Chapter 5

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter Title: Hide and Seek

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"I figured you'd show up soon, but you kept me waiting quite a while."

I spotted Rihart standing right in front of the exit and instinctively stepped back.

The way out was right there in front of me.

But this man was blocking my path.

"I knew you'd come this way, of course."

...While I was wandering around lost, this guy hadn't bothered searching for me. He'd just leisurely waited here instead.

All my efforts up to now felt utterly pointless.

"I was dying to see you, and I figured a smart girl like you must've run off thinking you'd reward me for it."

"......"

Rihart moved forward as if he had no intention of waiting any longer.

He strode right toward me.

"I wonder how you'll make it up to me..."

I backed away to dodge him, and Rihart gave a sly grin at the sight.

He tilted his head back slightly as he looked at me.

"If you ask how much you owe me this time, I might actually be pretty disappointed."

"...You're insane."

"I've waited so long. How about a little kiss as a reward?"

Rihart's gaze drifted to my lips.

But his words didn't quite register with me.

He clearly had no plans to let my escape slide.

"Are you going to hit me or something?"

Rihart furrowed his brow.

"Why would I ever hit you?"

"Because I upset you."

"Why would I be upset? We were just playing a game."

"...A game?"

"Didn't we agree to play hide and seek?"

Hide and seek?

So my desperate flight for freedom was just a game to him?

How the hell was I supposed to escape this guy?

"Why do you keep backing away? Rozhi, you've been caught. I win."

His piercing blue eyes fixed on my legs.

It was a sharp, predatory stare, like he might snap my tendons right then and there.

Desperate to escape that gaze, I tried to move my legs faster—but they tangled, and I tumbled to the ground.

"Ugh..."

My butt hurt from the fall, and I winced as Rihart's eyes dropped lower.

My skirt had hiked up to my thighs in the tumble.

Rihart stared at the blood trickling down my leg, then approached with long strides and knelt down on one knee in front of me.

He grabbed my wrist and inspected the wound.

"...No way a cut like this could bleed that much."

He muttered to himself, then seized my leg.

I shoved at him in surprise, but he spotted the gash on my thigh.

"Ah."

He let out a breath like the pieces had just clicked, then flashed that sly smile again.

Once his smile faded, all expression vanished from Rihart's face.

That emotionless mask terrified me.

"It won't be easy to fool me like this."

"......"

"I'm pretty pissed right now."

Because I'd tricked him?

"If you pull something like this just one more time, I won't let it go."

"...And what if you don't? What will you do?"

"You've worked as the Seyblin Baroness's aide for a long time, haven't you?"

No way...

The moment Rihart mentioned Michel, I grabbed him without thinking.

His clothes crumpled in my desperate grip, mirroring my panic.

Rihart glanced at my hand and smiled knowingly.

"So that's your weak spot."

He sounded like he'd just discovered something new.

Damn it. I let my guard down and showed it on my face.

"Do whatever you want. She's not one of us anyway."

Of course, I cared about Michel deeply—but if this guy knew she was my weakness, who knew what he'd do to her.

"As long as I'm safe, that's all that matters. Sure, we got along great, but if she died, I'd just be a little sad, that's it."

"So you're throwing Michel away? Just like you tried to throw me away?"

Why bring that up now?

You hellspawn.

"Then it won't matter if I kill her, right?"

...You bastard.

I couldn't let him see me rattled here.

I had to say it didn't matter. But the words wouldn't come.

What if he actually killed her?

"Why no answer, Rozhi?"

...You bastard.

I bit my lip instead.

In the end, I had no choice but to grab his collar tight.

Rihart's eyes widened, and I pressed my lips to his, then pulled away.

He looked stunned, like he'd never expected me to do that.

"You said you wanted a reward."

I played it cool, like nothing had happened.

Better to change the subject.

"I thought you were a cat, but you're a fox."

Rihart gripped my shoulders firmly.

"That was so sudden, I barely felt it. Do it again."

"Fine."

I kissed him once more.

This time, unlike before, it was deep and sticky, thick with intensity.

'How long is he going to keep this up?'

I was gasping for breath, begging him to stop, but he wouldn't let up until my lips were swollen.

He went at it like a kid tasting candy for the first time, completely unrestrained.

I felt like a loach.

Rihart wasn't faring much better.

His naturally red lips were now blood-red and puffy like mine.

Guess even a Transcendent's lips weren't made of steel.

"Now give me your hand."

After wrapping a bandage around my injured thigh, Rihart started on my wrist.

Unlike his flushed face moments ago, he was ice-cold now.

"Don't ever pull something like this again."

"It hurt more than I expected, so I won't."

Even though I'd given him the answer he wanted, he still looked unsatisfied.

'What should I try next time?'

The same trick wouldn't work twice, so I'd have to think of something new.

'His complexion looks a bit off, though...'

Hadn't he taken his medicine yet?

Ah, perfect idea.

"Want to sleep together tonight?"

He paused mid-bandage and looked at me.

Rihart's face flushed deep red.

"If you want to, I'm game, but isn't it a bit early for that...?"

"Don't 'early' me. What the hell are you even imagining?"

I could practically see the dirty thoughts swirling in his head.

"I didn't see anyone else in this castle earlier."

"......"

"What if a ghost shows up while I'm sleeping alone in a place like this? I'm scared."

"......"

"You dragged me all the way here. Take responsibility."

He nodded silently, unfazed by my shameless demand.

Time passed, and night fell.

I stuck to Rihart the whole time, refusing to let him out of my sight.

"<Can I step out for a bit? I need to change clothes.>"

"<I'll look away, so change here.>"

"<......>"

"<What if a ghost comes while you're gone?>"

Rihart looked baffled for a moment but nodded readily.

'I absolutely can't let him take his medicine.'

Harsh as it was, this was my only shot at escape.

I couldn't stay trapped in some indefinite punishment, no matter what mistakes I'd made before.

Unaware of my scheming—or perhaps not—Rihart grinned teasingly.

"<Scared of ghosts, huh?>"

"<......>"

Something about him was seriously pissing me off.

Night finally arrived, and Rihart and I lay down in bed.

He fidgeted, slipping a hand toward me. I slapped it away sharply.

"You said we'd sleep together."

"Right. So sleep."

Rihart let out a disappointed groan.

I just wanted to sleep. How did he twist that?

'Pervert?'

Why was Rihart being so nice to me anyway?

I'd been suspicious ever since he started complying with my every whim, no matter how unreasonable.

He'd brought me here for revenge, but he was acting like a hotel manager pampering a VIP guest.

I couldn't understand why he was trying so hard to please me.

It almost seemed like how you'd treat someone you liked.

'No. If he liked me, he wouldn't have locked me up like this.'

Not when courting someone would involve catering to their every desire.

He was just a lunatic.

Truthfully, Rihart's feelings didn't matter to me one bit.

I wasn't interested anyway—my only goal was escape.

I lay in bed, waiting for time to pass. Whenever sleep tugged at me, I forced my eyes open.

After a long while, faint breathing came from beside me.

"Rihart."

I whispered his name cautiously.

"Are you asleep?"

No response.

He was out cold.

'The novel described him as having insomnia...'

What happened to that? Falling asleep this easily?

What if I jammed a knife in his throat?

The guy had zero survival instincts.

I sat up quietly and waved my hand in front of his face a few times.

Good—he didn't stir.

Now to find the medicine.

According to the novel, Rihart kept his Mana Suppressant close to his body, not stashed far away.

So he could take it the moment the pain hit.

Last time I saw it, it was about the size of my thumb—easy to carry, hard to spot.

I carefully patted down the sleeping Rihart's body.

I had to be gentle, or I'd wake him.

'Not here.'

His pants pockets then?

I slid my hand toward his hip.

Something hard bumped my fingers on his thigh. Ah, there it was.

I eased the vial out of his pocket oh-so-carefully.

As I checked Rihart again, our eyes met.

"......"

"......"

He stared at me silently.

Had I been caught? Was this another failure?

I froze solid, unable to move.

In the tense silence, Rihart spoke something bizarre.

"I get it."

Get what?

"Everyone has their kinks, after all."

"...What kink?"

"I didn't peg you for the type to jump sleeping guys, but I understand."

What the hell was this idiot babbling about?

"Still, maybe try it when I'm awake next time?"

Rihart sat up and boldly started unbuttoning his shirt.

What are you doing right now?