My Silver Lover

He was browsing the internet, searching for something unknown, confusion and disbelief etched clearly across his face. His fingers typed each letter with fear and panic, as if those words might be the very last he would ever write in his life. His frightened hazel eyes concealed something far greater within them— something far more terrifying than all his fears combined. Finally, he finished typing. He exhaled heavily, as if a lump were lodged in his throat, threatening to choke him. A word that felt light beneath his fingers, yet unbearably heavy upon his heart: “The Silver Luna.” Only one search result appeared— a website titled: Who Is the Silver Luna? With trembling hands, he clicked the link… and saw— ############# Eighteen Years Ago A massive palace stood in the heart of an unknown forest— dazzling in its beauty, as though it had come straight from the future. Forget its design. Forget the countless servants within. Forget its inhabitants. Forget everything— and follow the sound of that scream, the one that erupted from the wing of the king’s only daughter. A thunderous scream filled the entire palace with terror. Yet who would dare intervene? Who would even dare ask what was happening? The king roared at his daughter’s face after striking her violently, sending her collapsing to the floor in tears. “You will marry him!” “That is impossible!” she cried. He replied in fury, “Over my dead body!” The green-eyed princess crawled toward him, clutching his legs, her sobs echoing through the chamber. “Please, Father… marry me to him. I love him. I cannot live without him.” He kicked her away with his foot, his voice striking fear into every soul who heard it. “Impossible.” Then he barked an order to the two guards standing nearby: “Bring him here. Now. I will end this farce immediately.” The guards bowed and left. Minutes later, they returned dragging a man in chains—his hands and feet shackled. He could barely walk. His face was torn and bloodied from the brutal beating he had endured. “Unchain him,” the king commanded, his eyes burning with rage despite the cold stillness of his features. The guards released him. Seconds later, the king drew his sword— and with a single merciless strike, split the wounded human’s body in two. The princess screamed hysterically as drops of his blood splattered across her face. The king’s expression never changed. “Prepare yourself,” he said coldly. “You will marry your middle cousin, Prince Orfin, tonight. I will tolerate no delay. The servants will come for you shortly.” Then he turned away with his guards, leaving her behind— cradling her lover’s lifeless body. The man whose blood, she swore, would never be spilled in vain upon the floors of this palace. She swore she would avenge him— at any cost. She swore she would protect what remained of his soul within her. She would protect her unborn child with every ounce of strength she possessed, until her last breath— until her soul reunited with the soul of her eternal lover, the only man she had ever loved… and ever would. She wept. She wept bitterly for his voice she would never hear again. For his eyes that would never look at her once more— the eyes that loved her. For his embrace that always made her feel safe, despite the wounds. All of it was gone. She had wanted nothing but him. He was her entire world. And now, she had been stripped of everything beautiful in her life. Yet life does not end with despair. There was one fragile spark of hope that forced her to live— the child growing within her womb. A child she was determined to hide from everyone. No one must ever know of its existence— not inside this cursed palace, nor beyond it. Hours Later – The Palace’s Grand Hall Congratulations and blessings echoed through the hall for Princess Oliva and Prince Orfin on their wedding. The king approached and embraced his daughter. She returned the hug—seething with hatred. Then she pulled away. From beneath the blue fabric of her gown, she drew a knife. She plunged it into his heart— once. Twice. Three times. He collapsed to the floor, drowning in his own blood. She screamed in horror as she dropped the knife, finally realizing what she had just done. ########## The website loaded, revealing an image. Its features were unclear, yet disturbingly familiar— far too close to someone he knew. And with every fiber of his being, he prayed he was wrong. He began reading the words on the page. Shock slowly crept across his face, line by line. To be continued…