Luis lay on the floor, motionless, lost in thought. Luci, in contrast, stood by the window, watching the deployment of troops flooding the city.
The alarm had been given: the king's heir had been assassinated, and now they were hunting the culprits.
No one imagined that the killers were hiding right next to the royal palace, concealed in a villa. If the soldiers decided to check the nearby mansions, they would find them easily. But at the same time, who would be crazy enough to kill the king's son and then hide so close to him?
The mansion belonged to Marin. It was just one of the many properties he owned throughout the city. This particular one was attached to the king's castle, a perfect hideout to continue with their plans.
It was an imposing place, with wide corridors, silk carpets, and dark carved wooden furniture. Despite its luxurious exterior, its interior lacked warmth or life—only the echo of a greater purpose taking shape within its shadows.
At that moment, the door opened. Aron and Hernan entered, carrying an unconscious young woman over their shoulders.
—Hehehe, I'm back, boss. I brought what you asked for, and we didn't leave any witnesses.
Aron spoke with enthusiasm, as if the situation held no weight for him. He tossed the girl onto a couch like an old rag. Then, without caring about his blood-soaked clothes, he headed off to look for food.
Hernan, on the other hand, remained silent. Since he had killed so many without hesitation, he felt something inside him shifting. The violence had been necessary. But for the first time, he wondered if he would ever be the same after this.
Without a word, he went to the bathroom, attempting to wash away the blood on his skin—but unable to cleanse what he felt within.
Luis watched him leave, then turned his gaze to Aron.
—How did Hernan do?
Aron let out a carefree laugh.
—Hehehe, he did well. At first, he hesitated, but in the end, he did it. Now, he's probably struggling with it, but once he recovers, he won't hesitate anymore. He'll break through his barriers.
Luis nodded calmly. He knew that if Hernan didn't overcome this stage, he wouldn't be useful for what was coming next. This was just a small step compared to everything ahead.
Luci, wasting no time, approached the unconscious girl on the couch. She examined her for a few seconds, her cold and relentless gaze analyzing every detail of her body. Then, without changing her expression, she grabbed a glass of water and poured it over her face.
The shock of the water jolted the young woman awake.
Her body reacted with a start. Her breathing quickened. She frantically looked around, trying to grasp her surroundings. Her eyes landed on the man who had struck her. He was eating without restraint, still dressed in blood-soaked clothes, as if it was just part of his routine.
The other man was nowhere to be seen.
Besides Aron, a woman with an icy stare watched her without emotion, ready to kill her at the slightest suspicious movement.
But what caught Lily's attention the most was the young man lying on the floor.
He seemed detached from everything happening around him, as if the chaos surrounding them meant absolutely nothing to him.
Then, she saw him stand up.
He walked toward her slowly. He sat down in front of her and locked eyes with her, his red pupils unwavering.
The cold-eyed woman moved with him, positioning herself behind him like a guardian.
Luis spoke calmly.
—Allow me to introduce myself. I'm Luis, leader of the Creation Sect. You've already met Aron and my other member, Hernan. —Then he motioned behind him—. She is Luci, my bodyguard. You must be Lily.
The shock froze her for a moment. He knew her real name.
Who was this man?
She had heard of his sect before. Creation.
She had always been an outcast, someone society expected to simply disappear. Since when did people like them exist—those who had no fear of standing against the kingdom?
Luis watched her expectantly, but when she didn't respond, his patience thinned.
—Are you deaf, or did the hit make you stupid? Aron, I told you I wanted her intact. If she's this way, you'll be responsible.
Aron, completely unfazed, shrugged with his usual grin.
—Hehehe, boss, I just gave her a little tap. If she's like this, she was already like this. Besides, she's intact. Didn't even cut off a finger.
While Luis reprimanded Aron with unsettling calm, Lily observed him with intrigue.
This man spoke with absolute indifference.
He didn't fear the blood-soaked man. On the contrary, he seemed to find him amusing.
But the strangest thing was Aron's attitude. He didn't argue. He didn't react violently. He was entirely different from when she had seen him slaughter nearly everyone.
Finally, she found her voice.
—Yes, I'm Lily —she answered, fear lingering in her tone.
Aron chuckled.
—Hehehe, see? She speaks. I knew I didn't hit her that hard… I think.
Luis heard her response and smiled.
At least the hit hadn't made her stupid. Otherwise, it would be a problem for his plans.
—A pleasure to meet you, Lily… or rather, Princess Lily.
The color drained from her face.
—H-How do you know...?
Luis rested an arm on the couch, relaxed.
—I know many things. Your father is the king of this kingdom. Your mother was one of his concubines, until he killed her himself. Then, he gifted you as a mere slave to his most loyal friend, because he never wanted to acknowledge you as his daughter... nor as a possible successor to the throne.
The world seemed to halt for a moment.
Lily didn't respond. That was a secret very few people knew. Only a select few close to the king were aware of it.
How had he found out...?
But before she could ask, Luis kept speaking.
—Currently, the king had several children. He sent them to fight among themselves, so only the strongest would survive and become his successor.
He paused. His smile widened, as if recalling something with satisfaction.
—Too bad he died cruelly today.
A shiver ran down Lily's spine.
Had it been him...?
She felt nothing for her brother. She had never considered him family. But still, the cold way Luis spoke about his death terrified her.
Then, he continued.
—Now, the kingdom has no heir. Tell me, Lily… what happens if the king dies without a successor?
Lily took a few moments before answering.
—If a king dies without a successor, the closest relative in his bloodline is chosen to rule. If no one exists, the dukes vote to elect a new ruler.
Luis nodded, satisfied.
—Exactly. Right now, you're the only direct descendant left, even if you're just the daughter of a concubine. You have no surviving siblings.
In other words, you would be the next queen.
That is, unless someone powerful enough were to take the throne from you.
Lily swallowed hard. Now she understood everything.
Had he rescued her to make her queen?
She didn't believe it. A man who had ordered the massacre of an entire mansion, who had assassinated the king's only son… didn't seem like someone who would simply help her.
But she didn't know what to say. She didn't know what to do.
This young man wasn't someone she could toy with, nor someone she could manipulate.
More than that, she was completely at his mercy.
If he wanted to, he could kill her just like the others.
—You're very quiet. I thought you'd be happy to hear that if the king dies, you'll be queen. You won't be anyone's slave anymore. No one would dare mistreat you.
Luis said it while analyzing her reaction.
Lily pressed her lips together.
—Thank you for saving me. But I don't think you're doing it for nothing.
Luis let out a soft laugh.
—Nothing in life is free.
His gaze sharpened.
—I will make you queen. But from today onward, you belong to me.
Lily felt her chest tighten.
—You will be my woman. You will obey every one of my orders. Even if you rule the kingdom, the true owner of it will be me.
Luis paused and, with a casual gesture, ordered Luci to bring him a pitcher of beer. Then, he continued.
—Think about it. You'll have freedom. You'll be in control of your own life. No one will mistreat you anymore. I only ask for obedience.
He took a sip from his mug.
—Obedience only to me.
He placed the container back on the table calmly.
—By making you my woman, I ensure that no one tries to usurp the throne by marrying you.
Lily fell deep into thought.
He was offering her the kingdom.
But it wouldn't truly be hers.
He was offering her freedom.
But it wouldn't be real freedom.
If she accepted, the true king would be him.
The only certainty was that, if they had children, they would be the princes. They would inherit the kingdom.
Luis tilted his head.
—There's not much to think about. I won't mistreat you. I will protect you. Besides, it's a privilege to be my woman. Few are chosen.
Lily barely blinked.
—But… why me?
Luis smiled with disdain.
—Stupid question. Because we need each other.
That response surprised her.
They needed each other.
Did that mean he couldn't take the kingdom without her...?