CH 155

“Where’s that power coming from?” he gasped. And then he fainted, his head was severely collided with the hard stone wall.

I remained as I was, frozen in terror. My only defense against this crazy maniac was gone. A triumphant grin unfurled on the young count’s face, and he continued staggering toward me.

“Iona,” he said. “I finally found you. My Iona.”

“Hmph!” I tried to scream, but with my mouth filled, there was little I could get out. “Hmph!”

His hand touched my face, and he brought his own disgusting face against my cheek, rubbing it until I thought I might faint. And then he tried to hug me.

“I’m never going to let you go,” he said. “You’re mine. Forever mine. I’ll prepare a cage with stronger lock this time. Just sing for me now, Iona.”

No, you crazy, perverted bastard!

Just what was wrong with this man? Why was he so obsessed with me? What had I done? I’d been nothing more than a quiet, ordinary slave. Tears began pouring down my cheeks.

Rdirian! Calling him had become habitual, but I knew that he couldn’t come.

The young count’s hands slowly caressed my body. It felt like bugs crawling over me, and I felt myself about to puke. He brushed a hand up my thigh and began licking the tears off my cheek, a satisfied expression on his face. His hand came up to caress my cheek.

“Iona, you’re finally back.”

I want to puke.

It was getting hotter. I wanted to get this heat out of my body. It was slowly growing inside me, making me dizzy. Maybe if I fainted…

Crash! The only window in this room exploded.

“Iona!” yelled a voice.

It was strangely familiar. Before I could put a face and a name to it, the newcomer pushed the young count away from me.

“You bastard!”

“Ugh!” The young count grunted as he was thrown on the ground, taking his disgusting smell with him. A second later, the towel in my mouth was cut, allowing me to breathe a little more easily. The rope must have been cut, too, because my body suddenly teetered forward. Thankfully, arms grabbed me before I hit the floor.

“Iona, are you okay?”

Panting, I looked up. It was Ridrian. My eyes widened all of a sudden. How was he here? How did he even know I’d been kidnapped?

“R-Ridrian?” I gasped.

“Yes, it’s me.” His eyes searched my face. “Are you okay? Are you hurt?”

“I-I’m not hurt. I’m okay.”

He stood before me like he had at the ball, to protect me. This time, he bent one of his knees, gazing into my eyes as I sat in the chair. He wiped my cheeks and caressed my face.

“Iona, show me your face,” he said. “Are you really okay?”

“I’m okay,” I replied. “I’m not hurt.”

But I wasn’t okay at all. This time, the thought that Ridrian wouldn’t be able to find me had filled me with more fear and despair than I’d felt in a long time. He definitely would’ve been at the palace. How had he known to come and rescue me?

Not that it mattered right now. My shoulders relaxed, and more tears poured down my cheeks.

He came again.

I felt comfort in his hand. And it seemed I wasn’t the only one who felt it.

“What a relief I found you,” he said. “I’m glad you’re okay.”

With that, he wrapped his arms around me. It was a strong, warm hug. The familiar pressure reminded me how much he cared. Suddenly, I missed my first time as a doll at the palace.

At that moment, the young count seemed to recover from his shock. He let out a scream.

“Get off! I-I can’t let you have Iona—even if you’re the emperor. She’s mine.”

All of a sudden, Ridrian’s expression changed. I could feel the atmosphere dropping. He let go of me, covering my eyes with one had.

“Keep your eyes closed, Iona,” he said.

“Ridrian.”

“You don’t like blood.”

Immediately, I realized what he was about to do. I shut my mouth and obediently covered my eyes.

“I can’t see anything now,” I said.

I didn’t want to be a part of murder. But I also didn’t want any more terrible relationships. Tragic as it was, Hedin Russen’s life was in my hand right now. By keeping my eyes closed, I was agreeing to this this action.

I felt Ridrian rise to his feet.

“Stay like that for a bit,” he said.

Slowly, as he moved away, I brought my hands down. I had to witness Hedin Russen’s end. I had to watch the end of my nightmare, and I had the responsibility of not turning away from this decision to take someone else’s life.

“Hedin Russen,” Ridrian said. “I’ll put an end to your annoying life, so you won’t show up in Iona’s anymore.”

Summoning the Lotuburu, he marched toward the crazy young count.