Sinister Facades (Complete)

Epilogue

Fate is a curious thing.

They say it finds you when you're not looking for it, appearing from the shadows to weave its unpredictable spell.

But my story defies that notion. I sought my destiny with relentless determination, and in my quest, I found her: my mate, my love, my life, my Eisheth, my Queen. Our bond was unbreakable, or so I thought.

When my father discovered my love for a low-class demon, his disapproval was swift and merciless. He banished me from his kingdom, casting me into the world of humans, hid my true nature, and erasing every memory I had of Eisheth. His power stripped away our past, leaving me adrift and alone, unaware of the love I had lost.

Just when I believed all was lost, she appeared—Chantriel. Like a twist of fate, she walked into my life, igniting a love so profound it consumed me. Little did I know, this love would turn my world upside down. The day I discovered she was betrothed to another was the day my heart shattered, leaving me to wonder if fate was playing a cruel game.

On Earth, I encountered random people—a family, classmates, love, and even a friend whose true identity as my mother's son remained concealed from me. Tragically, he fell victim to my father's merciless actions. If only I had known sooner, perhaps I could have saved him. But the truth came to light too late, unveiled by the very one whose cruelty shattered our lives.

People come and go, that's what they believe.

But the thought of Eisheth not searching for me haunted my every moment, without knowing she was there— trapped in a hideous form, a curse inflicted by my father’s malevolent power.

It wasn’t fate that abandoned me; it was the cruelty of my father that twisted my destiny and left me vulnerable.

I broke the laws, defying my father's decrees, and for that, he punished me with cruel intent. Yet, my love for Eisheth remained unwavering, transcending the boundaries of class or decree. Her essence, her spirit, her being—these were what mattered, not the arbitrary distinctions my father imposed.

"Long time no see! Parang kailan lang noong hindi ka pa hari sa mundong ito!" narinig kong sigaw ni Noel habang palapit ito sa aking kinaroroonan.

Abala akong nag-aayos ng mga bagong kaluluwang dumating galing sa mundo ng mga tao. Naramdaman ko na lamang ang malamig nitong dala na halos tangayin ng hangin ang mga papel ng kaluluwa sa ibabaw ng lamesa. Bago pa iyon napunta sa sahig, agad kong tinaas ang hintuturo at bumalik sa ibabaw ng mesa ang mga papel.

"How are you?" tanong ko, hindi man lang siya tinapunan ng tingin.

Ilang taon na nga ba ang nagdaan? Hindi ko alam, mahigit na kung bibilangin. Matagal ko nang hindi nakikita si Noel, at ngayon lamang siya muling nagbalik sa mundong ito. Ang natatanging alaala ko ay ang huling pagkikita namin bago ako maging isang hari sa kaharian ng kadiliman, bago ito lumisan at manatili sa mundo ng mga tao.

Naramdaman ko ang mabigat na pagbuntong hininga nito bago nagsalita, "Dealing with an annoying lady on Earth," tipid niyang sagot at saka nawala siya sa paningin ko.

Napansin ko na lamang na nasa gilid na ito habang nakaharap sa mga boteng alak na may halong dugo ng mga kaluluwa. Kumuha siya ng isang bote, nagsalin sa wine glass, bahagyang inikot ang likido ng alak, at saka dinamdam ang amoy nito bago tuluyang inumin.

"And who's this lady you are referring to?" tanong ko, kuryos sa kanya, hindi ko siya tinapunan ng tingin. Naramdaman ko na lamang ang presensya niya sa tabi ko, na para bang naghihintay ng pagkakataong makakuha ng atensyon ko. Hindi na ako magugulat kung bigla na lang itong lilitaw sa ibabaw ng mesa ko para lang matapunan siya ng tingin.