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In Ren's Chamber – Heaven Realm
The Moon rays of night glimmered through the translucent curtains of Ren's majestic chamber. Maids scurried around, adjusting a delicate ivory robe on Lia's figure, brushing her long, silken hair with care. She looked ethereal—glowing like a soft, golden angel touched by the heavens. But inside, her heart trembled with quiet uncertainty.
Moments later, the doors opened. Ren stepped in, dressed in silver and white robes that marked him as a high warrior god. The maids bowed and exited in silence, leaving behind a strange stillness.
Lia turned to him. Their eyes met.
Ren walked slowly toward her, his voice calm but weighted.
"I know your situation, Lia. And mine too…" he began, pausing. "Our wedding happened suddenly. I had to obey my brother's will."
Lia nodded softly, keeping her hands together in front of her.
"I understand your pain, Ren. You don't have to explain."
Ren looked at her—something stirred in his gaze, emotion or guilt, maybe both.
"You can be yourself," he said sincerely. "I don't expect you to change to fit the Heaven Realm. Be who you are."
Lia's eyes softened. "Mmm…" she murmured, "Thank you."
She hesitated, then glanced up. "Can I ask you something?"
Ren nodded. "Of course."
"Did you… ever love Irin?"
A faint smile flickered on Ren's lips. "No. I agreed to marry Irin only because of the Ancestors' orders and for Heaven Realm's sake."
Lia let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding. She turned her face, hiding the small smile of relief that escaped her lips.
Ren looked away and continued, more serious this time.
"I expect you to act as my wife in front of others. But here…" he gestured to the room, "we can remain as we are—just two people bound by duty, not affection."
Lia's smile faded.
"You have full freedom to live how you want, Lia," Ren added, but then noticed her tired expression. "Is your face okay? Did I speak too much? You can rest."
"I'm just a little tired…" Lia whispered. "But you can tell me… whatever you wish."
Ren sighed. "Just one thing. Don't take this marriage too seriously."
Her heart stilled, but her face didn't change.
"This marriage," he said, "is only for the public. Not for us. My focus remains on my duty—as the Warrior God."
With that, Ren turned and left the room, leaving behind a silence that echoed louder than any voice.
Lia sank onto the bed. Her lips trembled, but she bit them, refusing to cry.
"He's right," she whispered to herself. "Of course, he married me for the Heaven Realm… not love."
She wiped away the tears before they could fall.
---
In BlueMoon Kingdom – Irin's Room
Irin sat on her bed, a vision in white and silver. Her hair was woven with delicate white flowers, cascading around her soft face. The room smelled of jasmine and moonlight.
The door creaked, and Dylan stepped in.
He approached the bed and gently sat beside her, placing a hand on her shoulder.
Irin turned, startled, but smiled.
"Is your wound healed?" she asked, concern flickering in her eyes. She reached to open his shirt.
But Dylan stopped her hand, holding it. "Yes. It's healed. How could it not be…" he smiled, "when your power touched it?"
Irin gasped. "W–What are you saying?"
"You came that night," Dylan said, his voice low and affectionate. "You healed me."
She tried to deny, but Dylan cupped her face and kissed her softly.
Irin's cheeks flared pink. "How did you know I came?"
He chuckled and held up a tiny silver hair accessory. "This. You dropped it."
Her eyes widened. Tears filled them.
"I couldn't bear to see you in pain," she whispered, hugging him tightly. "Even if we're in different worlds…"
Dylan pulled her close, wiping her tears gently. Then his voice turned serious.
"Then why… why did you say you were only pretending to love me in the Heaven Realm?"
Irin bit her lip. "Because… a goddess isn't allowed to love a demon…"
"Even if that demon is me?" Dylan asked, his voice trembling.
Irin nodded, whispering, "Still, I couldn't forget you. I loved you deeply. Even when I stood beside Ren during the ceremony… my soul was screaming your name. Only my body was there… the rest of me… was always with you."
Dylan was silent for a moment, overwhelmed. Then he pulled her into his lap, his lips crashing against hers—passionate, hungry, full of all the feelings they had buried.
He kissed her cheeks, her jaw, her lips again and again. Irin responded with the same fire. His fingers wove into her hair as their hearts beat as one.
Knock. Knock.
They froze.
Irin blushed, breathless. "Someone's at the door…"
Dylan leaned in, kissing her one last time, playfully. "Let them wait."
"Dylan!" she giggled, gently pushing him. "Open it. It might be urgent."
With a grin, Dylan stood and opened the door. Ruther was waiting outside.
He whispered something into Dylan's ear. Dylan turned back and gave Irin a reassuring smile. "Sleep for now. I'll return soon."
"But… what is it?" Irin asked, suddenly anxious.
Dylan didn't answer. He left with Ruther, his expression turning cold and sharp.
---
In the Demon Prison – Shadow Depths
The cold, damp air in the prison smelled of rust and blood.
A Heaven Realm soldier was shackled inside, bloodied and bruised, barely conscious. Guards stood around him until Dylan entered—his presence alone silenced the room.
Dylan raised his hand. The guards stepped back.
"Where is my mother and sister?" Dylan's voice was lethal.
"I… I don't know…" the man groaned.
Ruther stepped closer. "Don't play games. You were the last to see them in the Mortal World."
Dylan's eyes glowed with fury. "Did you kill them? TELL ME!"
The Heaven soldier laughed weakly.
Dylan's face twisted with rage. "Then die."
He turned coldly. "Kill him. Let those hiding behind him know—Dylan is done waiting."
As the guards moved in, the Heaven man laughed again—dark and bitter.
"Kill me, demon… and you'll never know what happened to your blood."
Dylan's eyes flickered with doubt—for a moment.
Then his fists clenched.
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To Be Continued…
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