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Semua Bab When My Hundred-Year Love Turned to Ash: Bab 1 - Bab 10

10 Bab

Chapter 1

The moment my mother knew I was done with Kaelan, she started arranging the union.I had just pulled myself from the vault’s recovery pool. The Silver Bell poison still slithered through my veins. Every inch of my skin ached.My mother’s voice detonated in my mind—blood-telepathy. Plans for the blood bond flooded my consciousness. The venue, the guest list, the ritual. Every detail, flawless and immediate."The union with the Obsidian Throne is set. Three days from now, on the night of the Blood Moon." Her tone was absolute. "My dearest Rosalie, someone who truly wants an eternity with you wouldn't make you wait a century. Kaelan is just using your family's influence to secure his new little Covenant. It's time to wake up, my daughter."I closed my eyes, feeling the last of the poison fade.She was right. I waited a century for him.Countless promises. Countless delays.It was always so clear to everyone else."I agree."The words brought a relief I'd never known.My mother was silent

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Chapter 2

Kaelan wasn't alone. Sylvia was with him.The fragile human girl was leaning weakly against his arm, as if she might collapse at any moment.But it was what they were holding that truly blinded me: shopping bags and a key.The golden key to a luxury apartment glittered in the moonlight.The bags were full of home goods—I saw pillows, blankets, and human toiletries.They looked like a couple moving into their first home.And the poison from the Silver Bells still burned inside me."Rosa?" Kaelan frowned, his eyes landing on the suitcase behind me. "Where are you going?"I didn't answer.The stench of Sylvia’s cheap human perfume drifted off him, so sweet it made me sick."What is the meaning of this?"My Aunt Elara’s magical projection shimmered into existence to see me off, materializing right in the middle of the confrontation. I cut her off before she could demand answers.“Aunt Elara, the gifts from Mother have arrived. Don’t just leave them in the collection room. Enjoy them.”I ne

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Chapter 3

After hanging up, I went back to my art studio.My phone wouldn't stop vibrating.I opened the Covenant's internal network, the "Night's Eye." Messages were flying.The pinned post told me everything.Posted by: Sylvia_HumanThe photo showed Kaelan, intently installing a state-of-the-art anti-sunlight system in the apartment. Not just blinds—a high-tech defense grid worth hundreds of thousands.Caption: “Thank you to our noble Lord for being so thoughtful! Humans are so lucky to have this kind of protection~ It's so moving to see our leader be so considerate!”The comments were already over three hundred.“Wow, the Lord is that nice to humans?”“Lady Sylvia is so lucky!”“Damn, that protection system is better than the one at my haven.”“Is the Lord hiding his new pet?”“I think Lady Sylvia is about to receive the Embrace! She'll be one of us soon!”“Congratulations! Should we prepare for a wedding?”Every comment was a dagger, aimed straight at my heart.I kept scrolling.More photos.

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Chapter 4

I pushed myself up from the ground, brushing the dust from my silk nightgown.The fire cast a warm glow on my face, but my voice was ice.“It’s fine. I opened it and thought I saw rot. So I burned it.”Seeing my movement, he finally realized he had gone too far.He took a deep breath.“Are you okay? I’m sorry, I was just… frantic. We’ve been filling that box for a century. Weren't we going to display it for the whole Covenant at our blood bond ceremony? Why would you suddenly burn it?”“If there was rot, you could have waited for me. Or sent me a message. I would have fixed it.”This man was no longer the boy who had promised to protect me for all eternity.I couldn't even stand to look at him.“You haven’t been back in a long time. You must be busy. I didn’t want to bother you with something so small.”“And Kaelan,” I said, my smile as cold as the grave, “none of it was ever for me. For a century, you hunted down every rose-related treasure in the world. But you never once stopped to

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Chapter 5

How long had it been since he’d been this frantic over me?Fifty years? Eighty? Maybe longer.In my memory, we were always inseparable.We knew each other better than anyone else in the world.I gave him everything. All my family’s resources, without a second thought.He was so sure he’d be the next covenant leader. I was so sure I’d be by his side. I had built my entire life around him.I would never, ever leave him.So he had no problem hurting me. No problem fawning over another woman right in front of my face.My phone wouldn't stop flashing.Kaelan’s words echoed in my head. So arrogant. "Rosa, you can't survive without me," he'd said. "In this world of night, only I can protect you. Only I can give you what you truly desire."How ridiculous.I calmly blocked his number.The car moved smoothly down the highway. I began to purge my life of him.First, the blood tokens that tied me to him.A silver ring, engraved with his name.A blood-crystal necklace, holding all our memories.And

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Chapter 6

"Father, Mother, I'll handle everything," I said, wiping my tears and forcing my voice to be steady. "This arranged marriage… I won't fight it."My parents exchanged a look of clear relief."Good." My father nodded. "I knew our daughter wouldn't be fooled by that scumbag forever.""Tell me about Kaelan," I asked. "Everything."A cold glint appeared in my father's eyes. "For a new covenant leader to be officially recognized by the elders, he must marry into an ancient family. It has been the tradition for a thousand years.""He sought you out for our family's power and status.""If it weren't for you," my mother added, her voice sharp with indignation, "the Crimson Crown would never have gotten a seat on the Night Council. That ungrateful wretch preyed on your love—and used our family's resources—for a century, and now he dares to—"Ring—ring—ring—The harsh sound of my phone cut her off.An unknown number.I answered with a frown."Rosalie."Kaelan's voice, tight with fury, came throug

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Chapter 7

"The Princess of Silvermoon." His voice was a low, magnetic rumble. It carried the chilling grace of the old world. "Welcome to the Obsidian Throne."He gave a slight nod. A monarch's greeting.My mother whispered excitedly beside me, "What a perfect man!""Monarch Damien," my father stepped forward. "Thank you for accepting this union.""It is my honor." Damien's gaze never left me. "An alliance with Silvermoon Manor is a privilege."A maid in a lavish gown approached. "Your Highness, if you would follow me to change into your ceremonial gown."In a dressing room at the top of the castle, a designer had prepared a stunning gown for me.It was a silver dress, as if woven from liquid moonlight. Every inch of the fabric shimmered with a soft glow, like a river of stars. The skirt fell in cascading layers, flowing like water as I moved.I stood before the mirror, looking at my reflection.This was the image I had dreamed of countless times.Wearing the most beautiful gown, ready to be bou

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Chapter 8

"Don't let Father and Mother hear," I told my mother. "I'll take it in my room."She nodded and led my father away.I closed the door and answered the call."ROSALIE!"Kaelan's roar nearly shattered my eardrum."What the hell do you think you're doing?! A portrait with another man? Have you lost your mind?!"I listened calmly to his rage."Who is this Damien? What is he to you?" His voice was thick with anger and possession. "You dare betray me?!""Betrayal?" I laughed, a sharp, mocking sound. "What right do you have to use that word, Kaelan?""You get back here right now! Immediately!" he commanded. "I forbid you from having contact with any other man!""You forbid me?" I took a deep breath, my voice as cold as ice. "Kaelan, our century together is over. What I do is none of your business.""What do you mean, it's over? What nonsense are you talking?""You defiled our pledge token. You carved her initial into our crest," I said. Each word was a shard of ice. "According to the old laws

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Chapter 9

I deleted Sylvia’s email. I didn't believe a word.Playing the victim now? Too late.Just as the makeup artist was finishing my headpiece, there was a knock at the door."Your Highness, a delivery for you," the butler said respectfully."Now?" I frowned. "Who would send something on the day of a blood bond ceremony?"The butler handed me an exquisite velvet box tied with a blood-red ribbon.The card had only three words: To My Princess.My hand trembled slightly.That name. My Princess. For a century, only Kaelan had ever called me that. It was his name for me."Your Highness?" the makeup artist asked carefully. "Should I open it?"I took a deep breath and untied the ribbon.Inside the box lay a single, flawless Stygian Rose.Not a normal flower. It was an eternal bloom, sealed in a clear crystal.The 999th.The last one he had ever promised.On the back of the card, a single line was handwritten:"I'm sorry I'm late. But a promise is forever. —K"That late promise shattered my control

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Chapter 10

The Blood Moon Chapel was aglow with light.On the ancient altar, two crystal goblets waited for the sacred rite. The light of the blood moon streamed through the stained-glass windows, casting an eerie red glow over everything."Princess Rosalie of Silvermoon Manor, Monarch Damien of the Obsidian Throne, please come forward," the High Priest's voice was deep and solemn.Just then, my Aunt Elara rushed in. She wore a stunning purple gown, her eyes filled with happy tears."My darling niece," she whispered, kissing my forehead. "May you find true happiness."Damien and I stood side-by-side at the altar."Extend your right hands," the High Priest said.I held out my hand. Damien's palm covered the back of it.His hand was cold, but steady."By the witness of the Blood Moon, by the ancient vows we swear…"The High Priest began to chant the sacred words of the blood bond.Just as he was about to make the cut—"Stop! I do not consent!"A furious roar echoed from the chapel doors.Everyone t

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