Chapter 14
As soon as Arzeo left the library, he headed straight for Caria’s city guard headquarters.
There, he asked for Eugene.
“Bring Eugene to me.”
Entering the building, Arzeo pulled out the necklace hidden under his clothes.
It bore the imperial crest—the mark of royalty.
“T-The Prince! P-Please wait one moment, he’ll be here right away!”
The guard ran inside in a panic.
Arzeo pressed his lips together, crossing his arms and tapping impatiently.
He was furious.
How could something like this happen while he was right there with her?
It made his blood boil.
The lower floor of the library had been noisy, but the floor they were on had been quiet.
How had someone taken her without making the slightest disturbance?
He clicked his tongue and waited.
Before long, Eugene rushed out after hearing the message.
“What brings you here, Your Highness?”
Eugene looked confused.
Arzeo never went to city guards or lords’ estates—ever.
He avoided revealing his status whenever possible.
“Leira is gone.”
“…What?”
Eugene blinked, unable to understand.
But as he caught sight of Arzeo’s grim expression, his own face twisted.
“The Young Lady has disappeared? Where?”
“At the Caria Great Library. I was with her, but she vanished the moment I looked away. Someone took her.”
Eugene covered his face in shock.
“Her identity couldn’t have been exposed. So Eugene—bring me a list of every organization that operates in this city.”
“You mean from the city guard?”
“Yes. Anyone who deals in human trafficking, and even the street gangs—don’t leave a single one out.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“And mobilize the guards. Tighten their mouths. No information leaks.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Arzeo looked like he wanted to scold him for using “Your Highness,”
but this wasn’t the time.
“Move.”
“Yes!”
At the curt order, Eugene sprinted back inside.
***
Leira
She had no idea how much time passed.
When she opened her eyes, all she saw was darkness.
Her arms wouldn’t move—they were tied.
“Oh? You’re awake.”
A stranger’s voice came from the dark.
Leira blinked slowly, trying to adjust.
The man in front of her wasn’t the one who grabbed her in the library.
She looked around the dim room.
“Where am I?”
“Who cares? You’re about to be sold anyway.”
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
Sold?
Did they know who she was?
She kept her expression calm.
“Did I do something wrong to you?”
The man burst into loud laughter.
“Hah! What could a stranger do wrong?”
“Then why did you take me?”
He smirked, finding her calmness interesting.
“I saw something earlier. You revived a flower for that kid on the street.”
“…Was that a problem?”
“Nope. It was perfect.”
He leaned back, resting his chin on his hand.
“With a power like that, you’ll be popular as entertainment for nobles. They’ll love watching you bloom flowers on command.”
Leira’s brow creased.
“So lucky I happened to see it! Life’s funny, huh? Be good, sweetheart.”
“…”
“What else can you do? Show me?”
“…”
She refused to respond.
Seeing her discomfort, the man grinned.
But at least he didn’t seem to know her true identity.
Leira let out a small inner sigh of relief.
“Relax. I’ll send you to a decent place. You’re pretty too.
Just stay put until your buyer is decided.”
With a casual wave, he left her alone in the dark room.
Leira’s first thought was:
Arzeo was at the library. Maybe he’ll come—
But even if he wanted to save her, how would he find her?
She didn’t know where she was, and neither would he.
These people were complete strangers who just happened to see her revive a flower.
There was almost no chance Arzeo could locate her.
It was pitch black.
She couldn’t even tell what time it was.
I have to survive on my own.
No one was coming.
Waiting would change nothing.
So she had to act.
Her hands tied behind her back, Leira twisted and pulled.
Her wrists scraped painfully, but she didn’t stop.
If she stayed still, she would end up exactly where the man said — sold off as entertainment to nobles.
She had stepped into a foreign land by accident.
She couldn’t end up like this.
She had to go back.
Only by returning to that empty island could she keep the duchy safe.
“Hngh…”
She winced as the rope bit into her skin.
The pain was unfamiliar, but she gritted her teeth.
“Haah…”
Supporting herself on shaky hands, she caught her breath.
The rope wasn’t the only problem.
She didn’t even know where she was or how to get out.
If only the ground were close…
She pressed her hands to the wooden floor.
I’ve never tried this before… but I have to.
It might not work.
But she had to try.
She pushed her power down through her hands the way she usually did with soil, desperately hoping it would reach the earth.
Maybe—just maybe—this wasn’t a high floor.
Maybe they’d dragged her underground.
There was no light, so a basement seemed likely.
If so, the ground would be close.
If even a single blade of grass was growing nearby, she could use it.
Sweat gathered on her forehead as she sent her power out blindly, like reaching through fog.
At the same time, she struggled with the rope, wrists burning.
She’d never used her abilities for this long.
The fatigue hit her like a wave.
If she relaxed even a little, she felt she’d black out.
Just a little more… just a little…
She couldn’t collapse.
She had to escape herself.
And finally—
“I found it.”
A small patch of green broke through the cracks in the wood.
Grass.
***
Arzeo
“Argh—!”
Arzeo stomped on a man’s wrist, making him scream.
From the moment Leira vanished, the entire city guard had been mobilized.
They arrested every shady group they could find.
But even now—long after sunset—they had found nothing.
Arzeo’s nerves were at their breaking point.
The moment darkness fell, he stopped holding back.
He crushed every criminal they caught.
“…Haa.”
“Your Highness, she isn’t here either.”
“Next.”
Eugene nodded and followed, Arzeo’s icy gaze flickering toward the bright moon overhead.
Leira was still missing.
Men who lived by crime were unpredictable—they could do anything.
“Next area is over—”
Eugene suddenly stopped, eyes sharp.
He’d heard something.
Arzeo heard it too.
They both turned in the same direction.
“Should we check?”
“Yes.”
At this hour, anything suspicious had to be investigated.
Every minute passed made Arzeo more anxious.
***
Leira
Hours passed, but the rope wouldn’t come off.
Still, she managed to fill the room with thick, tall grass.
The drain on her strength was incredible—using her power through wooden flooring was far harder.
Yet after the first success, it became easier.
The grass grew so densely it reached an adult’s waist, completely hiding her from sight.
Instead of trying to untie herself, Leira crawled slowly across the floor.
She remembered where the door was—the man had left through it.
When she reached it, she pressed her trembling hands to the floor again.
Standing slowly, she grabbed the doorknob—it was locked.
She stroked the grass around her waist.
Then guided a strand into the keyhole.
Her power flowed through it.
Click.
The lock opened.
She sagged to her knees again, but managed to spread grass outside the doorway before slipping out.
No one guarded the door—
they’d assumed she’d be too frightened to try escaping.
For a moment she wondered if Arzeo might come.
But she moved anyway.
Like Arzeo said—
she did act the moment she decided something.
She slipped outside.
Ahead was a staircase leading up.
I must not be seen.
She pressed against the wall and hid herself among the tall grass, then used her power again.
Grass grew thick and high, spilling up the stairs.
Soon—
“Hey! What the hell is this?!”
“It’s still growing!”
Panic broke out above.
Leira kept making the grass grow.
“It won’t stop!!”
“Get out! Move!”
People who face something unknown instinctively retreat.
Using the commotion, Leira crept up the stairs.
She listened to the running footsteps—
they were heading outside.
Good.
She moved as fast as she could, though she couldn’t see well through the grass.
Eventually—
Cold air brushed her cheek.
Outside… I’m close.
Fresh wind rustled through the tall grass.
Her heart pounded.
The moment she got out, she would run.
Her hands were still tied, but she could call for help.
She hurried forward—
Then she heard voices right in front of her.
“Hey! We left her inside!”
“Who?”
“The woman who revived that flower! You said she’s going to some noble!”
“You idiot! We should’ve brought her!”
Footsteps came closer.
Leira froze.
