Chapter 13: The Abduction

Sophia's POV

"...because she's my accomplice."

The words struck me like a punch to the gut. My jaw practically hit the floor.

"What? Are you losing your mind?!" I demanded, my brows knitted together in disbelief. He just grinned in response, like he didn't have a care in the world.

"So, if it is your intention to abduct me, might I suggest you take the young lady as well," he spoke with a nonchalant air, encircling me with his arm. "Should you release her, she may very well flee and alert her father, the Colonel, to our misfortune."

My mind went into overdrive. What the heck is this guy talking about? How does he know I'm connected to the Colonel? And—wait, is he out of his mind? The Colonel isn't my father! He's my husband, okay?! My husband! I mean, soon! But seriously, this guy is off his rocker!

"Hey! Cut the nonsense! This is the first time I've ever met you, and now you're talking about me being 'with you'?! Should I slap you right now? You want that?" I snapped, raising an eyebrow at him. I turned away from him, my patience worn thin.

It was clear now—I wasn't going to get the brooch. I needed to leave. But just as I was about to make my exit, a strong hand gripped my arm, yanking me back.

"My apologies, young lady, but alas, you are not permitted to depart." came a gruff voice, a man whose very presence screamed authority—like he was the leader of some notorious gang.

I shot him an incredulous look. "Huh? Why?" My heart raced, unsure of what was about to unfold.

"Quickly, seize those two!" he barked, his voice leaving no room for argument.

"What?! That's not possible—" I started to protest, but before I could finish, they forced something under my nose, and the world around me faded into darkness.

Gruuum~

I jolted awake, my stomach growling as a sudden wave of hunger hit me.

"I have never heard a sound so loud as yours. Perhaps it is merely hunger that drives you." a calm voice said, breaking through the haze of my grogginess.

I scrambled to sit up, my eyes darting around. "Wait, where am I? Who are you?" I asked, panic creeping into my voice.

The voice chuckled softly. "You've succumbed to slumber. Have you already forgotten someone as handsome as myself?"

Shocks! It hit me like a ton of bricks. I remembered his smug face.

"How dare you!" I snapped, anger boiling up in me. "Who are you to call yourself handsome?! You were part of the group that kidnapped me! You're crazy!" The memories came rushing back. If my hands and feet weren't tied up, I would've gladly shaved his head just for being so infuriating.

Grrrrum

He chuckled, seemingly unaffected by my fury. "I am at a loss as to how you still possess the strength to shout, considering you appear to be starving."

"Shut up!" I shot back. "This is your fault! Why did you bring me here? And now, how are we supposed to escape from here?" My voice trembled with frustration.

He tilted his head, his grin never faltering. "Pray, tell me, why do you harbor such anger? Do you not desire to be in my company? I have already granted you the honor of spending time with me. You should feel grateful, for you are the only woman to be granted the privilege of being near someone as handsome as myself."

Oh, the audacity! If my hands weren't tied, I would have slapped him so hard he'd forget his own name.

"How could I not be mad? Don't you realize it's already evening? They're probably looking for me by now—" I stopped mid-sentence, suddenly recalling something important.

"Go home before it gets dark, because we have somewhere to go tonight."

I froze, my heart sinking as the realization hit me.

Shocks! The Duke!

My heart skipped a beat. I swallowed hard, panic gripping me tightly. I needed to escape. Fast.

I felt my fingers tugging at my hair in frustration, my mind spiraling as I recalled the Duke's words earlier at the church.

"Pray, what seems to be the trouble?" His voice was annoyingly calm, too calm.

"You!" I snapped, feeling a sting of panic mixed with pure irritation. "You even asked! Just wait until I get out of here. I swear, I'll pull your hair out!" I spat out, my hands trembling with the intensity of my anger. The thought of what he'd done to get me in this situation—the kidnapping, the nonsense—only made me angrier. But, as I expected, he just laughed. Of course, he did.

This guy's completely abnormal!

"You know," he said, his tone mocking,"I've encountered many a lady in my time, but none quite like you. The others, they tread lightly, as if their every word and step is weighed for the judgment of society. They speak only when compelled, and their voices are sweet, measured, with every syllable crafted to preserve their image of perfection. They seek nothing more than the praise of being 'proper,' 'demure,' and 'elegant.' But you..." He stopped, his gaze lingering on me with a mix of amusement and intrigue. "Your actions, dear lady, are far more akin to those of a rogue than of a refined lady."

I stared at him, a cold shiver running down my spine. "Do I care?" My voice came out sharper than I intended, but I couldn't help it. I was beyond frustrated at this point.

Gosh! What should I even do? The Duke is probably looking for me by now, and I'm stuck here, playing games with this lunatic. Why did I even chase after this guy? What was I thinking? I should've turned back the moment he started spouting nonsense.

Wait… Focus, Sophia. I need to find a way out of here.

I glanced around the room. It was dimly lit, the moonlight filtering through the small, barred window. Shadows crept along the walls, making the space feel colder and more foreboding. It didn't help that the man sitting across from me—his hands still bound—seemed so calm, like this whole situation didn't faze him at all.

"It appears, my dear, that you are quite determined to flee, are you not?" His voice pulled me from my thoughts.

"Of course, I want to escape! This is crazy! What do you think?" I shot back, my voice rising with every word. "Do you think we're going to sit here forever?"

He tilted his head slightly, his lips curling into an amused smirk. "If that is indeed your wish, then why should I stand in your way?" He said it as if staying here, trapped, was the most natural thing in the world. As if I was crazy for even thinking about escaping.

I snapped, "Aah! I don't know about you, but I'm not staying here with you!" The sheer frustration of the situation hit me all at once. "Stop talking to me! You're just stressing me out even more!"

He just laughed again, loud and obnoxious. I swear, this guy had no concept of personal boundaries. His laughter was like nails on a chalkboard, and I could feel my temper flaring hotter with each passing second.

"Waaa! Shut up!" I growled, my fists clenching by my sides. The anger boiled in my chest, but it did nothing to help the situation.

He didn't stop. Instead, he laughed even harder. "You're so grumpy!" he teased, his voice dripping with amusement. "Very well, since you are so eager to flee, perhaps you would be more inclined to assist me in return?"

Help him? Was he serious? I stared at him, bewildered. "Help you? How?" I asked, as if his words had no meaning.

"Well, as you can see," he said, matter-of-factly, "Both our hands and feet are bound, "Therefore, I shall require your assistance in extricating us from this predicament." 

I blinked. This guy was asking for help after everything he's put me through? "And how am I supposed to help?" I demanded, fighting to keep the frustration from showing in my voice.

"Simple," he said, as if he'd planned this all along. "Pray, use your mouth to retrieve the small blade that is lodged against my leg."

I stared at him, my mouth hanging open in disbelief. "Huh? Are you out of your mind?! No way!" I couldn't believe he'd just suggested something so ridiculous.

He seemed utterly unfazed. "No problem. I just wanted to let you know," he continued, "I can stay here for days, waiting for my father to rescue me. But you? I have no idea when or if someone's even coming for you."

I ground my teeth together, cursing inwardly. Damn it, he was right. I didn't have the luxury of waiting around. I needed to escape, and I needed to do it now. The sooner I helped him, the sooner I could untie myself and figure out a way out of this mess.

I sighed, already wiggling towards him like some kind of worm on the ground, ignoring the mockery in his eyes. His laughter, though, echoed in my ears like a drumbeat.

"Is something funny?" I snapped, my patience running thin.

"No, no, my sincerest apologies," he said, though he couldn't stop laughing.

I rolled my eyes, not bothering to reply. This guy was a joke. I was about to strangle him with my bare hands.

"Ugh, whatever! Where is it?" I asked, ignoring his laughter and focusing on the task at hand.

"It is affixed to my leg," he remarked nonchalantly, "secured within a strap."

That was all I needed to hear. I didn't wait for any more instructions; I moved quickly, closing the gap between us. I was focused, determined to finish this as quickly as possible. But just as I was about to lift the soft, silken fabric of his pants, he suddenly burst out laughing again.

"Wait, wait," he chuckled, his laughter bubbling up uncontrollably. He shifted awkwardly, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Sorry, but I'm ticklish... on my leg."

I stopped in my tracks. "What the hell?" I stared at him, incredulous. "Seriously? Then why the hell did you put the knife there in the first place?" I couldn't believe it. This was beyond absurd.

"Pray, take it slowly, young lady," he said, trying to calm himself down. But I could see the laughter still dancing in his eyes. I was done waiting. I had no patience for this.

With one quick motion, I lifted the fabric, ignoring his laughter and pulling the knife out from where it had been wedged in the strap. It made a soft clink as I placed it on the ground beside me.

"Good heavens, that was swift," he said, sounding impressed.

I flipped my hair over my shoulder, standing up straight with a sigh. "Should I even bother?" I muttered, almost to myself, my voice laced with sarcasm. "Now untie me."

"Hahaha! You're really something else, huh? I can't believe you," he said with a laugh, his voice echoing in the small, dimly lit room.

I glared up at him, my frustration mounting. "Well, believe it! So hurry up and untie me!" I tugged against the ropes, trying to ignore the burning discomfort in my wrists.

"Very well, very well! However, I am unable to bend to retrieve it from the floor. As you are already in such a position, perhaps you might use your mouth to seize it and pass it to me?" he said, grinning in a way that sent a shiver down my spine.

"Huh? I don't want to!" I protested, my cheeks flushing with embarrassment. I definitely didn't want to be that close to him—not now, not ever.

"Then forget it, let's just sleep," he teased, a smirk playing on his lips as he leaned back against the wall, clearly enjoying this.

"Ugh! Remember this, man! You'll pay for this!" I said, trying to sound tough as I grabbed the balisong on the floor with my mouth. I had no choice but to do what he asked. Once I got it, I immediately looked up at him. But then, out of nowhere, he suddenly leaned down, leaving only a small gap between us. My heart skipped a beat.

I stared at him, momentarily frozen. It was undeniable that he came from a wealthy family. His flawless features and the confident air about him screamed privilege. He's tall, handsome—everything, But... eww. He's gross!

"What's with the staring? Just pass it over," he said, his voice low and teasing as he opened his mouth, clearly waiting for the balisong.

Ugh! This guy is crazy. I quickly passed it to him, not wanting to drag it out any longer.

"Uh, wait. After I get the knife, stand up quickly so I can match the back of your tied hands," I said, trying to regain some semblance of control.

He nodded in agreement, his eyes flickering with a strange, unreadable expression. As soon as I saw his mouth open to take the balisong, I passed it to him. But I couldn't shake the feeling that he was staring at me too intently, something in his gaze making me uncomfortable. What's wrong with him?

Once the balisong was in his hands, I stood up, wincing slightly as the blood rushed to my limbs. The room was eerily quiet until—Click!

We heard the faint sound of footsteps from outside. I froze, the urgency of the situation suddenly crashing into me.

"Pray, hurry and untie your legs." he said, his voice sharp with urgency.

I followed his instructions quickly, trying to keep my focus. As soon as I untied the rope from his legs, I moved toward him, but before I could do anything else, he pulled away with a swift motion.

"Pray, heed me! There is no time to spare. When the door opens, strike them down and flee with haste. I know your speed; you shall escape." he said, flashing me a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.

"Huh? No way! I know you're a thief, but we're leaving together," I replied, frustration creeping into my voice. But before I could continue, the sound of chains rattling at the door cut me off.

"When the door opens, you must act swiftly. Do you understand?"he whispered urgently, his eyes locking onto mine with such intensity that my heart skipped a beat. Panic clawed at my insides.

Shit! What do I do? I could feel my body trembling, my mind racing for answers. The door creaked open, revealing three men standing there, their eyes narrowing in suspicion.

"Young lady, it's time!" he shouted, and my heart leapt into my throat as I bolted for the door.

I ran. I didn't think, didn't hesitate—I just ran. But as I sprinted down the hall, I heard a muffled scream from behind me.

I stopped dead in my tracks.

This is wrong, Sophia. He helped you escape. Why are you running alone?

Clenching my fists in frustration, I turned back. But just as I did, doubt gripped me. 

But he's helping me escape!

I turned back again, but before I could take another step, I heard another muffled scream. My breath hitched.

Shocks! What should I do?

"Think, Sophia. Think!" I muttered, my panic growing. Why couldn't I think clearly? Where are my brain cells? Why wasn't my mind working? Waaaah! Why now, of all times?

Before I completely lost my sanity, I turned back toward the source of the scream, determination flooding my chest.

"Right, I need to go back!" My decision was final. I couldn't just leave him behind.

Grabbing a thick plank from the corner, I dashed back to the storage room, my heart racing with every step. When I reached it, I froze. The sight before me was almost too much to bear.

The three men were surrounding him, beating him mercilessly. His blood was splattered across his face, his body a canvas of bruises. But he was still standing, still defiant.

Ugh! These assholes! Only their eyelids aren't bruised! I gripped the plank so tightly I thought my fingers would snap.

"Waaah! You scumbags! Thieves! Cancerous! Bastards! Minions of Thanus! You're all cancelled! You're all cancelled!" I shouted, swinging the plank toward the men with all the strength I had left.

"Young lady, it seems you are not striking anyone."

His words were a mix of humor and pain, but they didn't stop me.

"Ah! Right. Hehe." I laughed nervously, realizing I was just about to swing at the guy who helped me. "Waaah! What are you doing?! You're bleeding, and you're still interfering! Do you wanna get hit?"

"You're really something else, young lady," he said, smiling weakly despite the blood covering his body. "Pray, tell me, what is it that brought you back?"

"I don't turn my back on someone who helped me, do you understand?" I said, standing my ground, the plank still pointed at the men who were slowly closing in on us.

I heard him laugh, a sound that was both lighthearted and grim.

"It appears, my dear, that you are quite unfamiliar with the true essence of danger."

"Well, danger is my last name." I secretly smiled at my own bravado, but deep inside, I was terrified. Haha! Just kidding! This isn't the time for jokes.

I tightened my grip on the wood, trying to remain calm.

"You've already made your escape, and yet, you return! What, pray tell, do you expect to occur?"one of the men sneered.

"Wait! Stay there! Don't come closer! Swiper, no swiping!" I yelled, hoping for some kind of miracle, but it only confused him and his companions. Shocks! Isn't that effective here? I took a step back as they continued to advance.

Acck! What the hell am I doing? This is crazy!

As he came closer, I raised the plank, ready to strike. But before I could, he easily blocked it, a smirk playing on his lips.

Gosh! Can he please stop grinning like that? It's so scary. Huhu.

He was still holding the plank when he suddenly struck me, and I dropped to my knees, pain shooting through my body.

Ugh. Is he One Punch Man or something? It hurt so much. Damn it! 

I felt my vision blur as pain consumed me. Just as I was about to collapse, the guy who had helped me yelled out in a voice full of pain and desperation, "Young lady!"

"It would be wise for you to flee while you still have the opportunity. Why, pray, did you return? What did you expect to happen? Do you truly believe someone shall come to your aid here? Who? WHO DO YOU THINK WILL SAVE YOU?" he shouted, raising the plank to strike me again.

Shit. Is this for real? Am I really going to die here? But can I request some kimchi before I die?

I closed my eyes, preparing to accept whatever fate had in store for me when suddenly, I heard a loud crash behind them.

My heart skipped a beat. I opened my eyes in shock. What I saw was so unreal that I thought my brain had short-circuited. A fast sword pierced through the chest of the man in front of me, appearing from behind him in a blur of motion.

"What if I told you it was me?"

Said the man who had just arrived, his voice cold as ice. 

I could barely move from the pain in my stomach, but something urged me to find out who this mysterious savior was. Slowly, I raised my head to see who it was, my heart racing with anticipation. The moment our eyes met, everything else seemed to fade away.

"D-duke?"