Truly Evil | DISCONTINUED

Don't We All Hate to be Paired as The 'Star-Crossed Lovers' Just Because?

"I guess you two can move on."

Serena looked at the souls coldly. Today again she was in the Underworld, a place for the souls who are either in-waiting or are very close to death.

Akio took a deep breath. "A... Goddess. How surprising. I was always told that Magic didn't exist."

"Maybe it doesn't," Serena replied. "How do you know?"

Akio tapped his fingers on the marble tiles he was kneeled on. He decided that Serena's question was just a rhetorical one, and hence, he ignored it. "Goddess... what'll happen in my next life? Will I get... to be with Erica again?" He glanced at his bride.

"I don't know," Serena said lifelessly. "And I don't care. If Alon is not affected, I do not care."

"...Alon de Valero Ren?"

"Yes. The person you killed."

"BUT WHY?" Akio yelled. "THAT DUKE – COLD, HEARTLESS, BLOODTHIRSTY—"

"—for a reason," Erica spoke softly. "He doesn't kill without a cause."

"E-Erica...?"

"Have your lover's quarrel later," Serena interrupted. "Also, just get lost, Akio. I want to have a word with Erica."

"Y-YOU POISONED US IN OUR MARRIAGE! YOU WANT TO HARM HER—"

Serena's patience finally snapped. "If you had said the same during Alyssa's execution, I would believe that you were truly a Hero. I perhaps misjudged you too much. IF I WANT TO KILL THIS GIRL, I WILL. AND YOU ARE NOBODY TO LIMIT ME. Do not disappoint me in this new life you're getting. A second chance. BUT IF YOU DO, REMEMBER THAT I EXIST."

With a snap of Serena's fingers, Akio's soul was purified, sent to the River of Forgetfulness.

"Erica de Valero Ren. Speak."

"...Him."

"Right. Great. Do you get it?" Serena's eyes glowed due to her dissatisfaction. "How does it feel to fall in love with someone you don't need? How does it feel to please them? To... KILL YOUR OWN DAUGHTER FOR THEM!"

"WHY ME? WHY WAS I REPLACED—"

"IF YOU TRULY WANTED TO LIVE WITH ALON, YOUR REAL FATHER... MAYBE YOU'D HAVE STOPPED AKIO FROM KILLING HIM!"

Erica sat there, stunned. "...B-But... he was evil... He executed Alyssa and he could've killed me too! I didn't want to be under his control and... and..."

"You asked Akio to kill him." Serena's blood was boiling. "You indirectly murdered your own Father. When I had asked Alyssa, 'How do you feel after your Father killed you?' She replied that she didn't loathe him for it. That is a daughter. Unlike you, a girl who can get her Father killed to save her neck – even though Alon had no intentions to do so anytime in the Future."

Tears dripped from Erica's eyes. "I always had the worst life..."

"You burnt down the orphanage that had housed you for seven years. You killed the Father who was willing to do anything for you. You hurt the hand that feeds you."

"I—"

"Try living better the next time."

"—I want to be Alyssa next time. Please. MAKE ME ALYSSA!"

Serena titled her head. "I do not have any of your fates in my hands."

"But—"

"She's already sent for reincarnation."

"Goddess of All, I know you can do it."

Serena played with the idea for a moment. What would happen if Erica remembered Alyssa's memories and Alyssa recalled Erica's?

However, Alyssa was already reincarnated with Alon and the rest of the family, correct? They even had that cute conversation! How could Serena hamper that—

Then it came to Serena's mind. That corpse she had in her closet. The last Serena. The next Serena.

"I hope you don't regret that wish."

Erica's eyes were filled with fear and anticipation. Of course, Gods always spoke in riddles. "T-Thank you..." she stammered.

"Because Alyssa and your lives will be switched. And I'm sure you remember that she got killed last time."

Erica nodded fiercely. Until she got out—

"Two things. One. You are not Alyssa. Two. I can intervene anytime. I hope you know what 'Deus ex Machina' is."

Deus ex Machina. A plot device whereby a seemingly unsolvable problem in a story is suddenly and abruptly resolved by an unexpected and unlikely occurrence.

"Divine intervention," Erica answered.

"Good, good."

Erica's soul disappeared with a poof. Serena leaned on her throne; her face grim.

She recalled the corpse again.

"Only if you hadn't done that, Daddy. At least, I wouldn't have had to kill you before the Second World War did... I wonder if I should get him some soup today. He spills everything, yeah, but he's still mine."

Serena unsteadily got up on her feet. Alyssa... wasn't ready to be a Serena yet. Yes, no matter what, Serena wanted to extend Alyssa's time.

"Are you happy to see me suffer, Mother?" Serena laughed until she chocked. "Right. WHO NEEDS A GODDESS, HUH? BURN THE WITCH!"