01:

  - Itzayana -

  [A few weeks ago...]

  Balthazar Village, where an elderly woman who had received an eye donation from Itzayana lived.

  Now, that woman was gone. Zorian crouched beside her grave, Kaelar holding one of Zorian's shoulders. He standing beside Zorian body.

  An eerie silence surrounded them, thick, dark clouds floating above Zorian's head.

  His blank stare fixed on the gravestone, his mind wandering...

  'Itzayana died and she gave her a chance'

  'What's the point of her getting a transplant if she didn't live long anyway!?. Basically humans have a short life span.'

  Zorian's gaze softened as he remembered Itzayana...

  I don't want or miss your gaze. You brought color to others, but you also took the color out of my life.

  It's so unfair. The search that ended up being futile has finally come to an end.

  Trapped between fantasy and reality....

  Itzayana may not have been treated properly, or maybe the only cure was death. That's ridiculous.

  "Come, sir! Let's go back to the inn!"

  There was only one thing Kaelar feared at that moment, and that was Zorian digging up the grave to get Itzayana's eyes.

  ---

  A few months later...

  "Aghttt..." Zorian hissed in pain, his head feeling very heavy and sore. He leaned the back of his head against the soft sofa cushion. His sanity was almost gone again.

  "Your Highness!! There are still 10 seconds left!! The poison can be neutralized!!" Lyric, Zorian's personal servant, handed him a small bottle of potion. The bottle contained a purple liquid that served as both an antidote and a cure.

  This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

  "Stop that. I refuse to drink it."

  'This isn't because of the poison!!.'

  The color drained from his face, and he was breathing heavily. "I just want Itzayana back. Aghtt."

  "I was determined to do it for her, but what happened was that she was kidnapped and replaced by her twin."

  Staggering... Zorian tried to stand up despite his worsening condition, but his legs could no longer support his weight, causing him to stagger and nearly fall to the floor. Negative energy that is not handled properly can have fatal consequences. The people in the palace considered it an extraordinary curse for which no antidote had yet been found.

  Every method had been tried to alleviate and eliminate the "negative energy," but to no avail. The only thing that was most effective was now missing (Itzayana). The flower of immortality can help like Itzayana, but the Mystic Forest where the flower grows has a very strict authority. Outsiders are forbidden to entering.

  "Even though they look alike, I know that the person who will spend the first night is not Itzayana." His brow furrowed with conviction, and Zorian clenched his fists.

  "Itzayana will only be present at the official wedding, when she and I become husband and wife. I want to get to know her better."

  "Her gaze captivated me..."

  Once again, those deep red eyes softened slightly... Her blue eyes, as clear as the sky, pierced him to the core.

  Zorian closed his eyes, THUMP. A large rock hit his back. He almost lost his balance and gripped the arm of the long sofa tightly.

  Annoying. Boring.

  I'm bored again. Isn't there anything more challenging for me than challenging death!?.

  Itzayana filled the void of boredom.

  Losing the challenge and falling into deep boredom completely tortured Zorian, the emperor of Reisaraluen.

  'My "soul", my pet and friend, is also gone.' He paused for a moment, his friend was gone and followed his essence, which was Itzayana's unique body.

  Hmm... He thinking for a while.

  .

  .

  Rustle, rustle... Zorian walked slowly, following the sound of the river. He left his horse a few meters away from where he was now, to confirm the strange feeling in his heart.

  The distance narrowed, and he was surprised to see someone with hair tied up, similar to Itzayana, washing her hands in the river.

  A familiar figure with a slim figure, wavy brown hair tied back, warm natural-toned skin... And simple rural clothing clung to her body.

  Someone who resembled Itzayana, or was it Itzayana herself?.

  Itzayana swung her wrist, minimizing the water that wet her palm, her eyes rolling lazily upward as she wiped her wet palm on her long skirt.

  Even though she didn't immediately see who it was, she could feel the aura of a predator on the hunt. She pretended to be dead (remaining still).

  'Both in stories and in real life, Zorian is a cruel and greatly feared person.' Itzayana mused, she start to pondering... Her gaze turned to the clear river water.

  He truly had no empathy and relied on his powerful strategy and logic, which were unbeatable!.

  Zorian had completely slaughtered the depraved Itzayana family! Truly admirable!.

  Itzayana continues her wandering mind journey leaving reality behind.

  The downside is that he probably has no feelings. And I arrived right after "Itzayana" was gone.

  The slight changes made it less suspicious. This place is also quite remote and safe, of course!.

  Besides, it's quite strange that even knowing what kind of person he is, people still dare to do various things.

  [The person referred to = Zorian]

  Hufff... Itzayana closed her eyes for a moment and sighed.

  'I have a bad feeling...'

  Suddenly, she got goosebumps... 'Ahaha...'

  A dark shadow fell on Itzayana's back, and she turned her head to the side with curiosity and caution.

  Zorian was now right behind Itzayana, not letting her out of his sharp, piercing gaze. The blade of the very sharp sword seemed to be trying to pierce the calm blue ball. There was no definite result, the blade of the sword could only push gently, unable to penetrate.

  "How interesting."