chapter 27 bound by fate, trapped by fear

A lady with light brown hair morphed into a golden-haired teenager with hazel eyes. She crossed her arms, her lips twisting in irritation. "I would have handled that dummy if Rima hadn't interfered," Olivia hissed.

Lyla chuckled, a slow, calculated smile spreading across her face. "Patience, Olivia. Your effort wasn't wasted."

She turned, her long black hair cascading down her back. "We confirmed something valuable today—she's highly susceptible to illusions."

Olivia narrowed her eyes. "So, what's next?"

Lyla's gaze darkened, her fingers curling into fists. "I have a perfect plan to get rid of her. There's no way I'm letting her stay by Alexander's side."

The venom in her voice was unmistakable.

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At the Balcony of the Demon King's Chambers

The wind howled through the towering castle, whipping through Alexander's midnight-black hair as he stood on the balcony, his golden eyes fixed on the turbulent night sky. Dark clouds loomed above, lightning flickering in the distance like angry veins splitting the heavens.

He had stood there for hours, unmoving.

"What could possibly have the mighty King Alexander so deep in thought?" Ethan's voice broke through the silence as he approached, his usual amusement laced with curiosity.

Alexander remained silent.

Ethan sighed, leaning against the stone railing. "Spit it out, Alex. A problem shared is a problem halfway solved."

Alexander's jaw tensed. "It's about the prophesied child."

Ethan's smirk vanished. "Calista?" His voice was cautious.

"Yes." His tone was sharp, edged with frustration. "Not only is she destined to be my downfall…" He exhaled, fists clenching. "She is also the only being with a connection to the Land of Hades."

Ethan stiffened. "I see now."

The realization hit him like a storm. "You're trapped in an impossible dilemma. If you kill her, you prevent the prophecy but lose your only chance to access the Land of Hades. If you keep her alive, you might finally reach the underworld… but at the cost of your own life."

The words hung between them, heavy and suffocating.

Alexander's voice was calm but unwavering. "I've decided to keep her alive."

Ethan clenched his jaw. He had anticipated this, yet hearing it aloud made it all the more real. "And how do you plan to control her?"

"I'll set up trials for her. She's too weak to be of use right now."

Ethan exhaled sharply. "I hate this plan, and I know you do too." His lips curled into a tight line. "But I also know there's no changing your mind."

Alexander turned fully to him, his expression unreadable. "Something is calling me to the Land of Hades, Ethan. It's more than an obsession—it's like I left something behind."

Ethan's gaze softened, though his worry deepened. "I understand." He placed a firm hand on Alexander's shoulder. "No matter what happens, I'll stand by you."

Their conversation was interrupted by the sound of an erratic heartbeat behind the door.

Both of them immediately picked up on it.

Ethan smirked. "I'll leave you to your visitor." Without waiting for a response, he leaped off the balcony and disappeared into the night.

At the Door of the Demon King's Chambers

Calista clutched a tray of food, her heart hammering violently against her ribs.

She had heard the whispers in the kitchen—no one who delivered food to the Demon King had ever returned to tell the tale.

Yet here she was, the unlucky scapegoat of the day.

Her breathing was shallow as she hesitated at the door. Every cell in her body screamed at her to turn around, to flee, to run as far away as she could. But deep down, she knew she had no choice.

She knocked lightly.

A cold voice echoed from within. "Come in."

A shiver crawled down her spine.

Slowly, she pushed open the heavy doors and stepped into complete darkness.

The room swallowed her in shadows, the cold air pressing against her skin like unseen hands. Her fingers tightened around the tray.

"H-Hello?" she called out tentatively.

No response.

She took a hesitant step forward, then another. The eerie silence sent a wave of dread creeping up her spine.

Then, her foot caught on something.

Before she could brace herself, gravity yanked her downward.

A sharp gasp left her lips—but instead of crashing onto the cold, unforgiving floor, she was caught.

Firm hands gripped her waist, steadying her midair.

Her breath hitched.

She found herself face-to-face with a pair of piercing golden eyes, glowing in the darkness like molten fire.

For a moment, time stilled.

Then, without warning, the hands let go.

"Aaaah—!"

She hit the ground with a thud, the tray slipping from her grasp. Plates and cups shattered, sending sharp shards flying.

Pain shot through her palms as the ceramic shards cut into her skin.

The lights flickered on.

Alexander stood over her, expression unreadable. His gaze bore into her, unreadable yet unnervingly intense.

Calista whimpered, cradling her bleeding hands. "I-I'm sorry," she stammered, scrambling to pick up the broken pieces.

She had been trained for this since childhood—when you break something, you clean it up. That was the rule.

Before she could move further, a blur of movement stopped her.

Alexander was suddenly crouching in front of her, his cold fingers encircling her wrist.

His touch sent a strange shiver through her body.

She gasped.

His golden irises darkened to an abyssal black.

His fangs elongated.

Calista froze.

A cold dread pooled in her stomach as realization set in.

The Demon King was not just a tyrant—he was a predator.

And she was bleeding right in front of him.

Calista's blood drained from her face at the sudden closeness.

Her breath hitched as she watched Alexander's pitch-black eyes, his elongated fangs mere inches from her wounded hand. So, this is it? she thought, paralyzed by fear.