Chapter 58
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 58
Chapter Title: Her and Her - 1
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"Leo."
Someone calls my name. A low voice, but not gentle in the slightest.
"Leo."
Suddenly, laughter bubbles up inside me. This is the life I dreamed of, isn't it? Waking up to someone's voice and starting the day on a pleasant note. Of course, this voice doesn't belong to the person I wanted, and this sure as hell isn't a pleasant day, so the laughter fades quickly.
"Leo."
I wished she was the only one who ever called my name. I wished those other fucking bastards would never dare utter it. That's why I clawed my way to the highest seat in the empire. I did whatever it took. Killed the obstacles, stole what belonged to others, crushed people's skulls underfoot. Fortunately, every step of the way was so damn fun and enjoyable.
Yeah. Taking something from someone else is pure pleasure. The Ennesic Goddess said not to steal from others. Of course she did. Gods are selfish—they want all the pleasure for themselves. There's nothing like the thrill of spending stolen money. Or climbing to someone else's position and lording over the masses.
Or watching someone else's precious lover lick your balls between your legs.
But all these evil deeds were ultimately for her. So that she, nobler than anyone, could take her rightful place. So that she, more precious than anyone, could become the most treasured person in the world. So no one could ever interfere with our love.
Yeah. In the end, everything was for her...
"...Leo."
"Agh...!"
At that moment, a massive hand grabs my hair like it's trying to rip it out and yanks my head back. I groan and barely manage to open my eyes. Staring back at me are eyes so pitch-black they're terrifying.
"Snap out of it."
"Fuck... you..."
I'd been lost in such sweet thoughts. Seeing the face of the man I despise most in the world soured my mood a bit. Luca. That fucking bastard slams my head against the wall and then straddles a chair, glaring at me.
"Feeling better now?"
"Fuck... you fucker...!"
Only then do the recent events flood back into my mind, rage boiling up. I reach out to strangle him, but my arms and legs won't respond at all. Tied up, huh. I try to check, but it's too dark to see clearly.
"Leo."
"What the fuck do you want...?"
Luca calls my name again. I wonder what he wants to say, but the same old bullshit comes out of his mouth.
"Where did you say Eli was?"
"Ha... fuck, seriously."
That bastard's Eli. Eli. Eli. Fucking bitch. She's always been the problem. Suddenly, I burst out laughing and cackle as I reply.
"I said I'd show you, didn't I? So why the sudden meltdown and this bullshit? If you tie me up like this... like this so I can't move, how am I supposed to show you that pussy you love so much, Luca?"
"I don't get why you keep running your mouth."
"Running my mouth? What should I call a pussy then? Every time I fucked her, she was moaning like a pathetic whore. What, you jealous, Luca? That Eli dumped you and came to me?"
For the first time, Luca's eyes flicker. It's subtle, but I catch the emotional shift and pounce.
"Man... that hole of hers was so tight. You wouldn't know the feeling, huh? Of course not. A loser who's never even kissed Eli, let alone fucked her, what would you know? Wanna try? How about sucking my dick? She just did it earlier, so it's like an indirect kiss. Right?"
"I'll ask one more time, Leo."
Luca leans in close. With an emotionless expression, he asks,
"Where's Eli?"
In that instant, those jet-black eyes overwhelm me. Fear surges up unbidden, but I force myself to stay calm.
"Riding my cock, you fuck."
"I see."
Luca nods at my answer and slowly stands. Then he tosses out a single line.
"This is your choice."
"That damn choice bullshit from earlier..."
I lift my head to speak, but sense a strange aura and stop. A familiar scent wafts in, stinging my nostrils harshly. I clamp my mouth shut and stare into the darkness.
Then, voices start coming.
"Sob... hic..."
"Ah... ugh..."
Fuck.
The moment I hear them, I curse inwardly. But I don't show it on my face. That would just give him ammunition. I simply close my eyes quietly.
"Hic... ah... sob..."
"Mommy... Mommy..."
"Goddamn it..."
But as their voices ring out again, a groan slips through my lips. The unmistakable premonition of ruin crawls over my skin. Still, all I can do is pray to a god I don't even believe in.
Soon, Luca parts the darkness, dragging in two people. With their hands bound and faces masked, they breathe out terrified gasps through the thin cloth as they approach slowly. Guessing who they are and why Luca brought them doesn't take a genius.
"..."
I hold my breath, avoiding their faces and glaring at Luca instead. But that was a mistake. The moment I see the child in his arms, my lips part dumbly.
"Ah..."
"What a good girl."
Luca gazes at the child calmly before turning back to me.
"Right, Leo?"
"..."
Whether misfortune or fortune, Elena nestles softly in his arms without a single cry. Despite being held by a stranger, the child's stillness is like the sea before a storm—eerie quiet.
"Such a well-behaved kid. If she grows up like this, she'll be a fine young lady."
"Ugh..."
No matter how hard I try to stay composed, my heart won't settle. I can only grit my teeth and glare at him and Elena alternately.
"Please... please..."
A frail voice pleads. I turn to see the masked woman begging in a trembling voice.
"Please, at least the child... please..."
"..."
Luca silently looks at the woman behind the mask. Holding the child in one arm, he approaches her. With every step, her tense breaths grow heavier.
"When I asked where Eli was, you brought me here, Leo."
"..."
"But even after searching the whole castle, no black-haired girl."
Luca hesitates long before reaching for her mask. Her shoulders now tremble uncontrollably.
"...Except for one."
Finally, the mask covering her face is slowly removed.
"Ah... sob..."
"..."
"Ah..."
In that moment, we both sigh for different reasons. Tears stream from her eyes with those two voices—from those chocolate-brown irises.
I forget everything and gaze endlessly at her face. Black hair cascades softly over her shoulders, a single tear rolls down from large eyes beneath long lashes. The tear soaks into her pale pink lips, and as her face quivers while looking my way, I quietly close my eyes.
"..."
"Sob... hic..."
"..."
"Sob... ah... ugh... sob..."
Her pitiful sobs fill the room. We each fall silent for our own reasons. And we gaze endlessly at the girl who might be the root of it all.
"...I'll admit it, Leo."
After a long silence, Luca finally speaks. He drops the mask to the floor and turns to me.
"She really does look a lot like Eli."
"Luca..."
"Reina, was it? So you do have a little sister, Leo."
"Luca, calm down first."
"But... up close like this, she looks way more like you than Eli, Leo. Like..."
"Ugh..."
"That disgusting voice of hers."
Luca suddenly trails a finger along Reina's nape. I lose it and scream.
"Get your filthy hands off her, you fucker!"
"Interesting."
As I yell, Luca slowly removes his finger from her neck and shoots me a cold glare.
"That's exactly what I wanted to say to you when I was under that curse."
Luca shoves Reina aside and sits back in the chair. Elena still clings to him.
"Why did you bring me here, Leo?"
"That's..."
"Were you planning to pass off your sister as Eli?"
"..."
"You think I'd fall for that cheap trick? That I'd buy your shitty lies forever? How long did you think I'd keep playing along with your bullshit, Leo?"
"I... I..."
"Five years, and you haven't changed a bit."
Luca stares straight into my eyes as he says it. Shockingly, what fills my heart is fear. The Lorenheim village boy I knew is gone.
All that's left is the monster who's spent five years obsessing over me alone.
"Fine, damn it. Luca. I get it. I get it, okay."
In the end, I avert my eyes first and bow my head. Then I continue slowly.
"I fucked up. I did, so please let my family go. Yeah? This is between us, Luca."
"Let your family go?"
"Yeah. Release them, and I'll do whatever you want. Make me kneel, I'll kneel. Lick your feet? Gladly. And... I'll tell you everything about where Eli is. So Luca, let's talk after you let my family go."
I grind my teeth but bow my head desperately and beg. My pride screams not to, choking me, but I have no choice. I just need to get through this moment somehow.
But Luca doesn't answer. He just looks down at me silently. Wondering what the hell this fucker's problem is, I lift my head slightly. He shakes his head with a sigh.
"Yeah. I gave you too much time to think up bullshit."
"Wh... what are you talking about?"
"This isn't negotiation, Leo. I'm just giving you a chance to answer."
Suddenly, Luca pulls a short knife from his bosom. I stare blankly as it slides out with a heart-piercing shing.
"How much do you love your daughter, Leo?"
"Hey, Luca... stop. You don't really want to do this..."
"You missed another chance."
Luca says it and stares me down.
Then he hurls Elena to the floor.
Thud.
"You crazy fucking bastard!!!"
"Waaahhh!!!"
The moment Elena hits the ground, she goes quiet from the shock, then wails in agony as pain spreads. It's a desperate, heartrending cry unlike her usual fussing for hunger or discomfort.
"No! Elena!"
Reina screams and lunges, but Luca easily trips her. She crashes down but keeps calling her daughter's name desperately. Eric starts crying anxiously too.
"Elena! Elena!!!"
"Sob... Mommy! Mommy!!!"
"Fuck... FUCK!!! Luca, you piece of shit!!!"
I spit curses in a tearing voice, but that's all I can do. Luca looks at me and speaks.
"Looks like you love her a lot."
"Yeah... yeah, you fuck..."
"I loved Eli a lot too, Leo. But back then, I couldn't do a thing. Nothing but watch. Just like you now."
I glare at him, grinding my teeth so hard they feel like they'll shatter, the crunch echoing in my mouth.
"But I want to give you a choice. At least the right to pick one of two."
"What..."
"You said Eli's on your cock."
With that, Luca throws the knife at me. It lands right in front of my knee. As I stare at it blankly, his words fall on me from above.
"Cut it off and show me."
"..."
"If you don't want to..."
His gaze shifts back to the crying Elena.
"Kill your daughter with your own hands."