Kissing Hellfire: Marry Me, Evil Lord
Chapter 213: Just Stay Safe

Chapter 213: Just Stay Safe

Vincent’s chain dropped to the floor with a resounding thud, its echo reverberating in the uneasy quiet. The woman he had seemingly captured was nothing more than an illusion, a mere mirage that vanished without a trace. It was as though she had never truly been there, leaving Vincent’s grip empty and his understanding shattered.

Alec’s dark gaze met Vincent’s. Both of them looked surprised, but the hint of understanding in their looks hinted that they knew exactly what was going on.

"Did she just teleport?" Lauren was stunned. Being able to teleport was the first thing she thought of when the woman suddenly vanished out of thin air. She only knew one person who had the ability to teleport, only Alec, and she could not believe that someone else could do it. It was a very rare ability.

Alec’s calm assertion jolted her from her thoughts. "She did not teleport," he stated firmly.

Then how come she disappeared just like that?"

Lauren’s inquiry hung in the air, her voice carrying a blend of curiosity and skepticism. Her gaze followed Alec’s movements as he approached the spot where the woman had vanished.

There, nestled near the spellbound chain, lay a solitary tendril of long brown hair. Alec’s fingers closed around the delicate strand, and he held it out for Lauren to see.

Lauren’s brows furrowed in confusion.

"The person who came here was only a clone."

Lauren’s brows furrowed, her mind racing to catch up with the new information. She was confused. "Clone? But there was nothing in the books about cloning." Her words reflected the limitations of her knowledge.

Alec responded, "Of course, there wouldn’t be any information about a high-profile sorcery. Even I only heard about it from older people. It was the first time I witnessed it." The idea that such knowledge was buried in the annals of time added layers of complexity to an already intricate situation.

Vincent, who had been observing the exchange with a watchful eye, joined the conversation, "Since she passed the Truth Revealing spell, it means her original body’s face is the same as the clone she made."

"Are you telling me that, that person really has my mother’s face?" asked Lauren. The thought did not seem sensible to her.

Vincent’s response was measured and earnest, free of any hint of jest. "Based on the general knowledge of spells, yes." His words were grounded in a pragmatic understanding, an acknowledgment of the possibilities that magic and sorcery could wield. The truth people believed wasn’t always fixed. It was malleable, changing with the evolution of magic itself.

"But magic keeps on evolving," Vincent continued. "The truth we knew yesterday might be different now, so we cannot be sure if her magic did not manage to withstand my Truth Revealing spell."

"High-profile sorceries, such as cloning, often tap into aspects of magic that remain hidden to the majority," Alec explained.

"But how can you be sure that she didn’t teleport and was a clone?" Lauren could not fully understand it. "I wish to be enlightened."

"First, she did not bleed when Vincent wounded her. Second, the way her body dissipated in the air, it wasn’t how teleportation is done," answered Alec, his tone certain.

Lauren absorbed his response, her thoughts slowing as she considered his words. The markers of authenticity he had pointed out were like pieces of a puzzle coming together, forming a clearer picture in her mind.

"No blood when wounded..." she murmured, her brows furrowing as the significance of that detail sank in. Blood, a symbol of life and physicality, was often a telltale sign that separated reality from illusion.

The image of the woman’s disappearance replayed in Lauren’s mind – the delicate unraveling of her form, like mist dispersing in the wind. It wasn’t the rapid vanishing act nor was it the sudden dispersion of matter that the books described.

Vincent then added, "Third, it didn’t take long for her to exhaust her magic. Fourth, my spellbound chain can obstruct anyone’s magic including the ability to teleport. The woman knew it was a dead end so she just destroyed her clone since it was useless."

Lauren understood why she felt it was odd for the mastermind of the rebels to go to the castle alone. It did not feel right and now the answer was in front of her. Still, she could not believe that the woman used her mother’s face.

"She must have wanted to weigh our resources and abilities, and also to see if she could use me."

Vincent nodded, agreeing with Lauren. "That is also what I think. But I am quite sure the rebels will not stage an attack tonight."

Alec looked at Vincent, and the latter said, "I will take care of the mess. You should get her some sleep. I’m pretty sure she needs it."

"Thank you, Vincent," Lauren said, but with all the thoughts running in her head, she did not think she could sleep soundly. Though, her body felt weak so she knew she must take some rest.

"What if they would attack tomorrow?" Lauren voiced her concern when she and Alec entered their bedroom. The soft flicker of candlelight illuminated the room, casting dancing shadows across the elegant furnishings.

"If her clone was powerful enough to match Vincent’s fighting skills, her original body should really be powerful."

"I can kill her," Alec held Lauren’s side of the neck, his thumb caressing her jaw. "I will do whatever it takes to punish those who dare ruin us, Lauren. I fucking swear."

It didn’t erase the worry marring Lauren’s beautiful face, so Alec assured her.

"You know I am capable enough to protect you and our kingdom, right?"

"Yes, I do know that." Lauren smiled and held the wrist of Alec’s hand that was on her neck.

"Then stop worrying. Just stay safe and I will do the rest. Just stay safe. That’s all I am asking for," he said breathily before he dipped his head down to kiss her.