When she opened her eyes, her head was spinning. Her vision was blurry for a moment, but as her senses slowly returned, panic surged through her. Her wrists and ankles couldn't move, both were bound with cold metal cuffs. Her body was strapped to a chair, immobilizing her and preventing any attempt to stand or escape.
"Finally awake, Little Lioness?" A deep, familiar voice echoed.
She lifted her gaze, and her hazel eyes met his cold ocean-blue stare. For a heartbeat, she couldn't speak. Her chest tightened, her pulse racing. There was only one thought in her mind: escape. Either she would find a way out, or she would die on his hands.
Meanwhile, Hector sat still on the edge of his bed. As he had requested earlier, Mattheo obeyed and locked the girl in his room. The assistant even added extra effort to tie his prey to the chair, which pleased Hector.
Now, there were only the two of them in the dim room. Hector, who was watching her like a predator, and Estelle, who was desperately thinking of a way to escape his grasp.
"You don't have to be afraid. I won't kill you," Hector said calmly, as if reading her thoughts. His lips curled into a faint, chilling smile.
Estelle clenched her jaw. "How can I believe someone like you? Did you forget that you are the one who killed my parents?!"
Hearing her furious accusation, Hector's faint smile faded. "Estelle Constantia. No… should I call you Elysse Andersen instead?"
She stared at him, shocked. She had expected him to conduct a background check, but not this soon. Her true identity was now exposed. All her efforts to avenge her parents felt wasted. The spark of hope she once held turned to ashes.
"I don't know what's going on in your tiny head, but accusing me of killing your parents without proof… isn't that a bit rude?" he said, raising an eyebrow.
Clenching her jaw tighter, Estelle felt sickened by his pretentious denial. She was certain it was him. Yet he spoke as if he were innocent, as if her parents' deaths meant nothing. Anger crept into her heart.
"How could my father be clutching your ring on the brink of his death? They died right after meeting you!" she screamed.
Hector fell silent at her claim. His blue eyes stared blankly at the girl that was forced to sit on the chair. He let out a soft sigh, as though contemplating deeply. Reminiscing about an old incident between their families.
"You might not believe me, but I am not the one who killed your parents," Hector finally said.
"A perpetrator will never admit their sin!"
He nodded slowly. "Indeed… but keep in mind that I had no motive to kill your parents, and I gained nothing from doing so."
By logic, he was not wrong. Hector Nightwood was already a supreme figure. The existence of her family would never threaten the ruler of Eden City. Estelle knew this, yet she refused to doubt her own judgment. If it wasn't him, then who? There were no traces left behind except the engraved ring.
The ring's existence was also suspicious enough. How could her parents have possessed it? Did Hector give it to them? And if so… hadn't he set himself up? Even with other possibilities emerging, she remained in denial. She had always believed Hector was responsible for her parents' deaths, and she never allowed herself to doubt it.
"Regardless, the fact that you planned an assassination against me is undeniable," Hector said as he took a small bottle containing a pink liquid. "Now, your life and death belong to me."
He knew she was cornered. The perfect moment to propose an agreement had arrived. One step closer to owning her, yet Hector felt his composure slipping when he saw Estelle biting her lips. They looked tempting, and he desperately wanted to taste them.
"What do you want?!" Estelle screamed, trying desperately to break free from the chair.
But her efforts were futile, even her body did not move an inch. Her eyes fixed on the pink liquid in Hector's hand. She wished it were a lethal poison. But if it wasn't, then he would torment her endlessly. She would remain his prisoner until death.
Hector smiled as he moved closer and cupped her cheek. He knew she was beautiful, but the sight of her panicking with teary eyes made her even more stunning. The beast inside him clawed to break free and devour her whole.
"Don't look at me with those eyes, my Little Lioness. You'll make me even more excited," he chuckled, brushing his thumb over her plump lips while suppressing his desire.
"Curse you!" Estelle glared at him with burning rage.
Her anger didn't bother him at all. Laughing softly, Hector gripped her jaw and forced the pink liquid down her throat. She tried to spit it out, but he ensured she swallowed it completely.
"That won't kill you instantly," he said as he released her jaw, unfazed by her coughing.
Estelle tried to regain her composure and glare at him again, but before she could speak, numbness spread through her body, starting from her fingers. Fear washed over her. What horrific things would he do to her next? Should she end her own life instead? Would her deceased parents scold her for failing her revenge?
No. She couldn't die now. She must drag him to hell with her. No matter what happens!
"This is the price you must pay," Hector said proudly. "Listen carefully, Little Lioness. This poison will numb your body. If you do not take the antidote every 24 hours, the poison will destroy your nervous system, leaving you alive but like a doll. You will feel neither living nor dead. So you must take the antidote on time. I will provide it, but you must earn it."
He reached into his suit and took out another bottle, this one filled with blue liquid. Without hesitation, he drank it. What he did next sparked fury within Estelle. He pressed his lips against hers, forcing the antidote into her mouth while licking every corner of her lips. Long enough to make her gasp for breath.
As their lips parted, Hector smiled widely. His thumb brushed her swollen lips.
"Very beautiful. Very sweet," he whispered seductively. "This is the price for the antidote. Next time, you'll have to take the initiative."
Her body felt lighter after consuming the antidote, but her heart burned with hatred. Yes, she would do anything to survive. After that, she would take his head as payment for her suffering!
***
Before he left the room, Hector didn't forget to lock it. Turning his head, he looked at Mattheo and tossed him the key. As Hector walked past him, his lips curved into a smile.
"I think I'll go insane if I suppress myself any longer," Hector admitted.
Mattheo turned his head, his expression curious. "Why don't you tell her the truth? I think she would cooperate."
Shaking his head, Hector refused instantly. "That won't be fun. Taming a little lioness is far more challenging than taming a kitten."
He loved the sparks of hatred in her eyes. He loved every part of her that made him wonder how she would taste. He would wait until she willingly submitted to him. Only then would he own her completely. Her heart, her body, and all of her rage against destiny. He would embrace it all.
On the other side, his loyal aide smiled. His master being in a good mood was a good sign. It had been a long time since Hector enjoyed life. Being the ruler of Eden City kept him buried under mountains of work. His painful past also shaped much of his behavior. After his engagement was called off, Hector had rarely smiled.
It was widely known that he cherished his former fiancée-to-be and was looking forward to their engagement at the time. Until now, he even preserved one room for his former fiancée-to-be right beside his room. No one can enter that room except him. However, no one knew the exact identity of his former fiancée-to-be except his closest aide, because an incident occurred before he announced it in public, causing their engagement to be called off.
"Is there anything I can help you with?" Mattheo asked.
"Yes, quite a lot," Hector said, rubbing his chin. "I want to customize her based on my preferences. I'll give you the details later."
"Yes, Master," Mattheo bowed his head.
"And also… add a fertility potion to her meal," Hector continued.
As surprised as Mattheo was, he couldn't reject Hector's request. He wondered why, but he also knew he wasn't allowed to ask. So he simply nodded obediently. He felt sympathy for Estelle. Her life was not going to be easy.
***