The Eclipsed Bloom
Chapter 86: Earth arc

Chapter 86: Chapter 86: Earth arc

As the ballroom lights flickered back to life, warmth bathed the hall once more.

Zara slowly pulled away from Lilith’s soft lips, her breath still slightly uneven. Their foreheads remained gently touching for a heartbeat longer, sky-blue eyes meeting silvery ones filled with tenderness.

Lilith’s cheeks were flushed a deep crimson as she gazed up at her wife.

Why did the lights come back so quickly...? she thought with a quiet sigh. I wanted just a little more time...

All around them, the noble couples reluctantly parted from their partners, returning to elegance and poise.

Zara gave Lilith a soft smile and gently took her hand, beginning to lead her off the dance floor.

But before they could take even a few steps—

"My turn!"

Grace stood up swiftly, her eyes gleaming. Without hesitation, she slipped between them and grabbed Zara’s other hand, pulling her away with surprising urgency.

Lilith blinked, momentarily stunned."Wha—?"

Seeing herself left behind, her brows twitched in irritation. She huffed and crossed her arms, sitting back down with a pout tugging at her lips.

Zara chuckled softly at Grace’s enthusiasm.

"Impatient, aren’t we my wife?" she teased, squeezing her hand.

Grace grinned proudly, her tone playful.

"You kissed her in front of everyone. I think I earned at least one dance."

As the music swelled again, elegant and steady, Zara led Grace toward the center stage. Their hands intertwined, Zara’s arm gently circled Grace’s waist.

The moment their bodies moved in sync, it was as if the crowd melted away—just the two of them, swaying together in a world of their own.

Thalia watched Zara pull Grace to the dance floor with a dramatic flourish, then let out a quiet sigh. Slowly, she turned her head toward Lilith, who was sitting nearby, her arms crossed and eyes still faintly glowing.

"S-Sister..." Thalia said softly, fidgeting with the hem of her dress, "I have a question... C-Can I ask?"

Lilith raised a brow, her gaze shifting toward her younger sister.

"What is it?" she asked, voice calm but carrying an edge.

Thalia swallowed hard, suddenly second-guessing herself.

"Ah... I... I was just wondering—did Zara really promise to... to marry Sister Edith?"

Lilith’s expression shifted in an instant.

Her eyes narrowed like twin blades of silver light, her hands clenched tightly in her lap. Her jaw tensed, voice low and dangerous.

"Who told you that?"

Cold sweat gathered on Thalia’s forehead.

Why... why are all my married sisters this scary today?!

"I-It wasn’t me! I swear! Sister Edith said it!" she blurted, raising both hands in surrender.

Lilith slowly turned her gaze across the hall.

There, lounging like she didn’t have a care in the world, was Edith—legs crossed on the velvet chair, casually flipping through a romance novel, giggling to herself.

Lilith’s voice dropped to a threatening whisper.

"My wife didn’t promise anything to her. Understood?"

"Y-Yes!" Thalia squeaked, nodding furiously as she turned and speed-walked away, lips twitching and her heart pounding.

Note to self, she thought in panic, never ask about sister’s marriages again... not unless I want to get punched, i think if i stay one more minute there she will probably start beating me.

As Thalia hurried off, Lilith rested her chin in her palm, her silver eyes following Edith with a thoughtful frown.

Why is Edith acting so familiar with Zara lately... Did she...?She shook her head quickly.

"No, no. It must be one of her jokes. Don’t overthink it..."

But her thoughts inevitably drifted to the previous night—Edith laughing, teasing, trailing her fingers along Zara’s shoulder. Lilith let out a soft sigh.

"Haaah... Don’t think more about it. She’s probably just messing around. She always does..."

Just then, the ballroom lights dimmed again.

On stage, Zara leaned in and gently kissed Grace’s lips under the soft spotlight.

Moments later — Crimsonveil Mansion

A gust of wind brushed the trees as Zara landed gracefully in front of the mansion gate. Her wives descended shortly behind her, their dark wings folding in the moonlight.

Zara turned with a radiant smile.

"My dear wives, I’m heading off to train, okay?"

Grace nodded lightly. But Lilith caught her hand, a sly smile dancing on her lips.

Zara blinked at the tug and looked over curiously.

"Hm? What is it, Lilith?"

Lilith’s grin widened.

"Hehe~ Didn’t you want to go to Earth?"

Zara tilted her head.

"Earth? What’s that place again?"

Seeing her confusion, Lilith giggled softly. "Oh, come on, dear. The realm you mentioned back in the werewolf territory? You said it seemed ’’’ interesting’".

Zara’s eyes lit up in realization. "Ahh! Right! But didn’t Grace say we shouldn’t go there?"

Lilith shook her head.

"Nope. I asked Mother Nyssa. She gave permission easily and even shared the realm’s coordinates."

Zara narrowed her eyes slightly.

"Wait... When did you even ask her?"

Lilith crossed her arms, giving a playful pout.

"After your dance with Grace. I was gone for a whole ten minutes, Zara. You didn’t notice?"

She stared up at her wife with mock offense.

Zara laughed nervously, waving her hands.

"H-How could I not notice my wife was gone? Haha... totally noticed. Yup."

Lilith’s smile returned in full.

"Mhm good. and Well, yes—we can go now. I want to see what kind of realm it is."

Zara nodded enthusiastically but then paused. Her gaze shifted toward Grace, whose expression had suddenly dimmed.

She walked over gently, tucking a strand of Grace’s hair behind her ear.

"Grace? What’s wrong?"

Grace flinched slightly but quickly shook her head, rubbing her arm....

I don’t know. I just... feel uneasy about going there. she thought to herself.

Seeing Grace not responding, Zara’s gentle smile faltered. She stepped closer, her voice low with concern.

"Dear... do you not want to go? We don’t have to. If you’re uncomfortable, we can stay."

Grace blinked at her, warmth flickering in her crimson eyes. Then she smiled softly and shook her head.

She wanted to go there... If I say no, she might get disappointed...

"No, we should go. I’m fine."

Zara exhaled in relief, visibly relaxing. Behind them, Lilith had already begun preparing the portal.

She raised her hand, the bracelet on her wrist glowing as intricate runes floated in the air, circling and clicking into place as she click the runes setting them.

Moments later, she beamed.

"It’s ready! Portal coordinates are set."

She waved her hand, and a glowing, a swirling violet gateway bloomed into the night air.

Zara’s eyes widened."W-Wait! Just give me a minute!"

She bolted toward the mansion and up the stairs, quickly slipping into her room. Without hesitation, she grabbed her space ring and began packing.

"I have no idea what kind of realm Earth is, so better to be prepared..."She stored clothes and Swords—just in case for her wife’s.

Outside, Lilith watched the open portal hum gently, then turned as Zara reemerged from mansion—seemingly empty-handed.

She narrowed her eyes."Where did you run off to?"

Zara held up her hand proudly, flashing the sleek silver ring on her finger.

"Here! I went to grab my space ring. I thought we might need supplies in that realm."

Lilith’s eyes flicked to the ring—and a memory of Thalia whispering earlier surfaced.

D-Did Edith give her that...?

Lilith sighed inwardly, pushing the thought away.

Zara smiled, bouncing lightly on her feet."Let’s go now!"

Lilith reached for her hand, Grace quietly stepping up to Zara’s other side. Together, the three of them stepped toward the glowing portal that shimmered with swirling violet light.

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Earth — USA

On top of a tall, crumbling building, a man stood alone beneath the pale moonlight. His purple hair shimmered subtly in the breeze, and his black eyes were cold, fixed on a dark alleyway below.

Avery’s fists clenched tightly at his sides as memories of previous night flashed in his mind.

The police... they were with the Church all along.How dare they say my wife took her own life, i see it with my own eyes the church people in apartment...

His jaw tightened.

Down in the alley below, a figure emerged from the shadows, dragging an unconscious woman. Avery’s eyes narrowed dangerously the moment he saw the man’s flowing cape — the emblem of the Church emblazoned on it.

Church scum.

The man in the alley dropped the woman to the ground gently, her body limp and unmoving. he kneel down and with knife start slashing the red thread connecting to women,

after sometime he still cant cut the thread.

Avery remained motionless, but his sharp senses caught every move and whispered word from below.

"This girl can’t be saved."

The man took out a sleek, rune-etched phone and dialed a number. The quiet hum of ringing echoed in the stillness.

Ring... Ring...

"Hello? Yes... we can’t let this woman live anymore she is beyond saving. I’ll take care of it now."

Up on the rooftop, Avery’s eyes turned darker, colder than winter’s bite. His breath exhaled slowly, controlled—barely.

a voice whispering on his head,

"my knight see the women below, see that red line on her neck the church wanted to stop it and wanted to claim they are saving humanity,"

" look the church knight is going to kill her just because she is going to get her power and become stronger than them"

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