Episode 89
The lingering drowsiness faded, and my mind finally cleared.
I shook my head, recalling the chilling threat I heard before falling asleep.
‘Does she think I would be scared of such a threat?’
I clenched and unclenched my hands, checking my strength. It seemed like she hadn’t done anything else while I was asleep.
‘Should I escape now? The longer I stay, the worse the situation will get.’
But there was something I hadn’t confirmed yet. Whether there were guards only outside the room or if they were closely monitoring the inside as well.
I had been caught once by the Crown Prince when I carelessly let my guard down and tried to escape through the window, so I was more cautious now.
I racked my brain, and then a memory flashed through my mind. The fact that Prea had visited me right after I woke up with a headache and was leaning against the headboard.
I had been too drowsy to even hear the door open and hadn’t thought much of it, but…
‘Is she receiving real-time updates about what’s happening in this room?’
There was no other explanation for her appearing so promptly.
I bit my lip. If I was being watched, the chances of being caught, even if I transformed into a bird and escaped, were high.
She had threatened to kill me if I ran away, so she might even shoot me down with an arrow.
I hoped her visit had been a coincidence, but as if to crush my hopes, I heard the door open. This time, it wasn’t Prea, but a maid in charge of meals.
“I’ve brought your meal.”
She spoke formally, as if she knew I was awake, and then left.
I hadn’t made any noise after waking up. So there must be someone watching me.
‘This is creepy. Even Cesar didn’t monitor me like this.’
Escaping had become even more difficult.
But I had survived countless dangers and threats. I had become human and was still alive.
‘I even avoided my death flag in the original story. Don’t be scared, Lily.’
I quietly waited for the maid to bring my meal. Soon, the door opened, and warm soup, fresh salad, and fruits were placed before me.
The maid, who served me the food flawlessly, turned to leave.
I stopped her.
“W-wait a moment!”
The maid replied in a flat, emotionless voice,
“Lady Seirthe has ordered us not to engage in unnecessary conversations.”
It was an indifferent tone, as if she wouldn’t care even if something happened right in front of her.
‘A typical servant of the Seirthe Marquisate.’
I had anticipated this, so I said the words I had rehearsed countless times,
“My bed is uncomfortable.”
Complaining about the bed while being held captive was ridiculous. But Prea had said she would provide me with the best of everything during my stay.
And she wasn’t the type to break her promises. True to her meticulous nature, she hated any imperfections, and if a mistake occurred, it was usually followed by the execution of a servant.
So it was natural for the maid to turn her attention back to me. Even though I was a captive, any discomfort I expressed meant a flaw in the service she was ordered to provide.
“What seems to be the problem?”
“There’s nothing wrong with the bedding. It’s just that… I usually sleep with small dolls. And there aren’t any here, so I can’t sleep well.”
The maid’s eyes briefly flickered with annoyance.
‘I know. I know how shameless and foolish it is for a maid, held captive, to complain about not having dolls.’
“Understood. I’ll prepare them for you.”
“Thank you.”
Soon, after I finished my meal, small stuffed animals were placed before me. There was even a bird doll among them. It looked similar to the one I saw at the festival, but the texture and feel were much better.
‘Even the dolls are top-notch. Even though I’m probably going to throw it on the floor.’
I stretched the doll’s cheeks and then gathered them in my hands. The round bird doll was smiling brightly.
‘It’s cute. Too cute to throw away.’
I glanced at the small window.
I could see the sunlight and the clear sky, so I knew this wasn’t a basement. I would be outside as soon as I escaped.
I played with the doll and then shouted,
“Eek! A b-bug!”
I threw the doll, and it flew out the window. I was glad I had aimed well.
I pretended to run around in a panic and then said,
“Oh, thank goodness, it was just my imagination. But my doll…!”
I went to the window and stood on my tiptoes, stretching.
I knew I couldn’t reach it, even if I stretched as far as I could. But doing this would make someone come, whether it was Prea, a maid, or whoever was guarding outside.
‘One. Two. Three.’
Before I even reached four, a shadow fell over me, and I felt the hard touch of armor on my arms.
“What are you doing?”
I turned around and saw two burly men with menacing expressions.
‘So there are two knights guarding outside.’
It was excessive for a mere maid. They must have been instructed to prevent my escape.
I pretended to tremble and said,
“I threw the doll because I thought there was a bug, and it went out the window… L-Lady Seirthe gave it to me, and I’ll be p-punished if I lose it.”
“Don’t try anything funny.”
“I won’t. I know I can’t. You said you would kill me if I ran away.”
I lowered my head, feigning despair, and the knights released my arms.
‘Acting is hard.’
I quickly spoke before they left.
“E-excuse me… could you please retrieve the doll that fell out the window?”
“Just consider it gone.”
“No, I can’t. She’ll punish me for not taking care of the gift she gave me. I’ll stay here, so please just bring the doll back. And if you keep this a secret… ugh.”
I winced and clasped my hands together. Their gaze naturally fell on my hands. The unhealed wound Prea inflicted was still visible.
“…I’m scared.”
They hesitated for a moment and then left.
I desperately hoped they had a shred of sympathy and waited. They returned with the doll, covered in dirt and leaves.
“Lady Seirthe is out. So she won’t know about this. Don’t cause any trouble inside.”
I carefully took the doll and thanked them.
After the knights left, I examined the doll. Apart from being a little dirty, it was fine.
‘So they’re not guarding against small objects being thrown out. And there doesn’t seem to be anything sharp below.’
I gathered information. Judging by the dirt and leaves, the window was probably facing the garden or a secluded annex.
I had a rough idea of the layout, thanks to exploring the mansion when Sylvia was invited for tea before, thinking it might be useful later.
I hadn’t thoroughly examined it, so I didn’t know everything, but escaping the Marquisate as a bird didn’t seem too difficult.
And I had learned another piece of information. That only two knights were guarding the area when Prea was out.
‘They said she was out for a bit, right?’
Then Prea would be back soon. So escaping now was risky.
‘I have to choose the right time. The day Prea is completely away from the mansion. That’s the day I have to escape.’
After that, I behaved myself, playing with the dolls. I had to make them lower their guard; they would surely notice if I tried anything suspicious inside.
The door creaked open, and Prea entered.
“Why are you so well-behaved?”
“Have I ever caused any trouble…? I’m trying my best not to displease you, Lady Seirthe.”
“Really? I thought a clever girl like you would be scheming to escape.”
Her hand, stroking my hair, sent chills down my spine. How could she read my mind so accurately…?
“That’s not true. You said you would kill me if I was caught, so I don’t have the guts to do that.”
“Well, you wouldn’t be unaware of my personality. It seems you understand that it’s better to be obedient.”
“But…”
“What is it, Valerie?”
Her eyes, crinkling softly at the corners, looked as if she would listen to anything I said.
“Well… being inside all the time is a bit stifling.”
Her eyes turned cold at my words. Her voice also hardened.
“So?”
“I know it’s too much to ask to go outside. I just… want to see some jewels.”
“Jewels? You like jewels, don’t you?”
“Yes… the jewels I saw at the place you took me to were so beautiful. I thought I could endure waiting if I could see some new jewels…”
“I can’t take you today, but I’ll bring some from there tomorrow and show them to you. Is that alright?”
“When will you show them to me?”
“Why do you ask?”
“I-I’m sorry. I just didn’t want to be asleep when you came; it would be rude.”
“I’ll probably visit the jewelry store in the afternoon and return at night…”
“Okay, I’ll be waiting.”
As I smiled brightly, feigning excitement about seeing the jewels, Prea stroked my head.
I had to appease her until she left tomorrow. And when she left, I had to escape, too.
It was time for me to return to where I belonged.