The Eclipsed Bloom-Chapter 114: Nicely

Lilith’s eyes narrowed as she coughed, struggling to breathe. Her hands clawed at the woman’s wrist, trying desperately to break free.

"Cough... cough..."

Anahi tilted her head, her face twisted in rage as she tightened her grip, fingers pressing into Lilith’s throat like she meant to snap it.

"Hmph." Anahi snorted—but her expression shifted as she dodged a heavy sword swinging toward her neck.

Turning sharply, she spotted a woman with fiery red hair, standing still and cold as ice.

"Where is my wife, you bitch?" Grace growled, raising her sword once again, her voice like thunder.

Lilith gasped for air as Anahi finally released her, but her body still wouldn’t move—paralyzed by the magic that bound her.

Anahi looked at Grace coldly, her eyes filled with loathing.

"So you’re one of them too... Is it because of you two that my beautiful love’s fingers bear those marks?"

Grace didn’t answer—she simply swung her sword again, her voice like thunder."I’ll ask you one more time. Where is my wife?"

Anahi narrowed her eyes and raised her hand. In an instant, countless shards of stone tore away from the cave walls, floating midair like a storm held in place.

Lilith’s eyes widened in realization.’Is this... gravity magic?’

The stones shot toward Grace like a barrage of arrows, but she didn’t flinch. Her sword slashed through the air, cutting through the debris even as blood streamed from her arms. Some stones pierced her body, one even tearing off her arm—but she kept walking, unwavering.

She stopped right in front of Anahi, her body trembling, pierced and bleeding, but her grip on the sword remained unshaken. Her remaining eye glinted with cold fury.

"Where... is... my wife?" she asked again, voice low, yet carrying the weight of relentless rage—a question she had already repeated countless times.

Anahi ignored Grace entirely, her gaze shifting toward the entrance of the cave.

A man was approaching—his hair stark white, his eyes as dark as night.

Lilith’s breath caught as she saw him.

"...Father," she whispered, eyes closing in resignation.

Lucien stepped forward, his expression calm but firm."Anahi, release my daughters."

Anahi placed a hand on her chest. A wild grin stretched across her lips."Hehehe... Nightmoor, Nightmoor... You must know where that bitch took my love. Tell me—tell me!"

Lucien’s brow furrowed as he studied her. She looked utterly unhinged.

"Anahi," he said coldly, "if you don’t release my daughters, don’t expect to get your core back."

Anahi blinked. For a brief second, clarity flickered in her eyes—just a hint of the woman she once was.

"M-My core..." she muttered. "Yes... with that, I can get my power back... I can find my love... Hehehe... Love, wait for me..."

Her crazed laughter echoed through the cave.

"Give it to me, Nightmoor," she pleaded, eyes gleaming. "I promise—I won’t harm your daughters."

Lucien sighed heavily, clearly tired of the chaos.

’Tch. Why did they have to run from the castle...? Now she’ll get her power back, and it’ll be harder to control her.’

Shaking his head, he raised a hand. A crimson marble appeared in his palm, glowing with pulsing energy.

Anahi’s eyes lit up with twisted joy, and her laughter turned even more manic.

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[Zara POV]

Frustration burning in my chest, I stormed away from Himeros.

"Where are you going, darling?" her teasing voice rang out behind me.

I clenched my fists, grinding my teeth. Spinning around, I shut my eyes tight.

"I’m not your darling, Himeros. And I’m going somewhere—anywhere—I can find peace!"

But when I opened my eyes, I nearly jumped.

She was right in front of me—her face barely inches from mine.

My heart skipped a beat, and my cheeks flushed as I stared at her divine features up close.

"W-What..."

Himeros chuckled softly, reaching up to tuck a stray strand of hair behind my ear.

"You know," she murmured, voice honeyed, "if you really want peace... the only place you’ll find it is with me. You can hug me all day, every second... and I promise you’ll feel nothing but peace."

My lips twitched in disbelief, somewhere between irritation and flustered panic.

"Now don’t go anywhere—I’m just stepping away for a bit, okay?" Himeros said sweetly, then vanished in a blink.

The moment she disappeared, I let out a long breath of relief and turned around.

’Does she really think I’m stupid enough to just wait for her? Hmph.’

Without hesitation, I started walking quickly in the opposite direction. From the corner of my eye, I noticed robed mages rushing toward the ruined auction building.

I raised my hand and tried to tear the silk collar from my neck—but it didn’t budge, not even a little.

My eyes lit up as I spotted a tall wall in the distance, and just ahead of it, a large iron gate leading out of the kingdom. A line of carriages and people were passing through, entering and leaving freely.

Hope sparked in my chest.

’If I can blend in... maybe I can escape this madness.’

After half an hour of waiting in line, I finally reached the gate.

Grinning, I stepped forward, feeling the warm breeze of freedom on my face.

But just as my foot crossed the threshold, a hand landed on my shoulder.

"Didn’t I say to wait for me, darling?"

Sweat broke out on my forehead the moment I heard her voice.

Turning around slowly, I saw Himeros standing behind me with that same sweet—yet terrifying—smile.

"Come with me, darling," she said, brushing hair from my cheek. "I found a place where we can finally have peace."

Before I could utter a single protest, the world around me blurred—and we vanished.

The guard who had been checking papers dropped his sword with a loud clang, his hands trembling.

"W-Was that... a divine-class magician?" he whispered, gulping hard.

My jaw dropped.

We were standing in front of a massive mansion, lined with rows of knights and maids bowing in perfect unison.

"Welcome, Duke Himeros! It’s an honor to serve you!" they shouted.

I stared at her in disbelief.

’When did she become a duke in this kingdom?’

As if reading my thoughts, Himeros smiled and gently pulled my face to her chest.

"You see," she said sweetly, "I just went to the king and asked nicely for a duke title. He agreed... nicely."

...My expression must’ve been completely deadpan.

’Nicely? Right. And I’m supposed to believe the king handed over his land to some unknown woman just because she asked nicely? What a joke.’

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