Razeal listened to Villey’s words echo through his mind, the warning sharp and insistent, and a slow, crooked smile pulled at the corner of his lips. It wasn’t amusent that shaped it, not really.. it was closer to irony, tinged with sothing bitter.
Do you even hear yourself? he thought, his inner voice calm, edged with dry mockery. Everything you’re saying might be true, but do you realize how manipulative it sounds?
He let his gaze rest forward, unfocused, while his thoughts sharpened. Even soone who doesn’t know anything about what’s between us could tell you’re trying to corner , Villey. Push into a conclusion you’ve already decided.
[It’s not manipulation, Host. It’s reality. And even if you want to ignore your trait for now, think logically. You’re a vampire too now. When vampires form attachnts.. real ones.. they don’t stay mild or manageable. They escalate. Always. Every emotion will reach its absolute peak.]
[Love, hatred, obsession, devotion it doesn’t matter. For humans, emotions are things they survive. For vampires, emotions are catalysts. Like Elixirs if good if not.. Most lethal poision there can be. which have no antidote.]
[You underestimate that at your own risk. Am just telling you i an look at you.. You may not show it.. or just refuse to accept it, but you’re still hurt. You’re just hiding behind that cold expression or whatever. And hiding won’t heal you either.. nor your any wound have healed till now.. You are still on them. And one or two more wounds like this.. and you won’t just be surviving... Believe .]
Razeal exhaled slowly, the breath barely perceptible. Outwardly, he remained still, composed, his posture relaxed. Inwardly, sothing stirred.. not anger, not denial, but a quiet resistance.
You don’t need to worry about villey, he replied evenly. This is my life. I know what’s good for and what isn’t.
His eyes flicked briefly toward Sofia, still standing just a step distance away, her attention entirely consud by the ring on her finger. She looked... radiant. Unguarded. Happy in a way that felt almost foreign to him.
And let’s not pretend there’s so grand romance here, he continued, his thoughts steady, deliberate. This marriage exists because it benefits . Nothing more. If there were no benefits, I wouldn’t have done it in first place. Simple.
It wasn’t a lie. Or at least, it wasn’t entirely one. He needed this connection for to gain that tittle. The leverage and all. That much was undeniable.
Razeal admitted this truthfully.. if only in his own head. It wasn’t that he owed Villey any explanation for what he was doing or why. Rather, he was trying to convince himself, to give aning to the choices he had already made.
Villey, however, didn’t let it go.
[Gifting her sothing with the value of a star doesn’t exactly scream "purely benefit doing," Host.]
There was sothing almost dry in Villey’s tone now, as if it were pointing out an obvious flaw in his reasoning.
[Be careful. Don’t pour emotions into this. Whether you acknowledge it or not, actions carry weight. Especially yours.]
I might be using her for my own benefit in the future, but that doesn’t an I’ll be treating her badly. And as for giving her sothing precious or not.. that’s my choice. I’ll throw it away or do whatever I want. It’s my stuff; why do you have anything to comnt on it?
And about being careful with my feelings and all.. till now, I’m not interested in that. That’s the only reason I’m not doing it. If not... if it felt worth it, I’d go to the very end of it.
I’ve had made up my mind to give up my life over such small, stupid and insignificant things all these tis. You think I’d be afraid to risk it for myself again? Like i rember.. soone once said it’s fine to be selfish for yourself.. So ill be.. as much as i can be.
Razeal just smiled lightly, replying back in his head.
If it felt really worth it.. whatever traits or emotional risks I carry.. I would do it. Not that I have much desperation to live, or much distraction or pain left that I haven’t already felt. If soday I felt like it, Its worth to do it.. whatever price it might ask for. Ill do it with giving a fuck.
Razeal smiled to himself as he said this in his head to Villey, while looking at Sofia from the corner of his eye. She was standing in front of him, still red with shyness, looking down at the ring she got.
Though I don’t think, after everything i have gone through, I’d be able to fall in love or develop feelings for soone.. even if I wanted to. So it doesn’t really matter to . Maybe this is the best I can do. After all, I just got married, and I haven’t really felt that level of excitent.. As she is..
Razeal thought to himself as he noticed just how excited Sofia looked.. unable to stop smiling, little chuckles escaping her lips from ti to ti. He wondered why he was unable to feel that kind of emotion. Maybe because feelings had really stopped aning anything to him just incapable of so things.
[So you’re turning stupid now? Whatever suits you. Just reminding you.. Since my life is linked to yours. Because you might not feel anything, but I’d be ashad if I had to end myself just because of so insignificant emotions... or falling in love with soone.]
Razeal heard Villey’s words echo in his head again, sharp and insistent, but this ti he didn’t even bother responding. He didn’t argue or justify himself. He simply let the voice fade into the background, like noise he had long grown used to ignoring. This was his life. His choices. His consequences. He had spent far too long letting others decide what was good for him, what was safe, what was foolish. Whether it was fate, destiny,systems, bloodlines, or so-called well-wishers good gods, family mbers or whatever.. ao called friends.. who thought they understood him better than he understood himself.. he was done listening. Whatever path he chose from now on, whatever decisions he made, they would be his alone. No one else had earned the right to steer his life.
While his thoughts ran deep and cold beneath the surface, the world around him continued to move.
"Congratulations, Sofia," King Julius said warmly. His massive hand ca to rest on his daughter’s head, his palm heavy yet gentle as he looked down at her with unmistakable pride. "I bless you both. May you have a bright and happy future ahead of you."
Sofia didn’t answer imdiately. She simply smiled.. a wide, unrestrained smile that she didn’t even attempt to hide. It was the kind of smile that ca from a place too full for words, the kind that made her eyes shine and her cheeks ache. For once, she wasn’t trying to appear composed, regal, or prideful whatever even. She was simply... happy.
King Julius chuckled at the sight, a deep, amused sound rumbling from his chest. "You look very happy," he said, clearly entertained. "So happy you can’t even speak."
Sofia let out a soft, breathy laugh, her fingers curling slightly at her sides, as if she didn’t quite know what to do with herself.
"All right," the king continued, his tone shifting gently. "Go. Talk to your brother. Let have so ti alone with my son-in-law."
At those words, Sofia’s eyes flashed up toward him instantly, sharp and alert, a flicker of instinctive defensiveness passing through her expression.
Catching it, King Julius laughed again. "Don’t look at like that," he said, raising both hands in mock surrender. "I’ve already accepted him as my son-in-law. This isn’t an anything bad. Just... an important conversation between n."
Sofia hesitated for a mont, clearly torn, before finally nodding. She gave her father a long look, as if searching his face for any trace of hidden intent. Finding none, she humd softly in acknowledgnt.
Before turning away, she stole one last glance at Razeal. Their eyes t for a brief second. He didn’t smile, not outwardly.. but sothing in his gaze softened just enough for her to notice. It was enough.
Her lips curved upward again, and she turned, practically skipping as she walked toward where Arthur and Maria were standing. Her steps were light, almost buoyant, as if the ground beneath her feet had lost its weight. It felt less like walking and more like floating, her chest fluttering with an unfamiliar, overwhelming rush.. like butterflies colliding in her stomach, lifting her higher with every breath.
"Hmmm," Maria drawled as Sofia approached, her arms crossed and her expression cool. "You look very happy."
Sofia stopped in front of her and tilted her head slightly, her smile turning playful. "And I can tell you definitely aren’t," she shot back lightly. "What’s wrong? Unhappy about my marriage of sothing?"
Maria’s lips pressed into a thin line, her eyes flicking briefly to Sofia’s hand before she looked away again. "Don’t flatter yourself."
Before Sofia could respond, Arthur suddenly leaned in, his eyes practically glowing. "Ring," he demanded eagerly. "Show the ring. Co on, sis.. let see it. What’s so special about it?"
He craned his neck, his gaze locked onto Sofia’s finger as if srized, his mouth nearly watering with curiosity.
"You ungrateful bastard," Sofia snapped without hesitation. "Your sister just got married, and instead of congratulating , you’re pulling this?"
Her fist connected with Arthur’s face in the next instant.
The impact sent him flying backward like a launched projectile, his body skidding across the stone floor before he crashed down nearly ten ters away. The sound echoed sharply through the arena.
Sofia watched him land without the slightest change in expression.
A mont later, Arthur groaned, then popped back up as if nothing had happened. Dusting himself off, he reappeared in front of her with the sa shaless grin plastered across his face.
"Hey, hey, no need to be violent," he said quickly. "It wasn’t that.. I was just worried about you! You know.. checking if it’s the real deal or that. Because that bastard.. uh, I an, my dear brother-in-law.. is very clever. He tricked earlier, so I was just concerned. Pure concern. For my beautiful, lovely sister so she doesn’t get.."
Despite his words, his eyes never left Sofia’s ring finger.
Sofia stared at him flatly. "Sure."
She didn’t believe a single word, but she also didn’t expect anything better from him. Turning her attention away, she lifted her hand slightly, her gaze softening as it fell onto the ring. The crimson band caught the light, the blue core shimring like a fragnt of the night sky trapped in crystal. Even now, she couldn’t quite believe it was real.
Arthur leaned closer again, practically vibrating. "Seriously though," he whispered, "that thing must be insane."
Maria watched the exchange in silence, her expression unreadable. Then, suddenly, she spoke.
"You said earlier," she said, her voice cool but pointed, "that if your husband wasn’t satisfactory, you’d look for other partners? Did you an it?"
Sofia blinked, clearly caught off guard by the sudden question... And at such wrong ti too.. Her hand paused mid-movent as about to reward another punch to her brother.. as her fingers brushing lightly over the ring. Slowly, she lowered her arm and turned to face Maria directly.
Her eyes narrowed just a fraction, enough to make the shift obvious.
"What?" Sofia said slowly. "You’re worried about him?" Her tone wasn’t loud, but it carried weight. "Even he didn’t show any concern when i said that.. But you’re showing now?"
Maria t her gaze only briefly before looking away, her expression closing off almost instinctively. "I’m just curious," she replied, her voice flat, deliberately neutral.. an answer that answered nothing.
Sofia studied her for a second longer than necessary. Then her shoulders lifted in a small shrug, as if she had decided sothing wasn’t worth hiding or anything. She stepped closer instead, invading Maria’s personal space just enough to make her lean back on reflex.
"Not really," Sofia said casually, her lips curving. "It’s a disgusting idea, honestly. Having more than one man for yourself you know..." She tilted her head slightly, as if weighing the thought. "At least, it looks disgusting to ."
Maria’s eyes flickered, but she stayed silent.
"I only said that earlier," Sofia continued, lowering her voice as she leaned in even more, "because my mother used to say that talking like that keeps your man straight." She winked, quick and mischievous.
That seed to be enough. Maria turned her head away.. "I see."
Sofia though straightened, then smiled again, this ti sharper. "I answered your curiosity," she said lightly. "Now it’s your turn to answer mine."
She leaned in again, eyes gleaming. "Why did you ask?" Her voice dropped to a near whisper. "What’s going on in that dark little heart of yours?"
Maria stiffened.
"You don’t," Sofia added, drawing the words out deliberately, "have any dirty thoughts about my man... do you?"
Maria’s left eye twitched at this sudden word..
---
Across the arena, King Julius stood before Razeal, the distance between them now far smaller than it had been when they first t. The tension had changed shape.. not gone, but refined into sothing steadier.
"So," the king said at last, crossing his arms loosely. "From today onward... we’re family."
Razeal let out a small breath, the corner of his mouth lifting faintly. "Seems like it," he replied. "Though you did try pretty hard to stop it."
Julius coughed, looking away for half a second. "That’s irrelevant." Then he looked back at him, eyes sharp but no longer hostile. "You’re my son in law now."
Razeal nodded.
Silence settled between them again, heavier this ti.. not with conflict, but with unfamiliarity. Razeal realized, faintly, that he had no idea what ca after this. No strategy. No plan. Just... a strange pause.
King Julius cleared his throat. "It’s my first ti having a son-in-law," he admitted. "So I’ll be honest.. I don’t really know how this is supposed to go."
Razeal didn’t respond, simply listening.
"Honestly at first.. I didn’t think you’d be a good idea for my daughter," the king continued bluntly. "I an.. Didn’t think you were suitable." He glanced at Razeal from the corner of his eye. "But looking at you now... you don’t seem that bad."
Razeal arched an eyebrow slightly but said nothing.
"I didn’t expect you to show that kind of consideration toward her," Julius went on. "Especially not by giving her sothing like that." His gaze drifted briefly, unconsciously, to where Sofia stood in the distance. "You know how rare that is?"
Razeal remained quiet.
"In this world," the king said slowly, "people don’t give things like that away. Not without expecting sothing equal in return atleast. Especially not sothing so precious." His voice lowered. "To do it so easily... you either have a very big heart, or you care far more than you let on."
"Either way, soone who can do that won’t treat her badly."
Julius straightened, then stepped forward, extending his hand.
"Take good care of my daughter," he said, his voice firm now. "She’ll be in your care from this point on."
Razeal looked at the outstretched hand for a mont before reaching out and clasping it.
The king’s grip tightened unexpectedly, not aggressive, but intense.. like he was anchoring sothing important.
"I raised her with very love and care," Julius said quietly. "She didn’t have an easy position, even as a princess. I just expect you to be kind to her." His eyes bored into Razeal’s. "Don’t hurt her."
Razeal t his gaze without flinching.
"It’s rare," Julius added, his voice roughening just slightly, "to see her smile the way she’s smiling today." His grip tightened once more. "Don’t take that away from her."
"Also.. I can see you are very special," the king said slowly, as if weighing every word before allowing it to leave his mouth. "Talented. Dangerous, even." His eyes did not soften, but sothing vulnerable surfaced beneath their stern depth. "I am aware that my daughter is strong. Stronger than most who walk this world. Strong enough that very few could even dream to truly harm her."
His thumb pressed more firmly against the back of Razeal’s hand.
"But even so," Julius continued, his voice dropping, "if a mont ever cos.. just one where strength alone is not enough..." He leaned forward slightly, lowering himself closer to Razeal’s eye level. "Promise that you will protect her."
There was no command in his tone. No royal authority. Just a father asking.
Razeal looked up at him in silence.
For a brief mont, the roaring arena, the floating screens, the murmuring crowd, the weight of Atlantis itself.. all of it faded. All that remained was the old man in front of him, his grip tight not with dominance, but with fear he did not bother to hide.
It was strange.
Razeal had faced gods without blinking. He had stared death in the eye and felt nothing and even died many tis. Yet now, standing here, he felt sothing unfamiliar coil faintly in his chest an unease that had nothing to do with danger.
After a few heartbeats, he nodded once. "I will. Don’t worry."
The king did not relax.
"Good," Julius said, but his voice trembled just slightly. "And listen to carefully." His grip tightened again, this ti unconsciously. "Do not hurt her. Not with your hands. Not with your words. Not with your indifference and definitely not emotionally or with feelings."
His eyes searched Razeal’s face, as if looking for cracks, for deception.
"Also.. If you ever reach a point where you don’t want her," he continued, the words forced out slowly, "Ita fine it happens sotis.. Understanding or by whatver reason.. bring her back to . I will accept her without question.. So don’t be scared.. I would rather have her by my side again than see her treated carelessly."
For the first ti, the King of Atlantis looked... small.
Not weak in body, not diminished in power.. but exposed. His shoulders were still squared, his back still straight, yet his eyes carried sothing painfully human.
"Shes very very precious.. I raised her with love," he said quietly. "With patience. With pride." His voice lowered further, almost breaking. "So please... don’t."
There was no threat at the end of that sentence. No warning. Just a plea.
Razeal felt that strange sensation again, sharper this ti.
He found himself wondering.. uninvited, unwanted what it if he had father or anyone? Just once. Who spoke this way to other’s for him like this man is speaking for his daughter? Calling him previous and all... How would he have felt about that?
The thought irritated him.
Still, when he spoke, his voice ca out steady.
"Don’t worry," he said. "I’ll take good care of her." He paused, then added, more firmly, "I promise."
The word surprised even him.
He doesnt really make promises. he honestly didn’t even wanted to right now.. But he just wasnt able to control it.. Anyways he didn’t wasted ti on it..
The king studied him for several seconds, as if asuring the weight of that promise.
Then, slowly, Julius smiled not the proud, overbearing smile of a ruler, but sothing quieter. Sothing almost tired.
"Good," he said. "You’re a sensible kid."
At last, he released Razeal’s hand.
The sudden absence of pressure felt oddly noticeable.
The king stepped back, straightening once more, the familiar presence of authority settling over him again like a mantle. He waved one hand casually, as if brushing the heavy emotions aside.
"Anyway," he said, clearing his throat, "here."
With a flick of his wrist, space shimred faintly, and a deep-blue object materialized in his palm.
It was a compass.. unlike any Razeal had seen.
Its casing looked carved from a single piece of polished sapphire, etched with faint, flowing runes that pulsed softly like bioluminescent veins. There were no markings for north, south, east, or west. Instead, a single needle floated freely within, pointing unwaveringly toward one direction, no matter how the compass was turned.
"I know where you wanted to go," King Julius said, holding it out. "The Ocean Black."
Razeal’s eyes flickered with interest as he accepted it, the cool surface settling into his palm.
"This will guide you there," Julius continued. "It doesn’t care about currents, storms, or distance. It only points to what you seek. With this, you won’t waste ti."
Razeal turned the compass slightly, watching the needle correct itself instantly.
So this was it.
The last piece he’d co for.
He closed his fingers around the compass, feeling a quiet sense of completion settle in his chest.
"Good," he said after a brief pause, his gaze dropping to the compass in his hand.
He turned away, slowly, following the direction the needle pointed toward, as if committing it to mory.
"And if you ever face trouble in the future," the King added, his voice lighter now, almost casual, "co to . Whenever you need. Just know I’ll be there. I’ll see it through.. whatever it is."
He laughed softly as he stepped closer and placed a hand on Razeal’s shoulder from behind, the weight of it firm, almost protective.
Razeal froze.
His attention drifted away from the compass he had been studying so intently. Slowly, deliberately, he lifted his gaze and turned his head to look back at the King. His expression remained unreadable.. no gratitude, no resistance only silence stretching between them for several long seconds.
Finally, he spoke.
"I see," he said, his face revealing nothing.
----
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