~Chapter 111~
Isabel pulled Axxion’s hand closer.
Even though his hand had turned long and sharp from his beastification, she did not flinch.
She took out a ring case and slid one onto his finger.
“It fits perfectly.”
That smile stirred his heart, and Axxion bit his lip hard.
The rough, glittering design on the ring looked strangely familiar.
It was the very ring he had once tried on, back when he had promised Isabel a future.
[What is this?]
Axxion had once grumbled, looking at the ridiculously large diamond. Expensive, yes, but ugly. Even the most tasteless rich man wouldn’t wear something like that.
[Everyone will only stare at the ring, not me.]
[Exactly.]
But Isabel had looked satisfied.
[If you wear something like this, no one will doubt who placed it on your hand.]
He had forgotten it after they broke their engagement. But Isabel had never canceled the spell on the ring.
‘Not just the ring.’
The veil. The bouquet. He had seen them all before.
Axxion had caused chaos and left the palace just fifteen days ago. He had kidnapped Armians and dragged him here only two hours ago.
Even Isabel could not have prepared all these things in such a short time.
This meant she had not dressed like this on impulse to stop him—
She had kept the ring and the dress all along.
She had broken off the engagement, yet she could never fully let go of their future.
The clumsy ring design had not changed, just as Isabel herself remained the same as years ago.
Even the way she bit her pale lip to color it red was still lovely.
Truthfully, he too had wanted to be with her.
He didn’t care if it wasn’t eternal, didn’t care if it was fleeting like a summer night’s dream. He only wanted one moment with her.
But she had turned that hope into an illusion he could never reach.
‘So why do you come to me now? Only now, when I’ve given everything up?’
“…Axxion.”
Isabel wrapped her arms around his neck. Her small head pressed against his chest, stirring a storm inside him.
Only then did he realize how she had found him.
She was the origin of his wish. This place was connected to her, so she could easily step in.
And if she was here, then she must know—her death would close the crack.
She was wise. She was merciful. To him, she looked more like a true emperor than anyone else.
But to him, she had always been cruel.
‘How can you tell me to watch you die? You know I cannot.’
Axxion cupped her cheek with his human-like hand.
After stealing a short breath, he tilted her chin. Her face flushed red.
“Your Majesty…”
My star, my heart, my future.
At least he had seen her one last time—the one he had given everything to.
‘In this life, I have no regrets.’
Axxion closed his eyes.
“…Axxion?”
Sensing danger, Isabel called to him.
“I love you, Isabel.”
But his eyes were already shut.
“So please… come to me late.”
“Axxion!”
Isabel reached for him, but her hand could not touch him.
His body fell into the exit below.
And in that instant—she saw his face.
He was crying.
That was Isabel’s last memory of Axxion.
Armians had fainted for a short while. Isabel’s desperate cry woke him.
She had gone out, but he and Bella remained inside the void.
‘What a selfish lover.’
If Axxion had to use his strength, he could have at least sent Bella out too.
Kyaaaaak—!
But Axxion had lost all reason, his body fully beastlike. His scream shook the air.
‘This is madness.’
At least Isabel’s departure had left the exit open.
‘If I can just reach it…’
He crawled, Bella still in his arms, toward the exit.
But above him, a sharp screech stopped him.
Clang!
The sound of a heavy sword colliding with claws rang out.
Armians looked up. A greatsword blocked Axxion’s claws.
But he wasn’t holding the sword—he had no free hand, as Bella was in his arms.
‘No way…’
He looked down. Bella was awake.
Kiiiaaak—!
Frustrated at being blocked, Axxion screamed and slashed again.
But again, the greatsword blocked him.
And then—
A spear of magic pierced Axxion’s body.
Screeech—
Another spear followed, then another, until his body dissolved like smoke, just like other beasts.
“Bella…”
Armians’ voice was weak, drained of strength.
Yet even in that faint call, Bella reacted quickly.
She pressed her hand against his chest.
Armians coughed blood, realizing what she was doing too late.
His wounds were disappearing.
Bella was healing him.
“No… stop…”
He could not let her use more magic.
“Stop, Bella! Quickly, take your hand away!”
But his drained hands could only clutch her weakly. He couldn’t pull her away.
Then he realized she was mumbling something, looking at him.
Her lips formed the words:
‘…love…you.’
Armians’ lips parted slowly as he repeated after her.
“I love you.”
“I love you…”
Nothing else. Only those words, without a subject, repeated again and again.
Even while pouring all her memories into magic, Bella had held onto this—her last, truest memory.
Suddenly—Bella disappeared.
The mansion was searched top to bottom, but she was nowhere. Armians was also missing.
“So… the two of them went on a walk together?”
The two knights, already facing punishment for losing Bella, nodded quickly.
“How else could they both vanish at once?”
“And neither of them are anywhere to be seen…”
Beril glared.
“At a time like this, a walk? Impossible! Besides, I was guarding the entrance myself. If the lord had left, I would know. Why would I be asking you?”
He clenched his fist, ready to punish them. But then he froze.
A huge wave of magic surged in the air.
Crack—!
A fissure opened, and someone was thrown out.
Unconscious, but recognizable instantly. Isabel.
Beril waved his men back.
‘What happened? I can’t ask her—she’s the emperor.’
Minutes later, Bella and Armians also fell out of the crack.
Both unconscious. Both drenched in blood.
Armians’ wounds looked especially fatal.
‘D-did he die?’
Beril poked his lord nervously.
But Armians suddenly shot upright—then sat still, tears falling silently from his blank face.
No sobbing, no red eyes. Just tears streaming from a man who never cried.
“Gh-ghost! The lord has been possessed by a ghost!”
“Shut up, Beril.”
“You’ve returned, my lord!”
Armians glared at him.
“What happened? You don’t seem to be wounded.”
“There was reason enough.”
His voice was heavy, so Beril didn’t press further.
“Still, lying on the ground in this weather will make you ill. Please, stand up.”
But Armians looked down at Bella in his arms.
She stirred awake, blinking sleepily.
Her eyes swept over Armians, Beril, and the knights standing nearby.
“…Who are you?”
Her voice was calm, her eyes wide with genuine confusion.
Everyone’s face turned pale.
