The Eclipsed Bloom
Chapter 107: Headache

Chapter 107: Chapter 107: Headache

Lilith POV:

"Lilith, when can we go see Wife? Did you ask Mother?" Grace’s voice broke the silence beside me, quiet but filled with worry.

I turned my head to look at her. A soft sigh escaped my lips as I answered calmly, trying to keep my own frustration at bay.

"Grace... you know Mother isn’t saying anything. And Mother Nyssa—she’s disappeared. No one knows where she’s ran."-

My gaze fell on Grace’s face, and my heart tightened slightly. Her brows were drawn together, lips pressed in a thin line—clearly holding something back.

I furrowed my own brows and gently placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Why do you look so worried, Grace?"

She hesitated, then slowly raised her head to meet my eyes.

My breath caught. Her eyes were red.

I moved without thinking, pulling her into a hug.

"What happened, little sister? Were you crying?" I whispered, voice tender.

She hugged me back tightly, her voice barely audible against my shoulder.

"Sister... I’ve asked Mother so many times, but she won’t tell me anything. I even tried to sneak out... but the skies are filled with knights. I think they’re watching us."

I froze for a moment, then slowly looked around.

And she was right.

At first glance, the garden seemed peaceful, blooming under the soft moonlight. But now that I was paying attention, I saw them—knights pretending to stroll, too tense to be natural. Their eyes never left us. Even in the trees... I could see the faint shimmer of movement. Shadows.

Father’s elite shadow squad.

I gently patted Grace’s back, trying to comfort her as thoughts raced through my mind.

’Why would Father send his shadows here? Are they really keeping something from us? Is something wrong with Zara...?’

A quiet chill slid down my spine, Something was definitely wrong.

I quickly grabbed Grace’s hand.

"Let’s go inside," I said firmly.

Grace nodded and stood, following beside me as we headed toward the castle. But just as we passed the garden’s edge, my eyes caught movement—a knight in red armor sprinting toward us.

My heart skipped.

Isn’t he one of my knights?

I stepped forward, voice steady.

"Where are you going in such a hurry, knight?"

The man immediately dropped to one knee before me, breathing heavily.

"Viscount... I have an urgent report from the frontlines for His Majesty."

A chill crept into my chest. Something was wrong.

I narrowed my eyes, my tone sharp with authority.

"Report to me. What happened?"

The knight hesitated, his eyes flicking toward Grace and then back to me. But after a tense second, he bowed his head and spoke.

"Marquis... the Marquis is missing. We’ve searched every sector. Every corner. We can’t find her."

My heart dropped.

My hand clenched tightly into a fist as fury surged through me.

"What do you mean she’s missing?" I growled.

Before the knight could respond, I felt my hand slip free from Grace’s grasp.

I turned quickly—only to see her already walking ahead of me, her long red hair swaying like a blade in the wind.

My eyes widened.

Her expression was ice cold.

Grace was holding her greatsword, the edge now resting against the knight’s throat.

The man froze, eyes wide with fear as she loomed over him.

Grace POV:

What is this knight saying...?

Is it true?

My heart thundered in my chest, and my expression turn cold. I locked eyes with him, my voice like ice.

"Tell me the truth. Where is my wife?"

The knight swallowed hard, sweat sliding down his face. My grip on the sword tightened. The blade pressed closer to his throat, slicing a thin line of blood.

"V-Viscount," he stammered, "I swear—I’m telling the truth. The last we saw her... she ran toward the cliffs alone."

My teeth clenched so hard they hurt. A dark storm churned inside me. I was ready to spill blood. But then—

A hand rested gently on my shoulder.

I turned sharply.

Father.

His calm presence hit me like a wave. I took a shaky breath, trying to reel in the rage threatening to consume me.

he spoke firmly.

"Grace... let him go."

I hesitated, my blade still trembling near the knight’s throat.

"Go inside and wait," Father told him.

The knight wasted no time. He stood, saluted hastily, and fled toward the castle.

I turned my head again— looking into his eyes.

I stared at him, unblinking. "Father, I’m going to the frontlines."

His face darkened instantly. His tone was sharp and absolute.

"No. You don’t have my permission. Get rid of that thought immediately."

Without waiting for a response, he turned and walked away.

I clenched my jaw and turned toward the castle doors. But as I took a step, Lilith suddenly moved in front of me, lifting her hand to block the path.

My fury flared.

My voice dropped, cold and sharp.

"What, Lilith? Are you going to stop me now too?"

But she just sighed and gave a small, wry smile.

"No... I’m not going to stop you."

She lowered her hand, stepping beside me.

"I’m coming with you. she is also my wife, But first—we need a plan. You know Father will definitely try to stop us."

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Anahi’s POV:

Holding her in my arms, a strange happiness bloomed in my chest—deep, intoxicating. It felt as if I had conquered the entire world.

She gazed at me with pure adoration in her eyes.

"Love... why am I still thirsty?" she asked softly.

My brows furrowed. "Thirsty? But didn’t you just drink, my dear?"

She shook her head, confused. Her silver hair brushed against my chest.

My gaze dropped to her hand... and my breath caught.

My eyes widened as I gently took her fingers in mine. Red marks—subtle, but visible—coiled around two of them like faded threads of blood.

No.

A tremble ran through my body.

Raising my eyes to her face, I asked quietly, "L-Love... didn’t you say you’re not married?"

She tilted her head, puzzled. "I don’t know any wife, dear. How could I have a wife?"

I closed my eyes for a moment, exhaling slowly. Yes. She’s mine. How could she remember them?

But then...

She lifted her hand slightly, staring at the strange red marks. "Dear... what are these? On my fingers?"

My jaw clenched. I could feel blood rushing through my fists, my thoughts spiraling.

Still, I smiled—softly, innocently.

"That? Oh, my love, it’s nothing. Just a symbol... to show how much I love you. A little mark. Nothing more."

Her eyes lit up, and she smiled.

"Oh."

She raised her hand to admire it—like it was a gift. My heart ached at the sight. I pulled her into my embrace again, burying my face in her shoulder.

I can’t let her find out the truth about those marks...

I’ll kill anyone who tries to remind her.

She’s the only one... the only one who’s ever shown me care in over a thousand years.

Not even my creations, my armies, or my victims made me feel this way.

Only her.

Should I marry her?

No, not just in words. A real marriage. A bond sealed in blood and soul. My mark on her hand—permanent and undeniable.

But those other marks... they must be erased.

I’ll hunt down her old wives... and kill them.

One by one.

Until only my mark remains.

Zara’s POV:

Why does she look so... upset about these marks?

Aren’t they proof that she loves me?

I gently patted her head as she leaned against my shoulder, then glanced again at the strange red markings on my fingers.

Suddenly—

"Ugh!"

A sharp pain stabbed through my head. I gasped, clutching my temple and stumbling a few steps away from Anahi.

I saw her face twist in panic. She rushed toward me, her eyes full of concern.

The pain grew worse—like someone was clawing through my skull.

And then—a flash.

A vision.

A woman.

She had long silver hair and sorrowful silver eyes. She was crying, holding her hand—a hand with the same red mark as mine... but hers had a small dagger carved in the center.

I was sitting beside her. Holding her. Comforting her.

Her tears. My hands. That mark.

Then—darkness.

The image vanished. Like smoke slipping through my fingers.

I reached out, instinctively raising my hand—as if trying to catch it, to bring it back.

Gone.

Anahi quickly moved beside me, cradling my head gently, her fingers pressing against my scalp in a calming massage. Her hands were warm, soft... soothing.

I breathed slowly. The headache began to fade.

"Love, what happened?" she whispered sweetly. "Don’t try to remember... it’ll only hurt you. I don’t want you to suffer."

I looked into her beautiful face, hesitant, unsure.

But I spoke.

"Dear... I saw a woman. In my memory. She had the same red mark as me, but hers had a dagger in it... and I was beside her... comforting her. She looked so happy yet sad."

Anahi’s hands froze.

Just for a second.

Her expression—cold. Unreadable.

But then she smiled again, her fingers resuming their gentle rhythm.

her hands were So soft... and caring.

Her face was calm.

But I felt something behind it.

A crack beneath the surface.

Then she asked softly, "Did you... remember who she was?"