Chapter 288 - BACK TO THE TOWER

Veronica wanted to move but her right leg was stuck with something. 

'Huh?' Confused, she pulled her leg, but it was no use. She couldn't yank her leg any further. It felt like something invisible was controlling her.

She had a lump in her throat. She was scared. Even though it was snowing outside, she was sweating in her room. A chilling breeze could do her nothing. 

'Why? Why can't I move?' She tried to walk to the different side of the bedroom. She roamed all over the room, but nothing happened. She opened the balcony door and stepped outside. Even then, she felt nothing.

However, when she went close to the door, she felt an invisible chain lock her right ankle. She was unable to open the door.

She lowered her body and touched her ankle. She felt nothing when she held it. 

'Did Arthur use magic so that I cannot leave the room?' The realization hit her like a strike. Standing in front of the door, she was thunderstruck.

At that time, Arthur came to the room. When he opened the door, he spotted her right there. His expression instantly became gentle.

"You are awake. I'll ask the chef to prepare your meal. You must be hungry." He looked around the room and frowned as the cold wind whistled in his ear. "Why did you open the door and windows? You will catch a cold." 

With his signal, the balcony door and windows shut and locked automatically. 

Afterward, he held her hand and pulled her to the bed. Veronica followed him silently. When he pushed her shoulders to make her sit, she didn't move. 

With all the strength in her legs, she stubbornly stood in front of him and then glared at him.

"Did you use your magic to lock me up in this room?" she asked in a low tone.

Arthur paused and then smirked. "Did you like my surprise? See, our bedroom. It was just like it used to be. You don't have to go around and injure yourself."

"…Arthur…"

Arthur went on, "I've arranged everything you need. Whether you want to study or play. You can do it right here. You just need to tell me what you want."

Realizing that he deliberately ignored her request, Veronica clenched her fists. "I want to be free, Arthur, and you know it."

"Nica, don't be upset, okay? I've prepared everything you need," Arthur told her with a smile as though he heard nothing. 

"That's not what I need, Arthur! I want to be free!" Veronica couldn't take it anymore and shouted.

Arthur didn't look angry. His expression didn't change either. He kindly smiled at her. His eyes were full of affection. He reached out and cupped her face.

"Nica, my princess, you married me, remember? You are the Mistress of the Magic Tower. You cannot leave this place unprotected. You have so much work to do. They are all piled up. I'll bring them to you once you are done with your breakfast. You have nothing to worry about as long as you are here."

After he was done speaking, he left the room as if nothing happened.

With a 'plop' sound, Veronica collapsed on the bed. Her head was dizzy. 

'Does this mean I'm locked up here? He won't let me go out because he thinks I'll run away once again, doesn't he? This is bad. I don't have the time or patience to be here. I need to escape.'

'No one can control me. I won't let anyone, even Arthur, control me. I'm tired of people forcing me to be their puppet.'

She went to the balcony again. She was relieved when she found out that Arthur didn't seal the door with his magic. She could come out as much as she pleased.

She looked around the balcony. The white clouds covered the view under the balcony. She could see nothing down there.

She raised her head and looked up to the sky. There was another layer of clouds up there and snow was falling from there.

She was pleasantly surprised to see another layer of clouds. Nonetheless, it wasn't time to be impressed. 

'If I can get a rope, I will be able to go down. I know the terrace design. I can walk there easily. My hard work is going to be paid off. I'll thank Urulas later.'

Veronica searched the whole room but couldn't find a rope or anything similar. Therefore, she took three bed sheets from the drawer and turned them into a long rope. 

After tying it with the railing, she was about to jump off. That's when her right leg felt another tug. She couldn't go down. She tried five more times and then gave up. 

Sitting on the cold floor, she covered her head. 'No way! He blocked me from there too! He is way too cautious! This cannot go on. I need to talk to him and fix this mess. I haven't settled my score yet!'

Not long after, Arthur came back with a tray of food. When he didn't find Veronica in the bed, his eyebrows slightly creased. He noticed her on the balcony. 

His eyes roamed around. He already figured out what she was doing while he was gone. He wasn't depressed because he knew that she would try that. That's why he cast the magic spell so that she couldn't escape from either way. If she chose the balcony or window, her death would be certain.

"Nica, you shouldn't sit there. What if you catch a cold? Don't you care about your body? Let me help." Arthur carried her in an unhurried manner and took her to the bed. The balcony door automatically closed, leaving the lonely rope outside.

"I've seen some marks in her body. There is an ointment in Ovior's room. It can remove any wound mark from the body. I'll ask him to hand it over. Then, I'll apply it on your marks."

"I don't want to," Veronica responded with a glare. 

"What?"

"I said I don't want to."