Chapter 31: You Despicable Devil
Ciel, Cian's father, stood before them, his voice devoid of emotion. "What is the meaning of this?" he asked, his words cutting through the charged atmosphere.
Cian withdrew his tongue from Maya's mouth and spoke, his voice detached. "I wanted to see if what you and my late mother did in the night was truly as good as both of you made it seem," he confessed, his words laced with a mixture of curiosity and resentment.
"Ha ha..." A dry chuckle escaped Ciel's lips, though it carried no genuine amusement. "Ah, Cian, you possess a talent for provoking me," he remarked, his tone void of affection. "I must admit, in a twisted way, it is rather endearing."
Ciel's gaze shifted from his son to Maya, his eyes studying her intently. "And who are you, little girl?" he inquired, his voice cold and distant.
Maya's cheeks flushed, a flicker of unease crossing her features. "I-I am Maya. Maya Heartwood," she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper.
Recognition dawned on Ciel's face, his expression shifting to one of understanding. "So, you're Philip and Maire's daughter," he stated, his voice tinged with a touch of disdain. "Just like your parents, you possess a striking beauty. Now, if you would be so kind as to enlighten me, why are you here? And why have you engaged in such an act with my son?"
Maya felt her fluster deepen, her voice caught in her throat as she struggled to find the right words amidst the intensity of the situation.
"It's just that our curiosity got the better of us," Cian interjected, unable to bear the tension any longer. If his father had a gun pointed at Maya, it seemed as though he would pull the trigger without a moment's hesitation. Cian motioned for Maya to stand behind him, positioning himself as a shield, as if trying to shield her from Ciel's gaze.
"I am speaking to her directly. Have I not taught you to respect me?" Ciel's words were sharp, his tone cutting through the air.
"There is no disrespect here. I am involved in this matter, and it is only natural for me to speak on her behalf," Cian responded, his eyes locking with his father's without wavering. "You must believe me when I say that curiosity led us down this path. We are simply two young individuals brimming with curiosity, like any others our age."
Ciel scoffed, his gaze turning even colder, hardening like ice. "Curiosity is a dangerous pursuit. Some things are better left unknown. Did I not explicitly forbid you from indulging your desires and pursuing curiosity?"
Cian's resolve remained unyielding as he met his father's gaze. "Desire and curiosity are natural to human beings. We are bound to explore and question the world around us. It is a part of our growth," he countered, his voice laced with determination.
Ciel's gaze hardened, his words carrying an air of control. "Growth, you say? Curiosity is not a prerequisite for your growth, for I have already charted the path you need to follow. As long as you obey my commands, your growth will surpass anything mere curiosity can offer."
His attention shifted to Maya, who remained hidden behind Cian. A wicked smile curved his lips as he studied her. "Ah, now I see," he remarked, his voice filled with an unsettling mixture of satisfaction and recognition. "This girl... she resembles your mother. Not just in appearance, but in her aura, in her eyes... I know it all too well. Those are the eyes of a woman who captivated my attention, Cian. This girl, too, views the world through a different lens, just like your mother did. Did you kiss her because of your love for that woman, hmm, Cian?"
Cian's teeth ground together, his anger bubbling dangerously close to the surface. "You're mistaken, Father. I don't have such feelings for my mother, and you know that."
A sinister smile crept across Ciel's face, a look of triumph in his eyes. "Oh, but I can see through your façade. Even when you attempt to hide your emotions behind that stoic mask, I know the truth. You love your mother, don't you? And that love extends beyond mere familial bonds. It is an infatuation that drives you to desire her touch, isn't it?"
Cian's face contorted with an intense mix of anger and disgust, as if he were on the verge of lashing out at his father. Ciel merely watched, his smirk growing wider. "But alas, my dear boy, I have already savored her. Every drop of my saliva, every essence of my being, I have left my mark upon her," he jeered, his words dripping with a sickening pride.
As if to twist the knife further, Ciel added, "I have explored every crevice of her body, entering every orifice that could be penetrated. Even as her most intimate parts grew loose from my constant presence, she remained alluring, compelling me to ravage her until she could no longer offer any resistance. And now, Cian, even if you desired a taste of her, it is too late. She is already dead, and I am the sole man who has savored her."
"You... you twisted monster. You've perverted everything. What kind of father revels in tormenting his own son with such depraved details? You are sick to the core."
"Heh Heh Ha Ha Ha!" Ciel's laughter filled the room, a cold and heartless sound. "Ah, Cian, you disappoint me. I had hoped you would embrace the truth, but it seems you still resist," he replied, his voice dripping with malice. "This is merely a taste of the darkness that runs in our blood. Accept it, Cian, or forever be trapped in denial. And you dare to call me a monster? Let me remind you that every member of the Lambhart family, legitimate or not, bears the mark of monstrosity. We are all subjects of that cursed experiment."
"I am well aware of the darkness within me. I have already acknowledged that I possess the traits of a monster. So what now? Will you dispose of me too?"
"Heh... No, I won't discard you," Ciel replied, a wicked glint in his eyes. "Unlike Vera, who has reached her limits and can no longer grow, you are boundless. You will become the perfect tool for me to wield in conquering this world. Instead of disposing of you, I will keep your desires locked away forever. But first..." His gaze shifted to Maya, and a shudder ran through her body as she beheld the fiery intensity in his eyes. "I shall dispose of that."
Ciel advanced slowly, each step deliberate and calculated, the sound of his footsteps echoing like the ticking of a pendulum clock. But before he could reach Maya, Cian stepped forward, positioning himself as a shield.
"Don't harm her. She poses no threat to your ambitions, nor does she possess the power to obstruct them. You have no valid reason to end her life, do you? Besides, even if your intentions were somehow compromised by this girl, you hold the power to erase them, don't you? Surely, there exists a tool capable of purging our memories, including the latent desires that have accumulated within me during my five years of existence."
A flicker of surprise danced in Ciel's eyes, momentarily caught off guard by Cian's astute observation. "How did you come to know that?"
Cian met his father's gaze unwaveringly. "Are you kidding me, Father? You just mentioned it yourself. You spoke of locking away my desires forever. It stands to reason that you possess something capable of achieving such a feat.
Cian was bluffing. He knew Ciel had ordered some kind of elixir, but its true capabilities remained a mystery. Nevertheless, he had to seize this opportunity to protect Maya and buy them both some time.
A sly smile crept across Ciel's lips, his eyes gleaming with a mix of amusement and cunning. "Impressive deduction, my son," he remarked. "Indeed, I possess an elixir with such abilities. It is known as the Aethercleanse, created by a renowned witch known for her brilliance in alchemy. This elixir is capable of erasing specific aspects within a person, purging them of any taint and restoring their purity."
In his hand, he revealed two bottles containing a mysterious black liquid, their very appearance evoking thoughts of poison and danger.
"Should you consume this elixir, it will purge you of the desires that have stained your soul. Your insatiable cravings, your thirst for revenge, your relentless ambitions, your seething anger, and even the love that has entwined your heart will all be erased, leaving you pure once more."
He advanced towards them, the vials of elixir held aloft, a sinister smile tugging at the corners of his lips.
"Now, my boy, drink this concoction and let go of your tainted existence. Embrace the chance to start anew, to be reborn as an untarnished soul," Ciel declared, his voice laced with a menacing undertone.
"And if I refuse?" Cian questioned, a flicker of defiance in his eyes.
Ciel's smile twisted into a cruel smirk as he revealed his true nature. "If you dare defy me, I will subject this girl to a fate far worse than any corruption you've known. Right before your eyes, she will endure the unspeakable. I trust you wouldn't want that to transpire, would you?"
Cian's gaze momentarily shifted to Maya, fear etching itself onto her delicate features. It was the first time he had witnessed such vulnerability in her eyes, and it ignited a fiery anger within him.
"You are nothing but a despicable wretch, father. I pray that my mother's blood runs stronger in my veins than yours," he seethed, his words laced with contempt.
A faint smirk danced upon Ciel's lips, an unsettling blend of anger and amusement distorting his features. "You truly possess an uncanny talent for provoking me," he sneered, his voice dripping with venomous satisfaction. "But let me make it clear, that is your only option. If you dare refuse once, just as I have promised, I will carry out my vile act of violating that girl right before your eyes. And if you dare refuse me again after that, I will turn my attention to Vera. Now, do you comprehend that you hold no sway in this matter?"
Cian's eyes blazed with a mixture of disbelief and fury. "You despicable devil... Even Vera? She is your own daughter!"
A twisted grin twisted Ciel's face, his words devoid of remorse. "Does being blood-related truly hold any significance? After all, you yourself are engaged in an illicit and forbidden love affair with her, aren't you?"
For the first time, Cian's expression wavered, his facade momentarily faltering.
"Heh. It appears my assumptions were spot on. So, you truly are indulging in an incestuous relationship with your sister. While such matters do not particularly appeal to my tastes, I must admit, the thought of what the two of you were engaging in did ignite a certain excitement within me. Perhaps we should explore the concept of a twisted family bonding, the three of us together, hmm?"
Cian's fists clenched, his voice laced with a steely resolve. "Do not dare toy with me. Lay your filthy hands on her, and I will not hesitate to end my own life. Surely, that is not an outcome you desire."
Cian realized the leverage he held, knowing that Ciel treasured him as his magnum opus, his masterpiece. Exploiting this knowledge, he attempted to protect those he held dear. But Ciel's response sent a chill down his spine.
"I understand that you believe you hold some leverage, but let me remind you, my dear Cian, that I am fully capable of creating another magnum opus. Perhaps not immediately, but in due time. And as long as I draw breath, your sister will suffer under my torment. Oh, but do not fret, my dear Cian. I will grant you a front-row seat to witness every cruel act. After all, I shall indulge in my desires right in front of your very grave."
Cian's anger surged within him, his voice trembling with a mix of fury and desperation. "Don't you dare..."
"As I mentioned, Cian, you had only one choice. And if you dare deviate from that path, both the girl trembling behind you and your beloved sister... will become my eternal playthings."
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone