The Shadow Queen Is Too Alluring—I Can't Handle This Anymore!
Chapter 48: The Memory That Wasn’t Mine

Chapter 48: Chapter 48: The Memory That Wasn’t Mine

Liam clutched the black crystal in his hand like it was burning into his skin.

His jaw clenched, shadowlight veining up his arms.

The Shadow Heir leaned forward, his voice soft, snake-sweet."Go ahead. Break it. Let it in."

The Queen burst into the chamber, eyes wide, cloak flying behind her."Liam, don’t—"

Too late.

The crystal shattered in his palm.

A blast of dark mist coiled around his body, flooding into his eyes like ink drowning light.

He gasped—then fell to his knees.

His pupils dilated.

And then... he looked at her.

Like he had before.

But wrong.

The Queen’s heart dropped.

Because that wasn’t her Liam.

It was the version of him the Shadow Heir wanted.

Darker.Colder.Still loving her—but through a lens of bitterness and betrayal.

She could see it—like a storm cloud trapped behind his stare.

He remembered—but the memories were twisted. Distorted.

All the sacrifices she made?Now painted as manipulation.All the love they shared?Now weaponized as betrayal.

"What did you do to him?" she hissed.

The Shadow Heir laughed softly.

"Nothing. Just gave him what he begged for... the truth."

Liam’s mind was no longer a broken mirror—It was a battlefield.

Shattered timelines collided like dueling stars.

He saw himself kissing her under silver moons...Only to flash forward to her walking away with blood on her hands.

He saw her whispering "I love you"...Right before a memory of her standing beside his enemy.

A symphony of emotion played in reverse, warped into a funeral march.

His soul, once crowned in devotion, now wore a mask forged in doubt.

And the Queen—She was watching the man she loved become a stranger carved from shadow and lies.

He rose slowly.

Looked at her with a tired smile.

"I remember everything now."

She stepped closer, heart thundering."Then you know I never—"

But he raised his hand."Stop."

His voice was steel wrapped in sorrow.

"You’re the reason I became this. Aren’t you?"

And then—without warning—he turned to the Shadow Heir.

"Teach me. Everything you know."

The Queen’s world cracked open.

Because Liam wasn’t just falling.

He was choosing the darkness.

To Be Continued...