Chapter 2

The next day, I stared at the mithril strongbox on the floor, silently sweeping its contents into a massive disposal bag.

This included the winter cloak woven from dragon scales, a hand-forged tempest-core sword, and six vials of premium dragon-blood potion I had spent countless sleepless nights purifying for Ignis.

Staring at these treasures I had once nearly died for, now reduced to garbage, I felt absolutely nothing. Just relief.

I had just straightened my back when a dark, piercing gaze bore into me.

Ignis stood at the doorway. He stared intensely at the pile of treasures I had bagged up.

"What are you doing?"

Seraphina peeked out from behind him, clinging to his arm. She covered her mouth with a dramatic gasp. "Heavens... Elara, how could you just throw the King's most crucial breakthrough resources on the floor? Even if you're throwing a tantrum because of me, you shouldn't risk the King's health!"

Ignis's eyes swept over the cloak and potions. His dark expression softened into something rare.

"If you intend to offer these as an apology," he took a deep breath, his arrogant tone tinged with a hint of expectation, "I can forgive your disrespect from yesterday."

He probably thought I was playing some pathetic game of submission.

I didn't speak.

Looking at him, I just found him incredibly ridiculous.

I raised my hand. A cluster of silver Alchemical Star-flame ignited in my palm, and I tossed it directly into the bag.

The flames instantly swallowed the cloak and sword, reducing them to ashes.

"Just cleaning out the trash," I said, not even sparing the ashes a second glance. I was as calm as if I had just crushed a bug.

My heart—which had suffered so much for him—finally felt absolute clarity and liberation.

Ignis seemed completely unable to process the total loss of control from being so blatantly despised to his face.

"Are you insane?!" he snarled through gritted teeth.

Faced with his impotent rage, I didn't even have the energy to argue. I coldly slapped his hand away and walked straight out the door, heading for the hunting camp.

We rode in a massive flying beast carriage.

Ignis flaunted his affection for Seraphina right in front of me, adjusting her collar and asking if the ride was too bumpy, making sure I heard every word.

He glared at me. "After the Festival, I'll officially crown her Queen. My heir will be born into the highest status."

He waited for me to snap. I just stared out the window. Frustrated, Ignis crushed the wine glass in his hand.

At the hunting grounds, Ignis brazenly led Seraphina to the central seat reserved for the Queen. The pureblood nobles watched in shock.

"The King is bold, bringing a titleless woman to the main seat," someone whispered.

Another stole a glance at me. "I heard the Cleric is his true love, carrying his heir. Look at the Star Priestess, acting like a block of wood. She's probably exploding inside."

I ignored them. The old me would have died of humiliation. Now, it was just background noise.

After the opening, Ignis gave the best amulets and hunting bow to Seraphina. He even tossed the Starfall Crystal Core—the symbol of his authority—right into her lap.

A sycophant in the crowd shouted, "Congratulations to the Queen!"

Realizing I was sitting right there, the man awkwardly shut his mouth. Ignis didn't correct him. He just stroked Seraphina's hair.

Halfway through the hunt, I went to fetch water behind the tents. Outside the rear tent, I heard Seraphina whispering to a Shadow Messenger.

"If this keeps up, I'll be exposed!" she hissed, staring at the so-called "dragon egg."

I activated my Star Vision. Piercing through the shell, I saw no dragon life force inside. It was a hollow shell, pulsing with dark shadow spores.

Seraphina snapped her head around. Seeing me, she shoved the egg behind her back.

"You're going to expose me?" Murderous intent flared in her eyes.

"You're overthinking it," I said. "I don't want him anymore. Why would I care?"

Seeing the absolute coldness in my eyes, she relaxed slightly.

"I'm doing this to survive," she scoffed. "How else does a low-tier Cleric live in this realm?"

I gave a faint smirk. "Good luck with that."

I turned to leave. I hadn't taken two steps before dozens of shadow needles slammed into my back. The impact launched me forward, and I crashed into the dirt. A tearing pain pierced my lungs.

I struggled to look up. Seraphina stood over me, her fragile disguise gone, replaced by a twisted smile.

"Sorry," she whispered. "I can't leave loose ends. You have to die."

She ripped her own dress. Using dark magic, she burned her own arm and torso, perfectly mimicking a Star-flame burn. Then she threw herself into the dirt beside me and screamed.

"Help! Ignis, my egg!"

Ignis crashed into the clearing. Seeing blood on the ground, the color drained from his face. "Seraphina!" He lunged forward, gathering her into his arms.

She buried her face in his chest, pointing a trembling finger at me. "Ignis! Elara lost her mind! She tried to burn our child!"

I forced down the blood in my throat. "The egg is fake!"

Ignis whipped his head around. His slitted eyes locked onto me, filled with pure disgust. He didn't give me a chance to speak.

A black hellfire whip materialized in his hand. With a sharp crack, it lashed across my body. My defensive runes shattered. My flesh tore open.

"You venomous bitch!" Ignis glared down at me. "Kneel and apologize to the Queen and my heir!"

Warm blood pooled beneath me.

Before the darkness dragged me under, my final sight was Ignis picking up the weeping Seraphina, striding away without a single look back.