Chapter 100
The documents contained everything about Lucas—so much so that even the people connected to him were thoroughly listed.
Pudelli…
A merchant who had never been competent to begin with. He once bragged that his daughter’s fiancé would soon become an earl, but now he was ostracized from both the high society of the Dominion and the merchant circle alike. With countless unpaid debts and even lawsuits filed against him, how had such a man managed to purchase a mansion?
And not just anywhere—in Seichel, deep in the southern Stravine region.
Quite recently, too.
Seichel was nothing but endless forest. Not a resort, not a place for trade, nor an area that could be turned into profit.
From Seichel to the harbor… It would take two hours at most.
The southern harbor was always crowded—with fishermen, small trade ships, and tourists taking boats out to sea. The perfect place for someone to slip away unnoticed.
Having made up his mind, Claudio rose from his seat without hesitation.
***
The metallic stench wouldn’t fade from Marsha’s nose.
“…Marsha.”
Someone kept calling her name.
She wanted to tell them not to. Leave me alone. I’m exhausted enough as it is. My head’s spinning, and my stomach feels like it’s turning inside out.
“…Are you thirsty? Just a little more…”
Suddenly, liquid was forced into her mouth. The sensation jolted her back to the moment when Petric had shoved something between her lips. Her whole body shuddered in disgust. No. Don’t. Stop it!
But the liquid flowed down her throat regardless. After a moment, her stomach churned as a bitter medicinal smell filled her nose.
“Ugh!”
Marsha twisted her head away, gagging violently. Someone’s large hand rubbed her back as she retched.
She focused on that touch. Who is this? What’s happening? Was the kidnapping just a nightmare? A horrible dream—and Claudio’s the one comforting me again?
No.
Claudio’s hands were larger. Firmer. Gentler.
She weakly pushed the hand away and turned her head, her tear-filled eyes glinting sharply.
“Marsha. Are you awake?”
In the dim bluish light, brown hair shimmered.
“Lucas…?”
“Yes. It’s me.”
He smiled in relief.
“I was so worried. You wouldn’t wake up for so long… What on earth did that bastard do to you?”
For a moment, his face twisted with a flash of fury.
That bastard…
Marsha remembered Petric’s crazed face as he forced the drug down her throat—his hateful words about Lucas. So it wasn’t a dream after all.
How long has it been? Where am I?
Her pounding head only grew more confused. As sweat trickled down her temples, Lucas’s eyes softened with pity.
“You’ve suffered enough,” he murmured. “But it’s all right now. Nothing will hurt you again.”
Nausea rose again in her throat. She wanted to scream at him—to hurl every word she’d been holding back. I know everything. The man who kidnapped me told me. You killed my father—for me! What kind of monster does that?
No. Not now.
She swallowed it down. Picking a fight when she didn’t even understand her situation would be suicide.
First, I need to figure out where I am.
“Where is this place?” she asked quietly.
“…Why do you want to know?” he said after a pause, eyes sliding away. “You think if you know, you can run?”
“I just want to understand where I am. Surely I’m allowed to ask that much.”
“Marsha, you don’t need to be afraid. I’d never hurt you.”
Afraid? Her jaw trembled despite herself.
“You just need to stay calm,” he said softly.
“How can I, when I don’t even know what’s happening?”
“…We’re leaving here soon.”
“Leaving? Back to the Dominion?”
“No.”
He shook his head.
“To start over somewhere new—where no one knows us.”
“…What are you saying? Another… country?”
“Yes. We’ll take a ship. Far away.”
Her blood ran cold. It was already impossible to escape now—but once aboard a ship, it would be over.
“Remember? You once said when you married, you wanted to plant a crape myrtle tree—like the countess. We can do that. Not at the Emelide estate, maybe, but wherever we go, we’ll plant one together.”
His eyes gleamed, dreamy and tender, as if he were reading a fairytale ending.
“There’s nothing to fear. I’ll make sure you live comfortably—like always. I promise.”
Marsha’s heart hammered in panic. She wanted to shout Stop your delusions! I’ll never go with you! But instead she rasped, “My throat… hurts.”
“Ah, of course. You were sick just now.”
He turned toward the small table. The surface was damp, a cup overturned. Lucas sighed. “I’ll get you something fresh. Wait here, all right?”
He left quickly.
Marsha sat still, listening to his retreating footsteps. When they finally faded, she struggled to her feet.
Ugh…
Her limbs felt like wet sandbags. Every joint ached, her senses dull.
The drug’s still in my system.
At this rate, she couldn’t even walk properly, let alone run. But staying put wasn’t an option either.
She staggered to the wall of windows. The short distance felt like a trek through the woods to Sedem Market.
Finally, she reached the glass and squinted.
Damn it.
Rain streaked across the pane, blurring her view. Still, she could make out enough—the second floor, surrounded by tall trees. The rain had stopped; only the damp air remained.
Is anyone else in this house?
No. If there were, Lucas wouldn’t have gone himself to fetch water.
Escaping now would be impossible…
Her body was useless, the surroundings worse. Maybe it would be better to wait until they reached the harbor. There’d be people there—and maybe she’d have regained some strength.
“Was asking for water just an excuse?”
Lucas’s voice froze her in place. She turned slowly.
He stood in the doorway, smiling faintly in the dark, a glass in hand.
“You see now, don’t you? There’s nowhere to run.”
He stepped closer, unhurried.
“Still, I’m impressed. You actually made it all the way there. You shouldn’t even be standing.”
“It’s… hard,” she hissed. “I can barely stay on my feet.”
“You don’t need to pretend,” he said quietly. “I know what you’re trying to do.”
“Pretend? You’d understand if you were the one in my place.”
He chuckled. “You’ve gotten sharp-tongued, Marsha. I can’t say I dislike it.”
Then, softly: “I love everything about you.”
He reached out, cupping her face.
“What are you doing?”
She stumbled back until her spine hit the cold glass.
“Marsha. I know what you’re thinking—that you’ll escape at the harbor.”
“….”
“To be honest,” he said, voice lowering, “this isn’t how I planned it.”
If things had gone as intended, Marsha would have woken during their journey. He would’ve rested at this mansion, given her a light sedative, then taken her to the port while she slept.
But Petric had overdosed her. For hours, she’d lain motionless, pale as death. Lucas had been forced to move faster than he wanted. And then—the storm hit, drenching the roads until no carriage could pass.
So he’d brought her here, waiting out the weather. And just as misfortune would have it—she’d woken.
“After what that man did, I can’t risk giving you more drugs,” he murmured. “It could kill you.”
Marsha’s lips trembled.
“I can’t knock you out, but it doesn’t matter,” he continued, eyes gleaming. “Even if you resist, taking you out of this cursed country will be no challenge. A little trouble, that’s all.”
And truthfully, he didn’t mind. Having her conscious, weak, and alone with him—it was almost perfect.
“Marsha…”
His face flushed as he caressed her lips.
“Don’t—don’t touch me!”
She turned her head, horrified.
He ignored her completely, forcing her chin back toward him.
“Stop fighting it. You know there’s no escape.”
His face drew closer, inch by inch. She struggled, but the lingering numbness made her helpless.
No…!
Claudio’s face flashed before her eyes. The only man she would ever allow close to her. The only one she wanted to touch. She would rather cut off her own lips than let this murderer steal them.
“Stop—please!” she cried hoarsely.
And then—
Bang!
The door burst open.
“Well, look at this mess,” a furious voice snapped. “I knew it would come to this!”
Rosanna stood in the doorway, teeth clenched, eyes blazing.
UNLOCK VERY SOON PLEASE!~