Ciel's POV
"Lucien…" I whispered in complete shock. That bastard… he planted a spy for Serena.
I suddenly remembered something I had forgotten—the day I brought Serena back home. Lucien… I had left him in that cave. Haa… the sly fox must have gotten away by now. He must have run the moment I saved Serena.
Haa… no. Not only did I have to find that cloaked man, but I also had to track down Lucien and get rid of him. Every fiber of me burned with anger at the danger he had put Serena.
I turned to Lila. "Alright, Lila. Thank you for telling me the truth," I said, my voice cold but controlled. Inside, my heart clenched—she had caused so much pain, yet here she was, fragile and terrified.
She tried to yell after me. "You'll keep your promise, right? You won't kill me, right?"
"Of course I won't, Jason," I called over my shoulder, forcing my expression to stay unreadable.
"Yes, Your Majesty," Jason appeared next to me, silent and loyal as ever.
"Schedule Lila's execution in the Redemption Room," I said, my tone icy and final. The words felt heavy, but necessary. I couldn't let mercy endanger Serena or my kingdom.
"No! No, Your Majesty! Please… you promised not to kill me!" she begged, desperation echoing through the hall.
"I promised I wouldn't kill you, Lila… and I'm keeping that promise," I said firmly. Inside, though, I felt a twist of guilt. I was sending her to death, but I wouldn't touch her myself. That was the line I drew. "I'm not going to kill you by my own hand… but Jason will be the one to execute you."
I turned away, leaving her pleading cries behind me as the door shut. My chest felt tight, a storm of anger, sorrow, and resolve swirling inside. Lucien, that sly fox…I will find you. And you will pay.
Lucien's POV
I just stared at him in complete and utter shock.
Did he really know how to do that? I thought about it for a moment.
He had been by Ciel's side for a long time, acting like his loyal aide.
He must know a lot about Ciel—Ciel must have trusted Jason, which meant he must know Ciel's secrets.
And now… he just revealed that he really was Asriel.
Asriel was known as a master strategist—confident, cunning, and brilliant.
Hmmm… I don't think he's lying. He must be telling the truth.
But… why me? I asked, uncertainty and suspicion lacing my voice.
"Why are you involving me in your plan? You seem to have a lot of fallen on your side. So why do you need my help?"
He laughed, a deep, unsettling sound that sent chills down my spine.
"Lucien… you're not like the others. You're intelligent, resourceful, cleverer than the rest of them.
I also heard about your incredible schemes in Heaven—manipulating your fellow angels to turn on each other, tempting an Archangel into sin, planning schemes with fallen angels just to be seen as a hero.
Then… you got caught because of a little spy.
If not… you would have succeeded. You would have been an Archangel by now.
And even after falling, you still managed to strike a deal with Heaven and made a pact with Ael. Brilliant work, Lucien. Truly brilliant."
I paused, letting his words sink in.
"I need someone with your skills—your brains, your intelligence—to pull off a plan like this," he continued.
I thought about it for a moment.
Right… even though he's Asriel, a plan like this would need incredible skill, strategy, and foresight. Of course he's going to need help.
"So… you're saying that if I help you, and we succeed, we're going to rule Heaven together?" I asked cautiously.
"Yes," he said. "I will rule Heaven with you as my second-in-command."
I paused, then let a slow smile spread across my face.
"Well… second-in-command doesn't sound so bad."
"Well then, Asriel… if you really know how to revert Clara, kill Ciel, steal his magic, and conquer Heaven… then you've got yourself a deal," I said, excitement and anticipation coursing through me.
He let out a loud, maniacal laugh that echoed through the room.