Extra-Changing Fate

Chapter 53 ==Fight For Her==

"I'm sorry. I can't marry you. I need time to think."

His words echoed in my head like a wound that refused to close.

My eyes fluttered open slowly, the memory of last night flooding in like a storm I couldn't outrun. Questions swirled in my mind like a tempest I couldn't quiet.

Which one of them is real?

Is Lex even truly here?

Who's lying?

Who's not?

"My lady, are you alright?"

Cancer's voice pulled me from my thoughts, snapping me back into the reality I had nearly forgotten—I was still in a meeting with the Zodiacs.

I forced a smile.

"I'm fine. Please, continue."

But even as I spoke, I could feel Virgo's sharp gaze piercing through me, reading every flicker of emotion I tried to hide.

"Is this about last night?" Virgo asked carefully. "It's okay if you rejected the King's proposal. We'll just... make other arrangements."

I nodded, swallowing down the storm brewing inside me. It wasn't about the proposal. It was about the man I gave my heart to—and not knowing if he ever really existed.

"I know. I've just... been feeling unwell lately," I murmured, brushing aside their concern.

"If you say so, Master," Aries replied with a small, gentle smile. "But if something's bothering you... we're here."

I smiled weakly, but it didn't reach my eyes. Before I could reply, Gem's voice cut through the air.

"Guys! The King and Kian... they're fighting!"

My heart stopped.

"What?!"

Everyone rushed to the crystal ball Gem had pulled up, all voices overlapping in panic and disbelief. I stood, trying to calm the pounding in my chest as I looked over their shoulders.

"Oh my... they're in the mountains!" Capricorn gasped, horror etched into her face.

The others whispered frantically among themselves, but their voices faded behind the thunder in my head.

"Master? Are you alright?" Virgo asked again, worried.

I didn't answer. I was already on the move.

I bolted out of Moonlight and leapt onto my horse, the wind whipping at my white hair as I galloped through the town. People turned to watch, their faces full of confusion and unease.

Why are they fighting?

Is it about the truth?

Will I finally know who's been lying to me?

I pushed the thoughts aside and focused on the sound of clashing steel in the distance. As I neared, the air thickened with the tension of violence, the ringing of swords echoing off the mountainside.

"I swear, if either of them gets seriously hurt..." I muttered, urging my horse faster.

I could see them now—locked in a brutal dance of blades, eyes burning with hatred.

Without thinking, I jumped off my horse, drew the silver sword strapped to my waist, and charged between them. With a sharp swing, I struck both of their blades with enough force to push them apart.

They froze, staring at me in shock.

"YAH! Are you two out of your minds?!" I yelled, my chest heaving from the effort, my voice shaking with fury.

"Alyssa? What are you doing here? It's dangerous!" the King shouted, stepping forward. He had dropped the formal tone—no more my lady. Just my name. My real name.

I scoffed and sheathed my sword with a sharp click. Crossing my arms, I glared at the both of them.

"What the hell are you doing, fighting in broad daylight?"

"So... it's okay if we fight at night?" Kian quipped, smirking despite the bloodlust still flickering in his eyes.

I nearly smacked him then and there. Was he really trying to joke now?

I took a deep, trembling breath, trying to stop myself from doing something I'd regret.

"That's not the point! Do you two understand what could happen if someone saw this? What if you were seriously hurt?! What if this started a war?!"

They said nothing. Just stared at each other with daggers in their eyes, both too proud, too angry to listen.

I shook my head, my voice lower this time. "What is this even about?"

But I already knew the answer. I just didn't want to admit it.

"She didn't believe me because of him!" the King shouted, pointing at Kian. "He claimed to be me. Lied to her face!"

I clenched my jaw. Another deep breath. My patience was slipping.

"Kian," I said slowly, "what do you have to say about this?"

He met my eyes. Calm. Focused. Too calm.

Then, after a moment, he looked away—back at the King.

"I'll tell her the truth," he said, "if I can speak to her alone."

The tension between them could've cracked the earth.

The King looked at me, then back at Kian. "Fine. As long as you tell her everything. I don't want any more secrets between us."

Before I could even agree, Kian took my wrist and led me away.

We walked until the King's presence was just a memory behind us. Only then did Kian stop. He turned to me and let go of my wrist, exhaling as if the weight of the world had been crushing him.

His eyes found mine again—this time filled with something raw. Something broken.

Then, suddenly, he pulled me into a tight embrace. His arms trembled. His forehead rested gently against mine.

But I didn't hug him back.

"My muse..." he whispered, voice cracking. "I'm sorry. For lying."