Book 4: Chapter 88: Desire

Book 4: Chapter 88: Desire

Lesiah’s consciousness began to blur.

The extreme temperature, suffocation, and dehydration eroded her consciousness all at once.

While struggling, countless thoughts coursed through her mind at high speed as she looked for a turning point.

Her battle qi was running out faster than usual.

The temperature in the steamer wasn’t just merely a few degrees higher than the boiling point of water. It was at least over a thousand degrees, enough to pose a threat to even a rank nine warrior like her.

Neither her metal restraints nor this steamer was made of ordinary materials. At least with her current capabilities, there wasn’t any hope for her to destroy them.

Not even the slightest bit.

Desperation started creeping in as Lesiah’s skills in escaping were proven to be completely ineffective in this situation.

Any schemes she had were rendered useless in the face of absolute power.

And she found herself stuck in this rut ever since she stepped foot into the Ancient Ruins.

First, it was Golden Demon Htilil. Then it was Shiloah, the strange man.

However this time, it wasn’t just her strength being undermined, but also her intellect.

“Ohoho, are you still keeping up with your futile resistance, princess? I’d suggest you give up. This steamer is specially made to keep the temperature rising against battle qi. The more you struggle, the worse you suffer. You might as well give in and surrender yourself to a peaceful death.”

“Dream... on... I’ll... never... give in...”

“Ohoho, really? On the contrary, I think you’ve given in countless times.”

“What... do... you... mean...?”

“Ohoho, am I not right? Princess Lesiah, haven’t you been doing that for years ever since the death of your father?”

“What do you... know...?”

“I know you’ve given in to your destiny, responsibilities, the expectation on you, your useless mother, as well as your weakness and incompetence...”

“Shut up... You can insult me, but not my mother...”

“Insult?”

Shiloah laughed so hard that he could barely remain standing straight. “Aren’t those the thoughts in your heart? Your mother is useless, your sister is a doll and your father is just a phantom sealed away in a picture frame.”

“Your Royal Highness...”

Coleman...

“Your Royal Highness...”

Her people...

“Your Royal Highness...”

A splitting headache assaulted her. She was surrounded by countless people that kept calling out to her, screaming and crying.

“Your Royal Highness...”

“Your Royal Highness...”

“Your Royal Highness...”

There was expectation, ridicule, reliance, respect, and disdain in those voices.

Every voice was like a link in a chain that bound her heart. It wrapped around her tightly, squeezing her fragile heart with the intention of crushing it.

I don’t want to escape. No one likes escaping. But... I... I... Never wanted to become a princess. I don’t want to be the next queen. Like most teenage girls... All I yearn for is an adventure or love story like those written in books. I long for it and wish that one day, I can let go of everything and experience this strange world that is filled with excitement.

I want to see all the good and the bad in this world. I want to experience a fight that I will never have to run away from. A fight where I can draw my sword and face my enemies with courage. A fight where I will never give up even if I am covered in wounds. I wish there will be someone shielding me when I’m in mortal danger. With an air of mystery shrouding that person, that person would turn to look at me and tell me a gentle smile, “Go ahead first.”

“Ohoho, what a beautiful fantasy.”

The voice that disgusted her the most shattered her fantasy and pulled her back to the cruel reality.

“My dear princess, you should know that none of your fantasies will happen.”

Shiloah paced around the steamer, his every footstep sounded like the tolling of death’s bell.

It cleared the haze in the princess’ mind.

He was right and Lesiah knew it.

The things that she wanted were out of her reach ever since she was born into the Macedonian royal family.

Her destiny had completely trapped her and the death of her father only accelerated the process of her assuming her responsibilities.

Even if the life she led resembled more like a warm family of four, it didn’t change the fact that she was the eldest princess.

She was destined to lead an extraordinary life that was nothing like the stories she read in books.