CHAPTER 62…………………………………………..
Sierra, left alone, searched every corner of the cabin.
But she could find no way out.
The door wouldn’t budge, and not even the windows could be opened.
Adrian would often come by, eat, drink tea, and chat in a friendly manner.
It was infuriating how he acted so nonchalantly despite having her trapped.
“What on earth is he trying to do…?”
She wanted to see Ashur.
Outside, everything was pitch black, and she couldn’t even tell how much time had passed.
Had the meeting ended safely? What conclusion had they reached?
Was he looking for me? Ashur would want to see me too, right?
Her thoughts grew complicated, but there wasn’t much she could do.
She killed time by reading the newspapers inside the cabin.
Seeing her pick up a newspaper, Adrian, in his usual generous manner, had left her recent issues.
“So fake…”
Just then, at perfect timing, the door opened, and he came in.
“Is that about me?”
“…Who else would it be.”
He grinned with his elegant face, and it was infuriating.
“How long are you planning to keep me locked up?”
“Hmmm, until you cooperate?”
“…How?”
“Show me how to modify the magic circle. You’re such a genius that no one else can figure it out. They say you can’t even go home—don’t you feel sorry for them?”
Adrian tilted his head with a pitiful expression, knitting his brows.
‘How can someone be so hypocritical in every little thing?’
It had already been reported several times in the newspapers.
The Altareon Kingdom was preparing for war successfully and would modify magic circles to create a mighty army.
“And your fiancé has been desperately looking for you, too. Haha, doesn’t he know he’s being played by a barbarian like you!”
Adrian covered his face to laugh, then quickly transformed it into Ashur’s face and leaned closer.
Sierra frowned and stepped back behind the sofa.
It was a lie. He hadn’t even looked for her for years.
He just needed her abilities.
“Don’t be annoying.”
Seeing his face change so easily, one thing was clear—Adrian was a formidable dark mage.
He acted friendly now, but that made acting recklessly even harder.
Adrian, still wearing Ashur’s face, laughed and leaned comfortably next to Sierra.
“What’s so great about this barbarian anyway? Well, he’s handsome. Not as much as me, though.”
“That’s ridiculous.”
So arrogant. Comparing himself to Ashur?
‘Well, he doesn’t exactly look unconfident. But how can I know if even this face is a disguise?’
But there was no benefit in provoking him.
After a reflexive answer, she swallowed a sigh to suppress her hostility.
Today, Adrian seemed unusually intent on having a long conversation.
Usually, he’d tease briefly and leave.
Sitting so close was annoying, but it was also an opportunity to extract information.
“So, it’s obvious you’re a powerful dark mage. But why do you need my help?”
Fortunately, her question seemed to pique his interest. He leaned back against the chair and gazed at her intently.
“Well, I can’t openly use my dark magic, can I? It wouldn’t matter if the war threw the world into chaos, but…”
“…That’s the only reason? You could pretend it’s not dark magic, right?”
“Well, if I openly intervene, it would disrupt the princess’s plan.”
“…Which princess?”
There was only one princess in the Altareon Kingdom.
But she was still a child who couldn’t even speak properly, so she couldn’t be the mastermind.
Then, who was this “princess” he referred to?
“Hmmm, even if I told you, you wouldn’t understand. But you’ll see when you get out. You can look forward to it.”
It was unexpected. Sierra naturally assumed it was someone from the royal family.
If she didn’t know, it seemed it wasn’t a noble.
“Does Derek… know about this?”
“Ah. Frederick? Duke Estevan?”
She had read in the papers that Derek had become a duke, but hearing the title attached to his name felt strange.
Adrian twirled the ends of her long hair as he spoke.
“He’s doing well. By now, he must be going crazy not finding you, Sierra. He has no idea I found you first. Haha. Pathetic.”
Derek wouldn’t act like that.
Adrian seemed to openly dislike him.
“You know Derek well?”
“Of course. How could I not?”
But he didn’t give away any important information.
And she didn’t particularly want it.
She was only talking to see if she could get even the slightest clue.
“Stop touching me.”
“Why, is it worn out?”
“Yes.”
“Eh, so cold. I miss when we first met with this face.”
“Hah…”
Adrian was shameless beyond belief.
“Hmm, too bad, but I should go now. Take care, cute lady.”
“Ugh.”
She couldn’t push him away as he kissed her hair while wearing Ashur’s face.
No matter how she tried to shake him off, he was far too strong.
He never did anything worse, which was the only consolation.
Creak—thud.
Watching the door close left her feeling helpless.
“How many days has it been…? What’s happening outside…?”
Faces of those who would worry about her came to mind.
“I can’t just sit here.”
There had to be some way.
Even a tiny gap would have to be exploited to escape.
Ashur could only return to Eshkal Village after a full week.
As soon as he arrived, he went to Sierra’s cabin.
Knock, knock—
But there was no response.
‘Where did she go?’
A chilling premonition made his heart race.
He remembered Sierra trapped by a curse before.
But all the guardian trees were fine, and there was no curse left in the sanctuary, so she must not have been in danger.
Just then, Rohita passed through the square.
“[Rohita, have you seen Sierra?]”
“[Oh, Ashur. You’re here? She seems really busy lately. Doesn’t even reply properly, keeps going back and forth.]”
“[Really? No word on what she’s doing?]”
“[Maybe some new research. She’s probably in the forest behind the village right now.]”
“[Forest?]”
With just that clue, finding her seemed difficult.
Still, Rohita’s casual tone was somewhat reassuring.
Ashur decided to finish his current tasks and return later.
It wasn’t until late at night that he could visit Sierra again.
Knock, knock—
“Who… Ah.”
A familiar face.
“Sierra.”
Her pupils shook violently.
Was his sudden appearance so unexpected?
Still, she soon smiled brightly.
“Did the meeting go well?”
“Yes. Were you busy? I arrived during the day, but didn’t see you.”
“I had some work.”
Even though it had been a long time since they met, Sierra stood quietly, and he felt slightly disappointed.
It was late, so they couldn’t go out, nor could he suggest going home.
He wanted to be with her every day as soon as possible.
‘When should I tell her we’ll live together? Ah, should I propose in the royal way?’
Lost in thought, Ashur stared at her light green eyes.
“Um, uh… I… I missed you.”
Sierra spoke in a trembling voice, then bowed her head and buried herself in his chest.
It felt slightly different from usual, but he assumed it was just shyness from meeting after so long.
“Me too.”
He held her gently.
He could clearly feel Sierra flinch in his arms.
“Um, Ashur. Actually, I’m not feeling well… I was planning to rest early.”
“Really? Want me to bring you medicine?”
“No! I already took it. I was just about to sleep.”
Ashur wanted to hold her again but restrained himself.
“…Okay. Go rest quickly.”
Still, leaving like this felt depressing.
“Sierra.”
He looked down at her in his arms.
“Hmm?”
She wriggled, lifting her head, and he slowly lowered his face.
“Huh.”
Startled, she swallowed and bowed her head as his lips touched her forehead.
“…Good night.”
It was their first time in a while, so it was embarrassing.
From the moment the door closed, her face to below her neck was completely red.
“Hmm…”
Feeling awkward, Ashur reluctantly turned to leave.
