Chapter 372: A Heavy Price

Cillian simply stared at her for several seconds, as though she had suddenly grown two heads.

Aliana frowned at his reaction. "What? You said one more question."

"And you seriously want to ask about Reve?" Cillian echoed, disbelief colouring his tone.

Aliana nodded earnestly. "I do. He is my bodyguard, after all. Not to mention, it will also help me understand your world a little better."

Cillian clicked his tongue in amusement before smirking. "Very well. Reve is a Hell Ghoul, Aliana. They are the lowest beings of Hell, driven primarily by hunger and possessing little to no magical ability. They commonly serve as scavengers and servants."

He paused briefly before continuing, "Normally, they look nothing like Reve, who has remarkably human-like features. Features like those belong to lower- and higher-level demons, nobles, and royalty."

"Really?" Aliana murmured in surprise before confusion settled over her face. "Then why does he..."

Anticipating her question, Cillian continued, "The offspring of demons inherit physical traits and power from both parents." He paused before adding, "Even if one parent is vastly different from the other."

Realisation dawned on her. "Oh... so one of his parents was..."

"A higher-level demoness," Cillian confirmed. "That is as much as I can share, as the rest of the story is not mine to tell."

"I respect that," Aliana replied with a small nod.

"Well then, this was a lovely bonding session. Let us do it again sometime... or perhaps not," Cillian offered with a playful wink. "I should take my leave now, sister-in-law."

He turned toward the door, taking a few steps before abruptly pausing and spinning back around.

"Oh, I almost forgot," Cillian added, eyeing her curiously. "I hope you haven’t brought up his appearance with Reve directly?"

Aliana shook her head softly. "No. I wasn’t sure if it would make him uncomfortable."

"Good thinking. He is particularly sensitive about that subject, so it is best not to ask him about his past unless he chooses to bring it up himself," Cillian advised gently.

"Don’t worry, I won’t," Aliana reassured him. "And Cillian... thank you for answering all my questions today."

"Anytime." Cillian gave her a nod before turning to head toward the exit.

His hand rested on the doorknob, but he paused once more, glancing back at her over his shoulder. "Aliana..."

"Yes?"

"Regarding the question you actually wanted to ask before you brought up Reve... in good faith, I suggest you leave certain parts of the past buried. You never know what kind of storm you might awaken if you disturb them."

Aliana’s eyes widened slightly in surprise.

She noticed the way Cillian’s expression softened as he continued.

"That man... he has never cared for anyone in his entire life the way he cares for you. In all his centuries, he had never cherished anyone the way he cherishes you. It took me some time to realise it, but I see it clearly now. You are... Gavriel’s only light in the dark, Aliana. I know I have no right to ask this of you... but I pray you will continue to pull him out of his cold, lonely world. Even if... there is a heavy price to pay, I hope you will choose him."

Aliana was completely speechless.

She remained frozen in place, watching as Cillian gave her a faint smile before snapping his fingers. The sound barrier around the office dissolved instantly.

Then, without another word, he opened the door and stepped out, leaving Aliana alone with her thoughts.

’Even if... there is a heavy price to pay, I hope you will choose him.’

Cillian’s plea reverberated in her mind, and she understood exactly what price Cillian was referring to.

Her eyes slowly dropped to her flat stomach.

With trembling hands, she rested her palms over her abdomen, gently covering it.

Closing her eyes for a brief moment, she allowed herself to imagine what life might look like if none of these complicated things existed. If there were no questions about fate, mates, demons or the throne.

Just a simple, happy family of three.

Suddenly, a vivid vision flashed behind her eyelids.

She saw herself cradling a tiny infant with pitch-black hair like his father’s and a pair of intense, familiar eyes.

Aliana gasped, snapping her eyes open instantly.

She sank back onto the sofa and buried her face in her hands as a quiet shudder ran through her body.

"A very heavy price to pay indeed," she whispered into the empty room.

....

Meanwhile, inside a luxurious corner office, a middle-aged man reclined in his high-backed desk chair. He held the phone loosely against his ear, his free hand tapping a lazy beat against the dark mahogany table.

"So she finally crept out of her little hole," Alec murmured, a cold, ruthless smile stretching across his face. "She must think that living under the same roof as that she-devil makes her untouchable."

His posture straightened slightly. "Why haven’t you moved in yet?"

"Sir, she has companions with her," the voice over the receiver reported cautiously. "Two men."

"Bodyguards?" Alec asked, his eyes narrowing.

"No, sir. One appears to be a driver. The other is an elderly man, easily in his seventies."

Alec’s eyebrows pulled together in annoyance. "Since when did you all become so frightened of a mere driver and an old man? The moment you see an opening, grab her. Owen doesn’t want me taking action, but he is growing far too soft for my liking. Do as I say. Besides, I am sure he won’t complain once it is done. After all, I am the one who calls the shots here, not him."

"Understood, Mr. Ross," the man answered, and the call disconnected.

Grinning to himself, Alec turned toward the floor-to-ceiling glass, watching the sun dip toward the horizon.

.....

Back at the Valentine Residence...

By the time evening descended, three figures were gathered around a low coffee table in Gavriel’s study.

With Jade away, Gavriel, Aliana, and Cillian had agreed to take advantage of her absence to summon Aliana’s ancestor, hoping the spirit could provide some long-awaited answers.

Aliana looked at the completely bare surface of the table before glancing between the two men in confusion. "Don’t we need an Ouija board or something to summon the spirit of my ancestor?"

Just then, Gavriel extended his hand towards her, a ghost of a smile touching his lips. "There is only one thing we need."