ISFU 06

Chapter 6

It rained for three whole days. During that time, Mia became noticeably thinner. What troubled her was not the fear of failing to escape, nor the long wait.

“Mister, today is the day I said I would escape. Won’t you at least wish me good luck?”

Mia was pressed against the wall, trying to persuade the prisoner next door, whose face she couldn’t even see. For three days, he had strongly tried to stop her escape.

“That plan of using the rain is nonsense. It will most likely fail! Think again.”

“Mister…”

“If not today, then wait a few more days. Just a few more days… please…”

“I told you. The rain will stop tomorrow morning. Today is the only chance.”

“How would you know that? Are you really a witch?”

Mia quietly looked at the water and soup bowls the guard had left earlier. Unlike usual, the soup bowl was still full. The prisoner next door hadn’t asked to share food today.

“It’s hard to explain, but I’m sure the rain will stop tomorrow morning. I’ll escape and come back with a way to save you.”

“It’s useless. You’ll be shot by arrows before you even leave the garden!”

His words were exhausting before she even tried. Mia rubbed her face with both hands. His harsh voice continued.

“If you try to escape and get caught, it won’t matter even if you survive. The Grand Duke’s interrogation room will be waiting. You’ll end up like me—never able to walk again.”

Sobs could be heard from beyond the wall. Mia sighed. She had no more time to waste. She touched the wall near the window with her fingertips. After days of heavy rain, the wall was completely soaked. Her fingers moved along the damp surface and stopped near the iron bars of the window.

“It worked… just like I thought.”

The tower was made of solid stone with no gaps, but the area around the window was different. The frame was fixed with dried clay. And now, after days of heavy rain…

“Here goes.”

She poured water around it and scraped away the softened clay for a long time.

Clank.

With a satisfying sound, the iron-barred window frame finally came loose. Mia quickly took off her muddy dress, leaving only her petticoat. Without hesitation, she tore the dress into pieces. Twisting the torn fabric together, she made a rope.

After lowering it outside, her face fell.

“It’s too short…”

After biting her lip for a moment, she made up her mind and removed her petticoat as well. Even though no one was watching, she felt embarrassed. But she had no choice. The thick petticoat made a perfect rope.

“Alright, done.”

Mia tied one end of the rope tightly to the iron bars at the entrance of the cell. She tied the other end around her bare waist. She took off her shoes, tied them together with leftover cloth, and hung them around her neck. After one last glance toward the next cell, she stepped onto the wall.

“I never thought my first time climbing would be escaping from prison.”

Taking a deep breath, Mia carefully grabbed the rope and began to climb down the tower.

At that same time, in Assad’s office on the second floor, preparations were quietly being made to receive guests. The room was dim, but the fireplace lit since daytime made it warm. Wearing a light shirt, Assad sat behind his desk with his legs crossed, waiting.

Soon, two men soaked from the rain entered, wearing robes and dripping water.

“You finally arrived.”

Assad stood up and hugged the bearded middle-aged man standing next to Shuri. The man laughed warmly.

“Your Grace, you haven’t changed.”

“You’ve worked hard coming here, Tyven.”

“It’s nothing. I’m always worried this one isn’t serving you properly.”

Tyven playfully messed up Shuri’s wet hair. Shuri complained.

“Father! Not in front of His Grace.”

Assad laughed out loud. This father and son had a way of making people feel comfortable. He turned and personally took out a bottle and glasses.

“Let’s drink to your safe arrival. At least the capital’s wine should suit your taste.”

“No matter what, it can’t beat the apple wine from Ulliel territory.”

Tyven pulled out a large bottle of apple wine.

“The head maid made it herself and told me to deliver it to you.”

“She must already be busy managing the estate…”

“If you say that, she told me to tell you there’s nothing more important than making sure you eat and drink well.”

“She’s impossible.”

Assad shook his head with a faint smile. Shuri excitedly opened the bottle, and a sweet apple scent filled the room.

After drinking, the three men gathered around a large wooden table. A map was spread out. Assad picked up a dagger.

“In case of action, the first targets in the capital will be the Masabiel mansion and the nearby armory.”

He stabbed the dagger into the map. Tyven felt emotional.

“When did he grow up so much… Every time we do this, he truly looks like a ruler.”

“Tyven.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

“How prepared are the territorial troops?”

“As soon as you give the order, they can march toward the capital. We have enough supplies for at least two months.”

“Good. When the signal is given, the elite cavalry will infiltrate the imperial palace and kill the Crown Prince. Meanwhile, the main army will take control of Masabiel mansion and the armory, then surround the area…”

As they spoke passionately about rebellion, Assad suddenly noticed something white moving in the darkness outside the window.

“A spy!”

Without hesitation, he threw the dagger.

The wet stone wall was much more slippery than Mia expected. She used all her strength to keep her balance. Sharp edges of stone had already cut her feet in several places.

“I’m almost there… just a little more.”

Encouraging herself in the pouring rain, she reached the window of the second-floor office where a faint light was glowing.

“…orders… move toward the capital… kill the Crown Prince…”

“What?!”

Mia froze, gripping the rope tightly. The broken conversation clearly sounded like a plan for rebellion.

“Why did I have to hear this…!”

The real Assad was far more dangerous than in the original story. If he found out she overheard this…

At that moment, a scream came from the tower.

“The prisoner has escaped!”

Mia flinched. Her foot slipped, leaving a long red mark on the wall. Before she could regain balance, the flying dagger from inside the office cut through the rope.

She hung in the air helplessly.

Torches lit up everywhere. Guards shouted and ran toward her. Holding the shaking rope with both hands, she struggled to stay steady.

“What do I do? Should I jump?”

Her heart pounded loudly. The ground below was far. Then she heard a terrifying sound.

Rip.

She looked up. The rope, half cut by the dagger, was slowly tearing apart.

When only a thin strand remained, Mia gave up.

“Is this… the end?”

She looked once more at the outside world she would never see again.

Will I return to reality if I die?

No… I don’t want that. I don’t want to live with that horrible scar on my face again.

A next life? I don’t want that either.

I just want to rest.

Mia let go.

But instead of the ground, she fell into the strong arms of Assad Ulliel—as if he had been waiting for her.

“Jumping from a tower naked… disgusting. Are you a pervert?”

The area was noisy with footsteps and barking dogs. His cold voice reached her ears. Despite his harsh words, his warm body held her gently.

“You would’ve been released in a few days anyway, but you made things worse for yourself.”

At another man’s voice, Mia slowly opened her eyes—and froze in shock.

The face of the Grand Duke she feared, Assad Ulliel, was right in front of her. His black eyes were as calm and beautiful as the first time she saw him.

Mia couldn’t even move, like a deer in front of a predator. She only came back to her senses when Shuri’s face appeared beside him.

“Hey! How long are you going to stay in His Grace’s arms? Get up!”

Mia stood up on her trembling legs. She was wearing nothing but her underclothes, and her thin shoulders shook.

Some guards stared at her body, swallowing nervously. Seeing this, Shuri glanced at Assad.

“Damn… we might all get punished today.”

Assad was always strict about such things. If his soldiers behaved improperly toward women, he would punish them severely. As expected, his eyes narrowed at the sight.

“Sigh…”

With an annoyed sigh, Assad unbuttoned his shirt and took it off, revealing his strong body. Rain poured down on his bare shoulders. He tossed the shirt to Mia and turned away toward the mansion.

“Bring her to the interrogation room.”