“I hope you will come again, Sister Luna,” Diana waved, observing Luna leave the mansion after discussing some family-related matters.
“Yeah, going, going, but you have to tell me about that boy,” Luna replied without turning, moving out of the hallway.
She couldn’t find much information from Diana’s words but was somewhat relieved, knowing she doesn’t have to worry about Diana’s safety now.
“Sure,” Diana said as her hand slowly loosened, and a smile formed on her face.
She turned towards her room, entered, and closed the door behind her.
‘So, she is unaware of Ryuk’s presence.’ Diana made her way towards one of the drawers in the room, placing her hand on a statue before turning its body to the left.
CRUMBLE
Suddenly, the wall started to tremble before opening, revealing a pathway leading to another space.
Slowly, Diana made her way inside the now-opened doors before the walls enclosed again.
tap tap
In the dimly lit room, the sounds of footsteps reverberated as Diana moved through it.
Her destination was the space present at the end of the long hallway.
Slowly, the light became more vivid.
The moment her foot touched the floor inside that space, an enormous area became visible to her.
“Finally!” Diana’s eyes reflected a huge wall filled with paintings, several small figures made of soft material embroidered, while keeping the originality of the figure intact—amber eyes and black hair adorned with an expressionless face.
Diana observed all the portraits and figures of a boy with amber eyes, making her way directly towards a very big mirror.
Arriving in front of it, her eyes fell on the reflection of a blue-haired girl looking back at her.
WHOOSH
A smile formed on her face; slowly, her face and body started to morph, beginning with the eyes turning amber, then her face transformed into a familiar visage whose portraits and figures filled the whole room.
Her clothes started to shift into those of a boy’s.
Within mere seconds, the reflection of an amber-eyed boy, with fair complexion and clothed in a black suit, looked back at Diana.
badump
Suddenly, her form again turned into that of a seventeen-year-old girl with blue hair and the same colored eyes before collapsing onto the floor.
Thud
“Haa…Haa…” Diana clenched her heart, feeling it racing at an unprecedented speed.
Her eyes became hazy, trembling hand slowly moving towards her face before sliding down after caressing her lips, which were parted due to gasping.
“Ahhh, you will kill me, Ryuk~♡!!” Diana cried out, feeling how just looking at that figure, even if she knew it was her, her heart was about to burst out of her chest.
Her eyes met her own reflection, the smile on her face defining the euphoria she felt right now, but instead of a fake one, she longed for her beloved in reality.
‘It’s fine, Ryuk. Just some years more, only seven or eight.’ Her fingers, trembling with excitement, touched the mirror surface, an electrifying sensation running through her. ‘I have enough patience to have you, my love~’
For her, the love she held for that individual was not something that could be erased with the mere passage of time, which seemed to heal every wound.
Her Love was evident from the fact that, to others, it was just six years, but for her, it was 208 years and another two— all without seeing her beloved.
Though she would not have included these past two years but even being inside the Heindal Continent, she never once entered the borders of the Selvius Kingdom.
From previous life experiences, she was aware that Ryuk could somehow feel her presence.
It was appreciable, showcasing how much their love for each other proved itself.
‘I thought that after regaining your memories, you wouldn’t save that woman.’ Diana felt hurt, aware of how she had orchestrated Karina Reinguard’s premature downfall, preventing her from rising and becoming strong by dealing with the king of Aidiac Kingdom by transforming herself into Ryuk von Selvius.
But on her way, she received news about the Reinguards visiting the Selvius kingdom.
Diana’s approach was entirely different in this life.
Her goal was to become stronger than her beloved so that, unlike before, he couldn’t even harm her after discovering that she was the reason for his mother’s disappearance.
“But, I just wanted to make you alone.” Diana’s eyes became wet as she saw how she was misunderstood.
Her heart ached, knowing how every initiative she took was seen as betrayal when all she wanted was to take everyone from his side and make him depend on her.
“Was it wrong to want you, my love~♡?”
Her hazy eyes fixed on her reflection.
She wanted her beloved at all costs, but in doing so, she revealed information that dealt her the biggest blow.
‘I never wanted Lady Alisia to die like that.’ Slowly approaching the mirror, she placed her forehead on it while in a seated position, remembering her only mistake and a story that etched the name of her beloved on her soul.
// Previous life memory //
⟨I have a task for you, Diana.⟩
A commanding voice reverberated throughout the hall, filled with several figures looking down at a small eleven-year-old girl hugging a book, her eyes fixed on the floor, hands trembling.
“I will do it,” a weak voice made its way out of the little girl’s mouth, already overwhelmed by the presence of several figures.
“Dear Sister, are you not even going to hear it?” Clara felt amused, observing the trembling figure of her little sister, whose presence was repulsive to bear—either her isolated personality or that tendency to always hold a book.
“I-I,” Diana slowly lifted her gaze towards her sister, her exhausted blue eye meeting Clara’s glimmering ones, looking back at her with mockery.
“Sigh, are you again going to waste our time?” Rubbing her forehead, Clara felt irritated, seeing how, once again, this girl was going to take years just to say a word.
Swish
Jumping from her seat, Clara stood in front of the little girl, slightly startling Diana who lifted her gaze to see Clara.
Clara, with a smirk, turned towards the man sitting at the center before again facing the little girl. “Let me give an explanation to her myself, Brother Lucius.”
Sitting at the head of the surrounding throne, the man’s gaze narrowed at being referred to by his name. But it was an insignificant matter since, right now, his eyes were fixed on the trembling girl.
“So, dear little sister,” Clara slowly moved around Diana, tracing her fingers on her shoulder, a smile forming on her face, noticing the gaze of her mother, boosting her confidence. She continued, “You need to visit the Heindal Continent and kill someone.”
Clara’s hand traced the white hair strands of Diana, feeling satisfied with her trembling body, a genuine excitement shrouding her, which normally makes you want to bully someone even more.
Leaning forward, she whispered in her ears, clearly audible to everyone, but her aim was to overwhelm this little girl. “You see, Lil sis, the person you have to kill is none other than the son of Alisia Devereaux.”
Thud
‘!?’
“N-no.” The book in Diana’s hand fell to the floor, her eyes turning towards Clara, who had a wide grin, feeling satisfied with the little girl’s reaction.
Normally, for a 26-year-old adult to bully a mere eleven-year-old child might seem inappropriate, but no one knew when this small child could replace her.
Riantains wanted results, and if not obtained, the person with the assigned task would be discarded—in literal meaning, death.
‘So, they want me dead, huh.’ Diana, already having extracted all the necessary information from Clara by acting weak, understood that this time, she was set to be killed.
Either way, it was expected since the person standing behind the whole Riantain family didn’t interfere in family methods, leaving decisions regarding tasks to the Elders or the Seven Seats.
It was very common for these people to eliminate any threat at an early stage by assigning tasks to children whom they found threatening, tasks that would either cost them their lives or lead to inevitable failure, resulting in being discarded by the Riantains.
And right now, Diana could clearly see that before being discarded from the family, she would die while attempting the task.
It felt funny how none of the people present here, took this burden upon themselves.
The moment the name Devereaux was added to it, Diana understood it was assigned by the Family Head.
Seeing how it was related to Alisia Devereaux, none of them took it upon themselves, knowing their inevitable failure.
‘I will make sure to kill each one of you.’ From an early age, Diana, like other Riantain children, was taught about family basics.
However, she had an advantage, and that was her sister.
⟨Clara, you are creating trouble for her.⟩
Attracting their gazes was a woman with shimmering blue hair, eyes as deep as the ocean, enhanced by the light ray, looking down at Clara, causing a shiver to run down her.
“S-sister Luna, I-i,” Clara’s eyes widened, feeling the cold gaze piercing through her soul.
The mere presence of Luna seemed overwhelming, making Clara clench her dress, her heartbeat increasing due to fear.
Lucius, seeing how Luna intervened, took a peek at her before turning towards Clara, observing everything from the moment the Family Head assigned the task.
Seven members and only one, Clara Riantain, proposed to assign that task to Diana.
It was clear to everyone what she wanted, but surprisingly, Luna, whom everyone expected to interfere, didn’t say anything, instead supported by voting.
Now, seeing how Clara had slightly overdone things by provoking Luna, he intervened. ⟨Luna will be responsible for Diana’s departure.⟩
SWOOSH
Saying that, Lucius disappeared from his throne, leaving behind others. No one seemed to care about upcoming matters; instead, they preferred going back to Aurora to become even stronger, causing everyone to leave.
“M-mother?” Clara turned to look at Samantha, who slowly stood and moved out of the hallway, making Clara understand the meaning behind her mother’s stance and following behind her.
Luna slowly descended, placing her hand on the little girl’s hair, ruffling it. A smile formed on her face. “So, Little Dia, are you going to keep acting like this, even in front of your big sis?”
Slowly lifting her gaze, Diana’s eyes met with the only member in the whole Riantain family who stood by her side since birth.
Biologically, both Luna and Diana were not blood-related, even though they had different mothers. Still, Luna cared for Diana more than her own sisters.
On the other side, Diana’s own sister Clara always tried to look down on her.
“Sister Luna, I don’t want to die.”
Luna’s eyes widened, hearing such words from Diana’s mouth.
Her eyes softened at the little girl who clenched her dress, those words carrying a plea to somehow survive.
“You think I will let anything happen to you.” Leaning to Diana’s level, Luna offered a small letter to her before continuing. “When you arrive there, give this to Alisia and also reveal your identity as Luna’s lil sissy, okay?”
Diana nodded, feeling grateful and warm within her heart. ‘I will have to delay things until I awaken my bloodline.’
Her aim was not to act rashly until she awakened her bloodline, clenching the letter.
Finally, the day had arrived for her to depart for the Heindal Continent and the moment to meet that woman had come.
.
.
.
.
Moonlight slowly made its way inside one of the rooms belonging to Selvius Kingdom’s royal palace before accentuating a figure.
“Heh, not changed at all, aren’t you, Luna?” Alisia’s face formed a smile, looking at the letter which mentioned about her protecting Diana, and in exchange, Luna would make sure to protect Ryuk.
Though Alisia had already mentioned this when they were arriving at the Heindal Continent, knowing that protecting Diana for some time would make sure Luna follows her side of the deal, evident from the small mana circle drawn at bottom of the letter.
The circle carried the mana from Luna who had proposed this contract, which Alisia could easily discard, but knowing how much helpful Luna’s support can be, she injected her mana too.
SWOOSH
With that, a deal was finalized.
Diana would stay under Alisia’s protection until she herself wanted to leave, and in exchange, even if Luna had to place her life, she would protect Ryuk—a profitable deal indeed.
“So, you are the little lamb Luna mentioned here.” Alisia sat in her chair, chin resting on her palm which was supported by desk, observing the trembling girl with amusement at her acting skills.
“Y-yes.” Diana feigned weakness, but her heart was also not calm due to being in front of a figure whose mere name was enough to threaten several continents.
Though it seemed exaggerated, but in truth, being a bookworm, Diana had read about Ardoros, and among one of them, it was mentioned how Vampires had submitted themselves to the Devereaux family.
Eternal Eclipse, Twilight’s End, or Bloodhunt—these were the names of the massacres fallen upon the Almighty Vampires by one of the Flagbearers, Alisia Devereaux.
A single one-sided battle changed the whole world’s perspective about the youngest daughter of the Devereaux family, and though some called it exaggeration or even a fluke.
But smoke never forms without fire, and already knowing every truth from her sister’s mouth, Diana knew the true extent of power held by this woman.
It was already known how Alisia’s Energy core was destroyed, but still, why no one tried to attack her on the way to this small continent in the vast ocean?
Fear
“Stop wasting your efforts in acting and also, don’t disturb Ryuk, since I don’t want to break Luna’s heart.” Alisia pulled back, rising from her chair, her finger tracing the desk as she moved.
GASP
‘So, this was the reason.’ Those words contained far more coldness and intensity even being spoken in a melodious tone that it sent a chill down Diana’s spine.
Helping her understand that it was merely fear preventing her enemies from taking action, even though they were aware of her weakened state.
“I understand, Lady—” Diana bowed before being interrupted by a sound.
knock knock
“May I come in, Mother?”
