Prologue 1 (2):

  - Obsession in Ambition -

  After hearing the report that Itzayana had been found dying, without further ado, Zorian immediately ran with a gloomy face towards where Itzayana was being guarded and laid down.

  (A few moments later...)

  Zorian's thumb gently held and stroked Itzayana's pale cheek. His black fingers with long and sharp black nails are trembled, afraid of damaging the fragile flower... Itzayana's vulnerable body was wrapped in a wide black cloak. Her eyes were closed, unconscious. There were several scars and abrasions around Itzayana's legs. Zorian used his index finger to move aside the part of the cloak that covered the wedding dress. His light yellow iris widened in shock when he saw how messy, dirty, and wrinkled the wedding dress was.

  Uncontrollable anger burned within Zorian. His weakness was Itzayana. He couldn't bear to see Itzayana unhappy in the slightest. He would do anything for Itzayana, including killing, finding out who dared to touch, let alone kidnap (remove, replace) the irreplaceable Itzayana.

  The two were surrounded only by the backs of the female The Veiled Force members, a safe space that Zorian had created for Itzayana's comfort.

  Zorian gripped Itzayana's shoulders tightly as he sat down, his head bowed listlessly around Itzayana's neck, the center of healing energy that was now weakening.

  His nose tried to inhale deeply the "green" scent that was present, even though the level was very low and ineffective for her current condition.

  Like two mirrors facing each other and reflecting opposites... Zorian's body softened slightly, filled with unfamiliar emotions. Perhaps, he still didn't want to admit it... Between obsession and something else.

  "Itzayana, call my name just once." Zorian breath was labored, his voice low and hoarse.

  Itzayana understood everything.

  "I really don't want you to die like this. The flower of eternity only slows it down, it doesn't bring you back to life."

  Wake up!! I'm here for you!!.

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  The large, sturdy body hugged the slender, pale body tightly... He inhaled the refreshing and calming scent deeply and repeatedly until it satisfied his unfulfilled need.

  The unique and rare scent slowly dispelled the negative energy in his body. However, the scent was now growing weaker...

  Itzayana...--.

  [... Not yet!]

  Your partner has failed to protect you. That is why I have received karma.

  [That may be the worst possibility. The worst possibility is that Itzayana dies]

  No matter how strong and cruel Zorian Lychnis Carthach Arzaan is... Zorian has indeed failed to protect Itzayana from those depraved people, the people who took advantage of her and deceived him.

  [But...]

  [No one knows the end after his obsession to "conquer" Itzayana...]

  Itzayana was his. He did not hesitate to place female members of his veiled force near or around Itzayana and create a "barrier" to reinforce it. Even though he was crazy, Itzayana was his center. If Itzayana felt uncomfortable, criticized him, or anything else, Zorian would accept it and fix whatever was bothering her for Itzayana's sake alone.

  Not only is she Zorian's "favorite," but Itzayana is also popular and can serve as Zorian's shield. She often acts as a "shield" for the veiled force members or those around her who need to face the unpredictable Zorian.

  Itzayana's low voice was swallowed by the earth, "...y, y--.." Cold sweat drenched her cheeks. Zorian's strong arms still held her tightly, uniting their two hearts to share every beat together. One of the two heartbeats has disappeared, and the remaining heart (which is still beating) is trying to convince the other heart to beat again; Zorian's heartbeat is beating faster. The scent of wine and blood still clung to Zorian's body.

  The pungent smell of blood evaporated in the room lit by a few candles.

  A corner of the same room Zorian had used to slaughter the pests was where they were now.

  Every part of the slaughtered "pests" had been moved to a more terrifying place. To a place without a definite atmosphere, where the "imperial guard animals" were.

  "Animals" that would gnaw on the rotten "souls" of every part. This place was also commonly used to put prisoners, so that the "animals" could eat them alive.

  The place was guarded and inhabited by someone named "Nyarai." In other words, that place, or more precisely, the "animals" there, were the more definite manifestation of Zorian's Rehema (Rhema).

  Behind the closed door, people began to question and respond to Zorian's actions, which were considered increasingly insane. Zorian could still hear them clearly. "How long will he be like this!?."

  "He's crazy. He's obsessed."

  Kaelar, his personal aide and deputy leader of the vieled force, raised his eyebrows. He understood but also felt sorry. Kaelar looked worriedly at the closed door, the barrier between Zorian and Itzayana's world and the world of people other than Itzayana.

  "Sir, I know it's not easy. But it's better to just bury the empress. Instead of keeping her." Kaelar said. His gaze was still fixed on the closed wooden door.

  "..."

  It had been several days since the massacre and the return of Itzayana's body. Kaelar, standing in front of the same door, recalled Zorian's ambition.

  Regardless of the slim chance of Itzayana being alive, Zorian increasingly urged his people to continue searching for Itzayana and find the flower of eternity for her.

  ---

  [A few weeks ago...]

  "I am sure Itzayana can return!!." Zorian insisted, emphasizing his words to his aide. His eyebrows furrowed in annoyance, feeling belittled.

  "Keep up the search!!."

  "---!" Kaelar nodded, swallowing his own saliva.

  The color in life had completely faded, leaving no motivation behind. And life offered a second chance. Itzayana donated her eyes and no one knew about the disease that caused her death. It was just nonsense.