Chapter 4

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter Title: Chapter 103

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“You're awake.”

...Rihart.

I bit the inside of my cheek and glared at him.

“What do you plan to do with me now?”

“Feed you.”

He replied in that infuriatingly casual tone as he wheeled in a trolley.

The room filled with the mouthwatering aroma in an instant.

“You used to be the one bringing me meals.”

“Truly awful times.”

“Were they? I'm enjoying this moment just fine.”

Of course you are. You just want to see me suffer through this nightmare.

“Hmm. Just in case you're thinking of refusing to eat out of spite, don't. I'll force it down your throat if I have to...”

“Why would I starve myself?”

I'd actually been planning to throw a tantrum if he didn't feed me.

If it were Arjen locked up instead of me, that arrogant prick would've refused to eat on principle. But not me.

Why skip meals for anyone? I need to eat to keep my strength up if I'm going to escape.

Besides, in most novels, if the captive starves themselves, the captor feels guilty. But Rihart? Not a chance.

Though didn't he just threaten to force-feed me? Nah, probably just talk.

Rihart flashed his signature charming smile.

“Good to hear.”

He set a small table over my bed and arranged the food on top.

I considered nitpicking the side dishes like a picky mother-in-law, but... everything looked too damn good.

It's not like Rihart cooked it himself anyway.

Judging food this perfect would just be rude to the chef.

And so I devoured the meal. Cleaned my plate without leaving a scrap.

“You eat well.”

“...Why are you making it weird?”

Once he confirmed I'd finished, Rihart left the room soon after. He didn't care what I had to say.

I flopped back onto the bed.

Full belly hitting me all at once—my mind grew drowsy. Even though I'd just woken up from sleep.

My eyelids drooped heavy; right before they sealed shut, I snapped myself alert.

I'm imprisoned right now.

This wasn't the time for a nap.

The setup was so luxurious I'd almost forgotten for a second.

No time to waste—I had to escape, fast.

I scanned the room for anything useful for a breakout.

The vase on the shelf looked pricey... Focus, dammit.

Pacing the room, I spotted another door besides the one Rihart had used.

What was this one?

Hoping for an exit, I opened it. Bathroom.

Total letdown.

Wait...

An idea sparked.

Three years ago, on the day he lay dying in the Cursed Land, Rihart lost it.

<Don't you want to live?>

The savior who appeared before his fading life whispered like a demon.

Rihart had lived simply because he was alive.

His life was meant to end in childhood anyway. If not for his 'mother' saving him.

So he existed.

Without feeling a thing.

This raw survival instinct was a first.

That maid with the pink hair, shimmering like a hallucination before his eyes. The sole thought of seeing her again drove him to crawl across that rotten wasteland.

<What must I give?>

Anything would do.

What was there to fear when even his life was slipping away?

The savior smiled, pleased with him.

<Your scent.>

Scent?

<The 'her' scent you've been inhaling. I want to smell her scent too.>

Did the savior know something about Rozhi?

And scent? How the hell do you even give that?

<Just give it to me.>

But the savior acted like it was no big deal.

So he gave it.

The scent that had enchanted him, numbing his mind.

Perhaps when he met that maid again, he'd lose his mind to that scent.

Better to bear the pain of living than repeat that stupidity...

It was pain he'd carried his whole life anyway.

<I'll accept the deal.>

He'd never succumb to that scent again.

So he made the deal willingly...

But as he crossed the Northern Region mountains, a question gnawed at him.

He could no longer sense the scent or pleasure that had bewitched him.

So why was he still drawn to her?

The small warmth in his arms felt so comforting.

As if it were what he'd craved all along.

A faint body scent wafted from the oblivious, sleeping Rozhi.

The natural aroma he hadn't noticed three years ago, drowned out by her overpowering fragrance.

Finally rid of that scent...

And now hooked on her body scent instead?

It felt like he'd be captivated by her essence forever.

Even without that fragrance, the way she nestled in his arms was utterly lovable.

She was the woman who betrayed him.

He hadn't known back then, but now he did.

Rozhi had never planned to run away with him. She'd tricked him to escape alone.

She'd deceived him from start to finish.

Yet...

Her sleeping face, the way she chewed her food—it was all too adorable.

He'd worried she might refuse to eat.

Thank goodness she enjoyed it.

Rihart had cooked occasionally since childhood.

Maybe because his mother savored the meals he made. He kept at a hobby he didn't even like much.

His skills improved over time.

As an adult, trusting no one, he cooked for himself.

Astonishing for someone of his station.

Rihart gazed out the window at the landscape.

A few hours ago, knights had noisily patrolled the area. Searching for Rozhi, no doubt.

He'd brought her to his castle near the Northern Region.

Just the two of them inside.

The thought satisfied him deeply.

Turning from the window, he headed to Rozhi's room.

“Rozhi.”

He assumed she'd be in bed. She wasn't.

The bathroom door stood ajar.

Water rushed with billowing steam.

She's bathing...

His face flushed slightly.

Why leave the door open...

As he turned to leave, a faint metallic tang brushed his nose.

Faint, but his sharp senses caught it—blood.

Rihart rushed into the bathroom.

Inside...

A shattered vase. Rozhi collapsed unconscious in the tub, water stained red.

The assaulting blood scent dizzied him.

His earlier elation plummeted into despair.

He stared blankly at the tub before pulling her out with trembling hands.

She'd changed into the white negligee he'd provided; now it was soaked crimson.

“...Rozhi.”

Where was all this blood from?

He scooped her up hurriedly. Her wrist flopped to the side.

Blood trickled from a gash.

He zoned out staring at it, then carried her to the bed.

“Rozhi, come on, wake up.”

“...”

“Rozhi.”

No response, of course.

Was she dead?

He steadied his shaking hand and pressed his palm to her neck.

Pulse—faint, but there.

Need to treat her, now.

He left the room for the first-aid kit he'd stashed.

Returning in a rush...

“Ha.”

The room was empty.

She'd been neatly laid on the bed.

Water droplets trailed nearby—she'd gotten up.

Every trace of expression vanished from Rihart's face.

“Playing hide-and-seek, are we...?”

He muttered to himself, a chilling smile creeping across his lips.

“You started first, so I get to decide the punishment, right?”

I ran and ran.

Sprinting blindly through the dim corridor, I finally tripped and sprawled flat.

“Huff... huff...”

My stamina was already shot; I gasped for air.

Fucking hurts...

My inner thigh stung worse than my wrist.

Not all that blood in the tub could've come from my wrist alone.

And I'd been careful not to cut too deep there, just in case.

I touched my inner thigh.

The raw pain made me wince; my palm came away drenched in blood.

Stabbing it had produced way more blood than expected.

Limping, I staggered back up.

Had to get away, quick.

Where the hell's the exit?

Did the Northern Region even have a castle this massive?

I wandered forever.

In the dark hall, a bright light gleamed far ahead.

The exit...!

I grinned wide, charging toward it. Freedom at last!

But a dark silhouette stood in the backlight.

“I've been waiting a while.”

The voice was pleasant, but it sent chills down my spine.

My heart pounded wildly.

“You're late, Rozhi.”