His bare feet hit the cold marble floors as he rushed through the dimly lit corridors, his breathing uneven and sharp. The chains he had left behind still echoed faintly in his ears.
Faster… I have to get out…
The mark at the back of his neck pulsed again. Stronger this time. "—Ah!"
Cecil stumbled mid-step, grabbing onto the wall to steady himself. A surge of heat spread through his body, chasing away the cold, unstable feeling from before.
It was differen not weakening exactly.
But reacting. His eyes widened. It's… changing?
Another pulse followed—but this time, instead of pain, it sent a wave of energy through him, pushing him forward. Guiding him.
Cecil's ears twitched sharply, his instincts suddenly clearer, sharper than before.
This way…Without thinking, he turned down a narrow hallway he had never seen before.
Behind him, the palace seemed to grow heavier, darker—as if something was trying to pull him back.
But the mark pushed him forward. Protecting him. Leading him.
---
Elsewhere in the palace —The Crown Duke Prince suddenly stopped mid-step.
His expression darkened instantly. "…Cecil."
A strange, uneasy feeling settled in his chest. Not fear—but something close to irritation mixed with instinct.
He could feel it. Cecil was moving. Trying to escape.
His eyes narrowed dangerously. "So… you're running again," he muttered, a cold smile forming on his lips.
Without hesitation, he turned sharply toward the corridor.
"Guards," he ordered, his voice cutting through the air like a blade, "seal the exits. Now."
The guards froze for only a second before bowing. "Yes, Your Highness!"
The Crown Duke Prince's gaze darkened further as he began walking—then faster—then faster still.
"You won't get far," he whispered under his breath.
---
Cecil reached a tall set of doors leading toward the outer courtyard.
His chest rose and fell rapidly, his body trembling from exhaustion and the strange energy still flowing through him. Almost… I'm almost out…
The mark pulsed again. But this time— It flared brightly.
Cecil froze. A sudden, overwhelming presence brushed against his senses.
Familiar, Cold, Powerful.
His eyes widened. "…Him."
For a brief moment, it felt like someone was watching him through the mark.
Like a connection had just opened. Cecil's heart pounded. The Grand Duke…
The mark glowed once more, stronger than before — as if responding to his escape.
But behind him — Footsteps echoed. Fast. Closing in.
Cecil turned sharply, panic flashing across his face. No… no, no— He pushed the doors open and ran.
---
Cecil pressed himself tightly into the dark corner, barely daring to breathe.
He had slipped into a small, unused storage room—hidden behind heavy curtains and old furniture. Dust filled the air, and the faint scent of wood and age surrounded him.
Don't move… don't make a sound…
His heart pounded so loudly he was sure it could be heard outside.
Footsteps echoed in the hallway. Slow, Deliberate, Getting closer.
Cecil's ears twitched, flattening against his head as he covered his mouth slightly, trying to steady his breathing.
Then — The door creaked open.
The Crown Duke Prince stepped in. "You cannot hide from me," he said softly, his voice sending a chill down Cecil's spine.
Silence.
The prince's footsteps echoed as he moved around the room, checking every corner, every shadow.
"Cecil…" he called, his tone almost gentle—but laced with something dark. "My beloved Duchess… come out, come out, wherever you are."
Cecil's body trembled, but he stayed still.
Don't answer… don't move…
The mark at the back of his neck pulsed faintly, warm, as if urging him to remain hidden.
The Crown Duke Prince stopped. Right in front of the curtain.
Cecil's eyes widened. His breath caught in his throat. For a moment— Everything went completely still.
Then slowly… The Crown Duke Prince reached out— But paused.
A faint frown crossed his face. "…Not here," he muttered.
Cecil blinked in shock. He… didn't sense me?
The prince turned away, irritation flickering in his eyes.
"Tch… how troublesome," he murmured. "That mark again…"
With one last glance around the room, he stepped out. The door closed.
Silence returned. Cecil didn't move.
Not even a breath. Seconds passed. Then minutes.
Only when he was absolutely sure the footsteps had faded did he slowly relax, his body trembling from the tension. "…I made it…" he whispered weakly.
But deep down— He knew this wasn't over.
The Crown Duke Prince was still searching.
And next time…He might not be so lucky.
---
Cecil's chest still heaved as he pressed himself against the wall, trying to calm his racing heart. The dim light from the hallway barely reached the corner he hid in. For a moment, it felt like he might actually get away.
But then—a faint, cold sensation crept over him. Something in the air shifted. A presence. Familiar. Terrifying.
Cecil's ears twitched. His tail stiffened behind him. No… he's coming back…
And he was right.
Before Cecil could even move, the door burst open again, this time with a force that made the hinges groan. The Crown Duke Prince's dark eyes flashed as he stepped inside, every movement deliberate, predatory.
"You thought you could hide from me?" he said, his voice low and sharp. "That mark might protect you, little Duchess… but it will not save you forever."
Cecil pressed himself tighter into the corner, chains of fear and tension wrapping around his chest. He didn't answer. He couldn't.
The Crown Duke Prince's gaze swept the room, piercing every shadow, lingering on the faint glow of the mark at the nape of Cecil's neck.
"You feel that, don't you?" he murmured, stepping closer, voice soft but deadly. "The mark… pulsing against me… trying to keep you safe… but it will not last."
Cecil swallowed hard, pressing his palms against his chest. Stay calm… don't move… don't make a sound…
The Crown Duke Prince circled slowly, his presence pressing down on every corner of the room. "I can feel you," he said finally, stopping just a few feet away. "You think hiding will help? That magic… that mark… it can only hold me off for so long. And when it fails…"
His lips curved into a dark, dangerous smile. "You will be mine. Completely. Forever."
Cecil's tail flicked nervously. He forced himself to stay as still as possible, but his chest was tight, heart hammering in panic. I can't… I can't let him…
The Crown Duke Prince took one step closer. The air between them seemed to hum with tension, as if the room itself was holding its breath.
Then, almost imperceptibly, the mark flared—brighter than before.
Cecil gasped, the warmth spreading through him like a lifeline. The Crown Duke Prince froze mid-step, the light from the mark pushing against him, keeping him at bay.
But the prince's grin widened. "Interesting," he whispered, voice low, almost admiring. "Even cornered… even chained… you still resist. Very well. Run, little Duchess. Run while you can. But know this…"
His dark eyes locked onto Cecil's, glinting with obsession and calculation. "I will find you. Every step, every breath… mine. You cannot escape me forever."
Cecil swallowed hard, trembling. He knew the mark had given him a brief reprieve—but the Crown Duke Prince was relentless. He couldn't stay here. Not for another second.
And somewhere deep in his chest, a flicker of stubborn hope burned: the mark, the Grand Duke, the chance to survive… he wasn't completely powerless yet. But he had to move. Now.