Imprinted with the Obsessive Male Lead - Chapter 72

Even as I asked again, a chilling, instinctive premonition crawled over my entire body.

“Who else?”

The one still gripping my wrist tightly spoke.

“It’s me. Chase.”

It was a voice identical to Chase’s, to the point that no sense of dissonance could be felt.

But Chase didn’t speak like that, nor would he drag me around so roughly like this.

I pulled hard, trying to wrench my captured wrist free, and snapped back sharply.

“That’s a lie! You’re not Chase!”

At that moment, a low chuckle escaped the man’s lips.

“Why? I thought I practiced perfectly. Strange.”

The grip on my wrist tightened even more. I struggled, trying to pull my arm free, when the laughter suddenly stopped.

“Don’t move like that.”

His voice changed. It became absurdly soft and gentle. For a moment, it was affectionate enough to be mistaken for how one would speak to a lover.

“It just makes me want to grip you tighter.”

Murmuring those self-indulgent words in a tender tone, he slowly turned his body.

It felt like all the blood in my body ran cold. I stood frozen stiff as I looked at him. The robe slipped off, the mask lowered, and…

His face changed.

Black hair turned silver. Blue eyes turned pale gray. His skin became so pale it’s almost white, and his lips reddened like pomegranate seeds. Smooth skin, perfectly arranged features.

He’s a man with an appearance so beautiful it suited the word “pretty”, like a gentle-faced angel.

“Hello, Nita. I missed you.”

His red lips curved into a bright smile. His appearance is beautiful, yet an indescribable terror washed over my entire body like a wave.

My heart began pounding wildly. Even in this cold, my whole body burned hot as cold sweat streamed down. I didn’t even need to ask to know who he is.

The man I least wanted to face. The one I never wanted to meet as long as I lived.

Michael Raymond.

I thought I would be safe here, so how…?

A chill ran through me. I tried not to tremble, but under Michael’s distinct, chilling presence, my limbs shook uncontrollably. It felt like I might stop breathing at any moment. Forcing down my rising breath, I barely managed to speak.

“L-let go.”

“Why?”

“It hurts. Please let go.”

“…”

Michael pressed his lips together. I avoided his gaze as much as I could. And then…

“Miss Mage! Your Grace!”

The voices of the knights guarding the Grand Duke’s castle came from behind us.

I quickly turned around. The knights, swords drawn, were running toward us.

“What’s going on all of a sudden-”

The knights, who had rushed over in confusion, saw Michael and instantly drew their swords.

“Who are you!?”

“Let go of her!”

Their faces turned pale. They must have thought it was Chase, and from Millie and Kana’s words, assumed that Chase and I had gone out together.

As they rushed toward me with their swords, Michael formed a magic circle in the air. From within it, blades emerged and instantly shot toward the knights. The blades fired in rapid succession, moving swiftly, and in an instant, severed the heads of four knights, sending them flying into the air.

“Ahhhh!”

Amid the falling snow, bright red blood scattered, staining everything crimson. As I squeezed my eyes shut at the horrific sight, Michael grabbed my chin and lifted it.

“You. You knew who I was?”

When I opened my eyes, his pale gray eyes shone with an eerie glint.

“…N-no.”

I shook my head. Staring straight into my trembling eyes, Michael smiled softly. It was a calm expression that didn’t seem like someone who had just committed murder.

“Then why didn’t you ask who I am? Or how I know you? Aren’t you curious?”

“I don’t want to know.”

A faint smile. His smile grew even brighter.

“That’s a lie. How did you know me?”

“I-I don’t! I don’t know! Who are you!? How would I know you!?”

I shook my head, trying to break free from his grip, pushing against his arm. But I couldn’t escape. His merciless hand pressed hard against my jaw.

“No. You do know. How did you know? No. It doesn’t matter. That’s not what’s important.”

The unpleasant touch of his leather glove brushed against my lips. When I tensed my jaw, he let out a small laugh and began to force my lips open.

“Mmph!”

“Nita. You’re a good girl, aren’t you?”

“Mmph!”

“You should listen to me.”

I shook my head violently in refusal, but I couldn’t overcome Michael. Gripping my jaw with his strength, he forced my mouth open and pushed his thumb inside.

The thick, cold, unpleasant sensation of the glove filled my mouth. Smiling as if amused, Michael pressed down on my tongue and pushed his finger in deeper.

“Ghk-! Kh-!”