Chapter 33 The Past
I could hear someone's sobs.
They were close—too close. And painfully familiar.
Each broken breath carried grief so heavy that it pressed against my chest, making my own heart ache.
Someone was screaming. The agony in his voice cut deeper than any blade. Every word sounded like it was drowning in regret.
My eyes widened.
Before me was a familiar face—a man kneeling on the ground, trembling as he held a woman in his arms.
A woman who looked exactly like me.
She was drenched in blood. A sword pierced through her chest, just beside her heart. The crimson stain spread like blooming roses across her dress.
Suddenly, pain struck the right side of my head. A sharp ringing echoed inside my mind.
I turned.
Sir Clyde stood behind us, gripping his legendary sword—the very same weapon described in the novel.
And then I remembered. This... this was the original path of the story.
The one where I died because I colluded with the villain. But the novel never mentioned this.
It never said that he cried for Estelle. It only stated that he didn't care about her... that his heart belonged solely to the heroine.
My chest tightened painfully as I watched him clutch my lifeless body, refusing to let go. His hands shook as he held her fingers, as if warmth alone could bring her back.
His eyes were red—swollen from crying.
Vladimir snapped his head up, fury blazing in his tear-filled eyes.
My breath caught. No...
This was the moment. The moment he would use forbidden magic.
No... no, he can't—
'No! If you use forbidden magic, it's a curse! Vladimir!'
Vladimir slowly rose, still cradling her body.
The ground trembled violently. Darkness swallowed the sky.
A mysterious light ignited beneath Vladimir's feet. Ancient runes floated into the air, spinning like cursed stars. Then came the mist. Thick. Black. Alive. From within it, a figure emerged.
A demon.
He had fallen in love with the original Estelle... not me. He loved her—not me.
So why...?
Why did my chest hurt like this?
Why did it feel like my heart was being torn apart?
I am not her.
I shouldn't feel this way. Ugh...
Vladimir tightened his hold on her lifeless body.
Each word pierced straight into my chest. His eyes were filled with unbearable longing.
How could someone love this deeply? How could fate be this cruel?
Vladimir did nothing wrong.
Nothing.
The demon only smiled. "Yes... I do dare. Watch me."
STOP!
---------------------
A violent force yanked me back. I gasped as the world snapped into place. Faces surrounded me. Voices blurred together. My fists clenched as my gaze locked onto Vladimir.
My chest ached unbearably.
I ignored him. My eyes stayed fixed on Vladimir.
My voice cracked. Tears spilled uncontrollably, streaming down my face like a broken dam.
I swallowed hard, forcing myself to stand tall.
I lifted my chin. "Watch me."
Without hesitation, I grabbed Luvien's wrist. A burst of light erupted from the wound on my palm. Blood shimmered in the air, forming a glowing sigil as our blood bound together.
A blood contract.
He tried to pull away—but suddenly sliced his own palm, completing the ritual.
Gaia's power surged through me.
It weakened his demonic energy, forming a shimmering shield around us. Beneath our feet, a magical formation appeared—ancient and radiant.
He smirked. "You always surprise me, Iris."
He grabbed my hand and pressed it against his chest—right above his heart.
Did he just... call me by my real name? My eyes widened.
Silence stretched between us.
Pain burned through my veins. Gaia's power was becoming too much. My body was reaching its limit. I had to finish this.
I had read about this spell. The forbidden book in Vladimir's library... It wasn't coincidence.
Everything led to this moment. Everything had a reason.
And this—
This was mine.
But why was Luvien being so gentle? So calm? Did he predict this?
No...
It didn't matter. I must break this curse.
He pulled me closer. His breath brushed against my ear.
Then— A chilling voice echoed in my mind.
'It's a trap.' The original Estelle said.
My eyes widened. Luvien leaned back slightly, staring straight into my eyes.
A smirk curved across his lips.
What...!?
A blinding explosion erupted. Light swallowed everything.
I froze—mind spinning from the words he had whispered. When the light faded, warmth bloomed inside my chest. Blood floated in the air, forming glowing golden symbols. Shattered fragments scattered across the ground.
The spell... It was broken.
'Gaia... we did it...'
I called out to her. But she didn't answer.
Suddenly— The world shifted. Everything changed.
I stood inside my home. My original world. Yet everything was colorless—black and white.
Frozen.
Silent.
Too silent.
What is happening...?
Tick.
Tick.
Tick.
A clock appeared before me. Strange symbols formed in the air—written in a language I couldn't understand.
Voices echoed.
Battles.
Chants.
Memories flashed around me like floating bubbles. Each one held fragments of a life. Not just one life. Many and in different lifetimes. Different versions of me.
A voice called. I turned—and saw a large mirror.
Inside it... Luvien.
Casting a spell.
"Be veiled and kept through love," he whispered softly. "Beyond all harm and fear—a hidden realm, safe, warm, and close..."
A tear slid down his cheek.
"My love... I will come for you soon."
He released the spell.
My soul drifted away.
What... does this mean? Luvien Xytheris... Who are you to me?
Suddenly— The ground shook violently. Cracks spread across the floor like lightning.
I fell.
When I looked up—
Light shone above me. Protective and warm. The world around me crumbled into nothingness.
And slowly... I floated toward the light, and slowly I lost my consciousness.