On the terrace, Zeres, Iryz and Lilith were quietly watching the rest dancing with small smiles on their lips when Kyle appeared from behind. He greeted Zeres and Iryz first before turning to face Lilith.
Kyle offered Lilith his hand. For a few moments, Lilith could just stare at the prince’s outstretched hand. But eventually, she let out a silent sigh and accepted it. It could be said that Kyle literally beamed when Lilith’s hand landed in his before he straightened his posture before leading her out to the dance floor.
“May I have this dance?” Iryz similarly offered her hand to Zeres, imitating how Kyle had done for Lilith. This caused Zeres to blink and stare mutely at her for a moment before placing his wine glass down on the small round table that were beside them. Then turning to look at Iryz, he flashed her a gentle smile before replying.
“Of course,” he said as his hand clasped hers. However, Zeres took the initiative this time and led Iryz to the dance floor. Iryz’s eyebrows arched up in pleasant surprise as she willingly allowed herself to be gently tugged towards where the other dancers were already swaying their bodies to the music.
The music continued playing as the couples enjoyed the dance. Well, except for a pair who looked like they were having an intense conversation through their eyes. The Lilith and Kyle pair were the only ones who did not seem to be enjoying the moment as they danced. The happy smile that was on Kyle’s lips had faded and he was now looking extremely solemn as he swayed with Lilith in his arms. There was something intense going on between them instead.
“Do you remember what I told you when we said goodbye?” Kyle asked.
Lilith paused for a moment, ruining their rhythm for a few seconds. Thankfully, Kyle was a great dance partner and he easily got them both back into rhythm again.
“I said the next time I see you, I will never let you go again.” Kyle continued when Lilith did not seem to respond. “I want to let you know that from here on… I will stop at nothing to make you mine. I’ll make you mine Lilith, even if it kills me.” He vowed in a low and firm voice. She saw that his eyes flashed with determination and knew that he meant every single word that he said.
Her breath hitched at his words and at the intensity that shone in his beautiful clear eyes. But Lilith fought to maintain her composure, knowing that vampires were all looking at her as she danced with their youngest prince. This was the first time she had appeared here outwardly without any disguise on. The vampires were still avoiding her and Zeres like they were the plague, but they were not that hostile to them anymore, despite them flaunting their very obviously silver hair in the midst of the vampires.
Now that she was dancing with a vampire prince, she noticed that many vampires looking surprised and full of wonder as they looked at one of their princes. That was not an issue for Lilith though. She loved him but… she knew that the two of them were still a forbidden pair. She had not asked Alicia about how her condition came about yet, but Lilith could already deduce that Alicia turned into a vampire because of Ezekiel. She was not certain as the couple never talked about it openly, but Lilith’s guts told her that the price Alicia that had to pay to be with Ezekiel was her identity as a witch.
If she needed to give up herself as a witch queen to be with him… she would rather choose her duty, no matter how it would hurt her and him. And there was one more thing that she was certain about, and that was she did not want to become a vampire. She is a witch queen, and she was willing to give up everything to do her duty.
“Kyle…” Lilith whispered, secretly casting a sound barrier spell around them so no vampires could eavesdrop into their conversation. “I am… I am the queen of the witches. I have a duty to fulfil.”
“I know… Lilith…” Kyle answered flatly.
“Alicia and Prince Ezekiel are together now. But… Alicia had to become a vampire, right?” Lilith shook her head. “I am a witch and I’d like to die a witch.” She looked down and swallowed the lump in her throat. “I don’t want to become a vampire, Kyle.” She uttered in an almost inaudible voice. “So, I… I’d like to tell you to… to give up on me. I have thought long and hard about this for many nights and most especially last night. And this… this is my final decision, Kyle.”
She gave him a soft smile. Her eyes started to gleam with unshed tears. “I am going to dedicate myself to my duty as the queen of witches. That will be the sole purpose of my life from now on. I hope you will understand and come to accept my decision.”
They stopped dancing and just stood there, not caring about the other dancers swaying around them. Lilith felt as though her heart was breaking as she looked at the hurt blotting out the light in his eyes. But this must happen. She knew and accepted that not all love will have their happy ever after. She will always love this boy. She felt like she would never love anyone again and that was maybe why it hurt like hell to give up on him.
But she had to make her choice. And this was her decision.
They were still young. Kyle was still very young for a vampire. He might not understand her decision now but one day she was certain that he would. And maybe, by then he might be glad that he gave her up. The thought had her feeling a sharp pang tugging at her chest, but she bravely swallowed the pain. She had already thought of all these for the past few nights but in the end, her decision always ended with this – giving up on Kyle.
“I’m sorry, Kyle…” she uttered, trying to swallow her tears before they fall from her eyes. “I wish… I wish from the deepest parts of my heart that you will one day find someone who can give up everything to be with you. Someone who will love you and choose you over everything else. Thank you for the love you showed me. For everything. I will cherish all of our memories together for as long as I live Kyle…” She then gave him the gentlest smile she could muster as the music came to an end.
Lilith was not going to expect anything. But if they were truly meant to be, maybe one day, in the far future, the world might give them a chance to be together again where none of them had to sacrifice anything just to be with the other. One day. Perhaps…
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A/N: Please add Hellbound Heart in your library and vote for it, hellbounders. Thank u.
