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—"
"I'll rip your throat open," Killorn snarled.
"Cute," Lupinum mused. "Anyways, because you insisted on putting your own life on the line for some foolish royal family, I must intervene. If Killorn can't hold you back, certainly, I can. There is no limit to human stubbornness, it is your species best and worst quality."
Ophelia shot to her feet. "Don't tell me, you're also going to try and change my mind—"
"I have already spoken to Sanguis on what must be done with you," Lupinum began, standing to his full height, towering over hers. She was intimidated, but her husband was directly behind her.
At a blinding speed, Lupinum was in front of Ophelia, his hand clutching her wrist tightly. Killorn shot to action, shoving Lupinum's grip off of his wife. He delicately placed her behind his body, shielding her from any line of sight.
"Don't touch her," Killorn seethed, almost beginning to understand why Lupinum showed up immediately. The Overlords had their own motive.
"Come with me," Lupinum offered Ophelia. "There are only two people in this world who can truly prevent a civil war from breaking out, Ophelia, and it is between Sanguis and I."
"Like hell, you'll take her," Killorn snarled. "If you ever come near my woman again, I will find you, brutally torture you, and unleash hell's wrath upon you for the rest of eternity."
Ophelia gritted her teeth and stepped away from Killorn's protection. Everyone was so determined that they could keep her. Did she not have a say in this? Was she just some rag doll to be tossed around for their greedy end-goal? How cruel.
Stunned by his declaration, Lupinum blinked multiple times before releasing a cackling laughter. The sound shook the walls, resonating in each of their ears. He bellowed over, not expecting such a funny saying.
"Greedy brat," Lupinum humored. "You've grown far too greedy. We granted you the luxury to protect Selene's descendants, and you dare to take full possession of her?" "She is my wife!" Killorn snarled, his voice rising in volume. "Do you expect me to remain idle and idiotic to your blatant intentions? I know what you're going to do with her, and I refuse to turn a blind eye."
"You are my pupil," Lupinum mused, opening his arms to embrace anything that Killorn would throw at him. "Do you truly believe you can beat me now, in your horrendous position?"
Killorn unsheathed his sword. "If today is the day that the pupil beats the master, then I will gladly grant you that wish."
"Enough," Ophelia decided, holding onto his elbow in disapproval. She frowned deeply. "I have no way out of this matter."
Now, Ophelia had Lupinum's full attention.
"If I stay with my husband," Ophelia began, glancing up at her ferocious husband. His hardened amber eyes pierced her soft, understanding gaze. "If I stay with Killorn, his people will get murdered from a civil war."
Ophelia peered out the window, where the sun was quickly setting, a harmonious blend of fading orange and blood red. "If I go with the royal family, I am to be exploited."
Then, Ophelia turned to Lupinum. "And if I were to go with the Overlords, what shall I get in return? What do you offer us?"
Lupinum revealed an arrogant smile as he folded his arms across his chest. His muscles bulged against his tunic, his frame seemingly doubling in size. White fur peeked out from under his shirt, highlighting his age. One day, there will come another to replace him, and that beast will never know what it'd be like to be loved by their own creator. Selene. She was forever wiped from the face of this earth, her only legacy in the form of a demi-god.
Ophelia Eves Mavez was doomed for death, just like her mother.
"Come with me," Lupinum murmured. "And we will guarantee a painless death. Your body will be burned, your ashes spread across the land, and your burial will be treated with the highest honor. Your name will go down in history as... She, Who is Most Selfless."
Killorn tensed.
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
The source of this c𝐨ntent is freewe(b)nov𝒆l