Chapter 48: The Barrier

"You worthless servant, what were you trying to do to her just now?" Luo gently picked up Ivina and covered her with the towel that had been placed nearby.

"This, this… I was just trying to…" Vasha was so scared she couldn't speak. The king's forceful grip had left her left arm throbbing in pain.

　　"Bring someone here! Execute her!" This damned servant—if he hadn't noticed in time, Ivina would have been forced into the pool and drowned.

"No, no, Your Majesty, Vasa had no intention of rebelling or harming anyone. Vasa dares not be negligent again… Please, um…" Before she could finish speaking, Vasa was dragged out of the room by the strong guards.

　　Now, the room was left with only him and his Ivina. 

He gently stroked her face. Her cheeks, slightly flushed from the heat, resembled a nearly ripe apple, utterly tempting. 

Lifting her chin, he gently pressed his lips against hers. In that moment, it was as if they had returned to the scene of their first meeting, with her asleep and him gazing at her beauty as if she were a precious treasure.

Ivina furrowed her brows slightly, her eyelids trembling.

"Who?" Unable to see the man before her, she spoke with a hint of panic.

Luo turned to leave.

He feared she would wake up, feeling uneasy at the prospect of facing her. From the moment he had hurt her, he had clearly felt her resentful resistance. 

"Awake?" He stood with his back to her, his voice cold. 

"Luo…" Ivina called out instinctively. She looked at his back. Really, this was enough. Her dizzy mind temporarily blurred her memories of him. 

She wanted to get out of bed but found she was only wearing a thin silk bathrobe.

　　Coincidentally, that familiar cry made him turn around. 

"Turn back, don't look!" Ivina pulled at the white gauze over her chest, her face flushing with embarrassment. 

"What does it matter? I've already looked carefully, haven't I?" Luo narrowed his eyes, his blood-red pupils staring at Ivina.

　　He knew the harm he had caused her was too great. He wanted to repeat the tenderness of the past and win back her heart that was growing distant. But the words that came out of his mouth were uncontrollably hurtful. 

Feeling Luo dangerously approaching, Ivina tensed and retreated to the corner. 

"Where's Vasha?" 

"You mean the servant?" 

Ivina lowered her eyelids and nodded slightly, trying to avoid his gaze.

　　"She was executed."

"Why! Why did you do that?" The cruel tone reminded her of Xia Sang's fate, and combined with her recent mental decline, she screamed uncontrollably.

But Luo remained silent.

"Why are you hurting everyone around me? Xia Sang, as you said, was executed for committing a crime, but what about Vasa?! She didn't incite me, and she didn't make me leave! What right do you have to kill her? You cold-blooded monster! Don't you care about others' lives?!" Ivina screamed. Her muffled voice was almost drowned out by her sobs.

　　And this relentless accusation might just be her own defense mechanism. She couldn't bear any more pain.

　　"There's no reason. If you must ask… it's simply because I prefer it."

　　Ivina collapsed onto the bedside, her sobs unstoppable.

　　She had truly misjudged him, the ruthless vampire.

"Then kill me too! I've committed a grave sin—why not execute me?"

　　"Breaking a vampire's pact requires a punishment more painful than death. Or, endless imprisonment. This might be a more despairing punishment for humans." 

　　He couldn't forgive her escape, her breach of the pact, her disregard for the tenderness he had shown her. Therefore, if she could leave him, he would definitely seek revenge.

　　Ignoring her heart-wrenching tears, Luo coldly ordered, "In a while, our clan will hold a dance banquet. As a witch, you must attend." After saying this, Luo quickly walked toward the door. 

"What if I don't go?" It was ridiculous; she knew it was impossible, yet she still wanted to look at his back one more time. 

"There is no room for negotiation."

　　As expected, the door closed with a crisp click.

Lowering her head, Ivina's tears once again flowed uncontrollably. She could never go back to the past. Was this the real Luo?

She only wished it were a dream.

"Master, such matters can be handled by S. Why bother to convey them personally?" S waited by the door, helping Luo put on his cloak.

　　Have someone else do it? He could indeed send someone else to convey something that was originally insignificant. But a strong impulse drove him to come here—he wanted to see her.

　　Repeated thoughts of her were driving him crazy. He just wanted to see that she was safe and sound. Even if it meant taking time out of a busy meeting, what was that worth?

　　"No need to say more. Return to the meeting and continue discussing matters concerning the Underworld." Luo paused, tightening his cloak. 

"Yes." His king had indeed returned to his former self, cold and resolute. But why did he feel sympathy for Ivina… 

The king's clarity should have made him happy.