Then came the scream.
It tore from his throat like a wild beast, one so primal that the palace guards outside staggered back in alarm.
"Why!? WHY!!?"
He punched the floor, again and again, until his knuckles bled. Blood mixed with tears, and pain mixed with rage. His fingers trembled as he grasped at the floor, trying to dig, to claw her back from whatever realm had stolen her.
"I am a monster… MONSTER!"
The Heart in Sword treasure, the crystal sword vanished into his chest, warm and dormant — a cruel reminder of what it had cost him.
Moments later, the door burst open.
The Lan family elders stormed in, led by the clan head himself, Grand Duke Lan Tian. Behind him were Manuka's cousins, uncles, the old matriarch, and several retainers, all wide-eyed, breathless.
"What happened!?" Lan Tian shouted, eyes locking on Phillip. "Where is Manuka!?"
Phillip didn't respond. He didn't even look up.
