139 If I Go
[The Present.]
"I didn't agree with that irritable vampire's tactics, but it was the best decision at that time," Lupinum concluded the story, leaning back in his seat and watched as the little lady trembled at the revelation. "You could say that the sight of you being attacked was the reason your grandfather's blood pressure rose high enough for a heart attack, or—"
"My grandmother made me pay for his death all my life," Ophelia interrupted, glancing at her fingertips. "I never knew... I-I truly was the cause of his death."
"Don't gaslight my wife in front of me," Killorn warned, sliding a protective arm around her dainty shoulders and pulling her closer. "The old Lord Eves was already rumored to have multiple heart issues. His death was his fault."
"Hah," Lupinum snickered under his breath. He wasn't a friend or a foe, he was always straddling the lines in between. Much like his blood-sucking counterpart, Sanguis the Vampire Overlord. "Matriarch Eves will be punished for defying the orders placed upon Ophelia Eves."
Ophelia tensed.
"Allow me to participate," Killorn sneered, eyes narrowed, his fingers twitching to get his hands upon the people who caused harm to his innocent little wife. He should've killed that glowering old woman the minute he came back for Ophelia. At that time, Killorn was in a rush to secure Ophelia and her safety. Nothing came in between that.
Now, the Overlords had a true reason to punish Matriarch Eves. She defied their orders of never allowing Ophelia Eves to set foot in the Decade Tribute Ceremony. She had a direct hand in marrying Ophelia off to a vampire household, knowing damn well, they'd drain her dry.
"Why did you care for me?" Ophelia suddenly asked. "For both the Werewolf and Vampire Overlord to intervene?"
"Stupid girl," Lupinum snorted, much to Killorn's growl of warning. In all of his life, Lupinum met many who challenged his position. Not many could even make Lupinum break out in a sweat. But Killorn? This wild man fought without regard for his life. Killorn fought to kill, even if that meant killing himself in the process. And as such, if anyone could challenge Lupinum, perhaps Killorn would give the old wolf a good run for his money.
"A single drop of your blood sent grown men into a frenzy. Men with years of experience in curbing their hunger since birth. Yet, a single whiff of you was enough to drive them insane," Lupinum scoffed, wondering if her brain was smooth and slow. "The old and I decided it was better off to deem you unobtainable for life than bound to anyone."
Ophelia slowly turned towards Killorn in confusion, wondering how he was allowed to marry her.
"Of course," Lupinum smirked. "We couldn't keep you safe forever. Sanguis nearly drained half of his magic in a single sitting to wipe the memory from many people's minds."
Lupinum cast a humorous glance towards Killorn whose attention was always drawn to his wife. Lupinum wondered if the brat knew. Wherever Ophelia went, his eyes always followed. Wherever Ophelia glanced, he'd follow her line of sight, before returning to her. For a split moment, Lupinum wondered if Killorn's entire heart revolved around Ophelia. Not even their offspring could get in between that kind of addiction.
Or perhaps, was it an obsession?
"We needed someone to keep you safe. Someone that'd prevent anyone from exploiting you and your blood against our kind," Lupinum explained, snickering when Killorn scowled. "In all of that chaos, there was a boy who didn't react."
Ophelia gulped. Killorn.
"Sanguis and I decided right then and there, he was to be your husband. Killorn is to put his life on the line for you. When the time came, and your powers were inevitably revealed to the world once more, it is your husband that we trusted to keep you safe," Lupinum mused.
Ophelia blinked. "Then, why are you here?"
"Because, idiot girl—"
Ophelia released a choked laughter, tears of anger filling her eyes. How dare these people. "So, death also awaits me if I choose to be with you. All of my options point to nowhere."
For a split moment, Lupinum's gaze softened. "Your life is innocent, I do understand that, little girl. You never asked to be Selene's daughter, but yet, here you are, unable to escape your destiny."
Ophelia knew what she must do. And she intended to execute her plan effortlessly. 13:58
Lupinum sighed, shaking his head and dropping back onto the couch, already realizing she had made up her mind long before he arrived. "Killorn can't protect you forever. He is no immortal. If you remain by his side, many will come for you, and he can only hold them back for so long. When others have their palms all over you, tearing you limb by limb to consume your flesh, and vampires feasting upon your spilled blood, you will come to regret your decision to do nothing, but accept your fate."
Ophelia slowly shook her head. "What if... what if there was a way for me to be useful to this world instead that does not involve my death?"
Lupinum quirked a brow. "What are you implying?"
"What if there was a way for me to rid all the magic in the world and monsters alike?" Ophelia bartered.
A deafening silence fell over the room. The windows trembled from the force of the wind outside and the fireplace crackled with each inch of wood being consumed. For an entire minute, no one spoke a single word.
"Did Sanguis visit you before I did?" Lupinum finally asked. "That impossible idea... he has brought it up to me before."
Ophelia's eyes widened. Sanguis must know something! "I must see him then."
"Sanguis is already at the castle, meeting with all of the important vampire lords to call off the civil wars," Lupinum sighed, shaking his head. "Truly, if you had just accepted my offer, there wouldn't be—"
"Can you seek his audience here?" Ophelia asked.
"Impossible," Lupinum said. "Sanguis would never set foot in werewolf lands. You must visit the royal family to see him. I can take you there."
"Who's to say Sanguis even knows anything?" Killorn refuted, scowling.
"If there's anyone who'd know of forbidden magic, it would be Sanguis," Lupinum said. "And besides," he turned to Ophelia, offering a wicked grin. "I can always take you by force."
Ophelia's spine grew rigid. She had no doubt he would. Instead, she bluffed. "You've heard of the magic I can do. I will use it upon you if I must."
Lupinum's eyes flickered with mirth. How cute. "I shall see to that challenge one day."
"It's getting late," Killorn suddenly announced, cutting their conversation short. His voice left no room for argument. "We will continue this later. Ophelia, it is time for you to join Maribelle for dinner downstairs."
Ophelia knew this was only a distraction for Killorn to ponder his next move. A lot was revealed, and they all needed the time to digest everything. But Ophelia had already made up her mind, long before the two would ever realize.
Ophelia knew what she must do. And she intended to execute her plan effortlessly. If you were Ophelia, what would you choose?
Xincerely