I Will Die for You, My Darling! - Chapter 89

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Isaac moved, closing the distance between himself and Arietta in an instant. She took a half step back, but no more. She didn’t turn to flee, only watched as he approached. Benjamin felt a primal surge of fear, a desperate urge to whisk Arietta away to the Sky City, to erase any connection between her and this man. He stepped in front of Arietta, shielding her with his body as he faced Isaac, a silent declaration of possession.

At this, Isaac’s eyes narrowed, his lips curling into a sneer that spoke more of amusement than offense. After the spectacle Benjamin had just made of himself, such a reaction was only natural. Benjamin felt a familiar wave of inferiority wash over him in Isaac’s presence, yet he stood firm, head slightly bowed, eyes narrowed in defiance. Then, in a leisurely tone, Isaac spoke, “Don’t worry, young master. I have no intention of taking her.”

As if on cue, Arietta tugged at Benjamin’s sleeve, stepping around him and forward to face Isaac. With Benjamin no longer between them, the two stood in a familiar standoff. The scent of fire hung heavy in the air. Arietta’s gaze fixed on the man who left ash in his wake. The mocking gold in his eyes, which had been so full of derision just moments before, now shifted into something more complex as he looked at her—a turbulent mix of hatred, contempt, and possessiveness. Arietta felt a dizzying sense of exhilaration, but she couldn’t afford to lose herself to the sensation. She had a role to play.

“It’s been a while, Arietta.” Isaac’s greeting sent a shiver down her spine. The instinctive pull she felt towards him was overwhelming, yet she met his gaze head-on. “Hello, Izzy,” she replied, her usually smooth voice trembling slightly. Isaac swallowed a groan, his fingers twitching, a movement unseen by anyone.

“You said you were leaving because I was monstrous, but I see you’ve decided to throw yourself at the mercy of the Sky City. You have a real talent for finding someone to leech off of. What else would you do?” Isaac’s words were laced with venom, a palpable animosity radiating from him. While Arietta was accustomed to his vitriol, Benjamin was stunned by the sheer cruelty of the attack. How can he say such things?, he thought, the insult feeling like a personal affront. Anger began to simmer within him, but he had no time to react. Isaac’s attention snapped back to him.

“And this is what you chose after leaving me? This… thing? I’m truly disappointed in your taste.” He paused, his gaze fixed on Benjamin, his lips twitching before twisting into a sneer. “You can’t be unaware of his shortcomings. I suppose he must sweet-talk you quite a bit to make you forget them.” Isaac’s shadowed eyes seemed to be searching for a specific answer, but Arietta didn’t rise to the bait. She had a purpose.

“He gives me what you can’t,” she stated clearly. “Sweet words, a future…” The lies flowed easily; deception was her specialty. She knew how effective they could be, especially when directed at someone who had always treated her with sincerity. Arietta took a steadying breath and smoothed back her long hair.

Benjamin stared at her, dumbfounded. Is she defending me?, he wondered. Had he been thinking more clearly, he might have noticed that Arietta hadn’t once looked at him. Her grey eyes remained locked on Isaac. Unfortunately, her words sent his heart racing. The thrill of the moment short-circuited his logic. His lips trembled as he tried to catch her eye, but she offered only her elegant profile.