Chapter 118

Chapter 118

Ow.

Something rattled. Was it an ornament or something? Carynne pressed down on all sorts of imaginations that popped up in her mind. She put her hands against the wall again.

Still, her knees were hurting a little. As she fumbled further along in the dark, she soon felt a wooden surface, not stone this time.

Its a door. However, its not a bedroom door. It was twice as wide as a normal bedroom door, and there was an iron bar overlaid horizontally across the middle of it.

She found the knob. They were double circular knobs. And they were difficult to turn.

Heavy.

Carynne pulled, but that didnt work. She pushed this time, yet it didnt work either. She managed to twist it a little, but it would not open.

Someone had locked it from outside.

Why?

Was this the cellar? But Carynne knew Verdic Evans cellar very well. He tended to give corporal punishment to his servants in that placehe would never have put a bed there.

What use would there be for a bed when its a space dedicated for corporal punishment? Or, maybe theres another room in the basement? Carynne couldnt remember.

This was not Verdic Evans mansion.

Carynne came to that conclusion. However, even if she had, she still couldnt understand.

Why would Verdic Evans bring me here

Even if she was thought to be a thief who had snuck into the Evans manor, did that constitute for her confinement in a place such as this? It would be more than enough to humiliate her and kick her out of his property. And if he would like to take it a step further, he could call in the police and tell them shes a thief. Carynne was merely a teenage girl on the outside.

Her questions were soon answered.

Because the door creaked open.

Youre awake.

It was Crown Prince Gueuze.

It was so obviously clich. This wasnt a new plot twist or anythingCarynne blinked dazedly as she thought this. In the end, she would end this life as Crown Prince Gueuzes plaything.

Thinking that she should hang herself at the first opportunity shed get, Carynne sighed openly.

Light up the room. Since shes awake now, she has to get up.

Crown Prince Gueuze ordered the servants standing behind him.

They hung several torches along the wall, then revealing the interior to Carynne. It looked much larger compared to how it felt while it was still dark. And the ceiling was so high, making the room feel even bigger.

Was this the royal palaces basement? It felt inevitably damp because this was underground, but the moisture in the air soon dissipated because of the torches that were lit everywhere.

The fireplace wont be lit because its still warm now. Is that alright?

Yes.

Right. Its still summer. There would be no need to light the fireplace. Its important to keep the temperature at a moderate degree.

This would be the optimal temperature for the ornaments being displayed in the room. Carynne could understand.

There were many luxurious items here. And this place had many differences compared to Verdics mansion. For one, Verdics cellar was solely used for corporal punishment, but this.

This was a playground.

How? But the truth was obvious. Carynne recalled the empty bedroom. And recalled the man who was not at the place where he was supposed to be.

Ah. So its like that.

Dullan betrayed her.

Crown Prince Gueuze pulled Carynnes waist and led her into a step. His body was moving according to a certain rhythm.

But I will not ruin you. Why would I do that? Ive had this much of a difficult time obtaining you, havent I?

Since youve acted only in such ways that I like, how could I possibly hate you?

Her father, hanging by a rope. Rocking, swayinga smile on his lips.

Youre saying that I killed someone that Tom killed? You know very well that this isnt the case. Shouldnt you have stopped? No, you surely would have run forward. Youd have pounced and tightened that noose around my neck, laughing all the while.

The pleasant times were over.

He didnt have to, but with a secret tone akin to a lovers sweet nothings, Crown Prince Gueuze leaned in and whispered into Carynnes ear.

Was it fun? Its alright. Ill protect you.

You have no intention of letting me out of here.

Thats right. So I hope that you come to like this room.

They danced. He led Carynnes body, and Carynne let herself be led. They danced and spun across the room as she looked around.

It will be fun.

The room was evidently luxurious and quite spacious. Most of the furnishings of the room were sparkling. Apart from that, there were many toys here, too. Carynne was mesmerized by all the things in here. Each one of them were all the finest of their kind.

The most notable of all were the ornaments that were hanging on the walls.

Ah.

With the ceiling so high up, the walls were packed with those very decorations. Those that were a far distance away even resembled some famous paintings of peoplethats what youd think at first.

Either shed scream, or shed ask Crown Prince Gueuze about this collection of his.

Carynne did not scream. But it was not alright.

What she was seeing right now, adorning the walls all spread out like that, were real people.

I want to hear your thoughts.

Most of them were women, a few here and there were men. Carynnes gaze gravitated towards the young woman who was the closest to her now. That woman was positioned with her arms wide open, like the blessed Holy Mother. Where the skin over her torso should have been, all Carynne could see was an emptied-out stomach. The place where that womans red, bloody organs should have been.

And amongst all those people serving as ornaments, Carynne saw one familiar face. It was her personal maidall clothes off, missing one hand and one foot.

Donna and Carynne locked gazes.

The maids mouth opened.

Hu ah.

What left Donnas lips, instead of words, was silence.

And blood, dripping down her gaping mouth.