I wanted to marry him, even when he kept rejecting me because of Evelyn. I never gave up.
But now, I’ve finally accepted the truth. My heart has completely died.
I tried to leave the valley many times, but was always turned away. His only telepathic response was cold and dismissive.
"Stop causing trouble. Evelyn’s spiritual energy is still unstable. She can't be separated from me."
I forced myself back to my quarters in the valley, listening to the Rain Pavilion.
As soon as I opened the door, I heard laughter, light, carefree, joyful. “Demon Bond, slow down, don’t bump into your mother!” Lucian’s voice was filled with rare tenderness. My heart clenched. Mother?
A pitch-black spirit beast with crimson eyes pounced forward, trailed by Evelyn’s soft, playful chiding.
“Lucian, Demon Bond is too naughty!” Her voice was light and sweet, nothing like someone sickly.
I stood frozen at the doorway, blood running cold. That very spot, where I had once mourned the child I lost, was now the playground of their beast.
My arrival silenced the room. Lucian’s expression instantly turned frigid. Evelyn covered her nose theatrically.
“Oh my! Sister Isabelle, why are you back? You just lost your spirit embryo, you’re cursed!”
Then she picked up a basin of foul-smelling black dog’s blood, used for exorcisms and dumped it on me. It soaked my hair and clothes, the rancid stench making my stomach churn.
The blood seeped into my unhealed wounds, sending waves of searing pain through my spirit body. I crouched on the ground, trembling. Lucian merely warned her.
“Evelyn, be careful. The floor’s wet, you might slip.”
Not a word of concern for me. Not even a glance. I tried to stand, shaking. But then Evelyn whined again.
“Lucian, Isabelle looks so terrifying. Demon Bond’s scared to come near her!” The black spirit beast was indeed cowering in a corner, its red eyes flickering with fear.
Lucian’s voice was stern when he addressed me, “Isabelle! Evelyn and Demon Bond will be staying here. You’ll be responsible for her daily needs and use your spiritual energy to nourish Demon Bond every day.”
I was stunned. This was my home.
“You must inspect Demon Bond’s waste every day,” he continued coldly. “If its spiritual energy is unstable, report immediately. Also, wash Evelyn’s ceremonial robes daily. Maintain the exact temperature of her medicinal baths. No mistakes. And...”
I cut him off. My voice was low, yet sharp like a blade, “Lucian, am I your fiancée? Or your hired spirit beast caretaker?”
Before the words even settled in the air, Evelyn let out a wail and grabbed the dagger from the table. She slashed her wrist dramatically.
“Wuwuwu... I’m such a burden... I shouldn’t exist... I’m dragging Lucian down...!”
Blood gushed from her wrist. Her face turned ghostly pale. Lucian rushed to her, snatching the dagger and pulling her into his arms.
“Evelyn! Are you insane?! Why would you hurt yourself like this?!”
Then, without hesitation, he slapped me.
A blast of spiritual energy struck my face, slamming me into the wall. My soul trembled.
He roared.
“Isabelle! Do you even have a heart? One word from you could kill her!”
Blood trickled from the corner of my lips as my cheek swelled. “I only asked one question…” I whispered, my voice shaking.
“One word is too much!” His eyes were full of hatred. “Look at you! you’re like a resentful ghost! You frighten Evelyn!”
He shoved me out the door. The autumn wind pierced through my thin clothes. And…
Bang!
The door slammed shut in my face.
