Chapter 15
“Your Honor, I want to make a deal.”
After a long silence, Lucas finally spoke, his voice steady but filled with resolve. His words seemed to catch the King of the Underworld off guard.
“A deal? What kind of deal?”
There was a flicker of intrigue in the King’s gaze, as though entertained by Lucas‘ boldness.
Seeing that the King hadn’t outright refused, Lucas felt a glimmer of hope. Perhaps this wasn’t entirely impossible. His voice
steadied as he laid out his proposal.
“I want to trade all the time I have left in exchange for one last lifetime with her.”
This was the only solution Lucas had come up with after witnessing Celia’s bargain with the King–a desperate attempt to undo
what had been done.
But no sooner had the words left his mouth than the King burst into laughter, sharp and mocking.
“She gave up her soul, consigning herself to eternal nothingness, just to spend seven days with you. And you think your
remaining time is enough to buy her back for a lifetime?”
The King shook his head, his tone dripping with scorn. “You underestimate the cost of altering fate. To restore a soul that’s been
utterly destroyed–to rewrite what cannot be rewritten–requires far more than your paltry offer.”
The words stung, and Lucas felt shame creep over him. But the sting only spurred his determination. He took a deep breath and
stepped forward, his voice firm.
“If that’s not enough, then I’ll give more. Everything I have. Everything I am. If it’s possible, I’ll pay any price.”
His plea carried such raw sincerity that the King paused, studying him with a newfound curiosity. For a moment, there was
silence, before the King shook his head again, though this time, ther