Killian’s POV 

The room was bathed in moonlight, casting silver streaks on Ruby’s sleeping face. She looked peaceful, her breathing slow and regular, her delicate fingers curled slightly on the pillow. I traced the lines of her cheeks with my eyes, immortalizing them in memory. Seeing her like this, so innocent and untouched by the weight that constantly threatened to crush her was something I thought I would cherish forever. 

I recalled the incident that had just happened. Automatically a rumbling growl escaped my throat. Ruby made a small, uncomfortable sound, and it was me who realized it soothed her. 

“I’m sorry, love.” My thumb gently stroked her cheek. “I didn’t mean to disturb your sleep.” 

As if hearing my words, the beautiful little wolf followed the direction of the source of warmth from my hand and leaned her face against my arm. She purred like a furry creature that had finally found the most comfortable nest. 

I chuckled, “You really are my undoing, aren’t you?” 

“Never once did I think to set aside this sense of caring let alone tenderness. I didn’t even know that I had it.” Elysian’s voice buzzed in agreement with my statement, continuing, “You know, my dear. People think that it was fate that destined me to be forever lonely in eternity. But in fact, no.” 

“I am the one who chose that loneliness.” 

Something unfamiliar burst into my chest. 

“I don’t care about that when I can gain the strength and power I had dreamed of until…” 

I couldn’t finish my words. I chose to say it with a kiss. It was without lust and passion at all. Just gentleness and a sense of protection. My eyelids opened, my gaze instinctively softened for her. 

*As long as you are bound to me. I promise I will give anything for you as long as,” I paused, our foreheads coming together. “You always stay by my side. Can you do that for me, Ruby?” 

A soft sigh escaped my lips as I forced myself up from Ruby’s bedside. Although I wanted to stay a little longer. There were 

a few things to take care of, starting with a very persistent cockroach. I pulled back the blanket to cover the peeking parts 

of her naked body. Giving the top of her head one last kiss, I leave the warmth of my women’s room. 

“Killian, you’re too soft now.” 

I was clearly not pleased with Elysian’s statement. 

“Don’t make new trouble with me, El. Wouldn’t you be happy if I was able to be loving to Ruby?” I asked sharply. 

“Not to my beloved. But, Daphne.” 

“You mean?” 

Elysian exhaled through our link. “Normally you would take action on the third warning from the offender. Now, you’re still letting her live.” 

“Ruby doesn’t like me killing her. You’ve heard that before.” 

“Just do it behind her back!” Elysian hissed. 

I didn’t give any response. Indeed, it was easy to do so without Ruby seeing. However, there was a sense of uncomfortable. It was like betraying her trust. So, I brainstormed ways to give Daphne the punishment she deserved for her grave transgression. 

The moment I reached the throne room, the stench of despair had filled the air. Daphne’s wailing had subsided to a pitiful moan, her arms still twisted unnaturally from my previous punishment. She was kneeling now, her once proud face streaked with tears, her golden hair disheveled beyond recognition. 

And in front of me, kneeling just as pitifully, were her parents. 

“Please, Your Majesty,” her father pleaded, his forehead pressed against the cold stone floor. “She is my olaughter. Have mercy on her!” 

“Mercy?” I echoed, letting the word slide off my tongue in amusement. “And why should I give mercy to a woman who crept back into my kingdom after I explicitly banished her? Tell me, Lord Marjorie, what should be done to the traitor in my court?” He swallowed hard, his face pale. “He is despe Successfully unlocked! vay.” vay.” 

“Oh, she’s lost her way?” I chuckled, stepping downy can using the distance between us with slow, measured steps. “You mean your daughter bribed her way in, defied my orders, insulted my women, and conspired against 

me?” 

Daphne flinched at my words, her good hand clutching her broken arm. “It’s not like that, Killian-” 

1/2 

Chapter Loneliness 

My boot pressed down on her shoulder, forcing her back to the ground. “You can’t say my name, Daphne. You lost that right the moment you set foot in my territory after i banished you” 

Her mother sobbed. “Please, Killian. She’s still your cousin!” 

I laughed dryly. “Cousin? Family? Don’t make me sick. You think blood entitles you to my patience? To my good intentions?” I squatted in front of Daphne, gripping her chin between my fingers, forcing her to look me in the eye. “I don’t keep useless things, Daphne. And you, my dear, have become very, very useless.” 

She trembled under my grip, her lips clenching as if to argue. Tears streamed down her face. 

I straightened up and turned to my bodyguard. “Take her away to the island of exile. This time, make sure she never sets foot in my kingdom again. If she returns, kill her on sight.” 

“No! No, please!” 

Daphne screamed as the guards caught her arm and dragged her away, her cries bouncing off the high walls of the room. Her parents continued to plead, their hands gripping my legs, but I simply stepped over them as if they were nothing more than debris in my path. 

“You have two choices,” I said without looking at them. “Follow your daughter’s disgrace into exile, or stay behind and accept that she no longer exists.” 

Silence stretched between us, punctuated only by the sound of Daphne’s distant screams fading into the night. I already knew what they would choose. Power and privilege were more important than blood and sentiment. They will stay. 

I smirked and turned to leave. “Get out of my sight. You bore me.” 

As they rushed out frantically from the throne room, I exhaled roughly, releasing the tension from my shoulders. It was already done. Daphne was gone. And with her, the last nuisance of my so–called family. Thus, Ruby wouldn’t be angry with me because I didn’t commit murder to solve the problem this time. 

“What time is it, Leonidas?” 

Leonidas came forward, bowing his body. “Estimated around three in the morning. You still have plenty of time before the meeting with our allies.” 

“Very well. Go back to rest, Leonidas. It’s been a long day,” I said. 

“Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty.” 

I stepped down from my throne. I would soon return to Ruby. The only person whose presence I wanted and somehow, against all odds, she managed to carve out a place in the void where my heart should be. 

A tyrant deserves a little happiness, right? 

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