8. A leash and a lifeline
Evren wasn't going to go that far.
Whoever that count was from that kingdom... he was just something that could be masterfully manipulated.
No human being would devote all his anger and focus to punishing an ant crawling on the ground, right?
But, when Lillian's face was covered in blood—
When he saw her moaning in pain in her weak voice: 'Oh...?'
Something snapped inside his mind.
'That thing' that made blood appear on that face... think about manipulating it to the extreme...
Just thinking about it was so fun.
He was enjoying this moment until a second ago.
But as the rain of pink butterflies fell and he heard Lillian's voice, his anger rose again.
“Your Highness. Please, stop now.”
“…….”
“Your Highness? Have you regained consciousness?”
Efrain looked at Lillian slowly, staring at her without blinking.
They say that 'branding' is the act of giving the other party the wheel of your life.
He was aware of this with his mind and uttered it with his tongue, but he never imagined that this would be the feeling; He had never tested it before.
To this extent..
'You're able to manipulate me...?'
He felt as if his entire being had been mortgaged to this woman.
Once he heard her words, he couldn't do anything at that moment.
His vision tinged red with anger.
Liliane Taillard aroused his curiosity; She is helpful, witty, and her inner feelings differ from her outer facial expressions.
When they held hands in the workshop, the feelings that flowed into him from her were pleasant.
It was an experience worth enjoying for almost a year.
'But to get on top of my head like that?'
Ah, this is not allowed.
Not allowed at all.
An intense desire that he had forgotten awoke within him; The sound of the Fade's ability was heard inciting him.
“You...”
Evren grabbed Lillian's chin and lifted her up.
Her green, gold-tinged eyes widened in amazement.
If he broke the mark now, he would suffer great damage, but if this was the price of the leash, he would have to bear it.
There is no need to complete that year or any other year..
“Your Highness, does your hand not respond to control?”
But at that moment, Lillian surrounded his cheeks with both hands.
“Understood, I will try to control your royal face for a moment.”
“……!”
Evren immediately stiffened in place.
He felt a shock, as if a sweet and sticky essence had been implanted directly into his brain.
It didn't take a second for that feeling to spread from the top of his head to the soles of his feet.
Sadness mixed with sweetness permeated his entire body and made his heart beat violently.
“Oh”
It's funny how a heart beats in "Taranidia that has no hearts."
“…….”
Evren wiped his face with his hand several times, then muttered bitterly: “I’m going crazy.”
“...? You seem to be fine.”
“I will lose my mind”
His lungs were completely filled with those sweet breaths.
At the same time, the anger that had been bubbling toward Lillian just before fell to the bottom.
“No, you’re fine now,” Lillian confirmed firmly.
“How do you know...”
“You've calmed down now, haven't you?”
Efrain doesn't realize it, but Lilian sees that that terrifying cobweb-like pattern has disappeared.
Lilian's face was calm, but Efrain surrounded his right hand with her hand, which was slowly touching his face.
This time, feelings that he knew all too well flowed into him.
“...Are you afraid?”
“Yes, you were a bit scary...”
“You are honest”
He liked that she didn't pretend to be brave.
Efrain examined Lillian with a slightly clear mind; The wound extended from her temple to her eyelid, and drops of blood were collecting there.
Ah, the sight of that blood really bothers him...
“Let us go back first. A priest must be summoned as well.”
“Yes, good idea”
Lillian quickly turned to her companions.
While Evren was walking behind her, he bit the inside of his mouth.
One year of the tag...
'I'm really going crazy'
This tag must be removed as soon as possible.
It seems that this sweetness is much more dangerous than expected.
Evren kicked the insect lying on the ground once as he walked.
* * *
There is one advantage in a world where there are people with abilities; It is a fact that the word “agitation” explains many incidents.
Are you destroying a building? They'll say someone has gone berserk.
Why was the bridge broken? Because of someone's agitation.
So, although the priests of the Temple of Aeterna were terrified by this chaos, they understood it.
This was normal daily life in Vernis.
Vernis, that terrifying empire.
After imprisoning the Count, who lost consciousness from pain, and imprisoning all the servants who had confided in the Count about the princess's location..
Inside her room in the temple, the princess expressed her gratitude to Lillian over and over again.
“Miss Lillian, thank you very much…!”
“There is no need for this, Your Highness.”
“But I survived thanks to you. My ability, and my next life as well.”
It was decided to give the evidence in the photographic stone to the princess.
Although the monster core was a top-class dangerous substance in the empire, the laws in the kingdom were not that strict.
'And since it's already been processed, it's okay.'
The princess felt bitter about the betrayal, but her tone was calm.
“He was someone I trusted for a long time, if it weren’t for you, Miss… I would have already fallen in line with him.”
“…….”
“And really, you're the one who made all those artifacts bearing Iris Tillard's name.”
“Yes, that's true”
Lillian answered quickly, even taking out her sketchbook to show her the rough drafts.
“This is really amazing.... Since you have awakened as a dominatrix, will you do these things in the future?”
"yes i will"
"……!"
The princess's eyes sparkled.
At that moment, Lillian was certain of one thing; It completely blocked the way for the Second Prince and Aerys to use Tenberen's power in the future.
'And if all goes well...!'
This will be of great help to her when she migrates to Tenebren later, right?
While Lillian was dreaming of a happy future..
The princess was peeking behind Lillian with worried eyes.
Her gaze was like someone looking at a living ominous spell.
“The First Prince...what is his relationship with Miss Lillian...?”
Since she had tried to hide without informing the imperial family, it was natural for her to feel confused…
Not to mention that Lillian never introduced it.
'I'm on the same side as the villain.'
She seemed to think that Lady Jean and the shadows were the guardians of the Taillard family.
The villain replied coldly: “We are getting engaged.”
“……!”
The signs of confusion disappeared from the princess's face immediately, and were replaced by a look of seriousness worthy of royalty.
“Then, can I consider this an alliance between the Taranidia Imperial Family and the Taillard Family?”
What about Pavel then?
“Okay, think whatever you want. The important thing is that you remember who saved you.”
Meaning: “We are the ones who helped you, so if you join Pavel’s side, we will not leave you alone.”
“…The memory of the Tenberen Royal Family is nothing to be ashamed of. We never forget a favor do us.”
Meaning: “There is no need to worry about this absurd matter.”
“Since this party has overlooked the kingdom’s mistake, we hope you will keep the matter secret well.”
“Agreed”
Meaning: “We will adhere to the principle of give and take.”
Lillian nodded contentedly upon hearing this conversation.
For those with capabilities, this was a civilized dialogue par excellence.
I am very satisfied.
'With this, I placed the chess pieces before the beginning of the original novel.'
But, as Lillian nodded contentedly, a shadow fell over her.
Before she could react, she felt her body rising into the air.
“See you then.”
“……!”
“Since my ‘lifeline’ has been injured, we must stay alone for a while.”
Thus, Lillian said goodbye to the princess while she was being carried in the hands of the villain as if she were a parcel or luggage.