the stall, her age–worn eyes failing to dim the warmth of her demeanor. Something about her unsettled me. Florists were usually in their thirties or forties, at least. Pushing aside the unnecessary unease, I pointed to the roses sitting in the bucket. 

“I’ll take these.” 

The woman smiled, revealing slightly crooked teeth. “A fine choice, my King.” 

She wrapped them neatly in a bouquet of paper. As she handed them to me, her fingers brushed against mine, and for a brief moment, a strange sensation coursed through my veins. I frowned slightly before paying her. 

Elysian said nothing. 

Maybe I was just catching Ruby’s paranoia. 

“Safe travels, Your Majesty.” 

I had barely taken ten steps before a sudden wave of dizziness struck me like a hammer. 

The world spun into an endless spiral. My limbs felt heavy, my vision dimmed. My breath grew shallow, and my body began to convulse. 

The horror of it was quickly replaced by rage. 

Shit! My instincts had been right. That damned flower shop! 

I clenched my jaw, trying to regain control, but my legs gave out beneath me. My body collapsed onto the cobbled street, the bouquet slipping from my grasp, scattering roses across the ground. 

The last thing I heard was a chilling, high–pitched laugh and a voice dripping with terrifying satisfaction. 

“Finally, you are mine!” 

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