The wind howled around the cliff's edge, ruffling Serina's long hair as she stood just a step away from the abyss. The once-proud young lady, with eyes cold and distant, now looked utterly shattered — her heart bleeding from wounds no one else could see.
Leon, her fiancé, and Julian, her older brother, stood before her, their faces filled with a mix of anger, confusion, and disbelief.
"Where is she, Serina Valecross?!" Leon roared. "Where is Sara? And tell me... why did you do it?!"
Serina looked up slowly, her lips parted and trembling. Her eyes met Leon's — eyes that once looked at her with warmth and affection, now filled with nothing but betrayal. Behind him stood Julian, silent, his gaze heavy and unreadable.
"I…" Serina's voice cracked. "I did hurt her before… I won't lie. I poured wine on her, slapped her… I hated her. But this time… I didn't do anything…"
"You expect us to believe that?" Leon spat, his voice sharp with disbelief. "The maid heard everything. She said you gave the orders. She said you planned it—"
"She didn't do it!" Lia shouted, stepping in front of Serina like a shield. "Yes, she made mistakes in the past. She apologized too . But she didn't plan this. She's not that kind of person!"
"Lia…" Julian said quietly, his voice thick with emotion. "You're letting your feelings cloud your judgment. We all heard the maid's statement."
"She's my best friend! And I'm not like you," Lia snapped, her voice shaking. "I won't condemn her over a maid's word. I know her better than anyone! You all turned your backs on her so easily. She's not a monster!"
The tension in the air cracked like ice under pressure.
Serina gave a soft, broken laugh, tears welling in her eyes as she turned Lia toward her.
"Thank you," she said in a low voice. "For still believing in me."
Lia's face fell. "Rina…"
"I'm glad I had someone who stayed with me until the end," Serina whispered, taking a step closer.
Without warning, she pulled Lia into a tight embrace — desperate and trembling. Her arms clung around Amelia like she was the last warmth in a cold, cruel world.
"You were the only light left in my life," Serina whispered into her shoulder. "Everyone's looking at me like I'm a monster. Even my brother. Even Leon. I don't want you to get hurt because of me, Lia."
Lia's heart raced. She held Serina tighter, tears slipping down her cheeks. "Don't talk like that. It's not the end. We'll figure this out. I'll prove you're innocent, Rina."
Serina slowly pulled back and gently cupped Lia's face in her shaking hands.
"If you keep standing by me, they'll turn on you too," she said softly. "I can't let them hurt you."
"Let them try," Lia said fiercely. "I'm not afraid. I'm with you, Rina."
Serina smiled — a soft, wistful smile that looked too much like goodbye.
"You're too kind for this world," she whispered. "That's why I don't want you to be destroyed by mine."
She took a step back.
Lia's breath caught. "Rina… don't. Please."
Another step.
"No!" Lia lunged forward, but Serina gently pushed her back and whispered her final words.
"Forgive me."
And then… she turned and jumped.
"RINA!!" Lia screamed.
Her voice echoed into the misty valley, and for a moment, time stood still. Leon and Julian stared in disbelief, frozen by what they had just seen.
"No…" Leon murmured, his voice hollow.
Julian staggered forward, reaching too late.
Lia broke into a sprint, eyes filled with tears, racing toward the edge to jump after her.
"RINA!!"
But strong arms caught her from behind — Julian's.
"Let me go!" she screamed, thrashing
violently. "Let me go! I have to save her!"
Julian's arms trembled as he held her. His face was buried against her shoulder, and she felt his tears soaking through her dress.
"I… I didn't know," he choked. "I didn't think she'd really… I didn't think she'd do it…"
At the cliff's edge, Leon fell to his knees, staring into the fog below.
"Serina!" he shouted. "Where are you?!"
Soldiers rushed to the ledge, but the valley below was silent — no scream, no splash, no sign of a body.
"She's not there!" one of the knights called. "There's no trace of her!"
Leon's legs gave out completely. He collapsed to the ground.
"No… I didn't want this. I just wanted the truth... I didn't mean…"
Julian held Lia tightly, eyes red with grief.
"I didn't believe her… I didn't even let her explain…"
Suddenly, Lia reached for the dagger strapped at Julian's waist. Before he could stop her, she pulled it out, pushed him aside, and pressed the blade to her chest.
"LIA!" both men shouted in unison.
She stood there, broken and lifeless.
"She didn't do anything," Lia whispered. "She was in pain… and we failed her. You destroyed her. I… I can't live without her. If she's gone… I don't want to stay in this world either…"
"NO!" Leon lunged toward her.
But it was too late.
The blade pierced her chest.
Julian caught her before she hit the ground, cradling her in his arms, panic and despair in his eyes.
"Lia! Stay with me! Please!! Please don't go too!"
Her brother Leon dropped beside them, grabbing her hand, his voice cracking. "Don't die… please don't… I didn't mean for this…"
Lia's eyelids fluttered open one last time. Her voice was barely a whisper.
"Please… believe her… Rina… didn't do anything… please…"
And with that, her eyes closed forever.
Leon let out a cry that tore through the cold air.
Julian held her close, his tears falling endlessly, his heart breaking in silence.
They had believed the wrong person.
They had broken the girl who loved them.
And now… they had lost them both.