Chapter 31
But the more he read the flow of her life force nearby, the more devastated his expression became.
It was the same.
It was the same flow as the imprint coursing through his own heart.
In fact, it seemed Lekia’s skill had advanced compared to over a decade ago; it was an exquisitely crafted imprint with almost no gaps.
Ultimately, it meant that Delonas, too, would feel a pain like her heart bursting the moment she defied Lekia’s will, and if she pushed beyond that, her heart would literally rupture and kill her.
So, until he found a way to remove the imprint by searching Lekia’s secret chamber…
Letting her escape would only bring her agony and death.
Ian, exhaling a short breath, stared intently down at the desk.
Below it was Delonas, who would flinch in fear just from making eye contact with him.
He had so much he wanted to say if their eyes met, but it wasn’t time yet.
He didn’t want to cause her any more fear.
Instead, he opened his mouth to ask something crucial.
“Princess.”
He could distinctly feel her flinching movement from below.
“Yes……?”
It was a voice that sounded greatly diminished.
‘How long are you going to stay here? I’m not asking with any special meaning. It’s just… I’d like it if you stayed long.’
It was a voice starkly contrasting the lively one he remembered from their childhood.
I will kill those who stole your smile.
And I, who gave them the holy water, will also go to hell.
So tell me.
“Do you wish to live?”
To do that, I have something to ask.
Removing the imprint will take time.
During that time, she will have to endure miserable days. No matter how much he tried to protect her, there were limits.
The young girl he remembered, the Delonas of rumors, and the woman he actually saw…
She was someone who, even after losing everything, had not lost her pride.
But the only ones here were those intent on whittling away and shattering that very pride.
And Lekia was someone who knew all too well how to drive people to despair, make them give up, and trap them in a living hell.
If she thought that, faced with such a person, she would rather die than lose her pride…
Then I will kill them and die together with you at the same appointed hour.
Tell me.
Do you wish to live?
At his words, the princess remained silent for a long time.
Then, after shifting a little, she began to speak.
***
“Do you wish to live?”
Startled by his words, Delonas nearly grabbed his leg in her shock.
She had been afraid, wondering what he wanted her to do between his legs.
She had been alternating between fear and puzzlement because he hadn’t ordered her to do anything.
In fact, since no one could see, not even the Pope—as he couldn’t see her from his position—she had managed to find a surprisingly spacious spot under the desk. She was sitting somewhat comfortably with her knees drawn up when the question came.
She couldn’t understand the intent behind the abrupt, almost startling question.
Would she have understood his intent if she could see his face?
“…….”
Delonas shook her head.
She was afraid she wouldn’t be able to answer properly.
Even now, her heart was pounding as if it might leap out.
She had heard that those who annoyed him were sometimes thrown alive to crows and wolves.
Giving an answer that would not annoy him at all seemed to be the correct course.
“I wish… to live.”
There had been many moments humiliating enough to make her want to die, but it was absurd that she still wanted to live.
It was because she feared the pain that came before death.
Just then, the Pope pushed his chair back and spoke.
“Come out and tell me.”
“……!”
Suddenly, the light he had been blocking flooded in, and Delonas shielded her eyes.
No matter how comforting it had been to hide in the shadow, stepping into the light was terrifying.
“We don’t have much time to talk.”
The Pope urged her then.
I mustn’t annoy him!
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