A/N: The chapter ahead is raw, which means not been proofread yet nor edited.
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"Wait---I'll explain about Zodiac---" Eins gave me her daughter.
I grabbed the bitch by her neck, making sure if I'm seeing things right.
"A-Ack! M-Mommy---help----!"
I screamed and smashed it's face against the floor.
"Did you know what you did, Skadi!? That's my son! MY SON! And you dare use his sacred face---TO THIS FUCKING THING!"
"STOP IT!"
She froze me, burying me deep in thickening iceberg but her daughter. Its body levitated to her arms to which she healed it almost instantly.
I bit my tongue until it bleed. My blood drip from my mouth, melting her ice. I broke free from her iceberg and sent Hands to them, ruthlessly twisting that thing's neck that made Skadi lose her shit, too.
"I said... LET ME EXPLAIN!"
She angrily stomped her foot, dividing the place into two. And I thought it's just in the arena---
Until the entire other part of the planet was parted from the rest.
Half of my face transformed into my Veils form, expanding my shadow to summon my pets.
"I need no explanation. It's clear to me that you defiled my sacred son. I though we would be good friends. I didn't know we're fated to be just enemies."
I lift my hand to my side, transforming it into a long, Veil-tainted blade.
"I know I was wrong. I was curious what got you so worked up back then, why you're so obsessed with your son, and why you're willing to go through impossible lengths for him. I don't have enough knowledge about motherhood, so I did it. I used his face because I liked him. I want to see what you saw in him. I want to know what it's like, because I was never one even to my creations. So, I used Zodiac's face. I wanted the exact copy of him, but it turn out to be a girl. But when it was born, it imprinted on him. I planned to make it live for a month, but your father wanted me to take responsibility. I still don't know what it's like to be a mother, but I know that I'm fucking pissed because you hurted my daughter."
I jumped to get to the other side. It's straying away from the rest of the planet. It has become unstable and magmas are pouring upwards and everywhere else because of gravity.
Skadi Eira began to grow.
And instead of making amends, my lips grinned.
But everything was put to a halt when Daddy Liorei went between us. He's flying without his wings. How?
What happened to him? Why did he...change?
"That's enough, you two,"
My teeth gritted.
"Are you on her side? Is that what you truly are? Doting on fatherless daughters to become their father figure and then what? Forget the other as soon as something new emerges?"
I closed my fists. The armor of my fingers pierced through my hands but it didn't hurt. It didn't matter.
My tears welled up. But before they could see it's glimmer, I sliced my eyes in one, swift line using the metallic claws of my hand's armor. My thick blood came gushing out then cascaded down my face. I healed within a second.
"I'd rather you see these eyes bleed than see it shed tears. You would never see me cry. You will NEVER see me cry. And I will never shed my tears for you. For any for you."
"Azarese, I love you---"
"LIAR!" I screamed at the top of my lungs as soon as I heard the same cursed, fucked up, and bullshit words.
Love? He loves me? He LOVED me. He pity me. That's why he took me under his wing. It's because I'm a pathetic Princess that was abandoned by everyone, that's why he looked my way before. Otherwise, he wouldn't at all!
And it makes me so angry for realizing that now.
"Your duty weighs more than your love for me. You NEVER loved me. You love the idea that you're a hero to me. You love the heroic image you created when you stood up for me. You didn't see me as your daughter. You saw me as a tool to brainwash everyone that you're a good man, that you've finally redeemed yourself by USING me. You cleaned your hands with my pouring tears and it washed away your sins. When I needed you most, where were you? You LEFT me. You always say you're greater than him but you submitted and left me. You rode your pretty horse to fight your kind and didn't looked back even when I'm begging you stay. I begged you stay and not go but you did. If you truly loved me, you would've killed him then and chose me over duty! If only you did, then my life would've been better!"
His eyes widened. He walked to me but I screamed at him to make him stop.
"That's not true---"
"FOR YOU. For you, because you don't know anything. You cut me so deeply, deeper than they did."
I stepped forward once.
"I'm gonna fucking kill Lorreign, one way or another. It's all you have protect, right? Then protect it. Protect them both. If you can."
Skadi Eira shrinked back to her Ancient form and glued the divided planet back together.
And I looked at her with disgust.
"I went to you looking for a friend. I should've known that even the dumbest thing can hide their form of a snake."
"Are you for real!? I explained myself to you already! I changed her face because I respect you and your son---and you will do this to me!?"
I ignored her and went on.
A portal opened behind me and Dryllivan walked until he's on my side.
"I'm all you ever have."
When he tried to seek the touch of my hand, I smacked his hand away and then slapped his face.
"Don't get me started on you. You're a traitor just like the rest."
"That's why I'm here, girl."
After so long, I heard it's voice again. That black thing from before who informed me about my rebirth. I don't know where it went since. Why come back now? It sure knows when to come out.
"I'm all you will ever need, so accept me. Imagine what we can do together if we're one---"
The voices in my head stopped when I drilled my hand in my head, squeezing my brain before pulling it out.
See? All these voices are just in my head.
"E-Elyzena? What happened?"
I stopped so he can go to me. He's still so pale, he can barely walk. His legs were shaking and they're probably feeling weak from my bites and yes, pleasure. I see that his neck is bandaged. His fit is formal but simple without his vest. I remember, he have these bands around his wrists, arms, and ankles. Even on his thighs. I tried removing them but I can't.
He was already so near when Dryllivan blocked my sight of him and kissed me.
He smiled down on me after, "You will be alright. I'm here now."
What the fuck?
He's so tall that I couldn't see Watts's reaction. Did he stop? Did he walk away? Or was he just standing behind, stunned and hurt? I want to see.
"Why did you do it?" I asked while looking straight into his eyes that are much more twisted and wicked than mine.
"But I do that all the time?"
'All the time'?
"That's right," I sighed. He smiled even sweeter, but it's not genuine.
It faded when I slapped him, though.
"You dare lay your lips on me, your Empress, before my husband, the Emperor?"
His eyes widened.
"Elyzena, I don't understand---"
So I slapped him again. Hands pushed him down. Now, he's holding the side I just slapped while staring at me in disbelief.
"I don't need you anymore, Sacremore. It'd pathetic to see you clinging on me after breaking your declaration to the heavens. Don't get two settings mixed up. You're nothing but a part of my past, and I don't see you being part of this one's future. I don't need a mortal who have no use to me."
He got up and approached me with his shrinked eyes. His manic obsession is all over his face. What changed him? I liked him better when he's just a sweet, thoughtful fuck toy.
"You don't mean that. I broke it because of this promised life! I did it FOR YOU, Elyzena. You know the rules and I can't tell you that. I let my life slipped away FOR YOU!"
What the fuck is he yapping about?
"Oh, you sacrificed your life to create this timeline?"
His expression became angrier.
"I did. And you will do this to me? Our love is greater than everything! No other man's love can be greater than mine! I even put that thing to take your place, so we can run away together from them! You don't need your family. You only need ME. I'm everything you will need and will ever need, Elyzena. I know you better than everyone else!"
What...is this madness?
He took my hands and knelt in front of me.
"Is this what you want? You know that I'm better than your husbands. I'm stronger than them! Otherwise, they wouldn't have died! Watts Xirquit? He's just a mere human with a pretty name! Maxigaufeas Vernignac? A madman who can't love you right and even shoot Prince Maximilien dead! That Devereux is as bad as them if combined. And Ambrose? A puppet of his name and can't even do a thing for himself! But I! Elyzena, I've done all things for you! I was there, always have been!"
I shifted my stares to Watts. He's shocked, but I can tell that he's feeling small deep inside. He's probably thinking why he's still not so great when in fact, he already is.
"I just know that I loved that genius 'til hell broke out."
I meant to say it in my mind but my tongue slipped. I saw how Dryllivan's expression changed and looked back at Watts.
I may not remember it, but I know I did. Otherwise, I wouldn't hold Zodiac so dear to my tainted, patched up heart if not. I could recall his Daddy's voice in my mind, saying his promises, but I couldn't see our memories together. I searched everywhere in my head but I couldn't. It's not simply forgotten. It was as if everything about Watts Nikola Xirquit...was erased.
The marriage I could remember so vividly until now is with that Vernignac. But with Watts, who came first before him? Nothing.
So, how did he die?
I married men who can withstand my curses, and those men are the Princes with their unique and outstanding abilities. They wanted me to bear successors already. Given that I am cursed, it'd be difficult if I suddenly passed away. I was wiping my lineage that time, so the throne will be left empty if I died. I was foolish back then, so I listened to those snakes.
Men from great families and of great backgrounds were gathered for me to mate with. The one who will be found to be able to withstand my curses will be Emperor. Some almost became the Emperor, but they died either way.
So, why Watts?
My eyes searched the whole place until I found the thing that looked like the Watts Xirquit I married before, based on the portraits I've seen in the first timeline.
I left Dryllivan and walked to him.
"Who are you?"
This one. This one looked more like Watts Xirquit. But the other is Watts Xirquit, too? What's...happening? Is this thing another Xirquit?
Who is he?
"That's Wattroid," I heard Watts say from behind, until he stopped beside me.
"He's a robot I created to be my disguise before. If you're familiar of 'Iron Man' and his suits, it's the same as him. The movies inspired me so I created one for myself, and that's Wattroid. To show you, Wattroid, open up."
My heart skipped a beat when half of that things body opened up, showing that it's nothing but a case. Watts fit himself inside and the thing closes on him. This Wattroid blinked his eyes. Then it smiled.
"Now, I'm Watts Xirquit."
I was taken aback, held a step back from this...from this...
"That explains why you could withstand my curses..."
It opened up again and he went out. Now, Wattroid is Wattroid and Watts is Watts.
"He's more than just a robot to me. He's also my secretary, my artificial intelligence, and almost everything I can ask for. He's very dependable. A good friend of mine."
No. No, but how did he die? If he's inside that case, that suit---is it my curses?
Something isn't right. I-I don't understand. I can't remember.
After him is Maxigaufeas. But before Maxigaufeas, I got Claxiord. But before Claxiord, I have their mother. That bitch Clastigaufeas Vernignac, her life is in my hands. THEN Claxiord offered his life to me, to be my husband. But then Maxigaufeas came in exchange of both his mother and brother. But only his brother made it back to their Empire, because I'm holding their mother hostage. Then, what about their father? What about Uncle Max? That's right. We fought. We fought to death. That's when I encountered Skadi, too. Everything... Everything---
I held my aching head with both hands.
"Princess!"
Luckily, he's there when I almost fainted.
"I don't understand... I couldn't remember how I lost you..." I murmur as I slowly blink. My blurry vision of him became clear and saw him wear an expression so distressed and pained.
"You made him a monster."
"SACREMORE!"
W-What...?
"Claxiord Vernignac left a hole in his body with their scary guns. You wanted to bring him back, so you fed him your blood. It's pathetic, but I praise you for thinking that you can do it like your mother, Elyzena. You gave him more than what's needed and enough, and he turn into a monster. You turn him into a monster, Elyzena. You took his heart out and, poof, he died. It's became sadder when Prince Zodiac died, too. Yes, very sad."
I could hear my own heart beat banging through my ears.
My shaking breath, my shaking hands, and my turning vision.
"Elyzena, don't listen to him! He's just making you angry!"
"Let her know the truth! The truth that the Vernignacs are behind everything that happened to you! And what did they do? They betrayed Her Imperial Majesty and hurted her more, as if killing you, a family to them, is not enough! Remember it, Elyzena! And tell me if I am wrong! I am a witness!"
No...
"He married you so he can hurt you more, Elyzena! Remember how he'd abuse you and called you names! Remember how he will always beat you up and use you for pleasure! He never respected you, Elyzena! Maxigaufeas Vernignac is a beast! A monster much worse than Watts Xirquit had become!"
He stole me from Watts's arms and faced me. He shook me, holding me on my arms with a desperate look on his face.
"Before me, he committed it first. He was having an affair with Princess Eowyne and Breuce did his best to protect them. The Princess seduced him. Remember what he did to Prince Maximilien?"
My eyes widened in horror.
Dryllivan gently caressed my face. His eyes are teary.
"He got home drunk, angry for something you didn't do. You can remember it, right? He beat you up again that night. The poor Prince... It was horrifying even for me. His scary gun, pointing at you. After shooting your head, it didn't satisfy him and shot the Prince, too. The poor Prince, Elyzena! Prince Maximilien, yet another Prince that almost lived! Yet another son that he almost was! You lost Prince Zodiac because of them, and lost Prince Maximilien because of them, too! Maxigaufeas Vernignac killed both your sons, Prince Zodiac and Prince Maximilien!"
I slowly shook my head and palmed my face as my diamond tears began to pour from my eyes.
And I screamed it all out. The pain of losing my son from the hands of his sinful father. Oh, my poor child. He didn't deserve it. He never deserved it. I failed to protect him.
Like the devil, Dryllivan whispered to me as he pat my back, "Clastigaufeas Vernignac is pregnant. Do what he did to Prince Maximilien on her. A child for a child. Bring the same nightmare to them, Elyzena."
"What are you saying to her! Princess, don't listen to that sly snake! He's poisoning your mind!" Watts snarled, but Dryllivan embraced me tight.
"Me, poisoning her mind? No, but you ARE. Making her into a good girl and then what? Break her the way you broke her? You've already done it. On Moon, remember?"
"That, too, was your doing! I protected Moon! I love her! I love the Princess whether she's a traveler or a tyrant!"
I shudder. Not because I am so heartbroken, but find what he said so pathetic it's hurting me. And Dryllivan thought I'm sobbing.
"What should I do? I don't know what to do," I faked and opened gaps between my fingers where a few of my diamond tears fell.
"Exact your revenge. Give me the order and I will do it. I am your executioner. Always have been."
So, I nodded.
"Princess, I beg of you! Maxigaufeas is my brother! If you listen to me, then we'll find the truth behind everything! That man is untrustworthy! Whatever your relationship and past may be, I'm sure he did something to stir conflicts between us. Believe me. I swear this to my name: I will find the truth."
Ah, he sound so sexy and really angry.
I placed my hand on Dryllivan's chest. Then I slowly pushed him away from me. Both were astounded when they saw the unhinged and maniacal grin plastered on my face. And I know I'm blushing as I take a good look about my first husband.
"We should fuck while you're angry. That'll be hot, don't you think?"
"Elyzena!"
My first husband blushed as hell as soon as he heard it.
"P-Princess, please read the room. T-That... We're in the middle---!" He covered his embarrassed face using his arm.
Dryllivan harshly pushed me by the arm and turned me around to face him. By then, my expression went back to being cold and irritated.
"I'm everything you will ever need. If it's a body you want, you can have me. I'm yours truly, Elyzena! You swore to me that you are mine, so why are you wagging your tail to a mere human!? Can't you see that we're gods!? We are made from the stars, and only the stars can collide, so why are you crawling back to that made of dust!?"
I finally lost it.
Just, what the fuck is making this bitch so worked up?
"Do you want me to be completely honest with you, Van?"
I touched his face. His gaze softened.
"Tell me."
I smiled.
"All the times we slept together, I've been faking all my moans and affirmations that you were good to you. Really, you are just so miserable that I had to cheer you up. Indeed, you've been by my side for so long. But why is that I never asked you to be my husband? Hmm? And why is that a child never grew in my womb, hmm? "
I smiled even sweeter with the most wicked, smirking eyes.
I traveled my hands to his neck and squeezed it so tightly that his bones cracked and got deformed.
"It's because you're just a knight. I've never seen you as a Prince, but a strong and big soldier to warm my bed as my husband fuck around. You may have planted your seeds in me, but I never watered them. I killed them because I don't want to birth some knight's baby. I have standards, and sadly, you only met half of it."
Once again, his pupils shrinked so small that I couldn't see my reflection on his dark eyes. And he squeezed back my neck, so I moaned and bit my lower lip to tease him.
"Take it back while I can still forgive you, Azarese. TAKE.THAT.BACK."
But I only smiled even sweeter, so sweet that he'll get cavities. Then it'll spread all over him and he would just rot.
"No, because it's the truth. Did you really think I would love you? I would never disgrace my sons by giving them a BASTARD---"
When he let me go, he also gave me a blow to my face. I heard horrified gasps and shouts, but to me, it was the best. Oh, how I live it when I'm hurt like that. It challenges me to poke the bear more and see what else it'd do on me.
I'm not surprised anymore when Watts came to deliver the same blow to his face for me. And he didn't stop there: he went atop of Dryllivan and punched him consecutively. When Dryllivan tried to pay him back, Ohms Xirquit popped out of nowhere and stepped on both his wrists to prevent him from throwing his fisss to his brother.
"There, there. I already gave you a lesson but you didn't learn from it? How stubborn."