Chapter 135
Mercedes couldn't sleep at all. She was afraid to close her eyes, thinking that Drakoen would take the chance to do whatever he wanted with them. She thought about what he had said to her, but how could she make a choice? All night, she couldn't come up with a solution. Her eyes are bloodshot because of lack of sleep and distress.
Drakoen walked into the room with a blank expression on his face. He watched Mercedes and was pleased to see that she looked bad. A small smile appeared on his face.
" It's a new day. A beautiful day at that, but here you are looking like a train wreck," he said, turning up his nose at her. Mercedes didn't care about his insults. That was the least of her worries.
" I get it. You have a tough choice to make, so you must have stayed up all night giving it some thought. In that case, I hope you have an answer for me."
Mercedes was quiet and looked at him like an animal ready to pounce.
" Well, what's it gonna be? Is it going to be you or your boy?"
Mercedes quickly picked up Horace, who was still sound asleep and held him tightly in her arms. She was desperately looking around for a way out, but she was cornered. A rogue thought came to her mind. Something she never thought would ever cross her mind.
" I won't let you get what you want. I will... I'll... I'll kill him, and then I will kill myself. It will be over."
Drakoen stared at her for a few seconds, completely unfazed by her threat. He then burst out laughing like a mad man.
" Oh dear. That was so funny, I couldn't help laughing," he said as he continued to laugh.
Once he was done, he flicked off the stray tears at the corner of his eyes.
" Where were we again? Oh! Right. The part where you kill your child and yourself. Are you still going to go through with it? Can you? Just look at you. Your hands are trembling. Can you really bear to strangle the life out of your child?" he asked, looking at her curiously.
" If you can, then I won't stop you. It will work in my favor anyway. If both of you die, then all my problems will be solved. I still win anyway. Without you, my plans would go smoothly and, as for a vessel, I could still get another one. Anyone strong enough will do."
Mercedes felt utterly humiliated and crippled by Drakoen. He was making fun of her pain and mocking her helplessness. She couldn't even get angry. His could she let such an ugly thought cross her mind. She would never be able to kill her child. Never. That was crazy to even think about.
A lone tear came out of Mercedes's eye.
" Save your tears. This isn't the part where you cry. This is still the beginning. If you cry now, then what will you do later? You'll have no tears left to cry then, right when you need to cry your soul out."
Mercedes bit her lip. He was tight. What was the point of her tears now? She didn't deserve to shed any tears because of the situation she found herself in, she had herself to blame. Even so, she couldn't stop her tears. She felt utterly alone. There was no miracle that was going to happen. No one was coming to save her nor could she save herself. She was pitiful and pathetic.
" There is no sense in waiting.ake a decision already. I have given you enough time. If you don't want to, just say the word. I'll make the decision for you."
" You monster! Curse you!" she yelled with all her might.
Horace was startled by her voice, so he woke up and started to cry. In that moment, Mercedes was so overcome with emotions of hatred and anger, she couldn't pacify him. His cries were like shards of glass piercing her.
" Why did you have to come back into my life? Why couldn't you just leave me alone? I don't want any of this. I just want to live my life peacefully with my family. I'm sick and tired of this stupid game. Why must you be the one to end it all for me? What did I ever do to you to ever deserve such a fate?"
Watching her cry and yell at him, Drakoen felt empty. He felt nothing. Her emotions didn't move him at all. He could never feel anything or sympathize with her. A thousand years of seclusion killed all feeling in him. All the pain and torment he had to endure all alone was still fresh in his mind. It was all because of her that he had to live that way. He couldn't even kill himself in the seal. It was eternal punishment.
" There is no point in asking that right now. I care not about the past. I just want what belongs to me, and you are the only one that stands in my way yet again. I'm afraid for the world I want to create, it cannot have you in it. I won't make the mistake of sparing you and your son's lives. That would be foolish of me to let people who are threats and obstacles in my pain remain alive."
Mercedes felt utterly defeated. She had nothing left to say. If there was no way out, then the only thing she could do was make the choice.
" Take me," she said after a moment of silence. Her tears dried up, and her eyes turned dark, void of any emotion.
" You can have me. Leave my son out of this. I want you to return him back to his family. Once he is safely with them, then you can do whatever you want with me."
Drakoen smirked. He had finally broken her spirit. Her fiery spirit had vanished and all that was left was a shell. He was winning, just like he wanted. Now that he got her where he wanted her, it was time to reap the benefits.
" You have my word that your son will be unharmed. However, I cannot return him until you have done what I want. He is the reason you are giving your life to me. Once he has gone back safely, who's to say you won't go back on your word?"
" There same could be said about you. Once you have taken control over my body, whatever you decide to do with my son, I will not be able to have the will to defend him. How can I trust that you won't use him as your vessel? I'm not going to give up my life without having the assurance that he will be safe."
Drakoen was getting annoyed. Of course, he was deceiving her. He didn't actually plan on returning Horace. He was a strong vessel and a perfect match. It would take a long time to get another vessel. Time he didn't have, but now Mercedes wasn't willing to take his word for it. She showed no signs of backing down.
He tried to think of something but nothing came to mind. There was no way he could trick her. It was time to weigh the pros and cons. If he had to choose between mother and son, then he had to stick with Mercedes. She was going to be the ace up his sleeve. With her, he had the chance to crush all his enemies and have her pave the path to his victory. So, even though he really didn't want to let go of his vessel, he had to give in this time. Besides, it's only a matter of time. He would have him back in his clutches once he wiped them all out. With no obstacles left in his path, he would finally be able to take over his vessel without a problem. It was only a temporary loss.
" Alright. Fine. I agree. I will return the boy safely back home. Once he is gone, I advise you not to try and act smart. I can always get him back here, and it won't be fun for him. Got it?"
Mercedes remained unfazed by what he said. She had enough of his threats. All she wanted was to get Horace away from there. She would only feel at ease once he was no longer in danger.
She looked at her son for the last time. She didn't know if she would get to see him again. It seemed it was their destiny to always part ways with each other. She wiped his tears away and kissed his cheeks and forehead. Her last kiss lingered a bit longer as a tear fell on Horace's face.
" I'm sorry, dear. Mommy won't be with me anymore. I hope you will find it in your heart to forgive me. I'm so sorry..."
She was shaking while holding him. There was never an easy moment when she had to let go of him, but this was ten times worse than before. She held him on her chest and closed her eyes. While looking at him earlier, she tried to capture his features so she could remember him. Mercedes hoped that memory of him would serve as an anchor that would keep her grounded and prevent her from completely losing herself once Drakoen took control of her. She didn't plan on being his puppet without a fight. Mercedes had her hopes placed on her will, her love and determination to not hurt innocent people. She only hoped she would be able to fight off his influence. The last resort to escape his hold would be to end her own life. That was not an easy resolution, but if it comes to that, then she will have to do it.
" Enough of the sentimental bullshit. It's time to say your final goodbyes. Make it quick."
Mercedes ignored Drakoen and focused on Horace. She gazed upon him softly. Touching his hair, his face and his fingers, trying to take in all him. His sweet and calming scent. She wasn't ready to let him go, but if she didn't, it would only make things difficult.
Once she was satisfied, she hardened her heart and held in her tears.
" Alright. I'm ready. I want to see him leave and make sure that he makes it back. Once I'm certain, then you can do it. Not a moment sooner."
Drakoen forced a smile but agreed.
" Okay then. I hope you won't have any regrets."
He smirked, mocking her.
" Let's just do this and get it over and done with."
" As you, my lady."
The time had come. There would be no turning back.