Luciano hugged himself as the cold wind collied with his body, pulling his scarf near his face. Despite the layers of clothes, he can’t stop shivering. The warmth radiated is not enough as the snow keeps falling above the night sky decorating his hair and the land beneath him. It’s been so long since he takes a stroll to clear his mind and have a moment of peace. He always busies himself with work because it is the only thing that can take his mind out of unwanted thoughts.
In the corner of his eyes, he sees someone sitting alone on the ground near a fountain, curled up in a ball. A small pile of snow-covered his head. As much as Luciano hates interacting, he doesn’t want the stranger to get hypothermia or freeze to death. With this weather, it’s only a matter of time to meet the grim reaper if he stays exposed.
He approached the stranger, and the street light suddenly flickered above him. He looked suspiciously at it but shrugged it off. He kneels in front of the stranger. “Excuse me, but what are you doing alone in the midst of snowfall?” puffs of white smoke were released on his lips as he spoke.
All the street lights flicker for a moment but return to being calm. ‘Is there an electrical problem or the bulbs are just damaged?’ The Italian thought.
The stranger raised his head. His nose and eyes were red as tears glided down his face. “I can’t afford to go home after getting fired for my job. I am the only one my family relies on, and now I failed them.” He said as if he was done with life and ready to surrender in death. Which exactly what he’s doing right now. The pressure and the emotions are eating him whole, making him unstable. He can only think of himself as useless and a failure.
Luciano shakes the man, trying to knock some sense in him. “Sir listen, I am sure your family is waiting and worried about you. Misfortune is part of life, so don’t give up your life. If you die, you will only pass the pain away and make it worse.”
The man widened his eyes as the realization hit him, wiping his tears. Those hopeless eyes were now burning with determination. “Thank you, young man. Words cannot describe how grateful I am.”
A gentle breeze passes them, rustling the trees. Luciano opens his mouth to say something but closes it as he hears a calming melody. “Sir, did you hear that music?”
The man tilted his head in confusion, looking around to see if there was someone beside them, but they were the only ones. “I don’t hear anything.”
“Maybe you’re just tired. Let’s go home.” The man waved him goodbye, and Luciano watched him as he disappeared into the darkness.
Now alone, Luciano sit’s in the fountain looking at his reflection in the frozen water. That melody before seems familiar. He remembered that he had heard something about a tale of spirit when he was a child. Like a mermaid, they attract their prey using their beautiful melody. But they said this one is different. They did not eat their prey. If they don’t, then what did they do?
The winds howl, carrying the soothing tune again. It rings around the forest as if someone is playing a flute. Usually, it is not a good sign when you hear a sound in the forest near midnight, but the tune was so beautiful as if it had been calling him. So that’s what he does. He follows the sound.
The full moon loomed in the sky, surrounded by an ethereal glow serving as a lamp as he explored the forest’s depth. In every step, he leaves a mark embedded in the snow. There’s nothing but a bunch of trees and land covered in snow that can be seen in his vision. Maybe he was getting lost? So he looked behind. His footprints were still there, but why did he seem so far since he couldn’t see a glimpse of the fountain? He never even wander that far.
He decides to go back, following in his footstep. A moment passes. It feels like nothing is changing. Something is not correct. It’s like he’s been repeatedly strolling in this area.
A thick layer of black clouds covers the moon, blinding his vision. As the moon shone again, he saw an old well in front of him. In a movie he watched, he remembered this where a girl with long hair covering his face descended into the well. He ponders if he should peek inside or not, considering the unnatural things happening. First the melody, second the never-ending forest and now a well appearing out of nowhere?. But he does not have a better idea, he tries to go back, but it leads him to the exact place. He breathed deeply, gathering his courage. Maybe this will lead him on how to get out of here or perhaps worse, but either way, he must be prepared for what is to come.
He peeks inside, seeing only the empty darkness. This made him release the breath he’s been holding. He no longer hears the melody. Perhaps the enchantment in this forest is now broken?
Luciano’s breath hitched as he felt a heavy hand resting on his shoulder. His heartbeat hammers in his chest. How come he did not feel any presence behind him or even hear a noise of snow crunching as someone stepped? He slowly swift his head behind, ready to punch whoever touched him if needed.
A man was standing before him. His hair is the darkest Luciano has ever seen, contrasting his skin which is pale as snow. A charming smile decorates his features; however, his red eyes show another story.
“We’ve finally met, Luciano.” The man said, gazing at him longingly as if they’d been long lost, lovers.
Out of instinct, Luciano pushes the man away, creating a safe distance. “Who are you? How do you know me?”
The man frowned but smiled again sweetly. “I am Kuro. I know you because I’ve been keeping an eye on you.”
Luciano feels chills in his body. This man has been observing him. How come he doesn’t even detect it? Many people attempt to assassinate him, and no one even successfully hurt him since he figures it out quickly.
Luciano glared. “What do you want from me?”
“I want you to be my bride.” He said ever so casually with a sickeningly sweet smile.
“What?!” Luciano never raised his voice, but this was surprising for him because he did not expect to hear those words again in his entire life.
Kuro chuckles in his reaction. “I am asking you to be mine.”
“No”, Luciano plainly said. Is this man crazy? They’ve just met, and now he’s asking him to be his? After saying that, he’s been watching him for too long? Who in the right state of mind will agree to it?
Kuro’s expression turned into a hurt one but was quickly replaced by a bone-chilling smile. He unsheathed his katana, and the blade was proudly shining in the moonlight. “It doesn’t matter if you said no. I will have you either way.”
Luciano slowly steps back as the adrenaline pumps up in his veins. The man just asked him to be his, but now he’s planning to kill him because he disagreed? He wants to convince himself that the other was only scaring him so he would surrender, but those bloodlust eyes tell him otherwise.
He needs a distraction for an escape since his knife is no match for a weapon like that. His eyes drift off to Kuro’s clothes. He doesn’t even wear any jackets to fight the cold. “Don’t you feel cold?” An excellent question to buy a little bit of time. His eyes scan the surroundings hoping to find the footprints he left before, but there is none.
“Dead people don’t feel cold anymore as they’ve been cold for a long time.” It is a simple answer, yet it sends a disturbing feeling to Luciano’s heart.
He wants to believe that Kuro was joking; however, he can’t bring himself to when all the proof is before his eyes. In the midst of heavy snowfall, any person should be shaking from coldness, and their faces should be red from it, but he never sees any sign of it against Kuro.
Fear creeps upon him, and he slowly searches for the knife in his pocket. He gets confused when he grasps nothing but air since he never forgets to bring his knife with him. Hell, he even sleeps with a knife near him.
“Looking for this?” Kuro said, smirking as he held a familiar object. It’s his knife.
Luciano gritted his teeth. As much as he didn’t want to, he dashed away. He did not have a better choice. He couldn’t kill a dead.
“Run as much as you want, but you can’t get away from me” The maniacal laughter rings into the forest, causing the bunch of Raven resting on the tree to fly away.
Luciano’s heavy footstep can be heard as he keeps running, not caring where his feet will lead him. The most important thing is to escape from Kuro. He pauses for a moment blinking rapidly. This was the exact place where he was before, this is the same well, but Kuro is not here. He runs again, not wasting his time.
He ran and ran until his feet gave up. No matter what path he takes, it always leads him back to the well. It’s like a maze where there is no exit. Well, it has an exit which is death, and that will never be an option. He never wants to die like this. There are so many things he’s yet to do. He doesn’t want to leave his brother alone. After all, he’s the only family he has, and he doesn’t want to bring him more misery. How would his brother react? His friend? His allies? And his people? Damn, he had so many responsibilities that his death could cause chaos.
Luciano’s heart skipped a beat as a twig snapped behind him. He silently prays that it is not him as he slowly looks behind, bracing for what is to come.
Just as his footprints fade behind, his hope also fades away. Kuro was standing before him. A dangerous smirk was plastered on his face. “Found you”
He approaches Luciano, and Luciano steps backward with every step he makes until Luciano’s back hits the well.
Kuro near his face in Luciano’s ear as he whispered in an icy cold tone. “See you in the underworld, my bride.” That was the last thing he said as his katana pierced into Luciano’s chest decorating the snow beneath them with a beautiful shade of crimson.
Blood fills Luciano’s lungs causing him to cough up some blood. Kuro’s sadistic smirk widened as his eyes were filled with bloodlust. He doesn’t feel any remorse, only satisfaction. He twisted the katana before pulling it out without mercy. The blood gushed out in Luciano’s chest like a waterfall. He then shoved Luciano into the well.
Luciano closes his eyes, embracing the darkness.
Luciano’s eyes shot wide open as he gasped desperately for air as if he’s been drowned. He jolts from the bed, sweat trickling on his forehead. He touched his chest with his trembling hand searching for the wound. He raised his brow in confusion since there was no blood anymore, and he didn’t feel any pain. ‘Maybe it’s just a dream?’ but why does it feel so real?
“I’m glad you’re awake, my love.” Kuro smiled. A black crown was adoring his head.
Luciano froze in place. “No, this must be a dream.” This must be a nightmare playing with his mind.
“This is real, my Queen.”
Luciano looked at him, confused. Kuro did not mention anything regarding being a royalty. “Queen?”
“From this day onward, you are my lovely wife and the Queen of the Underworld.”
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