Married To The Villain
Chapter 45: Daria Shows Up

Chapter 45: Daria Shows Up

Chapter 45: Daria Shows Up

The monster leapt through the air, its crimson eyes seemed to be focused on Lirian as she was standing frozen once again.

Its jaws opened wide, saliva dripped from its jagged teeth, but before it could reach her, a blade flashed through the air.

Gabriel moved faster than she could see, slicing clean through the beast’s neck with his sword.

The creature let out a cry before collapsing to the ground with another loud thud.

Blood pooled around its lifeless body, the metallic stench filled the corridor.

Lirian’s knees buckled, her body gave out under the weight of exhaustion and shock.

Gabriel caught her just as she crumpled, holding her limp form close.

"Lirian!" he said urgently, his hands trembling as he lowered her to the ground.

Her head lolled against his chest, her breathing was shallow but normal.

Relieved, but it was short-lived as his eyes fell on her back.

Her torn dress revealed glowing runes that spread like veins across her pale skin, shining in the low light.

They pulsed in rhythm with her breath, an intricate network of symbols that radiated power.

"What is this?" Gabriel murmured, wondering.

His fingers hovered over the markings, afraid to touch them.

Before he could inspect further, the sound of footsteps reached his ears from the dungeon’s entrance.

His men appeared, hurrying towards him.

"Your Highness," one of the knights said, bowing quickly. "We searched the dungeon. There’s no one there. Just chains bolted to the wall—and signs of a struggle."

Gabriel’s jaw clenched, his grip on Lirian tightened. "He escaped," Gabriel stated in a low mutter.

"Whoever did this to her is still out there."

The knight hesitated. "What are your orders, sire?"

Gabriel looked down at Lirian, her pale face and fragility against his chest.

Her safety was his priority. For now.

"We return to the castle," he ordered, standing with her in his arms.

"She needs rest and care. We’ll deal with this later."

His knights exchanged glances but nodded. "Yes, Your Highness."

The journey back to the castle was tense and silent.

Gabriel kept Lirian close, never leaving her face.

The glowing runes on her back had dimmed but hadn’t disappeared, and the sight of them unsettled him deeply.

As they arrived at the castle gates, he barked orders to the servants waiting there.

"Prepare a chamber for her immediately. She needs the best care—physicians, magicians, anyone who can help control her mana."

The head steward bowed deeply. "At once, Duke."

Gabriel carried Lirian inside, quickly and purposeful as he ascended the grand staircase.

The servants scrambled to keep up, throwing open the doors to a spacious, sunlit chamber.

He gently laid her on the bed, brushing a strand of hair from her face as he knelt beside her.

"She’ll be alright," he murmured, more to himself than anyone else. "She has to be."

The physicians arrived first, fussing over her with potions and healing salves.

Soon after, a pair of magicians entered, widening their eyes as they inspected the faint glow of the runes on her back.

"This is ancient magic," one of them said. "A mark of immense power."

"Can you help her?" Gabriel asked in a sharp tone.

"We will do everything we can, Duke," the other magician assured him. "But this will take time—and careful study."

"Then get started," Gabriel snapped. "She doesn’t have time to waste."

The magicians bowed and got to work, glowing with energy as they began to assess the strange markings.

Gabriel had an idea of what was supposed to happen to Lirian, but he couldn’t accept it. Their time together was too short for him to let her go.

"Why does every woman I like or love have to leave me?"

Gabriel pressed his hands on his head, "not you, Lirian...please..."

>___<

It was late afternoon when Daria arrived.

She walked into the chamber with an aura that showed concern, her dress fluttered behind her like a storm cloud.

"Gabriel!" she exclaimed, trying to show sympathy. "I heard about what happened. Poor Lirian. Is she alright?"

Gabriel, standing by the window with his arms crossed, turned to face her.

His eyes were cold, his exhaustion and anger couldn’t be hidden in every line of his face.

"She’s resting," he said curtly. "She doesn’t need you here."

Daria blinked, briefly flickering with annoyance before she recovered.

"I only want to help," she said sweetly, stepping closer to the bed. "After all, she’s been through so much."

Gabriel moved to block her path, his broad shoulders towered over her.

"You can help by staying out of her way," he said firmly.

Daria’s smile faded a little, and her eyes narrowed slightly.

"Gabriel, don’t be unreasonable. I care about Lirian just as much as you do."

"Do you?" Gabriel’s voice cut through her like a glass, his golden eyes pierced her whole body.

"Because all I’ve seen from you is jealousy and manipulation. I won’t let you interfere with her recovery."

Daria took a step back, her face flushed with redness.

"Fine," she said coolly. "If you’re so determined to play the hero, don’t let me stop you. But don’t think you can keep me out of this castle."

She turned on her heel, her skirts swirled as she swept from the room.

Her brain was already working on her next move, and her thoughts turned to Prince Raphael.

’If Gabriel won’t let me near Lirian,’ she thought, ’perhaps Raphael will be more... accommodating.’

Back in the chamber, Gabriel returned to Lirian’s side, sinking into the chair beside her bed.

He watched her for a long moment. He made a mistake of letting her go...he made a mistake of allowing Daria to poison his mind.

"I’ll make this right," he mumbled, his hand brushed against hers. "I swear, Lirian. I’ll never let anyone hurt you again."

As the magicians worked in silence, the faint glow of the runes on her back began to pulse once more.

Gabriel watched with raised eyebrows, wondering what secrets they held—and what it would take to save the woman who had become his entire world.