“...!”
Randel came to his senses the moment he stepped on the stairs. However, his body, having lost its balance, was already tilting. As Randall reflexively closed his eyes, something warm grabbed him from the front.
“What is this... Are you okay?”
“...Sylvia?”
Sylvia, who was climbing the stairs, was alert to Randall's movements because his face looked unusual. As expected, he stumbled as soon as he stepped onto the stairs. If Sylvia had not run up the stairs and caught him in front, he would have been seriously injured.
‘...It keeps helping me in strange places.’
Sylvia clicked her tongue inwardly, thinking that she had avoided the disaster of falling down the stairs together thanks to the healthy food she had been eating since coming to the North. The moment she saw Randall staggering, her body jumped forward without even being able to think, and she had forgotten to use magic.
Sylvia let out a small sigh and helped Randall stand properly. Randall, who had been speaking in a dazed voice, frowned belatedly.
“It could have been dangerous... Are you okay? Are you hurt?”
“No, who are you worried about now...”
“It could have been dangerous... Are you okay? Are you hurt?”
“No, who are you worried about now...”
Sylvia was shocked at his foolishness for worrying about her when he almost fell down the stairs. Regardless, Randall made sure Sylvia was okay before wiping his rough face with one hand and expressing his gratitude.
“Thank you for holding on to me. I have an inspection schedule, so I’ll be going now.”
No matter how absent-minded he was, he would have stumbled on the stairs. Randall mocked himself for a moment at his own weakness, then tried to leave. If it weren't for the hand that grabbed his sleeve, he would have done so.
“Sylvia?”
It was a weak force like a willow branch, but Randall stopped moving immediately. Sylvia was certain when she saw him blinking and turning his head as if he was puzzled.
'As expected... it's strange.'
Sylvia stared at his noticeably haggard face for a moment, then glanced down. Beneath the sleeve she was holding onto, she could see a dark red bruise and abrasion marks, as if he had been tied up somewhere. Randall, who noticed where Sylvia was looking, hurriedly hid his hand behind his back. After a moment of silence, Sylvia, who had been staring blankly at the spot where Randall’s hand had been, raised her head.
“Randall.”
"...Yes."
“You have nothing to say to me?”
Randall pursed his lips at that question. Randall clenched his fists behind his back and pretended to be indifferent. The golden eyes staring straight at him made him feel suffocated.
"...No"
But that was the only answer he could come up with.
***
That night. Randall desperately turned away from the succubus that appeared in his dreams without fail.
<Randall. Look at me.>
In a vague consciousness that was either a dream or reality, Randall turned his head and clenched his teeth to avoid the succubus that was approaching him in a disheveled manner, in the form of Sylvia.
<Randall. Look at me.>
In a vague consciousness that was either a dream or reality, Randall turned his head and clenched his teeth to avoid the succubus that was approaching him in a disheveled manner, in the form of Sylvia.
Even though he knew that 'that thing' was not Sylvia, his body kept trying to move forcibly. If he hadn't had his limbs magically bound by Auston in advance, he would have been possessed by that demon and would have gone to Sylvia's bedroom.
<Randall...>
Succubus, Bella put a hand on his face, her voice seductive. Randall tried to shake her hand off, but the dark purple ropes that wrapped around his entire body prevented his movements. It was something Bella had created when Randa, realizing that Bella was a succubus, kept trying to run away or resist.
'Shit.'
Randall bit his already bloody lips again and tried to maintain his senses. Although it was a dream, the pain he felt in his real body was faintly transmitted here. Because his lust had been forcibly aroused by Bella, his whole body felt hot and bitter as if it was engulfed in flames.
<Randall...>
Succubus, Bella put a hand on his face, her voice seductive. Randall tried to shake her hand off, but the dark purple ropes that wrapped around his entire body prevented his movements. It was something Bella had created when Randa, realizing that Bella was a succubus, kept trying to run away or resist.
'Shit.'
Randall bit his already bloody lips again and tried to maintain his senses. Although it was a dream, the pain he felt in his real body was faintly transmitted here. Because his lust had been forcibly aroused by Bella, his whole body felt hot and bitter as if it was engulfed in flames.
Every time his body betrayed its master’s will and twisted its entire body to find Sylvia, the chains created by Auston wounded his skin. This had been going on for days, without missing a single day, so honestly, even Randall was at his limit. He tried to maintain his senses, but his senses kept clouding over with soft skin, sweet scents, etc. However...
'You are... not Sylvia.'
Bella, who was in the form of 'Sylvia', stopped as Randall spat out words that were like spitting blood. Randall, who was kneeling on the floor, glared at her with only his eyes raised. He spoke in a strong tone as if he was talking to himself.
'She doesn't look at me with those dirty eyes like you do.'
<....>
'So you'd better stop talking nonsense. If you want to extend that pitiful life a little longer.'
Bella, who almost hesitated to step back without realizing it because of that ominous murderous look, let out a sharp sneer inwardly.
'A mere human being.'
She covered her mouth with both hands, pretending to look hurt, as if her pride had been hurt by the fact that she had felt fear for the life of a human, even for a moment.
<How can you say that...>
'...Ah.'
When Randall saw that, he felt his heart sink even though he knew for a moment that the person in front of him was not Sylvia. It was the first time he had seen Sylvia's 'hurt' expression, which was usually expressionless or had a cold smile. His well-kept mind was momentarily shaken. And Bella, who had been watching Randl the whole time, did not miss that moment.
<Okay.>
Bella's eyes turn red as she seizes the opportunity, and the moment she realizes that Randall is one step too late in letting his guard down.
“...Dall!”
In a space where he couldn't tell if it was a dream or reality, he saw 'Sylvia' approaching his bed, calling him urgently. Perhaps it was because his mind was clouded by the pain. For some reason, Sylvia's eyes looked red.
'Why are you here...'
You shouldn't be here...
'You are... not Sylvia.'
Bella, who was in the form of 'Sylvia', stopped as Randall spat out words that were like spitting blood. Randall, who was kneeling on the floor, glared at her with only his eyes raised. He spoke in a strong tone as if he was talking to himself.
'She doesn't look at me with those dirty eyes like you do.'
<....>
'So you'd better stop talking nonsense. If you want to extend that pitiful life a little longer.'
Bella, who almost hesitated to step back without realizing it because of that ominous murderous look, let out a sharp sneer inwardly.
'A mere human being.'
She covered her mouth with both hands, pretending to look hurt, as if her pride had been hurt by the fact that she had felt fear for the life of a human, even for a moment.
<How can you say that...>
'...Ah.'
When Randall saw that, he felt his heart sink even though he knew for a moment that the person in front of him was not Sylvia. It was the first time he had seen Sylvia's 'hurt' expression, which was usually expressionless or had a cold smile. His well-kept mind was momentarily shaken. And Bella, who had been watching Randl the whole time, did not miss that moment.
<Okay.>
Bella's eyes turn red as she seizes the opportunity, and the moment she realizes that Randall is one step too late in letting his guard down.
“...Dall!”
In a space where he couldn't tell if it was a dream or reality, he saw 'Sylvia' approaching his bed, calling him urgently. Perhaps it was because his mind was clouded by the pain. For some reason, Sylvia's eyes looked red.
'Why are you here...'
You shouldn't be here...
With that last thought, Randall's consciousness fell into pitch-black darkness.
***
'I guess I'll have to check it out.'
It was late at night, and everyone in the castle must have fallen asleep. Sylvia, who had been concerned about Randall’s haggard face and injuries that she had seen during the day, got up from her bed with a stern expression. It was clear that something was wrong with Randall.
However, it seemed unlikely that he would confess the truth, so she thought she would sneak into his room and find out the situation. Sylvia cast a spell that made her invisible, then quietly left the bedroom. Randall’s bedroom was right across the hallway, and there was a risk that she would be revealed if she overlapped the movement spell while the invisibility spell was cast, so she chose to walk herself.
‘...I think he’s sleeping.’
Sylvia put her ear to Randall's bedroom door and watched for any signs of movement. However, after ten minutes, no other signs were heard. Feeling relieved, Sylvia carefully turned the doorknob. The door opened slightly, creating a thin gap. Sylvia froze as she peered into the room through the gap.
"What..."
‘...I think he’s sleeping.’
Sylvia put her ear to Randall's bedroom door and watched for any signs of movement. However, after ten minutes, no other signs were heard. Feeling relieved, Sylvia carefully turned the doorknob. The door opened slightly, creating a thin gap. Sylvia froze as she peered into the room through the gap.
"What..."
A murmur of shock leaked out in an instant. In a room illuminated by dim moonlight, Randall was twisting his body in agony, his limbs bound by magical chains. Sylvia, who saw the darkness that seemed like a shadow around the bed he was lying on, ran into the room without even thinking.
“Randall!”
She reflexively raised her voice and immediately called out the darkness. As she struck down the darkness surrounding Randall with force, a scream-like sound leaked out from the shadow and soon it dispersed. Sylvia felt a familiar aura from the shadow and gritted her teeth.
'Bella...'
The energy she felt when she was disarmed by the Marquis of Seicrine. It was definitely Succubus Bella. Sylvia scolded herself for not noticing the strangeness earlier, while frantically checking Randall's condition. He had fainted as soon as Sylvia removed Bella's darkness. He had sweated so much that most of the bed sheets were soaked, and the skin on his wrists and ankles was all chafed and torn, bleeding.
Seeing this, Sylvia cut off the chains that bound Randall's limbs with a single gesture. She didn't have the presence of mind to think about the direct effects of forcibly removing or destroying someone's magic. Fortunately, she had some sliver of reason and was aware that she shouldn't use healing magic. She tore the clean part of the bed sheets and repeatedly pulled the rope next to the bed while stopping the bleeding on Randall's bloody wrists and ankles.
“Thelma! Wilcott!”
The castle was in an uproar at Sylvia's shrill screams and the ringing of bells. She shook Randall's shoulder, trying to keep him awake until the servants who heard her screams came running.
“Randall, wake up. Randall!”
At that moment, Randall's eyelids fluttered. Sylvia held her breath and watched his eyelids slowly open.
"Who..."
Randall blinked his eyes, narrowing his brows in pain. His green eyes focused and unfocused repeatedly. He finally realized that it was Sylvia before his eyes and instinctively stepped back.
"...It's not possible."
“...Randall?”
“If you are here, don’t...”
Randall, moving his wounded body, lost consciousness again as he tried to remove Sylvia's hand from his shoulder. His head fell back onto the pillow and his hand lost its strength. While Sylvia was staring blankly at his hand left in the air, the servants came running.
“Madam! What is the matter?”
“Oh my goodness, Master!”
“Master, Mr. Auston is coughing up blood...!”
The servants were shocked at the sight of Randall, who was as badly wounded as a wound. Thelma asked Sylvia what was going on, Wilcott gave instructions to his servants, and the servants rushed out to bring clean water and call the doctor...
“Thelma! Wilcott!”
The castle was in an uproar at Sylvia's shrill screams and the ringing of bells. She shook Randall's shoulder, trying to keep him awake until the servants who heard her screams came running.
“Randall, wake up. Randall!”
At that moment, Randall's eyelids fluttered. Sylvia held her breath and watched his eyelids slowly open.
"Who..."
Randall blinked his eyes, narrowing his brows in pain. His green eyes focused and unfocused repeatedly. He finally realized that it was Sylvia before his eyes and instinctively stepped back.
"...It's not possible."
“...Randall?”
“If you are here, don’t...”
Randall, moving his wounded body, lost consciousness again as he tried to remove Sylvia's hand from his shoulder. His head fell back onto the pillow and his hand lost its strength. While Sylvia was staring blankly at his hand left in the air, the servants came running.
“Madam! What is the matter?”
“Oh my goodness, Master!”
“Master, Mr. Auston is coughing up blood...!”
The servants were shocked at the sight of Randall, who was as badly wounded as a wound. Thelma asked Sylvia what was going on, Wilcott gave instructions to his servants, and the servants rushed out to bring clean water and call the doctor...
There was a commotion everywhere, but Sylvia felt isolated in the middle of it all. The sound of people talking was muffled as if she was listening underwater. She stared blankly at her empty hands, and then suddenly let out a hollow laugh.
'Ah...'
The sound of her heart pounding loudly filled her ears. Sylvia's body lost all strength for a moment and she lay down on the bed, wrapping her arms around Randall's body, and burst into laughter.
'So this is how it ended up.'
This person pushing her away hurts and she hates it, like dying. This person's wounds are more bitter and painful than hers, and her heart feels like it's going to break. She's helplessly swayed by this person's breathing, warmth, and laughter...
It doesn't feel bad. In fact, all of those emotions were pointing in only one direction.
'I like him.'
She realized that she had taken a lot more to heart than she should have for a man named Randall Belfort. Her heart, still pounding, spoke for itself.
'I'm going to die again, drowning in this swamp-like mind.'
A breathy laugh kept leaking out, out of an emotion that was neither joy nor despair. Tears ran down the corners of her eyes, falling and leaving wet marks on Randall’s gown.
“...”
'I like him.'
She realized that she had taken a lot more to heart than she should have for a man named Randall Belfort. Her heart, still pounding, spoke for itself.
'I'm going to die again, drowning in this swamp-like mind.'
A breathy laugh kept leaking out, out of an emotion that was neither joy nor despair. Tears ran down the corners of her eyes, falling and leaving wet marks on Randall’s gown.
“...”
I never wanted to fall in love again. I never wanted to... create a love that I would lose.
After all, she was just a weak human being. She couldn’t stand up to Randall, who smiled like sunshine, cried like drizzle, and approached her like the wind.
“Madam, are you okay?”
Thelma asked Sylvia cautiously, thinking that she was crying because she was worried about Randall. Sylvia, who had regained some of her confusion at the question, managed to sit up.
“What about Auston?”
“Ah, Mr. Auston, for some reason, is suddenly coughing up blood...”
“It’s because of the shock of the binding magic suddenly being released. It’s nothing serious.”
At that moment, an irritated voice was heard from behind. When she turned around, she saw Auston walking briskly into the room, half-heartedly wiping the blood from his mouth. Auston glanced at Sylvia and approached Randel.
“Tsk. I told you to get treatment a long time ago, but you resisted with such power that I told you to wrap the chain around yourself one more time.”
He let out a discontented mutter and immediately used healing magic on Randall before searching around the bed. After looking around for a while, Auston finally turned around with a strange expression on his face.
“I heard that the madam called the servants...”
“...”
“Do you know by any chance why my magic was broken?”
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