The Tale of the Lotus Heart novel Chapter 36

*Yong's POV*

Something happened to Aivi.

Everything seemed to be fine before Aivi left this morning. The twins were advancing and growing quick. I was finally catching up on my duties, and Aivi was going to start planning our wedding. What went wrong?

I was finishing up my paperwork went I felt the chill go through my body. My charm went off but I felt it fail. Aivi was in danger, or already hurt. I transported where my charm was last sensed in the blink of an eye. I arrived at the Abyss of Lost Souls just in time to see a woman walking away, but Aivi was gone. The woman was my only witness. I caught up to her and grabbed her by the arm before spinning her to face me.

"Insolence!" My Royal Mother said as she yanked her arm out of my hold. I looked at her surprised but then accusingly. It didn't take a genius to figure out what happened. My mother wanted Aivi out of the way for a long time, and it looked like she finally found her chance. If my guess was correct, my mother pushed Aivi into the Abyss herself. I felt my eyes water on their own before I grabbed my mother's shoulders roughly. I was past being her filial son.

"Mother, what did you do?" I asked in a tone barely above a whisper. She only scoffed.

"What have you been doing?! Ever since that girl appeared, you lost your head. You've been under her spell. I'm the one who helped you, son. I got rid of her so you could get back on the right path," she admitted. I felt my knees go weak. I couldn't stand anymore. I collapsed to me knees as my hands released my mother. Aivi was gone? I promised to protect her, but in the end, I couldn’t. I didn't keep my promise.

"What's wrong with you? Why couldn't you just let me be happy? Why did you kill her?" I asked weakly. "Do you hate me so much that you want me to be as miserable as you? What about our children? How pitiful they'll be growing up without a mother. Did you think about anyone else but yourself when you decided to kill the only woman I've ever loved?" I asked. I saw no regret in my Mother’s face. No sympathy. No remorse. No guilt. My mother was sincerely proud of herself for succeeding in her plan. The fat tears rolled down my face as I couldn't hold them in anymore. I found myself on all fours as I heaved with sobs that forced their way out.