Published at 7th of February 2026 7:38 am

Chapter 1974 A scream

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One hour later-

Step... step...

Shoooosh...

Lord Orion lifted a cover in front of him, as if drawing back the flap of a tent, and immediately smiled warmly. "My dear, are you feeling well today? I've come to check on you, to make sure all is in order... and, of course, to bring some good news."

"You lying scoundrel!!"

Swoooosh!

A pillow rocketed straight into his face with astonishing force-BAM!-making his nose bleed slightly.

Orion raised a hand to wipe the blood away, grinning despite himself. "Ah... much stronger than last time," he said, chuckling softly. "Why must you go so hard on me, my dear sister? Truly, your strength has surpassed mine by far. I must admit, it makes me feel... a little envious. Just a touch." He shook his head, amused, and continued forward, careful to avoid any more airborne assaults.

The room he stepped into was a riot of colors, alive and vibrant. Every object seemed to shine in a different hue, as though a master painter specializing in fantastical worlds had meticulously crafted each detail. Curtains were lifted just so, letting gentle sunlight spill across the room. The windows framed breathtaking views of planets and moons, orbiting in perfect harmony.

In the midst of all this wonder stood a single enormous bed, and on it, a small girl with tear-filled eyes-Serene. She held another pillow in her left hand, ready to launch it at Orion without hesitation. But when she saw the blood on his face, her arm froze mid-air.

"...I never asked you to deactivate your protective barriers," Serene said softly, lowering the pillow beside her with deliberate care. She folded her arms around her knees and hugged them to her chest, still trembling slightly. Her small frame looked fragile against the enormous, colorful backdrop of the room. "...Why are you here?"

"I bring news," Orion said, stepping slowly, deliberately, until he stopped completely. His presence filled the room, calm but commanding. "About your marriage."

"YOU GO AND MARRY HIM!!" Serene's voice cracked as she shouted, pointing at him. "You... you!!" She struggled to contain herself, her emotions raw. "You told me Darvion attacked my mother, that she was gravely injured, that I had to return immediately to heal her-and you trapped me here using those damned ancient arrays! And in the end... you intend to sell me?!"

"What are you talking about? It will a legal marriage." Orion corrected, raising a single finger.

"Same thing!" Serene yelled, launching another pillow with precise force. "Why? Why must I pay for all your political stupidity accumulated over so many years?"

"For millions of years," she continued, her voice rising, "you have known that that wretched Darvion was slowly choking you, strangling your freedom... so why did you not act sooner? Why did you not prepare a single backup plan? Why must I be handed over to that bald old man when I have nothing to do with your politics?!"

Tears welled up again in Serene's eyes, blurring her vision. Since the first day she fully grasped the situation, she had felt suffocated-choked by the chains of this dirty game. She had resolved to leave the galaxy behind, to abandon the tangled web of lies and manipulation. She had wanted to leave the rotten strings twisted among themselves, far away from her.

Yet, somehow, those strings had wound themselves tightly around her neck.

Orion wiped the blood from his face once more, this time with a calm, reassuring smile. "Well... perhaps the bald man will not even be your husband, after all. A new suitor has come forward today, in a hurry as well. He seems young this time, promising, and of a reputable lineage. His father is known across the universe. He may not possess the raw power of the sorcerer Zarghol, but he is no less wealthy or influential. A match worthy of you, I assure you-noble, capable, and... without question, suitable."

"Listen to me carefully, big brother." Serene stood abruptly, her small frame trembling with fury as she pointed directly at Orion. "It doesn't matter whether it's Zarghol or some fool-I'll kill whoever I find in front of me. And if I cannot... I'll end my own life! Do you understand me?!"

Her voice cracked with emotion, echoing through the room, sharp and desperate. Then she dropped both hands to her sides, chest heaving, and

shouted with all the strength left in her lungs, "Get me out of your games, you people! I have nothing to do with any of this! I refuse to be a part of your

schemes, your plots, your lies!!"

"....." Orion bit his lip, frustration etching deep lines on his face. He forced a weak, strained smile as if it could calm the storm raging before him. "We are your family, aren't we? Do you have any idea what will happen to us, Serene? Do you know the countless schemes being woven against us, both in secret and in plain sight? We... we truly delayed finding solutions-but that's only because there is no solution. None of us is strong enough, none of us wealthy enough to truly act. All we can do is try to survive as long as possible, clinging to life by the smallest thread-but even that... even survival itself is slipping from us." He looked down at her, eyes softening as the corners of his mouth threatened to betray a tear. "Serene... we are your family, at the end of the day. For just a moment, think of us. Think of what will happen to all of us if you leave us in a situation like this."

"...." Serene sank back onto the bed, weak and trembling. She clutched the nearest pillow tightly, pressing it to her chest. "I wish I had never been born..." Through the pillow's folds, her mind conjured the shadow of someone she had not seen in ages-a person with soft, gentle eyes and white hair, smiling at her

with warmth.

It had been far too long.

Where was he now?

Would it have been better if she had gone with him that day, leaving this galaxy and this endless web of deceit behind?

"When... when can I leave this room?" Her voice was muffled, almost swallowed by the pillow, as she buried her face deeper.

Everything for her had been calculated. All space portals sealed by her brothers. Her mother, the Pure Kaylis, surrounded her room constantly with a radiant, protective halo. Arrays encircling the planet activated automatically to detect and stop anyone with Dominant-level power from entering or leaving unnoticed. Every path, every potential escape, every loophole-taken.

To flee, she would have to fight not just her mother but her siblings as well... or perhaps take the easier path and end her own life.

But she didn't want to die. Her heart ached with unspoken words, unfinished thoughts, and unfulfilled dreams. There was so much she wanted to do, so much she still wanted to say-and so many people she wanted to see.

"I'm sorry, my dear. We can't allow this." Orion stepped closer, reaching the bed. He gently ran his fingers through her hair, trying to comfort her. "No one cares about us. Everyone we speak to is only concerned with two things: the Bright Seed, and you. Nothing else matters. We'll try to find a solution, but until then... you must stay here with us. You must remain until those we negotiate with see that we are serious, truly serious. Alright? Once your engagement is official, your husban may allow you to step outside, under guard of course." "Aaaah!!" Serene screamed into the pillow, flailing her arms. She struck her brother's hand away with all her strength. "Get out! Get out!!!"

"....." Orion's hand hovered for a moment, then he nodded and began to turn away. Halfway across the room, he paused.

"By the way... your mother has flatly rejected the new suitor. Their offer was shameful, completely irrational, even more so compared to all the others. One could even say it was entirely divorced from reality. She has returned to negotiating with Zarghol the Sorcerer... and may even reach out to the Sands of Time Galaxy to arrange you with Saher soon. At least... he's handsome this

time."

Then-kssh-he lifted the soft covering of the room and disappeared from

sight.

"...." Serene sat motionless, eyes blank, staring at the entrance for several long, heavy minutes. The silence of the room pressed down on her, thick and suffocating. Slowly, she lowered her head again, burying her face into the pillow and letting out a scream so full of anguish it seemed to shake the walls:

"AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!"

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