blood never left his hands. even when he washed them.
The room was silent-aside from the soft humming of her ghostly lullaby.
He sat at the head of the long table, suit immaculate, tie perfectly knotted, silver rings cold on his fingers.
but his eyes?
they looked like they'd been carved out of sorrow and stitched back with rage.
his name was soren vale
King of the underworld. The Devil who never smiled. The boy they once left to rot.
Now?
He mad empires kneel.
A man burst through the massive double doors, panic laced in every step.
"s-sir-there's been an update. You need to see this."
Soren didn,t look up instead, he reached to the empty seat beside him, picked up a worn-out teacup, and set it gently before the space. a second cup poured itself.
"i told you not to interrupt me during tea with my wife," he said coldly.
The men all froze.
The ghost.
The woman only soren could see.
The one he loved more than his own vengeance.
Her name? Aurela.
A spirit bound by pain.
A bride sealed in death.
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The room darkened.
soren's fingers tightened around around the cup...and suddenly-
his mind slipped.
"you said you wouldn't leave me,"
the boy cried,barely able to speak.
she smiled-a girl with soft eyes, fake kindness, and a monster behind her teeth.
"I won't," she whispered.
Then the door slammed shut.
locked.
And the monsters came.
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Backto present.
Soren blinked once.
The ghost beside him-Aurela-reached out, placing a transparent hand on his arm.
"You're remembering again."
"...It's the name he said."
Soren finally looked up, eyes hollow.
"She's back."
The room fell still.
And then...
A smile slowly crept onto his lips.
Cold.
Unholy.
"I think it's time we pay her a visit, don't you think, my love?"
END OF PROLOGUE...