I stretched in my seat, trying to alleviate the tension that had built up in my muscles from hours of constant work. The substance in front of me bubbled and shimmered under the dim light of my lamp. I had been immersed in this task for days on end, driven by an unyielding determination to achieve the precise result I sought. My days blended into nights as I mixed, measured, and adjusted, the monotony of my routine providing no respite.
Though I took brief interludes for a hurried bath and quick meals, those moments of respite were fleeting, barely enough to rejuvenate my weary body and mind. Every other moment was consumed by the meticulous work that lay before me. The pressure of time and the weight of expectation pressed down on me, propelling me forward with a sense of urgency I could barely keep up with.
Finally, I decided it was time to leave and give myself a much-needed break. My body had reached its limit, having been overworked for almost a week. The slow progress was a stark reminder of my physical and mental exhaustion. I had resisted Gordon's offer, thinking I could handle it on my own. Now, as I prepared to head home, I couldn't help but regret that decision.
I locked the door to my workspace with a resigned click, the sound echoing in the empty room. Each step I took toward the exit was a reminder of how physically drained I was. My bones seemed to protest with every movement, aching as if they might splinter under the strain. The stark, white floor of the corridor stretched out before me, and I walked along it with a heavy heart, the weight of exhaustion pressing down on my every step.
"Good evening," I heard, and I turned my entire body because my neck hurt.
"Good e…" My words stopped in my throat. My weak eyes opened wide, and the little adrenaline left in me started working again. Why is Walsh here?
"Can you be silent…" I didn't hear the rest because someone blocked my nose, and I passed out.
…
I opened my eyes feeling as if an entire building was on me. My body hurt as I tried to move. I looked around and forced myself up.
"You're up?" I heard and turned as fast as my weak body allowed. "Hi, I'm Eris," she said. The only daughter of the Rosen family, one of my nightmares.
I moved away quickly, but it was futile because my hands were chained. She smiled innocently and inched closer.
"If I didn't know better, I'd say you know me," she said. I do, too well. "My brother got impatient," she said, standing up. "Whether it's now or later, we'll get what we want. A platinum ranker, a professor at the academy, the youngest professor ever," she listed with her fingers. "Your status is very high; why are you wasting it on Alden?" she asked.
"If you're with Rosen, you'd be much better," Eris said. That's a lie; if I were with Rosen, I'd have died a long time ago. "What do you think?" Ignoring Eris always annoys her. If I'm too slow to speak, she'd be angrier, but I can't find words. "No matter what you do, whether you put up an attitude," she said, squatting to grab my face. "Or you try to escape, we already have you."
"Eris," Euston called, walking into the room. "Don't make her uncomfortable," he said, turning to look at me with a smile. "I'm Euston. We met before," he said. "I'm sorry for the treatment; we just have to make sure you don't do anything funny," he said politely.
"Eris, since she's awake, take her to her room," he instructed and turned to leave.
How did I end up here again? If I stay any longer, I'd die. They'd hurt me, and I'd die again. What was I fighting for? It's all pointless if I get caught again. Escaping is not an option; they won't give me the chance.
"Get up," Eris said, helping me up. I fell on her and slid down to the floor. She tsked and bent to help me up, but my body just couldn't be moved. "I'll undo your cuffs. Don't try anything funny, or I'll have to explain to my brother why I killed his fiancée." Being called Walsh's fiancée made me feel disgusted to the point of nausea.
Eris approached with a determined look, her delicate fingers working deftly to undo the cuffs. As she moved my hands to the front, preparing to secure them once more, a sudden change in her demeanor caused her to pause. With a thoughtful expression, she adjusted her approach. Instead of re-cuffing my hands, she gently guided them around her shoulders, offering me a semblance of support.
"Come on, let's get you up," she said with a practiced ease, her voice soft yet firm. I hesitated for a moment before allowing her to help me. As I leaned heavily against her, she pulled me up with surprising strength. Each step we took was a struggle, my legs feeling like lead, but I was grateful for the assistance. Her touch was steady, providing a brief respite from my own fatigue.
After a few moments of leaning on her for support, I mustered the energy to stand on my own. I straightened my posture, trying to regain some semblance of composure. Despite my weariness, I took a deep breath and focused on steadying myself, determined not to appear as defeated as I felt.
We walked to a room, and she led me inside. "You'll stay here until everything is ready for your wedding," Eris said, and I felt that feeling of disgust again. "I'll send some maids to help you out of your that dress," she said and walked out.
The mansion is the capital's mansion, so I don't know the layout. But I can't just sit still. I may not have the energy, but having a seizure and dying is much better than staying with the Rosens.
I stood in front of the door and waited for the maids to come. The moment the door opened a bit, I pulled it open and breezed through everyone. I felt so grateful for my petite body at that point.
I ran through the halls, hoping that it was similar to the mansion in the South. I wasn't thinking; it felt like my body was in the air because I couldn't feel my legs.