Chapter 20.2

If I went down about five wide steps, I would fall into a deep area. As I jumped without hesitation from that position, the water instantly filled my nose and mouth.

But even though I had clearly made up my mind, there was an indescribable fear. Even if it was a dream, it was scary.

I floundered and opened and closed my mouth, as if I was gasping for air in that grim, dark water.

The pain of not being able to breathe was terrible. My lungs stung as if they were filled with needles, instead of air. Rationally, I could recognize that this place was not real, but my body couldn’t.

An irritating tinnitus lingered in my ears. It was a terrible noise.

I hoped I would lose consciousness at once and breathe my last breath. Please. Get me out of here quickly. I put my hands together in earnest prayer and gradually sank down.

As strength drained from my body, my senses became duller. There was a mysterious luminescence above the haziness, and the air bubbles from Celina’s nose and mouth spread widely.

I blinked blankly for a while, then closed my eyes.

A drowsy feeling similar to the one I felt when I was stabbed began to hit me in an instant. I welcomed that sweet deluge with open arms. My body drooped in a dull, hazy feeling.

At the same time, Celina appeared.

The garden, the chair. The breathtaking floral scent.

[It’s of no use. Even if you try, you will only see me again.]

She propped up her chin on the table and whispered elegantly. The floral scent was strong. I tried to scream in anger. I was definitely trying to do that.

However, everything around me fled in an instant because of the rough and sharp sensation that suddenly pulled at my waist.

Surprised, I opened my eyes. No. Wait.

Since when did I have my eyes open?

Right in front of me were two dark golden circles. The color was as clear as a lion breathing towards its prey in the moonless darkness. To the point that my knees were numb.

Immediately, Elijah’s face drew closer, and a warm breath pushed through his lips. That faint breath made my mind wake up completely, and I grasped the situation.

Hold on! How the hell did I get here?!

I struggled to get away from Elijah, but there was no way I could overpower him. He grabbed me by the waist and took me out of the water in an instant.

As soon as my legs touched the ground, the maids put a large blanket over my body and wrapped it tightly around me. My whole body began to tremble.

“You make useless trouble because you can’t stay still.”

Elijah roared. His voice was frightening, as if stepping on thin ice.

“It didn’t matter if you just let me—!”

When I shouted sharply, a warm sensation spread fiercely over my cheek. My head swung to the side.

With a cold expression, Elijah roughly swept his soaked purple hair over his forehead. His expensive and splendid clothes retained the water and were drooping unevenly over his body.

“No matter how stupid one is, one should be able to discern what can or cannot be said.”

“… One hates me anyway.”

Although there were no subjects, the targets each of us were referring to were clear. Elijah certainly understood.

“But, why?”

Celina’s confused whimper spread across the bathroom. She was a woman who always spoke confidently and dignifiedly as if she were commanding the player.

A pure woman with a slightly languid and low voice, a voice that was soft and moist like red velvet cake. This powerless and unconfident voice did not suit this beautiful woman.

“Because this has nothing to do with how I feel.”

Elijah’s voice was cold, but it didn’t tremble.

“What the hell is your problem?”

But then, the next question was suddenly sharp. He suddenly kneeled in front of me. I retorted, bewildered.

“What?”

“You always did that!”

Elijah spoke in a loud voice and grabbed my shoulders tightly. His glaring eyes were sharp and fierce.

But I couldn’t take my eyes off him, as if my eyes were tightly held instead of my shoulders. Because of his complicated expression that could not be described.

“A very young child acted detached like an old person who was going to die the next day! The people watching you were so anxious that they thought they were going insane!”

A thunderous roar pierced my ears.

“If someone does something for you, you should return it! But sure enough, you betray me like this?!”

I stared blankly into his face. If you’re going to get angry, get angry; if you’re going to worry, then worry. And you, you definitely told Celina not to expect any affection.

“Will you be satisfied if I put the world at your feet?!”

But what was this now? What was I supposed to do?

I blinked, bewildered by Elijah’s unimaginable reaction. His grip on my shoulders was getting stronger.

It hurt. My left cheek was throbbing too.

“Answer me! Do you want this empire? Do you want me to put you on the emperor’s seat?”

“…”

The empire. The emperor. I didn’t know why this guy was acting like this, but what was the point of it all?

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