The moment I stepped into the house, my phone buzzed.
A new chapter notification for my favorite novel.
I barely had time to glance at the screen before kicking off my shoes in a hurry. The day's exhaustion, the stress of work—everything faded behind me in an instant. I almost ran into the kitchen, turned on the kettle, grabbed one of the ready-made coffees on the counter, and poured it into my favorite mug—the one with the little blue elephant on it.
By the time the sharp beep of the kettle announced the water was ready, I had already opened the app. Holding the steaming coffee, I sank into my favorite chair, my heart pounding with anticipation.
The story was familiar, yet it never failed to pierce me.
A woman…
Had been sent as a bride to a dragon king against her will. At first, she resisted, tried to escape. But over time, unwillingly and without realizing it, she fell in love with him.
Yet the king's heart did not belong to her. His indifference, his coldness, and his love for another woman slowly tore her apart. What began with love had turned into jealousy, and jealousy into hatred.
And in the end, the woman became wicked.
I reached the latest chapter and realized I was holding my breath. My hands trembled. The woman had been thrown into the dungeon for nearly harming the king's beloved. And the fate of those who entered the dungeon was certain. Death waited in the shadows.
I couldn't wait any longer. I continued reading.
How… how was that wretched snake still alive?
Lilith's mind refused to accept it. That woman—how was she still breathing? She had ingested all the poison. Lilith had personally sealed her fate. Surely, the obstacle between them would finally be gone.
But no.
The woman had survived again.
Or maybe Karaen had helped her once more.
Fuming, Lilith paced back and forth across the dungeon's cold stone floor. Her breath came in ragged gasps; her heart pounded in her ears.
And then, cold metal wrapped around her throat.
Chains pulled her backward.
"Help! Somebody help! I'm choking!" she screamed.
She struggled. Once, twice…
Then darkness swallowed everything.
"What should we do, Your Majesty?"
"Throw her somewhere. She doesn't even deserve a grave," came the cold reply.
To be continued.
I stared at the screen, trembling. What? She's dead? Who killed her? Did it really end like that? How am I supposed to wait for the next chapter?
I angrily scrolled through the comments.
Finally, she's dead.
That evil woman deserved it.
Good riddance.
The comments were merciless.
But I didn't agree. What Lilith had fallen into was not evil, but the end of being unloved. Being unseen, unchosen, always second… These quietly rot the human soul.
My eyes grew heavy. Tomorrow was a workday. I had to wake up early. The phone slipped from my hand, and the darkness of sleep pulled me in.
"My Majesty!"
A voice.
Daren frowned. The hour had long passed. No matter what, the lady was not someone who would sleep this late.
"My lady, are you alright? Please wake up. It's two o'clock."
Mira slowly opened her eyes. The ceiling was unfamiliar. The air felt heavy.
Then the words came, one by one, flooding her mind:
Your Majesty…
My Lady…
Her heart raced.
"What? My lady? What's happening?"
A thought ran cold through her mind.
Could it be…?