I strained my gaze back to his eyes. I could see my expression reflecting in his eyes.

I had the same expression as him. I've never felt this type of anger before. It was something I couldn't contain or repress.

Sam's expression changed slightly. But mine didn't.

"How dare he… haha!" I laughed at the level of ridiculousness. However, as I did, my anger eventually redirected into someone else.

This anger… I'm extremely mad, insulted, and felt disgusted at... myself.

How could I fall for such trickery? Who did it? I'd make sure to sink my thumbs into his eyes.

I didn't know the extent of my dark thoughts. However, this was the first time I had the pleasure of thinking of doing such a thing.

Sam slowly let go of my hand, taken aback at the expression plastered on my face. However, I clutched his chest.

"Who did it? Was it the Marquess doing? The king?"

His eyes darkened. "Whether it's Cameron or the King. What will you do?"

I paused momentarily upon the question. What will I do? No. He's asking it incorrectly.

It was supposed to be; what can I do? What can a lowly human do?

"I'll end Cameron with my own hands." Still, I responded with a strong conviction.

I would never let this insult slide.

"How so?" Sam toned down as he narrowed his eyes. But I could see the fascination in his eyes.

I smirked. My words weren't as empty as they sounded like.

Thanks to you, I recalled something important.

"Lara."

Sam's eyes instantly widened upon mentioning the name. Lara, the founding clan leader of the Crawford.

Thanks to her, I didn't feel sad in that darkness.

**

During my sleep, I was conscious. Trapped in nothing but darkness. Cold, lonely, and frightened.

When I called for help to get me out of the darkness, someone actually came. At first, I only heard her melodious humming.

It came from a distant and slowly I heard it closer. Until I felt hands cupping my cheek.

They're a nice pair of small and slender hands. They're cold, but ironically, it sent warmth and soothed my racing heart.

As I listened to her humming and blinked my eyes, I found myself in a gazebo. A pond on sight, varieties of flowers under a clear sky.

It was pretty and serene. So much better than any garden I had been.

"How adorable." Suddenly, I heard a woman's voice across the table.

Instinctively, I shifted my attention to the woman across from me. As soon as I laid my eyes on her, my mouth fell open.

Gorgeous.

Green long locks falling perfectly on her shoulders. Emerald eyes, speaking the soul of the nature. She's smiling at me, cupping her jaw, blinking her eyes ever so slowly.

I never thought I'd see such a beauty in my life. She's too beautiful to the extent I feel like getting blinded if I stare longer.

I should look away, right? But I couldn't bring myself to.

When she giggled, covering her lips, my heart fluttered. Instinctively, I placed my hand over my chest. It was beating so fast.

I'm sorry, Sam.

"Are you…" My tongue rolling back out of nervousness. "God?"

"Pfft—!" Her giggles gradually turned into loud chuckles.

Even when she laughed aloud, she's still beautiful. How can a lady exist? It's… unfair.

I would serve her all my life. The peasant part of me urged.

"You're so funny, Lilou."

She knew my name? I raised my brows and blinked many times. I could not help but blush at the thought as I bit my lower lip.

Again, deep down, I wanted to apologize to my beloved groom for waning after seeing a beauty. He would understand, right?

This lady across the table in the middle of this gazebo was just perfect. No matter how I look, whatever angle, her every movement spoke elegance.

She's the face of perfection. She also exuded kindness and sincerity. I don't sense any malicious intent from her.

"No wonder Hell fancy you." She commented.

Huh?

Hell? Did he mean Sam? What an odd name to call him.

"My name is Lara Ashen Grim Crawford." Suddenly, her hand that was cupping her jaw extended across the table.

"You can call me Lara. Also, I'm not God."

Her smile was akin to the coming of spring. Why do I feel so bashful? I'm panicking.

"Uhh…" I glanced at her hand. Hence, I raised my hand and held hers.

"Li — Lilou Roux." Unlike her confidence, mine was nearly nonexistent.

Her hand felt so soft. It suddenly made me feel shy as I know my hands were rough from all the labor work.

When she withdrew her hand, I carefully hid my hands where she couldn't see them. I feel like holding her hand even for a brief moment was a grave sin.

To hold such precious hands… how dare a peasant like me.

Silence enveloped us. The goddess was just smiling while staring at me. Goodness… she's radiating.

Please stop smiling, my lady. I'm getting married soon.

"You're dying, Lilou." Suddenly, she broke the silence and seemed like I got deafened slightly.

Ah?

She's still smiling despite saying such words.

"You don't know?"

Huh? She's… serious?

My eyes slowly went wide. She didn't seem lying or just trying to scare me off.

"Hell will surely massacre the entire Crawford just like what they want."

"What do you mean?" I blurted out hesitatingly.

"Your Groom, Samael La Crox, will kill my kin if you die." She said it with a subtle smile as she looked down at the cup of tea on the table.

"Why am I dying…?"

I didn't know reason, but why am I dying so suddenly? I just… I tried to recall what I did previously, but I couldn't remember how I got into the darkness.

How… no, Sam. I was with Sam before this occurred, right? I was so distracted by her beauty that my thoughts were all over the place. I didn't even ask where were we and all those important queries that I should've asked already.

"Little Lilou." Lara rested her elbow on the edge of the table, leaning forward as the smile on her lip faded.

"What do you think about vampires and the royal family?"