---
In BlueMoon Kingdom – Dylan's Ruler Chamber
The vast chamber lay cloaked in silence, the torch flames trembling against the stone walls. Dylan stood at the center, his broad frame stiff, as though his soul had fled from his body. His eyes—burning and hollow—shifted to the lone figure before him.
The spy bowed low, but Dylan's hand shot forward, seizing his collar with a strength that lifted him off his feet.
"Don't fool me!" Dylan's roar echoed through the chamber, shaking the pillars. "I know you're lying. Tell me the truth—what exactly happened?"
The spy gasped, struggling against the iron grip. "Majesty, I am not lying… Do you know Fiona?"
Dylan's breath hitched. His voice fell to a whisper. "Xander's wife…"
"Yes." The spy's voice trembled. "I found… she is not from the Heaven Realm."
Dylan's eyes widened, disbelief surging through him like a storm. "That means… she is my sister?"
The spy lowered his gaze. "I do not know with certainty. But one thing is true—she carries the Demon Realm's blood. You saw it yourself, Majesty. In the Dark Cloud Punishment Zone… when Xander prepared to strike you down… Fiona pierced her own chest. That moment, Xander's hidden core was exposed through her… and I saw it. A demon's aura… shining from her soul."
Dylan's grip loosened. He staggered back, fury and despair colliding in his heart. "But… how? How could my sister end up there? Fiona… her face, her voice… all so different!"
The spy straightened, steady now. "Majesty, the Heaven Realm has its ways. They can change appearances with their Identity Transfer Spell. And more—I overheard her so-called parents. They admitted she was never their child. They brought her home as a teenager… lied to the world, claiming she had been raised by an uncle. Fiona was not theirs."
"No…" Dylan fell to his knees, the weight of truth breaking him. His fists struck the cold marble floor. "Heaven… they stole her from me. They raised my sister under falsehood… erased her memory so she would not remember me…" His voice cracked, pain twisting into rage. "And she… she sacrificed her life for me…"
His roar turned into a broken cry. "Fiona…"
---
In Dylan's Bedroom
The chamber was dark, silent. Dylan entered, unfastening his upper garments, his mind a storm. Suddenly, a soft hand steadied his arm.
"Who—" he spun, only to hear a soft chuckle.
"It's me," Irin whispered, wrapping her arms around him from behind.
"Irin…" His voice softened.
"Who else would come here other than me?" she teased gently.
Dylan pulled her hands forward, drawing her into his gaze. His voice trembled. "Irin… did Fiona love Xander so deeply?"
She blinked, confused. "Why are you asking me this now?"
"Because… in the end, she defied him. She chose to rescue us instead of standing by his side."
Irin lowered her eyes. "If she went against him, that doesn't mean she didn't love him. She loved him with all her heart… but she was afraid she could not guide him to the right path."
Her voice broke, her head bowing. Dylan cupped her chin, lifting it gently. "And… did Xander love her as much?"
"Dylan…" Irin frowned. "Why are you asking such questions?" She took a deep breath. "Fiona never told me who her first love was… but she always told me something. She said—if you love someone but he doesn't love you back, don't chase him. But if one loves you truly, choose him. That's real love… love must flow both ways, not one. And… I could see it. Xander loved her deeply. Otherwise, she would not have chosen him." Tears welled in her eyes. "I still can't believe… they're both gone."
Dylan brushed her tears away. His thoughts echoed in silence: My sister's life… her only love… all lost because of me. I killed him with my own hands…
"Dylan, are you upset?" Irin's soft voice reached him.
He forced a smile. "No." Yet deep within, he swallowed the truth he dared not tell her.
"I just wanted to say this," Irin whispered, resting her head against him. "If a wife goes against her husband's will… it doesn't mean she doesn't love him."
Dylan's arms wrapped around her, holding her close. "Irin…"
And for a fleeting moment, they clung to each other in silence.
---
In the Heaven Realm – Ren's Crown Ceremony
Golden bells rang across the realm. The ceremony hall glowed with brilliance as ancestors whispered among themselves.
"Why has Dylan not come?" one murmured.
"If he doesn't… our plan will fail," another hissed.
At the entrance, Lia spotted Irin. Rushing forward, she grabbed her hand tightly. "I thought you wouldn't come!"
Irin smiled faintly. "Of course I would. You are my best friend… after Fiona."
Lia's eyes softened. "And Dylan? He…"
A swirl of white smoke unfurled, silencing them. From it emerged Ren, radiant in ceremonial robes.
Lia and Irin gasped.
"Where is your husband?" Ren asked, his tone calm yet sharp.
Irin hesitated. "…He didn't come."
Ren's gaze lingered.
Trying to soften the moment, Irin added, "Lia told me through her bubble message that you want peace between our realms. I'm… so happy, Ren. I always wished for that."
Ren's smile spread, but his eyes glimmered with something darker. "Yes. I don't want grudges anymore. I refuse to follow my brother's path. Come inside."
After some minutes,
The crown was placed upon Ren's head. Applause thundered. He and Lia took their seats upon the ruler's thrones. Irin watched, smiling faintly.
When the ceremony ended, Irin stood. "Lia, it's late. I should go back."
"Stay a little longer," Lia begged.
Ren appeared beside them. "Spend time with Lia. She deserves happiness."
Lia beamed. Irin nodded reluctantly, following her friend away.
Ren lingered, his sharp eyes scanning the floor. Something glittered—an ornate chain lying where Irin had stood moments before. He bent, lifting it carefully. The delicate links pulsed with faint energy.
He stared at it, lips curving into a slow smile. "So… this belongs to you." His fingers tightened around it, his eyes darkening with hunger.
"I will find a way to bring you here, Dylan." His whisper dripped with desire and hidden intent.
---
In BlueMoon Kingdom – Dylan's Chamber
Later, Dylan studied scrolls of grievances. Zerath entered.
"Majesty, today is the new king's crowning ceremony. Will you not attend?"
Dylan smirked. "Ren is planning something. I can smell the trap from here. That's why I won't go."
"But… what about the Queen?" Zerath asked carefully.
"She said she didn't want to go either."
Zerath only nodded. After a pause, he frowned. "Majesty, one scroll is missing. Where is it?"
"Perhaps in my chambers," Dylan muttered, rising. "I will bring it."
---
In Dylan's Bedroom
The room was freshly polished. Xizi was cleaning when Dylan entered.
"Where is Irin?" Dylan asked.
"She is in the garden, Majesty," Xizi answered quickly.
"Help me search. A scroll is missing."
They combed through the room until Xizi found it. But as she extended it, her hand trembled violently. Dylan's sharp eyes caught it. He seized the scroll, his voice low and dangerous.
"Call Irin. Now."
Xizi froze, eyes wide.
"Tell me the truth," Dylan growled.
The maid collapsed to her knees. "Forgive me, Majesty… the Queen… she went to the Crown Ceremony in Heaven."
Dylan's breath halted. His hands shook as he whispered, "Why… did you lie to me, Irin?"
He turned, cloak sweeping, and stormed from the room—his rage burning silently.
---