No Escape

"What? You met that girl?" Rin exclaimed, eyes wide with shock as he processed what Ran had just told him. They were back at the Rembrandt Mansion. "Why didn't you tell me earlier?"

"Chill," Ran said, waving a hand dismissively. "I had to keep it to myself for a while since the head butler was with us. If he overheard, he might get suspicious."

Rin sighed, understanding the reasoning. "So, how did she end up here?"

"Same way we did. The light from the painting," Ran replied.

Rin furrowed his brows, struggling to recall seeing her with them at that moment. But before he could dwell on it, Ran continued.

"Anyway, I told her about our plan to escape. We're taking her with us."

"What? Why?" Rin objected, frowning. "She'll just be a burden."

Ran's expression darkened as he shot Rin a sharp glare. His usual nonchalant demeanor shifted into something serious, almost unyielding. Rin fell silent.

"She's still one of us," Ran said firmly. "If Mom finds out we left her behind, she'll be furious."

Rin rolled his eyes but relented. "Fine."

Ran turned toward the window, his gaze locked on the moonlit landscape outside. "The night after tomorrow, we make our move. We can't wait for the crescent moon. We have to leave before that Arthur Morem guy meets the emperor."

Rin nodded. "You're right. Everything is ready. Now, we just have to leave without being noticed."

Ran clenched his jaw, gripping the windowsill. They had to succeed—failure was not an option.

.

.

.

Jinny had just finished preparing the emperor's bath when she made her way to Matias's chamber. She hesitated for a moment before stepping inside.

"Your Majesty, your bath is ready," she said softly.

Matias, seated on his bed with a book in hand, paused his reading. Without a word, he closed the book and rose. As always, Jinny assisted him with his bath, her hands working in practiced silence.

Her gaze flickered over the marks on his body. They were getting larger.

A shadow passed over her face as she recalled Ran's words from earlier.

A safer place...

Would they truly be able to find one?

She quickly shook the thought away. Doubting her brothers was not an option. They were the only family she had in this unfamiliar world. They had to stay together, to find the rest of their siblings.

Right... They were strong. Their fathers had trained them well.

But...

Her eyes shifted to Matias.

What about her promise to the emperor?

He had sworn to protect her, told her that she was safest by his side. He had made her believe that no one else could shield her from harm.

She wanted to trust him.

But what about her brothers?

A deep sigh escaped her lips.

"You've been sighing quite a bit. Is something troubling you?" Matias asked, his eyes still closed as he basked in the warmth of the water.

Jinny stiffened. "N-Nothing, Your Majesty," she answered quickly, resuming her task of scrubbing his back.

"Are you tired?" he asked.

"N-No, Your Majesty. I... I'm just... not feeling well, I suppose." She lowered her head.

Matias opened his eyes and turned to look at her.

Her expression was distant—troubled.

"Tell me what happened," he commanded.

Jinny swallowed hard. "A-Actually, Your Majesty... s-some of my memories have returned."

Matias arched a brow. "And?"

"I remembered that I have brothers... and then, I happened to see them," she admitted cautiously.

A flicker of something unreadable crossed Matias's face. "How did you see them? You haven't been leaving the palace, have you?" His voice was cold.

Jinny averted her gaze. She couldn't tell him that her brothers were at the Rembrandt Mansion—it would only bring trouble.

She dropped to her knees. "F-Forgive me, Your Majesty! I was curious about the outside world that day, so I... sneaked out. I wasn't planning to stay long, but before I could return, I ran into my brothers by accident."

Matias's gaze remained fixed on her, sharp and unwavering.

"Are you telling the truth?"

Jinny's hands trembled against the floor. "I... I am, Your Majesty. I would never dare lie to you."

Silence stretched between them.

Then Matias's voice cut through the air like a blade. "So? You met them. What now?"

Jinny clenched her fists, trying to suppress the fear creeping up her spine. "T-They want me to return home." She squeezed her eyes shut, bracing for his reaction.

A sudden, chilling laugh echoed through the room.

"Y-Your Majesty?" Jinny's head snapped up.

She shuddered at the sight before her.

Matias wasn't just laughing—his expression had twisted into something dark, something terrifying.

His laughter continued, low and cruel.

"F-Forgive me, Your Majesty!" she cried, pressing her forehead against the cold floor in submission.

Matias stood, his naked form unconcerned as he reached for his robe. Slipping it on, he took slow, deliberate steps toward her.

Jinny remained kneeling, trembling.

He stopped in front of her. "You will never leave this place," he said, his voice devoid of warmth.

Jinny's breath hitched. She looked up in shock. "B-But... Your Majesty—"

"Stand."

Her legs felt weak as she rose, keeping her head lowered.

Matias lifted her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze. His eyes burned with possessiveness.

"Have you forgotten?" he murmured. "You already belong to me. I decide what happens to you. And as long as I'm alive, you will never leave my side. You will serve me for the rest of your life. Remember that."

His grip tightened around her wrist.

"Y-Your Majesty, where are you taking me?" Jinny's voice wavered with fear.

Matias didn't answer. A suffocating darkness surrounded him, his presence heavy with authority.

"P-Please forgive me, Your Majesty! I promise I won't mention leaving again!" she pleaded, her voice breaking.

But Matias remained silent, his grip like iron. Tears welled in Jinny's eyes as she struggled against his hold, but he was too strong.

He led her to his bed, pushing her down onto the soft sheets.

"Y-Your Majesty?" Her panic escalated as he untied his robe.

Her entire body froze.

What was he going to do?

"Your life belongs to me. Try to escape, and you'll regret it." he said.

He tore at her clothes, ignoring her desperate pleas for mercy. His lips crashed against her neck, his kisses rough and unrelenting. He bit down, leaving dark marks on her skin—his claim, his warning.

Jinny had no choice but to cry. Fear gripped her heart as she realized, for the first time, that the emperor was capable of doing something horrible to her. She had believed him to be kind, trusted his promises—he had said he would protect her. But now, she couldn't understand why he was doing this.

She cried out in pain as she felt him enter her, a rush of blood following... She was no longer a virgin, but his aggressive movements still tore her apart, causing her to bleed.

Matias continued as Jinny cried, her body trembling in pain. She tried to beg once more, but her voice was barely a whisper, cracked with exhaustion and fear. Her words had no strength left, and as before, he ignored her pleas.

Jinny's strength faded, and soon, she lost consciousness, but Matias did not relent. He was resolute, focused on his plan.

He leaned closer to her ear, his breath hot against her skin as he whispered, "You can't escape me..."