Ross turned his head slightly, the corner of his lips curling into a faint, sardonic smile.
"You don’t need to worry about that. I’ll handle it." He stepped closer to Robin, his presence radiating a quiet menace.
"I’ll create a puppet—a perfect replica that can mimic his every action, his every thought. No one will ever know."
"A puppet?" Althea asked, her voice tinged with disbelief. Her eyes narrowed as she studied Ross, as though searching for any trace of the man she once knew.
"You’ve changed. I can’t see through you anymore. The man I knew, the rajah, was strong, but his power was limited to the physical. Now…" She trailed off, shaking her head.
Ross chuckled softly, his gaze flickering with amusement.
"Let’s just say I’ve had some… fortuitous encounters in the land of the dead." He turned to Althea, his eyes glinting with a faint, otherworldly light.
"These abilities? They’re just tricks—nothing worth glorifying."
Althea stared at him, her lips pressing into a thin line. The man before her was still Ross, yet at the same time, he was a stranger.
His strength, once rooted in raw, physical prowess, had evolved into something far more terrifying. She hesitated, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Do I have to be the one to kill him?" Find your next read at empire
The question hung in the air, heavy and oppressive. She hated how weak it sounded, but the thought of killing Robin—a man she had once cared for—made her stomach twist.
Despite everything, she couldn’t deny the lingering memories of the bond they had shared.
Ross’s expression darkened, the air around him growing colder.
"You made your choice, Althea. There’s no turning back now." His voice was quiet but unyielding, cutting through her hesitation like a blade.
"Besides, this fool sealed his fate the moment he came here. Had he stayed away, he might have lived to a ripe old age. But he sought death, and death always answers."
Althea closed her eyes, her shoulders sagging under the weight of his words. She knew he was right. Robin had come here knowing full well the danger. Still, that knowledge didn’t make the task any easier.
She let out a long, shaky sigh and stepped forward, her footsteps echoing in the oppressive silence.
Robin’s eyes darted wildly as Althea approached, his muffled grunts growing louder. She hesitated for a moment, standing behind him, her hands trembling.
"Forgive me," she whispered, though she wasn’t sure if the words were meant for Robin or herself.
With a sudden burst of resolve, she clenched her fist and struck.
"Bang!"
The sound of her punch reverberated through the room, followed by the sickening squelch of flesh and the wet splatter of blood.
Robin’s body jerked violently as her fist drove through his back, tearing through muscle and bone. His chest exploded outward in a gruesome spray of gore, painting the door in vivid crimson.
Robin’s lifeless body crumpled to the ground with a dull thud, the once vibrant light in his eyes extinguished. A massive, gaping hole marred his torso, his heart obliterated in a single, decisive blow.
Althea stood over him, her hand dripping with blood, her breathing shallow but steady.
She stared at Robin’s broken form, her face blank. The man she had once loved was gone, and yet… she felt nothing.
No sorrow, no regret, no tears. Whatever part of her had cared for him was now dead together with his lifeless broken body on the floor.
Ross stepped forward, placing a firm hand on her shoulder. His touch was cold but steady, grounding her in the moment.
"You did well," he said softly, his tone surprisingly gentle.
Althea didn’t respond, her gaze still fixed on the lifeless body at her feet.
Ross turned his attention to the room, waving his hand with a casual flick of his wrist. The bloodstains on the walls and door shimmered and vanished, the room restoring itself to its pristine state.
Even Robin’s body dissolved into nothingness, leaving no trace behind.
The oppressive silence lingered for a moment longer before Ross spoke again, his voice low and calm.
"This is the price of betrayal, Althea. Remember it well."
Althea nodded silently, the weight of her decision settling over her like a shroud. There was no turning back now.
She was reminded once again of the grim fate awaiting anyone who dared to defy her husband.
This was nothing new to her, of course; she had witnessed far more horrifying deaths than the scene before her.
Some people reveled in inflicting pain, drawing out their victims’ suffering for years before death mercifully claimed them.
Althea recalled that Ross had once employed such a dreadful punishment himself. The memory sent a shiver down her spine.
"I am with child," Althea whispered, her voice soft yet filled with wonder.
She placed a delicate hand on her flawless, flat belly, her crimson eyes shimmering with an otherworldly glow.
She could sense it—life had begun to stir within her, a spark of creation ignited deep in her womb.
Ross’s flood of seed had filled her completely, his potent essence merging with her fertile body to create something extraordinary. One life—a fragile, fleeting miracle in its own right.
Ross gazed at her, his expression gentle yet tinged with a quiet intensity.
"I know," he said, his voice deep and resonant. He reached out, cradling her face tenderly.
"And we shall care for this child, just as we have before."
He leaned forward and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead. Althea closed her eyes, a serene smile gracing her lips.
"Yes," she murmured, her voice steady and filled with resolve.
"We will."
She let out a slow, calming breath, feeling a wave of contentment wash over her.
With that unspoken understanding between them, the two lovers settled back into the bed, their bodies entwined as they drifted into a peaceful slumber.
As for the rest of Ross’s harem, they were quietly returned to their respective rooms, their memories of Robin’s ill-fated visit erased entirely.
The events of the night before were shrouded in oblivion, leaving no trace of the chaos that had unfolded.
The night passed in serene silence, the promise of a new beginning resting gently between Ross and Althea as they dreamed of the life they would soon nurture together.
***
Huge shoutout and thanks to Danny_Back for the gifts!
You are awesome! Thank you! ^_^