Chapter 105 Give up!
|| Author POV ||
The room grew heavier. Albert didn’t waver. Instead, his gaze met Killian’s before he finally opened his mouth.
“I want you to marry Elara.”
Killian’s eyes snapped at Albert in disbelief. His expression alone screamed—‘You know I already have my woman. How can you tell me to marry someone else?’
His face turned to cold stone. He didn’t care how it might look infront of the elder.
“I can’t!” Killian spat coldly. His response was immediate and his tone as sharp as a blade
Albert’s calm nod was unsettling. “Why not?” he asked smoothly.
“You already know exactly why–” Killian began only to be cut off.
“Yes, I know.” Albert’s voice deepened. “That’s why I’m telling you to marry my granddaughter. Don’t play a fool, Killian. I know you’re aware I’ve sent my man to watch you and that innocent girl. You think I don’t know what’s going on?” Albert’s voice turned firm.
Killian’s fingers curled into a tight fist on his knee. The veins on his hand standing out.
“You can’t ruin an innocent life. You know the law of my world and I never thought you’d cross it. I thought she was happy with you. Whatever happened between you two, I don’t care. But I know for certain she wants you to leave her. Isn’t that right?”
Killian breathed heavily, jaw clenching so tight his teeth ground together.
“Let her go.” Albert demanded.
Killian’s eyes sharpened, “I can’t!”
Albert leaned forward with narrowed eyes. “Do you love her?”
Killian’s stare suddenly hardened, darting back and forth in the old man’s eyes. For a long second.
“No!”
His answer came out hard and stern. There was no hesitation.
Albert let out a dry chuckle, shaking his head. “Then let her go. Marry Elara. I’m telling you what’s best for you. I won’t stand by and watch you ruin an innocent life.”
Killian’s eyes never left the old man’s face. His eyes were dark and unblinking.
“I handed you my empire because I entrusted you with it. I still trust you. Elara is a good match. Not just because she’s my granddaughter, but because she fits into this life. That girl doesn’t. You have to let her go eventually. Killian, my boy, don’t destroy her. She already tried to escape you twice. Do you not see her desperation? Do you not see she wants nothing but to run from you?”
Albert sighed. “Did she know your mafia identity? What did you even do to her that she wants to run away from you?”
Albert’s voice deepened. “What do you even think you’re doing? Our world has rules. We don’t break the innocent. Power isn’t for playing with lives. It’s for protecting what’s ours.”
For a moment, Killian’s silence was heavy. His chest rose and fell slowly. Then he answered in a low voice.
“I respect you for your concern, grandpa. But if this is about power–” Killian’s eyes locked on Albert’s.
A long silence followed.
“–You can take it back. But I can’t let her go.”
Albert pinched his brows together in shock. A shadow crossed his face at Killian’s stubbornness.
Albert felt a strong sense of obsession–so intense it bordered on unhealthy to the point that Killian even seemed ready to step back from his throne.
Had he gone mad?
Was this truly the same young man he had raised? The boy who once lived and bled for the throne?
Killian had trained with his life for it, driven by vengeance and fueled by the need to crush those who had destroyed his happiness. He had always known that only power could make it possible.
Killian studied Albert’s cold eyes. Albert’s expression reminded him of the same ruthless figure he had first met years ago but not the calm old figure sitting before him now. This old man was vicious in his prime.
“I didn’t hand you the power to take it back. You earned the throne, and I know for certain you’re the only one capable of ruling the darkness. That throne of abyss belongs to you and I’m no one to take it back from you.”
“I’m only saying, let her go. I see no reason for you to force her to stay if you don’t love her. I trained you like my own grandson–like my own blood. I don’t want you to commit such a crime as destroying an innocent life.” Albert sighed, leaning against the couch.
“You once said you owe me your life, right?”
Albert’s wrinkled face hardened and he leaned forward. His eyes filled with authority. “Now I’m calling on it.”
“I will give you two options, Killian.”
Killian’s gaze was already stone, dark as obsidian.
“Either marry Elara.” the old man stated flatly. “Or let that girl go.” Albert tilted his head ever so slightly with a nod. “That’s how you repay me.”
“You have to choose.”
“I am not letting her go. I can’t.” Killian spat. Madness flickered into his deep ocean eyes.
Albert’s gaze sharpened but he nodded. “Then I’ll have to handle it my way. I may be old, but I still hold the dark world. Even if I must take her away to free her from you. I will! If you can, try to stop me.”
Take her away—Take her away—Take her away?
The thought spun endlessly in Killian’s mind, twisting like a knife.
Killian’s expression darkened further. His eyebrows drew together. He knew Albert wasn’t lying.
“You can’t. You won’t do anything, grandpa.” Killian breathed. His chest rose and fell with controlled rage and his fist tightened.
Albert leaned forward. And Killian felt it. This old man still carried wrath in his blood. He had been ruthless once, and he had not lied about taking his life away from him.
“I can, and I will. And you know it too.”
His stare bored into Killian, challenging him to deny. Killian gazed back and forth into Albert’s eyes.