FLBE Chapter 9 Part 5
by SYLPHWith a final slam of the door, silence enveloped the room. The intensity from moments ago felt like a distant dream, replaced by a chilling stillness that wrapped around Liena.
“Hnggg…”
How did it end up like this? Why did it turn out this way? What did I do wrong? I just… just… ungg!
Unable to even gather her wrecked body, Liena lay face down on the floor, tears streaming down her face. She wanted to cry out loud, but no sound came out. She was too afraid that her cries would reach Rhetrik’s ears, angering him even more.
Biting her lip hard, she lay there, weeping silently.
* * *
With the help of a new maid, Liena finally managed to wash herself. Now, like a soulless doll, she sat on the balcony chair for a long time, staring blankly at the sky.
She was trapped. Completely trapped. She had only wanted to help someone but ended up plunging one person into corruption and engulfing another in hatred.
What kind of saintess was she? She felt like she could never help anyone again. If helping someone meant bringing hell to another, she didn’t want to help anyone anymore. She wanted to give up on being a Saintess altogether.
“Haa…”
Liena gazed endlessly at the vast garden of the imperial palace, blaming an unknown someone for her predicament.
Would everything end if I jumped from here? Could I perhaps return to my original world? What about Emma? What if Roan started a war with Rhetrik after hearing this news?
Endless thoughts tormented her.
“Ah… idiot.”
She suddenly felt pathetic, wondering what she was doing.
I can’t even take care of myself, so who am I to worry about others?
Maybe Emma had forgotten about me and is living well. Maybe she is relieved not to serve the stubborn saintess who never listened to her anymore. Possibly, she might even be resenting me for making her suffer like that, never wanting to see me again.
Most importantly, there’s no way Pope Roan would confront the Emperor just for me. Now that his rut was over, he might not even need me anymore. What’s so special about an Omega’s body that’s just useful for an Alpha’s rut anyway?
Reflecting on it, she realized she was foolishly excited and worried, thinking she was someone special to them. How can I be so stupid?
“Ha…”
She longed to go back. If there was a way, she wanted to return to the time she spent with her friends. She painfully realized how happy she was when she wasn’t an Omega. Today, she missed Sonny and Anton terribly.
“I hope everyone is doing well. I miss you. I want to go to you.”
“Then why not go?”
“…!”
Startled by the sudden voice, Liena looked around frantically. But there was no one. She stood up abruptly, gripping the balcony railing and leaning over to search her surroundings.
“Be careful. You might fall and die.”
“Ah!”
Someone suddenly wrapped their arms around her waist from behind. As her startled body turned naturally, a man smiled brightly and greeted her.
“Surprised? It’s me, Lance. You haven’t forgotten me, right?”
“Y-You…”
“Long time no see, right?”
“H-How did you…?”
“Do you still not know who I am?”
He was still strange, still beautiful, and still exuded an aura of danger. The man, smiling brightly, asked again.
“A… mage?”
“That’s right, but to be precise, I’m the Master of the Tower. The highest authority in the world of mages. You could think of me as being on par with the emperor.”
The man, who had kindly added explanations, leaned in closer and buried his face in her neck, just like the first time they met. He took a deep breath and then suddenly grimaced, complaining.
“Ugh, you reek of that d*sgusting smell again.”
Startled, Liena lifted her arm and sniffed herself.
“Heh, that’s cute. You can’t smell it.”
“Why not?”
“Because it’s already mixed with your scent.”
“Oh…”
Seeing her quickly accept his explanation made the corners of Lance’s mouth twitch. She was still adorable and still looked delicious.
As she nodded, Liena suddenly widened her eyes and looked up at him, asking.
“But how did you get in here?”
“I used magic to come in. Did you think I climbed up?”
“No, but this room is…”
“Oh, those lowly knights think they can stop me? They don’t even know I’m here. Those insignificant fools can never sense me.”
“Oh… You must be very good at magic.”
“What? Hah…Hahaha.”
She had merely agreed with his arrogant statement, but Lance buried his face in her shoulder, chuckling.
Raising his head again, Lance looked at Liena with evident amusement. The more he looked, the more desirable she seemed. Liena, with her diverse expressions and unexpected remarks, was never boring to be around.
Today, Lance was determined to take her away. As he wouldn’t get such an opportunity again.
“Come with me.”
Liena’s eyes widened at the sudden proposal.
“What?”
“You’re trapped here. I’m offering to rescue you. Princess, will you take my hand?”
Liena just blinked at his exaggerated gestures and smirk.
How does he know?
Then she shook her head, speaking firmly.
“No. If I disappear, Emma and my friends will be in danger.”
“Hmm, you don’t need to worry about that maid, Emma.”
“What? You know Emma?”
He shrugged and grinned. Her earlier thoughts seemed forgotten as Liena grabbed Lance’s arm and asked again.
“Where is Emma? Is she okay?”
“Don’t worry about her. No matter how crazy he is, he won’t mess with that woman. You have nothing to fear.”
“Really…? Why?”
“Is this time to be curious about that right now? You’re about to be trapped here forever. You’re facing a once-in-a-lifetime chance. Shouldn’t you be worrying about your own future first?”
A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Yes, if she didn’t take this chance now, she would be stuck here forever, doomed to be the emperor’s plaything. She wouldn’t be a Saintess anymore, just his personal Omega, heading towards a bad ending just like the previous Saintess.