Chapter 4

"I am sorry."

Syn's head remained low, his hands clenching into fists on his lap.

Vera's voice trembled, but only slightly. "And then I waited. I thought you would come back someday. And since that moment, I've been waiting for this moment. And yet—even now—I still can't touch you, even if that's all I want to do right now." Her voice was steady, but there was something raw beneath it. Something fractured. "Do you know how that feels? There was a torment inside me for years."

Syn exhaled sharply, the weight of her words pressing down on him like an invisible force.

Guilt.

A bitter emotion.

But was it justified?

He stayed silent, unable to meet her gaze. He had made his decision that day. A choice he still stood by. But Vera—Vera was the one who knew exactly what to say, what to do, to make him doubt himself.

"You can stay silent if you want," she continued, her golden eyes gleaming. "But sooner or later, you will talk. No one will ever forget what you did."

Syn's jaw tightened. He lifted his head and scoffed. "You talk as if I'm the only one who did something wrong."

Vera's expression remained unreadable, but the corners of her lips twitched ever so slightly.

Syn's temper flared. "You and your people killed so many mercilessly, and I'am the bad guy here? Have you even grown at all, Vera?" He gestured at her with an almost mocking smirk. "You look all composed. You act like some refined, mature lady, but you're still the same stubborn, immature girl from back then. And this whole guilt act? I tried to accept it, but now that I think about it, it's stupid."

Vera simply folded her arms and regarded him with an amused expression.

And that—that—only angered him more.

"See? There it is again." His voice lowered, but it carried weight. "You're definitely hurt, but on your face, you act as if this is all just some amusing little game." He exhaled, his gaze darkening. "I know you, Vera. You're different. Darker than what you show on the surface. You've always been like that, and I was too blind to notice until it was too late." His voice turned sharp, cutting. "And now, God knows why, you pull this stunt. You kill more people. You make an enemy out of the King's ninth daughter. And you keep me here—on display—like I'm some kind of trophy or a toy."

Silence.

A dangerous one.

Syn's smirk returned as he looked her dead in the eye. "Do you even understand what you are, Vera? You're a very sick person with multiple issues."

For the first time, Vera's smirk faded.

Her expression darkened—just for a second.

Then, like a switch had been flipped, her face brightened again, and she let out a soft chuckle. Folding her arms, she tilted her head. "Wow. You really got on my nerves there." Her golden eyes glimmered in the dim light. "If I was really the same girl as before, I would've done something rash right about now."

Syn remained still.

She took a step forward, pressing her palm against the forcefield. "You were waiting for it, weren't you?" she whispered, her voice laced with amusement. "For me to lose my cool, to lash out—so you could use it against me? Maybe even escape?"

Syn's stomach twisted.

She had caught it.

His plan. The same one even the best fell for.

And yet… she saw through it.

Damn it.

Vera smirked, shaking her head. "Looks like I was right." Then, as if nothing had happened, she turned away. "Anyway, I'm going to take a shower now. The offer still stands. Cancel the contract, and the forcefield falls."

She walked toward a grand door on the far side of the room—the entrance to what he assumed was her private bathroom. Just before disappearing inside, she turned slightly, tossing a final remark over her shoulder.

"Oh, and just so you know…" she mused, her voice carrying a sinister playfulness. "I've let the others know. They're coming to meet you soon."

Syn's fingers twitched.

"They've been dying to see you again," Vera continued, her smirk returning. "And just a fair warning…" Her golden eyes gleamed with something almost sadistic. "They won't be as calm and composed as I am. So, you better cancel the contract and get out of here before they arrive."

With that, she disappeared into the bathroom.

The door slid shut with a soft hiss.

Syn exhaled, his hands curling into fists before he turned to face the forcefield. He hesitated, then lifted a hand, pressing his palm against the invisible barrier. It hummed beneath his touch—a high-quality forcefield, dense and impenetrable.

Even aliens with extraordinary strength wouldn't be able to break through this.

His eyes darted around, searching for any kind of flaw. A vent. A control panel. Anything.

Nothing.

Not even a small gap to exploit.

He was trapped.

With a low growl of frustration, he turned away and collapsed back onto the bed, staring at the ceiling.

A few hours ago, he had been serving the princess. Now, he was aboard a pirate ship, held captive by a woman who was once his student. Once his friend.

How the hell had it come to this?

His fingers clenched the bedsheets.

His mind raced.

But he had no answers.

Only the weight of uncertainty pressing down on his chest.

Time passed—how much, he didn't know.

Then, a soft knock against the forcefield.

His head snapped up.

Vera stood there.

Freshly bathed.

Draped in a deep violet silk nightgown that matched her hair perfectly. The fabric clung to her figure in all the right places, cascading down her curves like liquid. The neckline dipped low, teasing, while the sheer fabric at the sides offered glimpses of her smooth skin.

Her long, damp purple hair rested over one shoulder, a few loose strands clinging to her collarbone. The dim lighting of the room cast a soft glow against her, accentuating the contrast between her pale skin and the rich, dark fabric.

She looked… dangerous.

But most of all, she looked pleased.

Amused.

"Did you miss me?" she asked, her voice a purr.

Syn simply stared at her, his expression unreadable.

Vera smirked. "You're looking at me like you're trying very hard not to react."

Syn scoffed, finally sitting up. "You really do love theatrics, don't you?"

She chuckled, stepping closer to the forcefield. "I do enjoy a good performance." She placed her hand against the barrier once more, her golden eyes locking onto his. "And you, Syn, are my favorite act."

Syn clenched his jaw.

Whatever was coming next…

It wasn't going to be easy.

And it sure as hell wasn't going to be pleasant.