The Grand Duchess Escape

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Asella’s watery eyes trembled violently.

“I don’t want to.”

“I told you to drink.”

In that moment, an invisible, intangible force pressed down on the space like a heavyweight. Asella instinctively flinched, overwhelmed by an oppressive sense of dread.

Her lungs felt like they were being squeezed. In the end, she reached out with trembling hands and accepted the vial.

“You have to drink it.”

“……”

“Hurry.”

The urgency in his voice was almost affectionate. Yet, the persistent demand it carried was chilling.

‘If I drink, everything about Mariel’s whereabouts will be revealed.’

Her wavering blue gaze landed on the vial. The crimson liquid inside swirled ominously.

‘I must not drink it. Absolutely not.’

That meant she had only one option.

Asella threw the vial away. The sound of glass shattering echoed loudly as it hit the floor. Shattered glass fragments scattered everywhere, and the red contents spilled out, staining the ground.

“What are you doing?”

Calix’s eyes flickered with a dangerous intensity. Her heart was pounding with fear, but Asella stared straight at him. In a small but clear voice, she said,

“I won’t drink it.”

“You won’t?”

“No.”

Calix watched her with a blank gaze, observing how she looked like she had made a firm resolution, and then a cruel smile slowly spread across his face.

“You might as well drink yourself while you have the chance.”

It was a twisted sarcasm.

“It would be better than having someone forcing it down your throat, wouldn’t it?”

Asella’s eyes trembled violently in shock. Her pale face turned even whiter, and her fingertips trembled slightly. Calix spoke.

“Choose one. Either answer me honestly or drink the Veraxium—”

At that moment, a sharp slap sound echoed, causing Calix’s head to turn slightly to the side.

It was a friction that didn’t even affect him, but the act itself was what mattered.

“…What are you trying to do now?”

It was ridiculous. Calix ruffled his hair roughly and turned to the woman who had dared to touch him.

But upon meeting her gaze, seeing her face, he found himself at a loss for words.

Tears filled her large eyes, which reminded him of a clear sea.

“How could you make such threats… going so far as to do this…?”

Asella glared at him, her fists clenched tightly, her body trembling with rage. It was the first time Calix had encountered her fury.

“Why did you run away?”

Tears began to trail down her porcelain-like face.

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