I Will Die for You, My Darling! - Chapter 1
[Contains scenes depicting violence: physical harm, gore.]
• • • • • •
Arietta will die within the next 5 minutes.
The door swung open fiercely. No, it was torn apart, and the latch was broken. Nervous noises scattered in all directions.
The revealed space amidst the debris of the door was beautiful, to the extent that violent destruction seemed awe-inspiring. It was undoubtedly a bedroom, but it resembled a small art gallery. Works of artists who raised their value in upper-class society adorned the walls like large and small tiles.
A girl automaton placed on one side was made not of clay but of the molars of a large herbivore extinct long ago; when turned, it sang delicately.
Butterflies, displaying wings of various colors, were also preserved and displayed. Right next to them, a sculpture with motifs of shells and flower petals elegantly took its place on the console.
It was a feast of all kinds of delicate luxury items that didn’t fit at all with the city of violence, Downstream.
However, the most extravagant piece among them was a woman sitting on a stool intricately adorned with grapevines and trumpet flowers, combing her hair.
The most beautiful and rare object in Downstream. The canary in the glass dome.
Arietta.
The woman showed no sign of surprise or fear even with the noise of the broken door. She didn’t even turn around. She simply stared through the mirror at the intruder who had smashed the door.
“Hello, Darling.”
Her voice was sweet, enchanting, to the point that even if bugs were attracted to it, it wouldn’t be strange.
Incredibly seductive Arietta. Isaac felt a rhythm even in her greeting. It was precisely because of that voice that her nickname became Canary.
Her extraordinary beauty completed the space. Her presence was the focal point of the collection. No, all the other artworks were nothing more than expressions of her.
The white hand released the comb. As she turned her head, the black hair smoothly swayed. The gloss and flow were comparable to silk. Sitting in front of the vanity for a very long time, she tirelessly combed down her hair.
What was she grooming herself for, waiting for something? Or was she simply lost in thought?
“You’ve come to kill me?”
Well, in a way, he had come to kill her. He would tear through the fair and soft skin, shatter the straight bones, and mar that perfect beauty beyond recognition. Isaac had come with that intention.
But how did she know?
A perplexing question arose in the beast’s mind. However, in the next moment, looking into the grim golden eyes reflected in the mirror, he understood. It lacked vitality that even a clueless child could feel.
Upon closer inspection, the irregular sound of breathing escaping through Arietta’s pale, dry lips became apparent.
She’s frightened.
Yet outwardly, she shamelessly remained calm, as if foreseeing such an event. Arietta had always been like this.
He disliked her composure.
Isaac took a step closer to Arietta. Delicate works of art vibrated with the low and sturdy resonance of his throat.
He didn’t rush because he knew Arietta’s incompetence. She was too weak to retaliate and too slow to escape.
As the distance narrowed and the air grew tense,
“Izzy, you see, listen to me.”
Arietta urgently whispered. Heat rose on her usually pale and slender face. The normally cloudy gray eyes flickered with an unfamiliar madness. Isaac’s steps halted at that gaze.
“Darling, it’s a really unfortunate situation, but the timing is terrible. It’s not good for either of us if you kill me right now.”
Under the chandelier’s light, her gray pupils sparkled. Lips parted in a perfect triangular shape, revealing flawlessly even teeth. Her mouth smiled, but her eyes didn’t follow suit, creating a bizarre sight.
“Don’t misunderstand. It’s not a plea for you not to kill me. It’s just that today is not the right time. Okay?”
Seems like she’s trying to deflect the situation with nonsense.
“At 12:01 ! How about killing me then? I’ll be here with you, so I won’t be able to escape. Then, after midnight passes…”
Does she even know what she’s saying?
Now, Arietta lost even the pretense she maintained so persistently. Cold sweat appeared on her pale forehead and neck, and despite combing her hair thousands of times and applying oil, the curls stuck together unpleasantly. Her smooth voice occasionally faltered, and her lips were parched.
“Trust me. Killing me now won’t do any good. It’s all meaningless…”
Even in her pitiful plea for life, Arietta remained enchanting.
There’s nothing more to listen to.
Isaac lunged at Arietta. Just as initially planned, he extended his claws and tore into her chest. The flesh split, and a warm, viscous liquid poured out onto his face.
A scream tore through Isaac’s eardrums. He contorted his face, opening his mouth wide. With teeth, he pierced through her slender and graceful body, exerting force on his jaw. The sensation of muscles tearing and bones contorting was vividly felt inside his mouth.
Afterward, Isaac simply waited.
Gradually, Arietta’s body slackened. Apart from intermittent spasms of muscles and persistent writhing of internal organs, there was no other response.
Isaac pushed Arietta back with her still in his mouth.
The limp white legs trailed behind. In the vanity mirror, a beast was reflected: a cat with black fur stained with blood around its muzzle.
With each inhale and exhale, the muscular shoulders rose and fell roughly, and the stiff tail swayed like a pendulum, demonstrating excitement. It was the second form of the body acquired during his youth, through dreadful suffering.
Isaac did not like this sight.
