I closed my eyes, letting the music wrap around me as I played the grand piano, wearing a black gown as dark as the piece I performed.
When I finished, I smiled sweetly at the man watching coldly from a corner.
"Why... Why did you do that, Ophelia?" I heard him say. I slowly closed my eyes at the sound of his deep voice—the voice that once made my heart race, but now silences it.
"What do you mean, Dash?" I asked calmly. With every step I took, explosions echoed around our mansion.
Wearing a luxurious dress that hugged my slender frame, I walked toward him and gently cupped his cheek.
"Did you know I fell in love with you?" I saw the shock in his gray eyes.
"So you knew, huh?" I whispered, smiling soullessly.
"I thought if it was you—you'd stay. You'd believe me. But like everyone else, you chose to—" I traced my words while staring at his handsome, unreadable face.
"Ophelia..." His voice cracked. I don't know if I imagined it, but I saw heartbreak in his expression, like he'd finally realized something. But... hell. I didn't care.
"Are you going to kill me again, Dash?"
"I'm sorry, Ophelia. I have to... but don't worry, I'll follow you," he said softly, and I didn't catch the rest of his whispered words.
"I'm sorry too, Dash. But I'm not done. Not yet. Not until my grand finale is complete. So... die for me."
I saw his eyes widen in shock as they dropped to the dagger pressed against his chest.
"O.. Ophelia... I! You..." And then his lifeless body fell to the cold floor.
I walked downstairs, barefoot.
And waiting there was...
"Connrad."
Another handsome man, watching me with his obsidian eyes. He glanced at my bloodstained feet. When I reached him, he knelt, gazing seriously at my feet.
"That's not my blood. It's Dash's."
He said nothing and quietly carried me in his arms.
"Is this what you truly want, milady?"
I gazed up at the star-filled sky while resting on his broad chest.
"Yes. Why? You don't?"
"Your will is my command. I will always follow you."
"You're going to die."
"It's okay."
"Stupid," I said, pressing a kiss to his neck. He looked down at me—darkly.
"Why don't you try somewhere else?"
We locked eyes. I saw his lips descend to meet mine. He kissed me—under the moonlight—tenderly.
He's not my first kiss. I'm not his first kiss.
But this is our first kiss... and our last.
My Knight, Connrad, died that night. He protected me so I could escape—remaining behind like a true knight, guarding me even as our mansion burned.
---
I drove aimlessly. No, I had a destination... but things never go as planned. A car blocked my path. Instead of stopping, I sped up. They swerved aside at the last second.
They chased me until I was surrounded. I sighed, seeing who stepped out.
"Kazimir Night." I waved casually as he got out of the car. His eyes were blazing with fury as he grabbed my arm.
"You!"
"What? Are you angry? I told you, right? Let's destroy each other. Let's hurt each other. I was serious, okay?"
He stared at me in disbelief. I didn't care about his bruising grip—I knew it would leave a mark.
"You and your family are one of the reasons I became like this. You made me this evil! So now? Will you still confess your undying love?"
I heard guns cocking behind me—but I didn't flinch.
I know I'm going to die. And this time? I'm not going to heaven. Definitely Hell.
But I don't care. I've lost everything. So I'll take them all down with me.
"Damn!! Damn it!!! Put your f*cking guns down!!!"
His men ignored him and pulled me away.
"O–Ophelia!!! Nooo!!" I heard him shouting. I turned my gaze away.
That weirdo.
I don't know if he truly loves me—or if it's just obsession. But I'm selfish now. I don't want to know.
Because we will never... be together.
---
I watched the flames fiercely devouring everything.
I don't know anymore. I can't feel anything. Not even a tiny bit of emotion. I feel... empty.
I don't know where the Night Clan brought me. I was tied to a chair. I looked up.
With their patriarch and key executives dead, I knew they were in chaos—especially with the blackmail materials I released to the world. Not just the Night Clan, but also the Evander Clan—with their heir, Dash, dead and their secrets exposed after years of my careful planning.
It's over, huh?
Maybe... I've accepted my fate.
Maybe now... I can finally rest.
Then I felt a tight embrace. I smelled the familiar scent.
"Zayron."
"..."
"After you seduced me and got what you wanted, you're leaving me now because I'm no longer useful?"
"Yes. I don't need saving. Leave," I snapped, glaring at his clenched jaw.
"How heartless, my Lia. I shouldn't have let you leave my territory. I should've chained you to my bed and made you pregnant—so you'd have a reason to stay. So I could own you again and again!"
"Crazy bastard!"
I thought I had no emotions left—but damn it! The audacity of this man!
"What? You enjoyed it, Lia. I made sure of that. I made you cry and scream my name as I filled you—"
I couldn't shut his dirty mouth. My hands were tied. So—I used my mouth. I sealed his damn lips with mine.
This crazy kidnapper! He kidnapped me and brought me back to his territory!
I gasped.
When I opened my eyes, he was still kissing me—while holding me tight.
And I saw the flames... burning us... together.
"I love you, my Lia. Don't worry. I'm here. Don't be scared. I'll stay with you."
And as I heard his words—his overflowing emotions—my tears, which I thought I no longer had, fell down my cheeks.
"Foolish bastard."