CHAPTER 41: LIGHTNING, LONGING, AND THE FOX’S FINAL WORDS

Rosalia — POV

My heart was beating fast—

half anxious, half wrapped in anticipation for what was about to happen.

It wasn’t a normal heartbeat; it felt like a frantic tapping inside my chest, each thump stumbling over the next, as if my heart itself couldn’t decide whether to run away or throw itself straight into Cassel’s arms.

A strange warmth spread across my skin, prickling at the back of my neck, making my breath catch as the world around us tightened into one point—his face, his breath, his nearness.

I won’t lie: I had imagined a thousand romantic scenes where I finally win Cassel’s heart.

A sweet kiss.

A gentle, tender kiss.

Or a burning one—hot, overwhelming.

Or a possessive kiss that devours you.

A fierce kiss that steals your breath...

I had imagined countless moments and shapes of desire, all impossible and perfect, all brighter than the cruel world we lived in.

Each scenario I had ever dreamed flashed behind my eyes in fragments—like tiny films flickering too fast, too bright, too dangerous.

And with each breath, Cassel exhaled—hot, hollow, scorching everything it touched—My own longing ignited, fast and intense.

It was as if the air between us had turned into something molten, heavy with things we were not allowed to feel, not allowed to want. His presence was intoxicating.

The sound of his breathing—deep, controlled, yet trembling at the edges—wrapped around my mind and pulled me deeper.

Only when a mere centimeter remained between my lips and his—

that thin, trembling distance that felt like the edge of a cliff—

A loud voice exploded through the air.

"Boss! Boss, help us!"

Frederick’s urgent, thunderous cry snapped me out of my beautiful, dangerously long dream.

It shattered the moment like a stone smashing glass, dragging me violently back to reality.

It dragged me out of my desire and forced my eyes wide open.

I stepped back instantly—two full steps—putting distance between me and Cassel.

Two steps that felt like ripping myself away from something warm and alive.

I stared at him, flustered. My face is burning. My heart is confused.

Cassel was staring back at me.

He looked disappointed.

Angry, even.

Something dark flickered in his eyes—something intense, wounded, interrupted.

But I couldn’t focus on his emotions.

Because the truth hit me—cold and brutal.

I had just realized I was on the verge of doing something I might regret for the rest of my life.

This could have become the biggest mistake I would ever make.

I don’t mean loving my favorite villain—that’s not something I’d ever regret.

I’ve always loved him.

I love him, and I will love him forever.

That love wasn’t the problem.

It never was.

And knowing that my favorite had feelings for me should have made me happy... but—

What if I can’t stay in this world?

What if my existence here has a purpose, and once the task is complete, I disappear?

What if I return to my original world?

The thought sent a cold shiver through my heart, slicing the warmth inside me clean in half.

I know Cassel almost as well as I know myself.

I know his value, his scars, his future.

I know the loneliness that carved itself into his bones, the emptiness he hides under strength, the pain he carries like a second skin.

For someone who has never once felt loved in this harsh world—

For someone who lost the will to live happily with anyone—

For Cassel, the villain who spent his whole life alone—

Giving him love, giving him a partner,

could be the happy ending every villain secretly longs for.

But what if that love is nothing but a dying flame?

What if it’s a beautiful dream destined to end someday?

Cassel would lose his mind.

I know he would.

I know him too well.

I’m certain of it.

Giving someone the one thing they spent their entire life yearning for...

only to snatch it away again—

That is a cruel, terrifying idea.

Cassel might fall into madness and rage.

He might burn the world for it.

No.

I can’t do that to him.

I’m not even sure I truly exist in this world.

I’m not sure when—if—I might disappear.

And if that happens, the last thing I want is for anyone to break because of me.

In the past, I used to wish my family would miss me, grieve for me, and regret my death.

That was before I learned what real love and real loss could do to a person.

But when it comes to Cassel...

I want him to be happy.

Always.

Even if I’m no longer in his world.

Even if I can’t stay with him.

Even if he must forget me—

and think of me as an unimportant passerby—

I would still be content.

As long as he’s happy.

"...Boss! Boooss!"

Frederick’s shouting and the sounds of battle drew closer—

growls, frantic footsteps, the sickening wet noise of zombies nearing their prey.

Cassel finally tore his burning gaze away from me.

And in the blink of an eye, he vanished—

a streak of movement so fast that even the air took a second to catch up—

reappearing before Frederick, whose beast form had collapsed back into his human body from exhaustion.

Frederick was seconds away from being bitten.

He was completely cornered.

Henry wasn’t ignoring him—he couldn’t help.

His combat efficiency had dropped;

His wind ability weakened, sputtering like a flame losing oxygen,

making it hard to handle the waves of zombies attacking him.

Especially with the four children and the patient he had to protect and defend at the same time.

I watched Cassel first drive away the zombies surrounding Frederick

with just a few swift, lethal kicks—

kicks that cracked bones, smashed skulls, and sent bodies flying like broken dolls.

He saved him from becoming zombie food—again.

Then Cassel stopped moving, standing firmly in place.

A deep purple spread through the dark of his pupils,

like spiderweb cracks expanding outward

until both eyes turned entirely violet, sparks crackling around them.

He lifted one hand.

In an instant, sparks gathered along the edge of his palm,

forming into lightning.

Violet lightning—bright, alive, hungry.

With a single motion, violet lightning rippled out in thick, bright lines—

striking every zombie with surgical precision.

In mere seconds, the zombies were completely obliterated.

Not only the ones around Frederick,

but also the ones Henry was fighting

and every zombie within close range—

all burnt to ash.

Silence settled over the scene.

A heavy, eerie silence.

A sharp, nauseating smell of charred flesh spread,

like someone had burned their own barbecue by mistake—

Except this barbecue could give you nightmares.

"Boss—Boss, thank you for saving me. I thought I’d never see sunlight again,"

Frederick nearly sobbed.

No matter how many battles he had fought with Cassel before,

This was the first time he had been cornered with no strength left to fight or even run.

Cassel gave Frederick a calm look, though something about it felt... irritated.

Maybe he was angry that Frederick nearly died due to his own weakness.

I wasn’t sure.

But with the danger gone, everyone finally managed to breathe.

Henry and Frederick’s powers—both supernatural and physical—were heavily drained,

So we decided to rest a little before heading back to the others.

Of course, we couldn’t sit outside.

Even if zombies weren’t a threat because of Cassel’s abilities and my concealment,

The smell of burnt flesh was strong enough to kill my taste buds—

Ah, I mean my sense of smell. Completely.

Since our jeep had been returned earlier by that Barney guy and was still in perfect condition,

We waited inside it for a while, ate something light, and prepared to drive back to Liz and the others.

"Henry, are you alright?"

I wouldn’t have asked if his face hadn’t been so pale and dark, sweat sliding down his temples.

Henry was sitting beside me.

Cassel, being the only one not physically drained, had taken the driver’s seat.

Frederick, exhausted and half-asleep, sat next to him.

Alex, the kids, and their father filled the third row.

Leaving Henry and me alone in the second row.

At first, Henry’s silence was alarming.

Anyone who knows that old fox knows he never stops talking.

Even in the face of death, that man could utter a thousand provoking words with a smug grin.

But this time... he had sat quietly for more than five minutes.

His forehead was drenched in sweat,

his face growing paler and paler,

his whole body trembling.

Henry was in bad shape.

Painfully obvious.

Yet when he heard my question,

He turned to me with those dim blue eyes,

smiled slowly,

and said softly:

"This cute little rabbit is worried about me again... I knew I was irresistible."

"You stupid fox, what nonsense are you talking about? You’re clearly sick. I asked if you needed medicine—I have some in my bag.

Why waste your breath on useless chatter when you’re barely holding it together? Talk less."

I rummaged through my bag for fever and cold medicine,

but Henry’s eyes were fixed on me with a strange, complicated look—

a look that didn’t match his usual teasing arrogance.

A look that felt... final.

I didn’t bother asking what that look meant—

Annoying expressions suit a sly fox like him.

Or so I told myself.

While I searched, I heard him mumbling softly to himself—

So quiet it didn’t sound like he was talking to anyone.

"I miss my grandfather... I want to see him."

The moment those words reached my ears—

My hands froze.

My heart froze with them.

Because I knew that line.

I knew it by heart.

I had cried when I read it.

Because those words...

Was the last thing Henry said

Before he...

...Died.