Chapter 87: Protective Tyran Defends Me
Chapter 87: Protective Tyran Defends Me
Ruby’s POV
*KILLIAN?!
“You still have time to be surprised? Impressive.”
just-
Daphne dared not continue her sentence when those crimson eyes turned into cold, emotionless voids.
“I warned you, Daphne Marjorie. And yet, you still dare set your foot here?” Killian asked angrily.
“I had no other choice! You never responded to any of my letters, Killian!”
“A pathetic excuse!”
I watched as Killian tightened his grip around Daphne’s wrist, a low growl escaping him. His menacing aura sent chills down my spine. This wasn’t the Killian I had come to know–the one who teased me, who held me with that possessive tenderness lately. No, this was the real Killian Rudwick, the ruthless tyrant behind the mask, the monster lurking beneath the surface.
Daphne trembled, her face contorted in pain. “Killian, please! I just wanted to see you!”
“And you’ve practically signed your own death warrant by doing so,” Killian replied, his tone dripping with venom.
I clenched my fists, unsure of what to do in this tense situation. Killian’s stance was a clear warning for me to stay back. Daphne kept pleading, but he ignored her.
“Answer me honestly, Daphne. How did you get here? You were permanently exiled.”
I was shocked to hear that. That meant Daphne didn’t live here. But what confused me even more was their relationship. Killian seemed to loathe her, yet Daphne had implied that he once cared for her. The reality was the complete opposite.
Daphne struggled against his grip. “No one helped me! I came here on my own!”
Killian’s expression darkened. “Lying doesn’t suit you, girl.”
With a flick of his wrist, a sickening crack echoed through the garden. Daphne screamed, collapsing to the ground, clutching her now–broken arm. My breath caught in my throat. My stomach twisted at the sheer cruelty of his actions.
“Killian!”
I instinctively stepped forward, every fiber of my being screaming at me to do something.
“You broke her arm!”
“She deserves worse,” he said coldly, as if what he had done was nothing more than a minor inconvenience. “Should I break both of your legs too, so you finally understand? I’m sure your parents would love taking care of their ‘obedient‘ little girl forever.”
Daphne sobbed in pain, curling up on the ground. “You’re cruel! I only wanted to be near you!”
“In your delusions, kid,”
Killian growled in irritation and turned to the approaching guards. “Take her to the dungeon. I want Leonidas to investigate who allowed this filth past the gates. If I find out someone accepted a bribe, they’ll suffer a fate worse than hers.”
The guards obeyed his command without hesitation, moving forward and yanking Daphne to her feet. Her cries echoed as she was dragged away. I watched the scene unfold in horror. A cold sweat threatened to creep down my spine.
“Killian,” I stammered, turning to fully face him. “That was-”
Before I could finish, he casually handed me a bucket of flowers, as if what had just happened was nothing more than snapping a twig.
I blinked, my jaw dropping. “What…?”
“I was late because of a minor issue,” he said simply, grabbing one of my hands and forcing the bouquet into my grasp. “I thought I’d bring you something.”
I stared at him, my mind still reeling from everything that had just happened. “You’re giving me flowers?”
I exhaled sharply, setting the flowers down and stepping closer, anger bubbling beneath my skin. I appreciated his thoughtfulness, remembering that I had been waiting for him to come home and trying to make up for it with this sweet little gesture. But I couldn’t ignore the way he had
Successfully unlocked!
“I’m sorry if this sounds harsh to you, but Killian, you can’t just hurt people like that! She’s your cousin!”
He raised an eyebrow. “Why not? She hurt you.”
“Even so-”
1/2
Chapter 87: Protective Tyran Defends Me
“It’s my right, Ruby.” He crossed his arms, completely unfazed by my anger. “Cousin or not, she has crossed the line too many times. Or have you already forgotten how I told you she insulted you? How she’s obsessed with me like some deranged animal?”
My mouth was open, ready to argue, but nothing came out. I remembered everything clearly. At that moment, I was surprised that Killian was willing to open up to me, even when I hadn’t asked.
He told me that there was a family member who was insane and always obsessed with him. That eternal king never revealed their identity in detail, which only made me more curious. On top of that, that person constantly mocked and insulted me. Now, I couldn’t help but feel guilty for Killian. Yet, at the same time, I also felt a sliver of sympathy for his
cousin.
“I’m sorry.” I bit my lip, lowering my head. “From my perspective, it still feels wrong. No matter how terrible he is, he’s still your family. But, I understand your actions, Killian.”
“You still care about him, even after he trampled on your dignity?”
I shifted uncomfortably. “Yes, it doesn’t matter to me.”
Killian ran a hand down his face, shaking his head in disbelief. “You’re too soft for your own good, Ruby.”
He raised his hand, gently cupping my face. The contrast between how he treated Daphne and how he was handling me now was striking. His thumb brushed my cheek, and those crimson eyes of his held a rare, tender concern.
“Don’t apologize so often,” he said softly. “Especially not for someone who doesn’t deserve it. But you need to understand, Ruby. I am who I am. I have no patience for those who don’t respect what’s mine.”
My breath hitched. “What’s yours?”
His fingers traced along my jaw, then slid down to rest against my collarbone. “You.”
The possessiveness in his voice sent a shiver through me. He was stating a fact. Was this the answer to all my feelings for him?
And despite everything, my anger, my frustration, my confusion. I could no longer deny the way my heart pounded at his words.
“Thank you, Killian.” I swallowed hard, my gaze flickering downward in sadness. “I shouldn’t have lashed out at you.” He scoffed. “You were just being yourself. It’s incredibly annoying.”
I rolled my eyes. Before I could retort, he pulled me into his arms, holding me tightly against his chest. I felt the tension in his muscles. I knew why. Killian wasn’t the type to express his emotions openly. With me, he seemed to be trying even if it was in his own cruel, violent way. I knew I couldn’t change him, and strangely, I didn’t think I wanted to.
Slowly, my arms wrapped around him, my cheek resting against his chest. “I just… I don’t want you to lose yourself, Killian.”
His fingers combed through my hair, his lips pressing a kiss to the top of my head. “I already have, little wolf. But if I ever get lost, you’re the only one who can hold me back.”
“Am I capable of doing that, Killian?”
“Yes.”
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