Night hung over the palace of Ophelia, and the high domes and delicate arches cast shadows in the moonlight, cold and profound. In this center of prosperity and power, behind a closed door, the fourth prince Renaud Ophelia locked himself inside.
The air in the room was still, and the fire in the fireplace jumped and crackled slightly, but it could not dispel the chill. Renaud was standing in front of a huge mirror, the frame of which was intricately carved with angelic ornamentals, but the mirror looked dim and blurred, as if it were shrouded in a mist.
He slowly raised his head and stared at himself in the mirror. His face was handsome and cold, but his eyes were deeply conflicted. His hands were clenched gently, his knuckles white, as if he were repressing some strong emotion.
"Again..." "He whispered, with faint fatigue in his voice.
The reflection in the mirror suddenly twisted, as if the mirror came to life. Soon, the "Renault" in the mirror smiled, his eyes cold and sarcastic: "What? Regret it?"
Renault's brow furrowed, his voice muffled: "Shut up, I have no regrets."
'Oh? The reflection in the mirror chuckled, mocking. "You don't seem to be telling the truth. Didn't you hesitate when you stabbed her through the chest? Why else would it be so indecisive?"
Renaud's face grew more somber, and he turned, trying to avoid the mirror's gaze. However, the reflection's voice still echoes in his ears: "Why do you lie to yourself?" You hate her, but you love her, too. Conflicts like this will destroy you sooner or later."
Renault clenched his fists and said through clenched teeth, "That's enough! Everything I do, I do for empire, for power, for myself! Feelings are just excess baggage, I will not be bound by it!"
The reflection in the mirror gave a sneer and said slowly, "Oh, really? Then why are you standing here right now, arguing with yourself? If you'd really let her go, we wouldn't be having this conversation."
Renaud jerked back and stared into the mirror with anger and mixed emotions: "I have no choice! Her presence threatens my status, and the closeness of her relationship with Kane only makes me a laughingstock. Elena has to be eliminated, it's the only way!"
The reflection slowly shook his head, with a hint of pity in his eyes: "You use power to hide your cowardice, but you dare not admit your real fear." You were afraid of her, not because she threatened your position, but because you knew she had made you feel that you, too, could be loved and belong."
Renault's face suddenly stiffened, his body trembled slightly, and his fists clattered to the bone. He stepped closer to the mirror, his eyes burning with anger. "Shut up! You're not me! You're just my... Illusion!"
"Hallucinations?" The reflection in the mirror sneered, "Then why do I know every secret in your heart?" Such as When you stood on the temple platform that day, watching her blood all over the floor, you really only thought of one thing - 'If she asks me now, will I forgive her?' '"
Raynor's pupils constricted sharply, as if pierced by a sharp blade. He punched the mirror hard, the mirror split, the reflection became fragmented, but the cold smile still hanging in the lens, never dissipated.
"Renaud Ophelia, you can fool everybody, even yourself, but you can't fool me." I am a part of you, the coward who loved her and wanted her but could never have her."
The sound in the mirror faded away, leaving only the crackle of flames echoing through the empty room.
Renaud stood in front of the broken mirror with his hands down and his body shaking slightly. His eyes drooped, unable to hide his confusion. That voice was a part of him, a part that he had desperately suppressed but could not completely erase.
He thought of Elena, that resolute and slightly stubborn face, her back on the battlefield, the way she smiled at him at the wedding... The memories came flooding back and took his breath away.
"I've come too far..." Renault muttered, in a tone of deep fatigue and pain, "There is no going back."
He slowly closed his eyes, but another voice in his heart whispered, "Yes, there is no going back." But why do you keep looking back?"
Outside the door of the room, the servant stood hesitantly. He heard the noise in the room, but did not dare knock. His Highness, he knew, was dealing with his "thoughts." It was a secret never mentioned to outsiders, but everyone close to Renault knew that he did not seem to be a complete man.
"Your Highness's shadow..." The servant whispered to himself, then shook his head and turned away.
The night deepens, and Ophelia's palace is surrounded by silence. Reynaud stood before the wreckage of the mirror, his eyes deep. There was a complex expression on his face, as if he were struggling, as if he were deciding.
"Elena... You are still my weakness." His voice was barely audible, and then he looked up, with the usual coldness in his eyes again. "But the soft side has to be cut, doesn't it?"
He turned to the door of the room, held the door handle for an instant, looked back at the mirror fragment, his mouth raised a bitter smile.
"Good-bye... The innocent self."