This shows what exactly happened in one of their past lives.
Third POV
Later that night, as Venecia drifted to sleep, a vivid memory surfaced, clearer than any dream she had ever had.
Detailed memory of their second life cycle
A kingdom stood on the brink of destruction.
The night sky was ablaze with fire, thick smoke rising from the great castle of Eldoria, its once-mighty towers crumbling beneath the relentless assault of war. Screams of the fallen mixed with the clashing of steel, and the scent of burning wood and blood filled the air.
The Kingdom of Eldoria, once prosperous, was now drowning in chaos. The betrayal had come swiftly. The enemy, once their allies, had struck without mercy, storming the gates, slaughtering the royal guard, and reducing their home to ashes.
And at the heart of it all stood Princess Evanna, clad in a scarlet gown now dirtied with blood and soot.
She ran through the shattered halls of the castle, her heart pounding. The once-grand corridors were now filled with bodies, the loyal servants and knights who had sworn to protect her family. But there was no time to grieve.
She had to find him.
The only one who could still stand by her side.
Evanna burst into the grand hall, her breath catching as she took in the destruction. The enormous stained-glass windows had shattered, moonlight spilling across the wreckage of the royal court. At the center of it all stood Sir Leonhart, his sword stained with the blood of their enemies.
Her knight.
Her forbidden love.
Leonhart turned at the sound of her footsteps, his storm-gray eyes locking onto hers. Relief flickered across his battle-worn face, but it was fleeting. His armor was dented, his movements sluggish—he was injured, yet still standing, still fighting.
"Evanna..." His voice was hoarse, weary. But before she could respond, another explosion rocked the castle. The walls trembled, dust and stone raining from above.
"We have to go," she whispered, grabbing his arm.
But he didn't move. His eyes darkened with something deeper, something he wasn't saying.
"We were betrayed," Leonhart murmured, glancing toward the throne—now empty, its golden frame shattered. "The king... the queen..."
Evanna's breath caught. No. It couldn't be.
"Dead," he confirmed. "Slain in cold blood."
The weight of his words crushed her chest. Her parents—her home—all gone in a single night.
Her hands trembled. She should have cried. She should have screamed. But instead, a cold, determined resolve settled in her heart. She gripped his hand tighter. "Then we leave. Together."
Leonhart exhaled sharply. "Evanna, listen to me—"
"No," she cut him off. "I don't care what happens. I don't care about the throne, the titles. I only want you."
A flicker of pain crossed his face. He raised his free hand and gently cupped her cheek, his calloused fingers tracing the curve of her jaw as if memorizing her.
"I swore to protect you," he said. "And I will. Until my last breath."
She shook her head, her grip tightening around his hand. "Then stay with me. Don't say goodbye."
But then—
A shadow moved behind them.
Before she could react, a cold blade pierced through Leonhart's back, emerging from his chest.
His breath hitched.
Evanna's world froze.
She felt the warmth of his blood spill onto her hands as his grip on her loosened. A sharp, broken gasp escaped his lips as his body trembled against the sword impaling him.
"No," she choked out, reaching for him as he staggered forward.
Behind him stood the enemy general, his dark armor gleaming in the firelight, a cruel smirk twisting his lips.
Evanna didn't think—she reacted.
She grabbed Leonhart's sword and drove it straight through the man's heart.
The enemy lurched, eyes wide, before crumpling to the ground beside Leonhart.
Evanna barely caught him as he fell to his knees, his weight heavy against her. "Leonhart, stay with me," she whispered, pressing a trembling hand against his wound. "Please."
But he only smiled—a soft, bittersweet curve of his lips.
"My lady..." His voice was barely audible. "You're safe... That's all that matters."
Tears burned her eyes as she held him close, his warmth fading far too quickly.
She refused to let go.
The castle trembled around them, another explosion roaring through the ruins, but she didn't care. She pressed her forehead against his, her tears mixing with the blood on her face.
And then, as if the heavens themselves had spoken, a whisper—soft and mournful—echoed through the crumbling throne room.
"You shall love, and in love, find death."
Evanna's breath hitched.
A golden light erupted between their joined hands, flaring so brightly it swallowed everything—the ruins, the bodies, even the fire itself.
Leonhart's eyes widened in surprise, his fingers tightening around hers.
And then—
Everything collapsed into nothingness.
********
Venecia woke with a gasp, her heart pounding. She stared at the ceiling, trying to make sense of what she had just seen. It felt so real, so vivid. She touched her shoulder, the phantom ache still lingering. She had to find out what it all meant.