Betrayed, I Met The Demon Lord

Chapter 126 - The End of War, Part 2

"I..." Michael started as he inhaled sharply. This was it. Someone was onto him.

And something inside Michael told him he could no longer deny it.

But other than that... He felt like it wasn't worth it anymore.

So, he finally let it out before Van.

"I didn't just cooperate with Bernard,"

His voice was quiet, yet heavy. He shut his eyes, recalling the way Melanie had looked at Van—the way Van had saved her life back at the manor.

Slowly, Michael's eyes reopened. Lazy, but no longer erratic.

"I was the one who... branded them." He spoke evenly.

Van studied him, his expression unreadable. Michael's voice was steady now. No more stammering. No more hiding.

"...Bernard was the slave master, though." Van replied flatly. Michael could feel it. Almost like he gave Michael a chance to rethink his words.

But he knew that this isn't something he could run away from. Nor something he wanted to run away from anymore.

"He was." Michael took a deep breath. "But he was the one who gave me the slave crest to brand them... which I did. Fully knowing what it was. You can say he manipulated me... But that's just an excuse. It's my fault."

He swallowed hard. The next word felt like poison on his tongue.

"I believed that I was their..."

His stomach twisted.

"...Master."

Van looked down.

Inhale.

Exhale.

He rubbed his face with his palms.

"... Why did you do it?" Van asked calmly.

"With all due respect," Michael bit his lips as bubbling frustration began to surface, "why do you ask me why?" Michael voice started trembling, Van's gaze snapped back to Michael.

"I deserve to DIE." His voice cracked. "I hurt Anne. I hurt Lizzy. I DESERVE TO DIE. You're..." He gulped. "You're strong enough to kill me quickly, right? Do that. Please." His eyes welled with tears.

"... Just tell me why you did it." Van repeated.

"Why do you want to know!? WHY DO YOU CARE ABOUT ME!?" He nearly yelled.

"I'll stop caring if you keep asking me that, and not answer my question." Van said, his tone equal; though his eyes seemed to faintly glow with a warning.

"..." Michael swallowed his tears, cleared his throat, his eyes becoming erratic again before steadying.

"... Because of you... No... Because of me." He finally rasped.

"I... I thought... No, I WANTED to believe that you were doing something to Anne and Lizzy. Anne was never so quick to bond with someone, and the way you were at Lizzy's house was suspicious... She seemed so... Focused on you after that, too. You had to have done something to them."

"...."

"But that's what I just told myself," His shoulders loosened, Van's gaze turned more attentive at his statement. "The truth was... They just grew tired of me, and I was too scared to admit it... Just like my mom and sister were when they left me and my father.... Late father."

Van stood up, walking around the room rubbing his face again. Recalling what Bernard did when he left him alive, even for a few moments longer than necessary.