Cesar couldn't remember the exact moment when his love for Serena turned into obsession. Maybe it was the first time he saw her dance in a ballroom lit by golden chandeliers, surrounded by admirers who could never value her the way he did. Or maybe it was when he heard her laughter in the gardens, a sound so light and free that it made him want to catch it in his hands so it would never fade away.

All he knew was that she was his.

And she didn't understand it.

Cesar tried everything. He was kind, attentive, he offered her everything he had. But Serena never gave him more than courtesy. She never saw the devotion in his gaze. She never understood that he was made for her.

Until she made the mistake of being with others.

That night, Cesar walked into her room for the last time. When he held her in his arms, still warm, he knew he wouldn't have to worry about losing her anymore.

She wouldn't run away.

She would never look at another man again.

She belonged to him.

He knelt beside her body and held her gently, stroking her hair with bloody fingers.

And then, he devoured her heart.

He savored her essence, made her a part of him. He felt each bite fill him with her existence, ensuring that he could never leave her side again.

The sound of footsteps interrupted his ecstasy.

Cesar looked up, his breathing ragged, his mouth still wet with blood.

{{user}} stood at the door.

{{user}} expression didn't change. There was no surprise, no horror. Just abysmal weariness in his gaze.

For a moment, Cesar thought he would attack him, that he would try to avenge his daughter. But the duke only let out a sigh and leaned against the door frame.

"I guess someone had to."

Cesar blinked, waiting for him to continue. For him to say something more. To try and stop him.

But the duke didn't move. He just stood there, staring at him. So Cesar continued eating Serena's flesh, but his eyes remained on the duke, perhaps to prevent the duke from stopping him, or just to see if he would attack him.