With the memory of what happened two nights ago still fresh in my mind,
I shook myself out of my dazed state and tore my eyes away from the large window, snapping back to reality by pulling myself away from the expansive window that held everything I wish could have, everything I wish I had, and where I wish I was. Beyond the expanse of this enclosure lay everything I desperately yearn for.
A simple life.
Indeed, it is all I really want at the end of the day.
And It stood beyond this window like a toy I could never have, tempting me with its charm, but destined to forever be beyond my grasp. With a heavy heart, I forced myself to look away, releasing a sigh filled with unfulfilled desires. I stared at it for a few more seconds before I found the strength to finally go on my way.
There is still so much to do.
But as luck, that fickle mistress, would have it, I unexpectedly collided with a tall manly figure, our bodies colliding with a force that sent me hurtling to the ground.
"Ouch!" I groaned, feeling the impact reverberate through my body.
The unexpected collision left me momentarily dazed, my senses reeling. Just then, to my bewilderment, a rugged hand stretched out towards me, offering rescue from my undignified fall onto the chilly ground.
Oh...he's helping me get up?
That was the first time anyone's helped me get up aside from Addie, it caught me off guard.
Unsure, I hesitated briefly before accepting the helping hand, feeling its sturdy grasp hoist me back onto my wobbly feet. The touch was firm yet unexpectedly gentle, igniting a curious warmth within me and soothing the lingering embarrassment that flushed my cheeks.
"I-I'm sorry!" I stammered, my voice trembling with genuine remorse.
"My apologies... I-I never meant to... to..."
My words trailed off, lost in the flood of anxiety that gripped me, especially when I caught a glimpse of his elegant and opulent shoes. I didn't dare lift my head, as it was obvious that I had just clumsily bumped into a nobleman.
"Oh dear..." his voice carried an unexpected gentleness that eased my fears.
"I must have frightened you, huh?" he continued kindly.
But before I could raise my head to respond, I felt a warm and gentle hand patting the top of my head. His touch was tender, and the warmth from his hand showed understanding. There was no anger or punishment in his gesture, only reassurance. It was an unexpected display of kindness that shattered what I believed aristocrats to be.
"It's not your fault, so why are you apologizing?"
His words pierced through my confusion, shaking the very core of my being. No one had ever spoken to me like this before, and I'm pretty sure that such a sentiment likely extended to every Malem in this empire as well.
What in the world...??
I found myself at a loss for words, struggling to form a clear response. I stood frozen, my face reflecting a mixture of confusion and surprise so profound that I even forgot to lift my head to meet his gaze entirely. With his hand still hovering over my head, I could only see his final smile. Soon enough, he excused himself in a polite and gentle tone, encouraging me to continue on my way.
"Excuse me, but I must take my leave now," he said warmly with a hint or rashness.
Caught in a state of bewilderment, I remained rooted in place, unsure of how to proceed. His kind gesture left me with a lingering sense of gratitude, yet I struggled to find the right words to express it. The weight of the moment hung heavy upon me, leaving me feeling momentarily adrift.
As he bid farewell, the tiny glimpse of his smile radiated warmth and understanding. "Take care, little miss." he softly encouraged.
And with that, he departed.
When I finally managed to collect myself, I was only able to catch a fleeting glimpse of his back a few feet away from me. He seemed to glow in the sunlight streaming through the window, emanating a calming aura that defied his noble status.
"Thank you, sir," I managed to utter, though a little too late. My voice carried a mix of relief and gratitude.
Yet, that hopeful thought dissipated as swiftly as it had emerged, replaced by the sight of a tall man with jet-black hair. He continued to stare at the window in the room, his face devoid of any emotion. However, as the door closed with a gentle thud, a soft smile formed on his lips, bringing a hint of warmth to his otherwise expressionless face.
You're back!" he exclaimed, practically soaring towards me like an excited bird, levitating from the floor, which caught me off guard.
"You..." I uttered, bewildered by the incredible sight unfolding before me. "...can fly?"
He tilted his head, his brow arched inquisitively, before realizing his own the state he is in and scratching the back of his head in an awkward manner.
"Oh..." he giggled sheepishly, "...I suppose I can...?"
His unexpected ability to fly filled the room with an air of wonder and amusement. As days passed, he grew more comfortable, gradually revealing his true personality and vibrant colors.
"What?" he said, shrugging his shoulders with a smug look.
"It's been a while. Sometimes I forget that I can do such things, you know?" he added with a hint of nonchalance.
The sight of him made me chuckle. It was delightful to witness him embracing his uniqueness and revealing his true self with each passing day. He, too, smiled and let out a contented sigh.
"Well, you're free to fly as much as you want, but don't get too full of yourself," I warned, speaking in a calm yet concerned tone. I wanted to make sure he understood the need to be cautious.
"Especially now that Addie is no longer my maid."
In our plan to escape this place, saying goodbye to Addie, who I considered family, was the first step we had to take. It was a difficult decision because she had been the only one to show me love and support in this harsh environment. But sacrifices had to be made for our freedom, for my freedom.
Feeling the weight of my emotions, he let out a deep sigh, expressing his regret. He reached out and gently patted my head, offering comfort and understanding. It was his way of assuring me that I had done well.
"You've done a good job, Master." he said with sincerity and warmth. His words touched my heart, reminding me that I wasn't alone in this.
His touch resembled the gentle pat I had received from the nobleman, but this time it held an even deeper sense of affection. I couldn't help but respond with a gentle smile, appreciating his sincerity.
"Ahh..." he let out a relieved sigh, both hands on his hips as a sense of satisfaction glimmered in his eyes.
"I wish I could have seen the viscount's face when you told him."
"Heh," I smirked, a glint of confidence in my eyes. "It was nothing out of the ordinary, especially considering what they're hiding up their sleeves."
"I bet," he said, a satisfied smile playing on his lips as he rested his hand on his chin, lost in thought.
"Now," he continued, his grin widening, matching the excitement in my eyes, "we can move on to the next step."
Hearing those words, I turned to Erasmus with a mixture of anticipation and uncertainty, wondering what our next move would be. With no prior knowledge of our plan, aside from being told to return to my room without Addie, I held my breath, eager to discover what was on his mind.
"And what might that be?" I asked, my voice tinged with curiosity.
In an instant, the room plunged into darkness, enveloping us both. Panic gripped me as I frantically searched for the source of this mysterious magic. To my dismay, it emanated from Erasmus himself, his expression dark and his eyes glowing with fury.
"What... What are you doing?" I managed to stammer, my voice trembling.
"This..." he uttered, his tone laced with determination. "This is the next step."
Without hesitation, he raised his hand, fingers curling as if forming an invisible grip. Suddenly, an unseen force seized hold of me, lifting me off the ground and propelling me forward. Helpless and bewildered, I found myself being dragged along by the power of his magic.
Is he...Is he seriously trying to kill me right now?!
Caught off guard by the sudden display of power, my heart raced with a mix of fear and confusion. As I was suspended in mid-air, my body being pulled by the unseen force, I struggled to comprehend what was happening.
"Erasmus, please! Release me!" I pleaded, my voice trembling with a mixture of panic and desperation.
But Erasmus remained resolute, his eyes locked with an unwavering determination. The room echoed with the sound of his low, intense voice as he spoke, his words laden with an air of significance.
"This is what I must do," he declared, his voice carrying a weight that sent shivers down my spine.
"So please," he pleaded, his gaze filled with a mix of determination and vulnerability.
"Please bear with me."
I couldn't make sense of Erasmus' intentions, and it was taking a toll on me. I felt physically and emotionally drained, unable to continue much longer. The ongoing uncertainty was becoming unbearable, and I could feel myself weakening.
With each passing moment, doubt consumed my thoughts, intensifying my exhaustion. I questioned how much longer I could endure the situation. The fear of the unknown and the lack of clarity weighed heavily on my mind, casting shadows of doubt over my determination.
I stared at Erasmus, my eyes filled with tears and a profound sense of betrayal. The weight of uncertainty settled heavily upon me, prompting a flood of questions in my mind.
Have I... been betrayed?
This feels like another betrayal, doesn't it?
He promised... He promised he would help me escape from this place.
Each question that arose within me only fueled my growing anger. I was furious with myself for allowing trust to bloom within me once more, furious with the world for burdening me with such a pitiful existence, and furious at those who lacked moral integrity.
Fury swelled within me as I lowered my head, a tempest of frustration, disappointment, and resentment. I blamed myself for trusting someone with unclear motives. The weight of betrayal added to my disillusionment.
"No..." I whispered, my voice trembling with anger.
In that moment, something inside me snapped. The rage within me surged, causing me to look at Erasmus with a fiery intensity that even he seemed taken aback by.
Driven by an overwhelming mix of determination and anger, I summoned all my strength. With my hand firmly planted on my neck, I exerted every ounce of willpower to break free from the unseen force that held me suspended in mid-air. It was as if my determination had unlocked a hidden well of power within me.
And then, with a resounding cry, I declared, "NO MORE!"
With a powerful surge of energy, I broke free from the chains of the magical control that had ensnared me, shattering the invisible bonds that held me captive. The sound of the release reverberated through the room, marking my newfound freedom from the astonished figure before me.
"Huff... Huff... Huff..." I gasped for breath.
My body felt weak, but I managed to push myself up. As I regained my composure, I noticed that our surroundings had returned to normal the moment I broke free from his control. A sense of triumph washed over me, beads of sweat trickling down the side of my face. Yet, my gaze remained fixated on the man who had just moments ago attempted to eliminate me.
"How...." I managed to utter, my voice trembling as I struggled to regain my weakened composure.
"How dare you betray me?" I exclaimed, my voice filled with a mix of anger and disbelief.
Erasmus took hesitant steps toward me, his complexion growing paler with each staggered movement. His trembling hands reached out as if seeking forgiveness, but my heart remained hardened.
"Don't you dare even think about it," I seethed, my voice laced with anger and disbelief. The betrayal I felt pierced deep within me, threatening to shatter the fragile trust I had once held.
His face drained of even more color, his expression reflecting his own disbelief at his actions. The realization of what he had done seemed to weigh heavily upon him, the gravity of his betrayal sinking in with each passing moment.
"M-Master, please," he pleaded, desperation evident in his voice. His voice quivered, carrying a hint of remorse and a plea for understanding. ""I need you to understand—"
But in that moment, understanding felt impossible to grasp.
"Stop calling me that!" I screamed, my voice choked with tears that continued to flow uncontrollably. "You tried to kill me!!"
The hurt and fear that surged through me were too overwhelming to contain, bursting forth in a torrent of raw emotion. The depth of his betrayal echoed in every word I uttered, shaking the very foundation of our relationship.
"That wasn't my intention!" he protested, his voice rising in a desperate attempt to get through to me.
But in the end, I couldn't let him. The weight of his actions bore down on me, overshadowing any plea for understanding.
"Lies!" I shouted back, my voice filled with a mixture of anger and sorrow. The wounds he had inflicted were deep, and the scars they left would not easily fade. "As if I'll believe you after—"
"I needed to force the mana out of you!" he blurted, his voice filled with urgency, knowing I couldn't bear to listen to his explanations anymore.
"I wasn't trying to kill you, I just needed you to think that I was going to kill you! I needed to do that so...I'd know how high the barrier is..." his voice trailed off, as if searching for understanding in the face of my disbelief.
In a desperate act to regain my trust, he sank down to one knee, his eyes brimming with intensity and his hand gripping his heart with all his might. His voice trembled with raw emotion as he poured out his feelings.
"Master, we are one!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with a mixture of remorse and passion. "How could I have betrayed the person who breathed life back into this decayed heart?"
I gazed at him, my face devoid of any visible emotion. I could feel the traces of tears leaving a faint redness around my eyes. The weight of silence hung in the air, punctuated only by the lingering sense of remorse that enveloped the room.
He spoke, his voice pleading, though his lips remained still. But it was in his eyes, filled with a soft, sorrowful smile, that I saw the depth of his plea.
With a tender gesture, he extended his hand towards me, his voice gentle as he continued.
"Please," he implored, his words carrying a gentle vulnerability. "Allow me to at least show you what you have accomplished."
I stood there, torn between conflicting emotions. Despite the walls I had built around my heart, a flicker of vulnerability broke through, softening my anger. His gaze, filled with such care and warmth, easily melted my heart and calmed my anger away.
"Haa..." I sighed deeply, subtly admitting defeat.
Taking a hesitant few steps forward, my hand slowly reached out to meet his.
"Fine," I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper.
"This is your last chance Erasmus so you better—!!"
Erasmus's reaction was swift and unexpected. Before I could react or utter a single word, his fingers tightened around my hand, pulling it upwards and pointing my palm towards the ceiling. My heart raced as I tried to comprehend the urgency in his actions.
"Watch closely," he whispered, eager to show me something special.
Confused and curious, I followed his gaze, and what I saw left me stunned. Within the center of my open palm, a swirling vortex of dark energy began to form. It was an unsettling and mysterious sight, unlike anything I had ever seen before.
"Wh...Wha-What is this..." I stammered, my voice trembling with a mix of fear and awe.
My breath caught in my throat as I watched the dark magic dance and swirl in my hand. The eerie glow it emitted cast a strange, otherworldly shine on my skin as seemed to have a life of its own, moving with an uncanny grace and power. It felt both fascinating and unnerving, like I were peering into a mysterious and unfamiliar realm.
Just then, Erasmus's grip tightened, anchoring me into place. "You see..." he said, his voice trembling with both excitement and concern. "This is the power you possess."
His words sent a shiver down my spine, and I couldn't tear my eyes away from the dark energy swirling within my palm. It was both captivating and unsettling, the raw potential of something I had never known before.
And with an eerie tone that sent a chill down my spine, he continued, his voice laced with an unsettling undertone.
"And this isn't even all of it."
As I looked at Erasmus, startled, his hand began to slowly slip away from mine. The swirling magic within my palm gradually faded into nothingness as he did. But as the mesmerizing display dissipated, leaving only the lingering question of what I had just witnessed, a flood of thoughts and emotions washed over me.
But one question loomed above all others,
What in the world does he mean by that?
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To Be Continued.