The lights in the corridor were dimmed, casting long shadows along the narrow walls. This wing of the mansion was secluded, far removed from the rest of the world. Niamph stood in front of the massive door, her fingers twitching, heart thudding violently against her chest. Her eyes remained lowered, brimming with unshed tears.

Lucy had left her here moments ago, giving her one last sympathetic glance before disappearing down the hall.

Niamph swallowed hard.

She blinked rapidly, forcing the tears back.

Drawing a shaky breath, she reached for the handle and stepped inside.

The room was cloaked in shadows. The walls, dark and oppressive, seemed to close in around her. Everything felt foreign and cursed-nothing like her world filled with warmth, simplicity, and light.

A sharp flinch escaped her when the heavy door clicked shut behind her, sealing her inside.

There’s no sign of him.

She looks around the dimly lit room, her heartbeat echoing in her ears. But the chilling atmosphere whispers otherwise. A cold unease coils in her stomach. She rubs the pit of her neck—a nervous habit she always falls back on when anxiety claws at her.

“Took you long enough.”

A calm, chilling voice rang from behind her.

She turned swiftly toward the sound, gasping.

There he was—sitting leisurely on the couch, ankle resting atop one knee. He wore a white shirt, the sleeves rolled up to his forearms, two buttons undone, revealing a glimpse of his chest. Tattoos peeked from his skin—bold, unapologetic. His head rested on the arm of the couch, gaze fixed above him, as if he owned the silence.

He looked like the king of the dead.

Niamph clutched the red fabric tighter. Her feet felt rooted to the floor. No words left her throat.

Then his eyes shifted—to her.

A tilt of his head. A slow, deliberate look from head to toe.

Niamph lowered her gaze, unable to meet his.

The silence thickened, stretching like a storm waiting to break.

Then came the sound of footsteps—slow, deliberate, echoing through the room like a countdown.

Niamph inhaled shakily. She felt his presence approaching.

It didn’t take him long to reach her.

He stood in front of her now.

Without a word, he lifted her chin, forcing her to face him. Her red lips trembled. Her eyes, coal-dark and shimmering with fear, locked with his.

He got lost in them for a moment.

Her breathing hitched.

He let go of her chin and slowly began circling her, a predator stalking his prey. She stood still—frozen. His body, large and commanding, cast a heavy shadow across her delicate frame.

Then he stopped behind her.

She could feel his heat—his breath—on her skin.

He leaned in, his mouth brushing the shell of her ear.

“You have no idea what I’m going to do to you,” he whispered.

A violent shudder racked her body. Tears welled in her eyes. She wanted to cry—to scream.

But before she could speak, he grabbed her by the waist, spun her around, and slammed his lips against hers.

Niamph’s eyes widened in shock and fear. Before she could even process what was happening, darkness swallowed her vision—her world spiraled into black. Her body went limp in his arms.

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Niamph's POV

I opened my eyes.

At first, my vision was blurred and flickering. Everything felt hazy—my mind is blank, groggy. But within seconds, the memories hit me like a crashing wave. The room. The voice. That cold whisper echoing through my skull:

“You have no idea what I’m gonna do to you.”

I sat up with a jolt, breath ragged and chest heaving. Sweat clung to my skin. My eyes darted around — I was back in the same room I’d been locked in for three days now. A wave of relief swept over me. Maybe… maybe I was saved?

But the feeling shattered the moment I looked down and realized—

I was naked.

A scream tore from my throat as terror gripped me. Tears welled in my eyes, burning like acid.

“Did he… rape—?”

Before the thought could even finish forming, the door flung open. Lucy rushed in, her eyes wide with concern.

“Madam, you’re awake!”

I couldn’t hold it in anymore. Sobs spilled out of me like broken glass. She hurried to my side, her hand resting gently on my shoulder.

“Madam, what happened?”

I bit my lip hard, trying to keep myself from falling apart. My voice cracked as I whispered,

“Did… did something happen to me?”

Lucy blinked, confused. But then understanding dawned on her face, followed by a small gasp.

“No! No, madam. Nothing happened. Czar told me you fainted—that’s all. He asked me to bring you back here.”

I looked at her, eyes wide and trembling.

“R-really?”

She nodded with a soft smile. “Yes, madam. I swear.”

Relief crashed over me like a flood. My chest loosened. My heart, which had felt caged in thorns, finally beat a little lighter. I gulped, still shaken—but grateful.

Then it hit me again—I was still naked. Clutching the sheet tightly around me, I asked in a trembling voice,

“Wh-who changed my clothes?”

“It was me, madam,” she said gently. “The dress you were wearing was too tight. I thought you’d feel less suffocated if I removed it.”

I closed my eyes for a moment, a silent breath escaping me.

Thank God.

The weight of humiliation, the terror of being seen in such a state—it would’ve crushed me. But at least… at least I am still intact.

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I closed my eyes and inhaled the scent of jasmine. A soft smile carved itself onto my lips. The fragrance was so pure, so serene—it felt like a moment stolen from peace.

"You have a different kind of passion for flowers," Lucy said gently.

I looked at her for a moment, then turned back to the jasmine, caressing its petals as if they were the most delicate thing in the world.

“I do. Don’t you think flowers are one of the softest, purest, and most divine creations in this universe?”

Lucy smiled and shrugged.

It had been a week since I arrived here. The first few days were filled with paralyzing fear—every creak of the door, every footstep outside made me think he was coming. That he would barge into my room and do to me what I feared most.

But slowly, the fear faded. He hadn’t come since that night.

At first, I thought he was planning something—maybe even harming my father. But Lucy had told me he'd left for a business meeting in Russia. I couldn’t have been more relieved.

I prayed he would never come back.

It had been a few days since I started visiting the garden. This mansion was enormous—palatial, really. Even though I’d grown up in a large home, it wasn’t even one percent of this place. Every corner of this estate whispered stories of power and isolation.

As we strolled between the thick bushes, I asked her, “Lucy… are you Russian?”

“Yes, madam, I am.”

I glanced at her and hesitated before asking the question that had been clawing at my mind.

“And… your Czar?”

Lucy immediately stiffened, her posture turning upright—as if the very name demanded obedience.

“He is also Russian, madam. A true Czar. The most powerful man anyone has ever known. But he has anger issues—a really dangerous temper. Would you like to know more?”

I blinked at her, surprised. I had only asked if he was Russian. But she practically launched into an introductory speech.

Lucy suddenly looked embarrassed, sensing my confused expression. She scratched her head nervously.

“Actually, madam… I thought you wanted to know more.”

I couldn’t help but chuckle at her awkwardness.

“You’re so cute, Lucy.”

Lucy smiled.

“And don’t call me madam. I feel like Queen Victoria or something.”

Her eyes widened as if I’d just said something outrageous.

“Then what should I call you, madam?”

I shrugged. “Call me Niamph. That’s my name.”

She nodded as if she'd just solved a riddle from the gods. I wanted to laugh—her reactions were always so cute and innocent.

“Okay… madam.”

I raised an eyebrow at her. She immediately bit her tongue.

“Sorry! I mean… Niamph madam.”

I laughed, shaking my head.

“Good girl.”

She giggled along with me.

“Let’s go inside, it’s getting dark.”

I looked up at the dusky sky and nodded. We turned to leave—but I stopped mid-step.

My eyes widened.

What’s that?

Without a second thought, I ran toward the large tree near the hedge. Lucy gasped behind me.

“Niamph madam! Where are you going?”

I knelt behind the tree and gently scooped the small creature into my arms.

It was a cat.

Tiny, shivering, fur damp from the evening dew. I stroked its trembling body.

“Shhh… I got you. I got you,” I whispered softly.

Its back foot was bloodied—someone had hurt it. The thought made my chest tighten.

Lucy approached slowly.

“Niamph madam…”

I looked at her, question in my eyes.

She hesitated.

“Are you… going to take it inside?”

I bit my inner cheek, a little hurt by her tone. But I nodded. It was her opinion—she didn’t have to like animals. I wouldn’t judge.

“Actually, madam… I don’t think Czar will like it.”

I frowned.

“Why?”

Lucy pressed her lips together, clearly nervous.

“Well… Czar isn’t fond of cats. One day, a cat from the maid quarters entered the mansion and… peed on his limited-edition shoes.”

My brows knit tightly.

“He… he shot it. Right there. Said it was a nuisance. Ever since, no one dares keep an animal in the premises.”

My heart clenched. My stomach turned with a sickening lightness.

He killed a cat? Just like that?

I hugged the little animal to my chest. My eyes brimmed with tears.

How can someone be so heartless? How can someone kill such a divine, helpless creature?

I whispered internally: I hope he never finds peace.

Lucy, seeing my expression, gently placed a hand on my shoulder.

“Niamph madam… please don’t cry. I didn’t mean to upset you. I just thought… you should know, so you wouldn’t get hurt later.”

I wiped the corner of my eyes and kissed the cat's soft head. In response, it nuzzled deeper into my chest.

Even though we just met… it already felt safe with me.

And now… I couldn’t imagine leaving him behind.

I looked at Lucy and shook my head slowly, firmly.

“No. I can’t leave it here. I’m taking it inside.”

Lucy’s brows furrowed with tension.

“But—”

“I’ll keep it in my bedroom. He won’t know.”

I cut her off, my voice soft but resolute.

I glanced down at the tiny cat curled in my arms. Its fur was warm against my skin, its heartbeat trembling like a leaf in a storm.

“I’ll hide it. I promise.”

Lucy let out a defeated sigh. She knew she couldn’t argue with m now. I gave her a brief look of thanks and turned toward the mansion.

Clutching the injured creature against my chest like a fragile secret.

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