Chapter 140 - Death Is Definitely Not One Of Them
Chapter 140 – Death Is Definitely Not One Of Them
"So tell me, little lamb. What did the wolves know?"
I kept my mouth shut, studying him in silence. Since his eyes were empty, I could only rely on every shift of his tone and demeanor.
"What… are you so scared of?" I asked, making his brows elevate. "If the werewolves know about the story of the lamb, the beast, and child of evil… what will happen?"
His surprise gradually turned amused. "So you knew?"
"I don't." I shook my head calmly. "Rather, I heard about it, but I can't understand. I would've if you hadn't shown up." I paused, biting my inner lip. Since we're already here and Edge was still asleep, I could only stall for some time. How to do that? Make him talk.
"You… child of evil, are you sure you want to treat the lamb cruelly? My father and mother treated me like I was anyone but their daughter. Keeping me away from the world, keeping my wool as white as possible." I smiled, racking my brain to keep him invested. The only one that I wasn't faking was this odd calmness.
"I admit I don't understand it completely, and this conclusion might be wrong. But… are you certain you want your relationship with me to start like this?"
Silence enveloped us for the next several seconds. He only looked at me. Despite the emptiness of his eyes, I knew he was studying me intensely.
"You… are not scared?" he inquired, causing me to snicker lightly.
"Why would I?" I tilted my head to the side, letting out a shallow breath. "I am also surprised why, though. Perhaps it was because I already used up a lifetime of fear that I am calm in this uncertain situation. No. That's not it." I shook my head, knowing full well why I was so calm.
With my eyes lowered, the corner of my lips curled up subtly. When I raised my gaze once again, I smacked my lips.
"You, whose name I do not know, let me tell you something." This time, I mustered the courage to lean my face forward until his face was a palm length away from mine. I looked at his empty eyes directly while my lips parted.
"Do you know why I am not trembling in your presence? That is because, after that night in Everfell, I realized there were more things I am terrified of. Death… is definitely not one of them anymore." I smiled, drawing my head back.
"How amusing," he mused, rocking his head lightly. "Pity. I wasn't there to see you up close. You make me regret being busy and playing the role I needed to play."
"Was that actually the reason?" my brows rose, lips pressed into a thin line. "Or were you scared to go in here personally, knowing the mad dog of Ronmin Empire will never hesitate to tear you limb to limb and crush you like a bug?"
He laughed. "Think whatever you like, Princess. But if I were you, choosing me is the best course of action."
"How so? Will you give me one good reason the lamb must choose you?"
"Just because." He shrugged, playing with the tip of my hair with his finger. "The lamb will only bring pain to that mad wolf of a prince. You, whose existence is an abomination, will only bring disaster to those whom you cherished. Just like in Everfell… everyone you held dear will die."
His wicked smirk remained and for a split second, I somehow glimpsed at the evil eyes beneath those empty eyes. That gave me goosebumps. It was brief, but I knew what I saw; the truth.
"If your death doesn't scare you, do you think killing you is the worst and only way to torment you?" he cocked his head to the side. "I can kill all those people for you, Princess. And make you watch as they scream in agony for having their limb get torn apart. After all… I don't care whether I get you dead or alive. Although it is better to have you alive, your death will still benefit me."
As soon as those words left his lips, he suddenly grabbed the lower half of my face. "Shall we test it, my dearest princess?" his grip tightened, almost crushing my jaw.
I let out a whimper from the pain, but my sharp glare remained in his eyes. My unbending will despite the pain seemed to excite him as his mouth fell open.
"How beautiful and yet so tragic." His eyelids drooped as he breathed out through his mouth. "The lamb… those ambitious Everfell stole from our us. They didn't keep your wool as white as possible, my lamb. They corrupted you, kept you lock-in, fed you lies. Do you know why?"
I let out a protesting grunt, but that only caused his grip to tighten. This time, my brave countenance broke as I winced in pain.
"Because when the time comes, when they are certain you loved them and only them, you will die for them willingly. My lamb, if the attack didn't happen, do you know what will happen that night?" my eyes shook while staring at him, witnessing those eyes come to life. To my surprise, there was nothing but contempt in them, as if he was furious at recalling a memory.
"If I didn't attack that wretched kingdom, they would serve my poor lamb on the banquet table of the royal family of cult to feast on you." I froze as my breath hitched. "They will eat you alive, my lamb. Just the thought of it makes me want to kill them a thousand more times. How dare they covet what is ours? What is mine to begin with? Can't you see? I came there to free you from their deceptive ways. But until the very end, they gave me a hard time by letting you flee."
'You came to save me from deception with deception?' was what I wanted to say if not for the hand that was slowly and painfully crushing my jaw.
"You, who is born with one purpose, is within my reach. If not for that damn dog and that family of cult… we could've been together." His tone died, loosening his grip from my jaw. "I don't care if you bring disaster, since everyone's demise is just what I want. I will treat you better. That is why I am the better option, Princess. You will simply ruin that dog…. no, this Ronmin Empire even without the Hendrik."