FLBE Chapter 2 Part 7

Since when had he been smiling? Had there ever been such a ridiculous and amusing incident in his life?

 

 

 

No matter how he pondered, he couldn’t help but laugh. He had encountered this arrogant and insolent woman who defied his expectations every time, and yet he was so curious about her.

 

 

 

‘You have gone mad, Rhetrik Klein.’

 

 

 

Fortunately, the end of her sorrowful crying came. She had been crying like that all day, and it was becoming bothersome. But seeing her wiping her tears away with a sniffle, it seemed like she had let everything out.

 

 

 

“Did you cry it all out?”

 

 

 

“…”

 

 

 

“I should get an answer. Until when do you think I’ll put up with this?”

 

 

 

“…I’m sorry.”

 

 

 

“What for?”

 

 

 

“For… talking back.”

 

 

 

“You committed a crime that deserves death.”

 

 

 

“Your Majesty should apologize as well.”

 

 

 

“What?”

 

 

 

“Forget about anything else, but at least apologize for speaking about my friend like that. Just as Your Majesty has precious people, those people are the dearest friends to me.”

 

 

 

Rhetrik’s expression changed oddly again. It was an impassive expression, but just meeting his gaze conveyed a chilling sensation as if a blade might be at her throat. Once again, familiar fear crept up slowly.

 

 

 

However, this time, Liena couldn’t back down. If she continued to yield like this, she would only end up being his plaything for a lifetime, living a life devoid of emotions. And eventually, she might be devoured by him and die. If living like that would lead to death, she thought it might be better to die now.

 

 

 

“Do you really want to die that badly? Even if you’re useful to me, I’m not desperate enough that I would grant you everything.”

 

 

 

“I know. If I die, another saintess will probably appear. Then you can just capture that saintess again and be done with it. So, go ahead and do that. Just kill me now and bring another saintess later.”

 

 

 

“What?”

 

 

 

Everyone has a certain temperament. And that applied to Liena as well. She might have been gentle and affectionate in her everyday demeanor, but even in the face of death, she was not fragile enough to be considered submissive.

 

 

 

When a rat is cornered, it will bite the cat. She was like a rat that had been driven into a corner. However, the terrifying thing was that the man in front of her was a fearsome monster, not a cat.

 

 

 

Her words seemed to be blocked, and as she stared fixedly at the man who maintained his expression, a strange sense of excitement welled up within her. It seemed like he wouldn’t immediately kill her unless he was in heat. Fueled by this hope, Liena took a gamble. After all, what did she have to lose? It was either death or submission.

 

 

 

“What would you like to do?”

 

 

 

“Heh, you seem like you’re holding the reins of my leash.”

 

 

 

“Well, I can’t exactly say that. Though Your Majesty’s gaze seems to waver now.”

 

 

 

“Have you always been like this? Was trembling like rabbit an act all along?”

 

 

 

“It’s because I’m willing to die right now. Before I was someone who wanted to live more than anyone else. But you’ve broken my will to live. So, I’m giving you a choice. Will you apologize? Or will you kill me?”

 

 

 

“Heh!”

 

 

 

The thick veins on Rhetrik’s neck bulged as he lost his composure due to her fearless actions. Yet, his face remained devoid of any expression, like a finely sculpted statue.

 

 

 

Liena wiped her sweaty hands on her clothes and swallowed hard, her throat making a gulping sound.

 

 

 

Her delicately pink-tinted eyes trembled like petals painted by dewdrops. Despite feeling terrified to the point of gulping nervously, she was gambling at the edge of a cliff. She was displaying the determination that she would throw herself off that cliff if she was defeated.

 

 

 

Even though he keenly observed her condition, Rhetrik didn’t say anything. Of course, as she had said, he could immediately strike her down and find another saint. However, just the thought of going through that dreadful time again made his blood boil.

 

 

 

But was that all there was to it? Why was he hesitating? No, why was he only considering how to persuade her?

 

 

 

Frustrated by his own state of confusion, Rhetrik roughly ruffled his neatly arranged golden hair. He had never imagined that he would be swayed so much by this insignificant woman in such a short time.

 

 

 

“Sigh… Ha, I’ve never seen such a reckless woman like you before.”

 

 

 

“Didn’t people say that a cornered mouse will bite a cat? You should have left me some room to breathe if you were going to corner me.”

 

 

 

“So, you’re saying I’m the cat right now? And you’re on the verge of biting me?”

 

 

 

“Well, I haven’t bitten you yet. So, there’s still a chance. One simple apology and you might avoid getting bitten…”

 

 

 

As the conversation went on, Liena’s resolve began to waver once again. Could life and death really be dictated by one’s determination? The sight of Rhetrik’s wavering demeanor was both intriguing and satisfying to her.

 

 

 

As time passed, her desire to die gradually diminished, and a glimmer of hope to live surged unexpectedly. However, belatedly realizing the foolishness of her negotiation, she frowned.

 

 

 

Idiot, I should have just asked him to let me go! If I had just offered to be with him during his mating season, he might have let me go!

 

 

 

Overwhelmed by a momentary surge of emotions, she regretted tossing away such a valuable bargaining chip. Of course, if not for the incident earlier, they might not have ended up in this situation, but looking back, it was a missed opportunity.

 

 

 

Should I just tell him now? That I’ll be at his beck and call?