She Took My Place I Cut His Clan のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 1 - チャプター 9

Two days after Lucien and his little lover left for their Venetian holiday, I finalized the transfer of my work at the Evernight Industries core lab and submitted my resignation to the board.Less than ten minutes later, a magical brand burned on my wrist. A “permission” from Lucien. He clearly thought I was throwing a tantrum. He expected me to crawl back, just like all the other times.The other vampire researchers in the lab were practically gloating. They thought I was finally running away, unable to stand watching Celeste be showered with affection."Looks like someone's finally facing reality," a young researcher snickered. "Lord Lucien is clearly much happier with Lady Celeste.""I heard she even got the 'Moonlight Blood' supply treaty.""Octavia used to guard that project like it was her own life."I ignored their jealous stares, a cold smile playing on my lips as I gathered my files."You're right," I said, my voice like the calm surface of a frozen lake. "The Cain Conglome

My personal silver candelabras at the entrance were gone.In their place stood a pair of tacky gold ones, carved with crescent moons and roses. They weren’t even lit. A thin layer of dust already coated the cold metal, since the castle’s ever-burning magical flames had been extinguished.I stepped into the hall. The air was cold and dead, stripped of the warm, magical pulse that had always felt like home.Celeste was lounging on my great-grandmother's sarcophagus, wrapped in a thick fur blanket. The priceless gown of celestial silk she lay on, my gown, was crumpled beneath her like a common rag. She held my personal goblet—carved from the skull of an ancient sorcerer, able to purify any impurity from blood. But she was frowning at it, seemingly displeased with the cold temperature of its contents."Octavia."Lucien stepped out of the shadows. He had clearly rushed back from Venice, furious. The moment he saw me, a flicker of panic crossed his face before it hardened into a dark

Celeste's eyes went wide. She was stunned into silence.It was the first time Lucien had ever spoken to her with such coldness.She opened her mouth to defend herself, but the raw killing intent in his eyes made the words die in her throat.Lucien seemed to realize he'd overreacted. He took a deep breath, his tone softening slightly."Celeste, leave us. I need to speak with Octavia alone.""But Lucien—" Her voice was a pained, petulant whine. "My haven... the Blackwood pack destroyed it in a surprise attack. I have nowhere else to go—""Then you can stay in the communal haven," Lucien replied, all his usual tenderness gone."The communal haven?" Celeste said, aghast. "A place like that is beneath me."Lucien's gaze turned to ice.He walked over to Celeste and whispered something in her ear.I saw him slip a black obsidian key from a hidden pocket in his cloak into her hand.Celeste's expression shifted from hurt to understanding. She gave a subtle nod."If that's what you wish, Lucien,

Lucien stared, his face a canvas of pure disbelief."Left the clan?" he repeated, his voice trembling. "That's impossible... I never approved any such request!""I submitted my resignation a while ago," I reminded him calmly. "Your magical seal of approval came back almost immediately."Panic seized him."No... that's not right..." He waved his hands in the air, summoning the clan's soul roster.A thick, blood-red tome appeared, suspended in the air, its pages flipping on their own. It contained the True Name and soul-imprint of every clan member.I watched his frantic search with cold detachment.He wasn't panicking because he was losing me. He was panicking because he had no one left to clean up his mess.The book flipped to the pages starting with 'V'.Valerius, Octavia.The line of text was slowly fading, like ink being washed away by clear water."No!" Lucien watched as my name vanished completely from the roster, and he stumbled back.His face was ashen. His hands trembled, grasp

The blood inside the amber swirled, revealing its true nature.But it wasn't my blood anymore.A single strand of golden hair shimmered within the amber, radiating Celeste's unique soul-scent.Lucien's eyes went wide, the blood draining from his face."This... that's impossible..." He trembled, trying to snatch the amber back. "I sealed your blood inside...""The bond reflects the heart's deepest desires," I said, watching him calmly. "When your heart turns to another, even your blood changes its allegiance.""No..." He shook his head, his eyes filled with despair. "I didn't... I never truly loved her...""Your blood is more honest than you are." I placed the amber back in his palm. "Lucien, your heart betrayed us long ago.""Even if we got back together now, do you really think it could ever be the same?" My voice was as light as a feather, but it hit him like a mountain. "The suspicion, the eternal torment... could you live with that?"He collapsed to the ground. The amber fell from