Chapter 47: The Inscription of Runes

Ivina. Dandel.

Seeing such clear symbols on her arm finally drained the last ounce of strength from Ivina. Collapsing onto the bed, she knew she could no longer escape him.

"I think that in the future... a surname will be added here."

　　Those once sweet words now seemed so ironic.

"Master, this is precisely what I wanted to congratulate you on!" Seeing Ivena staring blankly at the runes on her arm, Vasha hurriedly spoke up.

　　"This is the mark left by the king—it's no small matter! Think of all the women in the palace—none of them have won the king's favor, yet from the past to the present, no woman has ever received this honor except you, my master…" This was precisely what Vasa held in such high esteem.

　　The latter half of this sentence, Vasa kept buried deep within her heart.

　　Whether through rumors or hearsay, this newly appointed witch was a mysterious woman. The outside world only knew that she had received the King's unique favor, even sparing her from the death penalty after being pardoned for a serious crime. Such an exception was hard to imagine being granted to just a witch.

　　Therefore, being able to serve such a person closely, to care for her and adore her, was truly a lifetime honor.

　　When she first learned she was to come here as a maid, she couldn't have been happier! But upon seeing her new master's face, why was it filled with such sorrow? 

"Then, can this be called luck?"

　　Her voice was so faint that only she could hear it. 

"…" Vasha puckered her lips. Her mind was filled with questions… 

If even such grace couldn't make the mistress happy, then what else could possibly cheer her up? Even a single smile would be enough.

　　"Master, is this water temperature suitable?" Vasha gently poured the water over Ivina's smooth back.

　　The fair skin still bore faint red marks like plum blossoms, and just looking at them made her face flush slightly.

"Hmm… suitable." She hadn't seen Luo for several days—no, it was more appropriate to call him Wang now.

　　However, ironically, in the past, she would have missed him. Now, she felt a bit more at ease.

　　Facing him made her afraid. The memories that had tormented her body and mind in the past few days were still haunting her.

　　Was that man in the fragmented memories—the brutal, lustful one who exerted his dominance to the extreme—really Luo?

　　If he didn't love her, then why did he lavish her with tenderness, cherish her, protect her, and give her the illusion of love...

Another helpless smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. These past few days, every time she thought of those fragments, she couldn't help but fall into endless contemplation.

"That's enough. Help me out of the pool."

　　Just as Imina was about to stand up, a sudden rush of heat to her head made her dizzy. 

"Oh no, I must have stayed in the bath too long. I apologize." Vasha panicked and knelt by the pool, pleading for Imina's forgiveness. 

"It's okay… help me up first." Imina grimaced in discomfort, her face pale.

　　"Yes, yes, I'll do it right away…" She was so useless, scared silly by such a small thing. 

　　Vasha clumsily reached into the pool, trying to help Ivina out as quickly as possible. 

"You dare, slave! What are you doing?!" 

　　Before she could react, the petite Vasha was flung aside. A pair of strong hands caught Ivina's body as she was about to slip.