CHAPTER 48: FINAL GOODBYE

Viviane’s tears fell onto his chest, each drop making Seamus jolt. He clenched his jaw, fighting hard not to be swayed.

Yet she didn’t stop crying. Even when he lay still, her sobs continued, raw and broken.

The tension in his body eased as the red strings around him dissolved, crumbling away as if they’d never existed.

She was breaking down. Truly breaking.

Did she really love him... or was this just another act?

"Seamus... why can’t you understand?"

Her voice trembled as she hid her face behind her hands, ashamed of her own tears.

"For you, Isolde is a great person, yes—she cooed over you like you were her son. But do you know what she did to me? For a thousand years? Do you know what it means to live in hell for an eternity?"

Her voice cracked. "Do you even know how long eternity is? Because I didn’t. I didn’t, until I lived it. All I’ve ever wanted... was just to stay alive in a place I can’t be hurt anymore."

Her shoulders sank. She lowered herself onto his body, but no strings bound him now. She only sat there at the edge of the bed, her back facing him, fragile and small.

Seamus’ eyes softened. For the first time, he was certain—this wasn’t a game. She was finally speaking honestly, sincerely.

’None of this would’ve happened if she hadn’t lied to me.’

"You’ll still die if you fight Isolde," he said quietly. "After all, she is—"

His words were cut short.

"Then so be it." Her voice was steady, resolute. "You hate me, don’t you? Then I have no reason to stay in this world anymore."

Her whisper turned hollow. "I’d rather die than live like this forever, live in the world when you hated me, in a world where I am truly alone."

"You know how it feels... to be betrayed by the one you love. Then you should understand me."

She turned to him, tears still glistening in her eyes, but now she smiled. A calm, almost peaceful smile, as though she’d already accepted everything.

"Well then," she whispered, "I think this is our final goodbye."

Seamus’ eyes went wide. His hand reached out instinctively, desperate to stop her, to say something, but she was already gone.

The only thing left was her gentle voice, "You are free from me now. I pray that you live with happiness and contempt."

She is gone, like a rose petal scattered by the wind. And this time, it felt like a true goodbye.

***

Isolde sat in what looked like an interrogation room, only David across from her.

She lounged easily, legs crossed, hands resting in her lap, watching him like he was both prey and an amusing toy.

"So, what do you want me to say?" Her casual tone was enough to make him tremble.

"Y-you... why did you use your skill on those three civilians?"

David gulped, forcing himself to stay steady. He should be in control here, not her.

Where the hell are the higher-ups? Why am I alone? he cursed inwardly.

"I said I didn’t do it." She sighed, bored. "Don’t you have any other topic?"

"Mrs. Velstarth, you’re here because of an accusation of power misuse! Why would there be another topic?" David snapped back, his voice firmer this time.

He forced his nerves down; he needed to finish this quickly. Nothing good ever came from talking too long with an S-rank vampire.

But Isolde laughed, amused by his attempt at authority. "Oh, I know. But I didn’t do it. So—shall we move to another topic?"

She leaned forward, lips curving. "How about your poor daughter, Elle?"

His hand slammed against the table. "Shut up! Don’t you ever bring my daughter into this again! Is it fun, torturing me?!"

"Kinda... but are you sure you don’t want to hear about her? Not at all?" She tilted her head, smiling.

David froze. The way she said it, like she knew something he didn’t.

But if he listened, would it be like letting the devil preach? His curiosity clawed at him until it broke through.

"...What do you mean?"

"Ah, so you really don’t know." Her eyes gleamed. "The Vampire Hunter intelligence network really is useless, huh?"

"Cut it out! Just say it!" His voice cracked, bloodshot eyes narrowing as he reached his limit.

Isolde shook her head slowly, intertwining her fingers on the table. "You know the reports said your daughter’s body turned to ash, nothing left but dust, right?"

David flinched, his fists clenching so tight his knuckles whitened.

"But are you sure she’s truly dead?" Her voice softened, almost mocking. "What if I told you... she might still be alive? Somewhere in this town. Forgetting herself. Poor Elle."

His breath caught. "What do you mean?"

"You know Corvane? One of the Seven Great Covenants, the ones behind that ’accident.’"

David’s jaw locked. Of course, he knew. He would never forget. That House had unleashed the Scavenger rampage in X City, manufacturing an army out of them—Case CX123.

He’d been the primary investigator and had uncovered the truth. But the higher-ups buried it, ordering him to erase everything, to slaughter the Scavengers like they were nothing.

He had refused. And in doing so, he clashed with Lucas of Corvane. He had lost badly. Since then, Lucas had hated him, hated enough to kidnap his daughter and allies.

The rest... was history.

"I heard they’re here, in this city now," Isolde whispered. "They’re backing the new player leading those filthy Scavengers."

Her lips curved cruelly. "Have you heard of the Crow? I’ve never seen her, but she came with the Ravens."

David was silent. Her words might be a trap, just another game, but he was desperate especially after knowing his daughter might still be alive.

But information was never free and she wasn’t lying about knowing more than he.

"What do you want from me?" His voice was hoarse.

"I want you to work for me." She smiled.

"Why me? You already have your own sources. You’re more informed than I could ever be." His hesitation warred with the raw desperation for revenge.

Her smile deepened, fangs flashing faintly.

"Because, David... you’re a man with nothing left to lose."