Rise of the Lustful Evil Monarch (Re)

Virelle's POV

"In return, he will protect you and ensure your every wish is fulfilled including finding your family. My disciple will guarantee and try to the best of his ability that no physical or mental harm ever befalls you."

Each word pierced through me like a dagger. A bitter voice echoed in my mind. It should have been me in her place. I clenched my fists suddenly, horrified by my thoughts.

No. This doesn't matter to me. It can't matter. My family and the Empire of Abyssal Dominion would never accept such a bond. They would destroy Ethan without hesitation if I ever became his Heartshadow.

This is better, I told myself. This girl can protect him when I cannot. She will remain by his side when I am not destined to stay anywhere near him.

A wry and hollow laugh escaped my throat, and I felt a wetness prickling at the corners of my eyes.

Am I crying? Why? I couldn't understand the ache spreading through my chest or the tears that refused to stop.

This has nothing to do with me. It never did.

Turning away from the scene, I moved to the far corner of the room and my shoulders trembled as I fought to silence the storm raging within me.

I have to control myself. I've faced worse situations than this. It's not even a big deal. I have much bigger problems. I repeated these thoughts in my mind, over and over, forcing myself to calm down.

My chest heaved slightly from my chaotic emotions but I reflected on the lingering turbulence in my mind.
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I drew a deep breath and turned to observe the strange girl and the dragoness sitting together beside the bed. The dragoness suddenly glanced at me from the corner of her eye and I felt as if she was giving me a silent reminder that she was watching everything.

I lowered my gaze and was embarrassed deep down but outwardly, I maintained a composed and normal demeanor.

"Listen, Velcy," the dragoness began, her voice calm but firm, "my disciple is not from this place, and one day he will have to return to his home. I assure you, though, that he would never leave you alone or force you into anything against your will.

I know you don't want to be bound to anyone again but this bond is not like a master-slave contract. It will benefit you both as you would help each other and grow stronger together."

I listened with focus for a moment and wondered what she meant by Ethan not being from this place.

Come to think of it, I even don't know which race Ethan belongs to. Barring master, the dragoness and me, all the others including Big Brother thought that Ethan is a vampire.

This question seemed to ring inside my mind continuously and I felt a burning curiosity to know the truth behind this secret.

"And don't forget," she added, her tone softening slightly, "I will always be here to guide and assist the two of you."

The scarred girl named Velcy nodded nervously and she bobbed her head up and down like a chick pecking at grains.

She seemed both uncertain and eager as she listened, but her gaze kept drifting to Ethan's sleeping face. She thought no one noticed her stolen glances but it was painfully obvious.

Why is the lord even saying these things? I thought with a frustrated sigh. Why would a normal person not want to become the Heartshadow of the sole disciple of one of the strongest beings in the world? And Velcy doesn't even seem that unwilling to me.

Ethan's master kept speaking and her eyes momentarily fixed on the macabre paintings decorating the walls. The conversation meandered into various topics, but Velcy though seemingly dazed listened to it in silence. Her eyes, however, stayed glued to Ethan.

Has she never seen a boy in her life? Well, I will admit that he looks very handsome and different from others. But her gaze looks different from those lovestruck fools and I can sense a genuine curiosity and amazement in her eyes every time she glances at me.

Is there something unique about her experiences?

I wondered with confusion as her behavior suggested that she seemed to have never seen a teenage boy in her life.

"Now," the dragoness finally said, "I will tell you the name of the bond you will establish with my disciple. It is called Heartshadow. In time, you will understand its meaning."

I scoffed inwardly. The term might have sounded strange to a child who knew so little about the world, but it carried far more weight than she realized.

The Heartshadow was not just a title but it was a sort of a sacred role. It signified a person who served not only as a caretaker but also as a lifelong protector and companion to their other half.

A Heartshadow stood as a shield and a confidant who ensured the safety and well-being of their counterpart in peace and peril alike. While the role might appear or sound simple on the surface, its importance was immeasurable.

This bond went beyond mere duty. It was forged in trust, loyalty, and shared purpose, binding two individuals in a connection that defied ordinary understanding.

A Heartshadow was often the closest ally and unwavering support for their master throughout life. Even my father has a Heartshadow. And she… she's my wretched mother.

I swallowed hard bitter memories flashing through my mind.

Big Brother Victor might be my half-brother by blood in reaslity but our bond has never felt distant and he was the only one who felt and showed real love and concern to me.

He had always shielded me from his mother—the queen who was also the official wife of the Crimson Deluge Duke. His mother saw me as a stain on her perfect life as the queen and madam of the duchy. As for my mother herself… haah…