Third Arc (Fallen Heart) - 204. After The Battle III

Ivetta's laughter echoed through the room once again, filling the space with a sense of malice and resentment. "Then you should thank me," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "If I didn't get rid of your father, maybe you're still spoiled like you used to be!"

King Eudon felt his blood boil with anger. He had lost his brother to those rebels, and now Ivetta was trying to justify her heinous actions. "Ivetta!!!" he shouted, his voice rising with fury. "My brother treated your family well! Those rebels are the ones who killed your father?!" His mind raced as he tried to comprehend the words that had just left Ivetta's lips. He couldn't believe that she was capable of such treachery. After all, his brother had shown nothing but kindness to her family. Yet, here she was, spewing venomous words and accusations toward them.

Ivetta looked at King Eudon cynically, her eyes glinting with a cold fire. "Of course, I know," she replied, her voice laced with bitterness. "But isn't the root of all these problems because all of you are too weak? So you have to sacrifice others to maintain the power that you shouldn't deserve!"

Rose's face had hardened at Ivetta's words, and her eyes had turned cold as ice. "Ivetta, don't you regret your actions at all?" she asked, her voice barely concealing her disgust.

Ivetta's voice dripped with sarcasm as she spoke, her eyes gleaming with malice. "Of course I regret it," she said, "I regret it because until now I haven't been able to kill you all to end this!"

King Eudon's expression hardened as he glared at Ivetta. He had trusted her for years, but now it was clear that she had been plotting against him all along. He was about to pull out his sword to silence her, but before he could do it, a sudden movement caught his eye.

It was Rose, her face set in a mask of cold determination. Now, in a swift motion, she drew a poison-tipped blade from the whip at her side and threw it at Ivetta's neck.

The blade struck home, sending Ivetta crumpling to the ground in a lifeless heap. King Eudon stood frozen in shock, unable to comprehend what had just happened. “Rose…” he muttered. A hint of disbelief and concern were in his tone although he knew why she did it.

Rose stepped forward; her eyes still fixed on Ivetta's body. "It's fine," she said softly, her voice choking with emotion, "I know she was my friend. That's why I couldn't let her hurt anyone again."

The king nodded slowly, understanding dawning on his face. He had known Rose for years, and he trusted her implicitly. Still, he couldn't help but feel a pang of regret for the loss of Ivetta. Despite her treachery, she had been a valuable member of his court for many years.

The silence in the room was deafening. But a dark aura near them broke it. Soon, Angel appeared from it as he had managed to get rid of the fake poison. Rather than speak, he was stunned by the sight, especially Ivetta’s corpse. His gaze quickly fell on Rose.

He watched Rose's tears flow down her cheeks, he couldn't help but feel his heart sink. He had seen Rose's strength many times before, but this was the first time he had ever seen her look so vulnerable.

"Rose, what happened?" he asked, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder.

"I just realized my weakness has made many people hurt," Rose said softly, still staring at Ivetta's lifeless body. "I never knew my happiness had been the result of so many people's sacrifice, people who always guarded me against the bitter reality."

Angel didn't know what to say. He knew Rose had always struggled with the guilt of her privileged life, but he also knew she had done everything in her power to help those in need. He admired her for her strength and determination.

Rose knelt down beside Ivetta's body, and as she stroked her friend's face, she whispered, "But now, I'm not a child anymore. I'm not a spoiled princess who can only shelter behind other people again. This time, I will take care of Zephyrus. I will make the Heart Family feared until no one else dares to rebel until no one else has the same fate as you."