Page 31 of Queen of Vengeance

“You know, if you’re finding it difficult to continue living in the house, I would happily buy the building from you, including the land. That would give you quite the lump sum to move wherever you pleased.” Diesel tapped his chin as he looked up at my home as if it was a business opportunity. Of course, he would want to buy my family’s land.

It was fertile, and some of the best ingredients were grown here.

“I appreciate the offer again, but I want to stay where my family has lived. This place holds far more good memories than bad ones,” I stated firmly, staring him down. I could feel my wolf glint in my eyes, and though I wasn’t sure if the color shifted, I knew that, at least, I was standing up for myself.

“Very well. You know where to find me if you ever change your mind.” Diesel’s smile was too wide for his face.

As soon as Omara turned around, Diesel’s smile faded.

That was when I realized Omara barely knew what kind of man Diesel was.

Raindrops pattered onto my head, the scent of fresh soil rising to meet my nose. My heels sank into the soft ground. My body felt numb, immovable, like a statue. I clutched a bouquet of baby’s breath in a silent vigil.

The other attendees at the funeral expected me to say something, but I couldn’t help looking out at all the faces that knew my parents were being murdered and did nothing.

If everyone in the village banded together, we would have been able to overthrow Diesel, but everyone was too scared of losing their own families, so we remained in this constant hell.

Or maybe I was just looking for someone to blame.

I glanced at Zane and Jax sitting next to each other.

Mairy was sitting closer to the front, right by me.

Having this huge, ornate funeral felt disingenuous to who my parents were, but I didn’t have very much say in the matter.

Diesel took the reigns on everything.

I couldn’t even bring myself to look at him in the crowd. I feared I would shift on the spot, jump over this podium, and scratch his eyes. I had to play this cool. If I were to take him down for good, I would have to be strategic about it.

Any minor slip-up might very well result in my death.

Mema came up behind me, placing her hands on my shoulders to let me know I didn’t have to continue standing there.

I was startled by her presence but calmed down after seeing it was her.

“Let’s begin with the ceremonial condolences.” Mema raised a potion bottle with a swirling blue and purple liquid.

The country’s elites were the only ones who could afford the ceremonial condolence potion.

It allowed the grieving to send their condolences into the heavens.

I swung my bottles in circles slowly, allowing the liquid to swirl into a tornado.

“When you’re ready, please release your condolences.”

Ready? I don’t think anything will ever prepare me. If I could, I would hold on to my grief for the rest of my life if it meant I didn’t have to let go of another piece of my parents.

All the other bottles opened, and a shimmering cloud of colorful animals filled the air above us like a close.

I never entirely understood the purpose of condolence potions until just now.

A part of my heart felt lighter after seeing everyone else release theirs.

It wasn’t enough to completely wipe my pain away, but it was enough to make me feel closer to being alive rather than feeling dead… And that was precisely how I felt the last few days. I felt like a part of me died with my parents that day. No matter how hard I tried, I could never return and be the same girl I was.

This world was turning me hard and cold.

The bitterness within me took the place of the kindness and trust that I normally extended toward people.

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