"You're up?" asked a man who stood up and went to pour a glass of water.
Adriana gazes up at the platinum blonde who walks to her side. He placed his hand on her shoulder as he helped her sit up.
"Drink some water. I'm sure you're thirsty after that," Astell handed her a cup of water which she took and stared at the water. "It's not poisoned. How will you find poison in this prison?"
Adriana chugged the water, and her throat felt a lot better. The sound of the chain being dragged on the floor bothered Adriana. She looked down to see the broken chain.
Astell looked at his ankles, then at Adriana, and said, "You were too far. So I broke it with force." Adriana nodded her head and understood Astell's intention.
This was the second time Adriana had collapsed in front of him. At this point, Astell began hypothesizing the possible problems that made Adriana like that. Since it was not normal.
It wasn't normal to cough out black blood, but it did make sense to him at one point. As he thought about it deeper. Then Astell realized it had something to do with black magic.
Ever since he heard of the first daughter from the Belladonna family. The words black magic interested him. The poison beauty of the Arabella and the villainess.
But Adriana, to him, did not look like a villainess. He couldn't describe what it was. There is just something that he can't hate about her.
"You should stop calling your companions for now," suggested Astell. At the same time, Adriana pretended to ignore him as she got out of bed.
Her legs wobbled, feeling a bit light-headed. But Astell caught her before she could fall. "And I suggest you stay in bed."
"I don't need to. I'm better now," Adriana pushed his hand away and stood still. She looked at the amount of blood she had spilled. It looked unpleasing that her stomach churned.
"I don't agree with that," Astell grabbed her wrist, which she struggled against. "You're better for now, but it'll only worsen later."
"And what does it have to do with you?" calmly asked Adriana as one of her brows raised.
"Nothing. But you're still a human who needs to know self-control."
"Astell Skydane, how dare you tell me that?" Adriana glared at him, but he stood unfazed.
"Just because you're a Belladonna mean, I can't tell you what is wrong or right," Astell pulled Adriana with great force, which surprised her.
Their bodies collided, and when she raised her head up, their faces were a few inches away. His aquamarine eyes expressed concern yet firm.
Astell did not realize how close they were as he only thought about her health. While Adriana had to hold in her breath, feeling her heart beating fast out of nowhere.
This is not good for Adriana. She used her last resort, which was her white heels. She stomped on his foot which made him yelp and release her.
"You do know that was rude of you?" queried Adriana, and Astell's ears grew red. She slightly smiled but was not visible for others to see.
"D-don't change the topic. I suggest you stop, or you'll end up killing yourself," stuttered Astell, who turned his back.
Killing yourself. Those two words made Adriana want to laugh. Her new life had just begun. What does he mean by death?
"Don't worry about that. I don't plan on dying until I achieve everything I want."
Astell turned his back and saw Adriana staring down at her bare hands. This reminded him of the scars on her hands.
"Those scars, when did you get them, and is that why you wear those white gloves all the time?" unconsciously asked Astell, who covered his mouth after. He called himself stupid for asking something too personal.
"I wear gloves just in case I hurt myself by accident," explained Adriana, sitting back down on the bed.
"Hurt yourself? You…"
"I don't mean by that," cleared Adriana knowing what Astell was thinking. This should be enough for him to understand.
Still, this didn't give Astell a clear answer to the scars on her hands. But those can wait.
Adriana saw the chains deciding if he should be chained or not. Best if he were to be chained just in case Ebony comes in.
"I'll have to bring new ones," muttered Adriana.
"Even if you don't bring new chains. I can guarantee you I won't escape."
"How can I trust you?" Adriana asked Astell, who proudly stood.
"Then don't. It's your choice, to begin with," Astell averted his eyes away.
"Then I won't chain you," Adriana kneeled down and unlocked the magic chains using a key.
Having to spend time with this man. Adriana was sure that Astell would not do things recklessly. But there are some rules to be set.
"You can feel people's mana, right?" Adriana stood back up and destroyed the key in her plans. The key turned into ashes, and watched it turn into dust.
"I just warned you earlier not to use your magic," sneered Astell while Adriana raised her shoulder, saying it was an accident.
"Can't help it. Anyway, if you don't detect my mana if I'm by the door. That means it's not me. And you'll need to wear the chains back," explained Adriana while Astell was about to ask Adriana shut him, "Don't ask why. If Madam Ebony sees you unchained. What do you think she'll do to me?"
"Right."
"As for your escape. Just wait a few more days. There will be a day when most of the guards are off duty. And so will the other members be out," continued Adriana, whose clothing changed, but it was just an illusion made by Faris.
"You… don't listen, do you?" sighed Astell, who could see through the illusion which impressed Adriana.
"You can see it? Well, to be hair. I've grown weaker," acknowledged Adriana, who walked to the door. "If others see my dress stained in blood. What would they think? I didn't bring any extra clothes for you. I'll bring one tomorrow along with the plan. For now, goodbye."
Astell watched the door shut and lock. The room once again was back to silent. He looked around the messy cell and wondered if there was a way to exhaust the smell of blood.
Then out of nowhere, the stained blood on the ground slowly dispersed into thin air. Astell saw a mask-like demon appear who gazed at him for five seconds before disappearing.
"You don't learn, do you?" Astell shook his head. "I told you not to use your magic, yet there you are cleaning your own blood. How uncanny."