The Crown Duke Prince's expression darkened one last time as he glanced at Cecil, the mark still faintly glowing at the back of his neck.
"…This isn't over," he said quietly, his voice cold and controlled.
Without another word, he turned and walked out of the chamber. The heavy doors slammed shut behind him, leaving Cecil alone in the suffocating silence.
Cecil's body slumped slightly, his chest rising and falling rapidly. He left…?
But the relief didn't last long. No… he's not giving up…
---
The Crown Duke Prince strode through the palace halls, his steps sharp and filled with restrained anger. Servants quickly moved out of his way, lowering their heads in fear as he passed.
Within moments, he reached the chambers of his mother.
Without waiting, he pushed the doors open.
"Mother."
Queen Victoria turned slowly, her calm expression barely shifting as her eyes met his. "You seem troubled, my son."
The Crown Duke Prince clenched his fist. "The mark," he said coldly. "The one on Cecil's neck. The Grand Duke placed it there."
The Queen's gaze sharpened slightly, though her face remained composed. "I see…"
"It's protecting him," he continued, his voice tightening with frustration. "I cannot touch him. I cannot claim him while that thing exists."
A brief silence filled the room.
Then the Queen stepped closer, her expression thoughtful, calculating.
"A protection mark from the Grand Duke…" she murmured. "That is no ordinary magic."
The Crown Duke Prince's eyes darkened. "I don't care what it is. I want it gone."
Queen Victoria studied him for a moment, then spoke slowly, her voice low.
"Removing a mark like that… is not simple. Especially one placed by him."
Her gaze flickered slightly, something unreadable passing through her eyes.
"But…" she continued, a faint smile forming on her lips, "it is not impossible."
The Crown Duke Prince stepped closer immediately. "Tell me how."
The Queen turned away, walking toward the window, her fingers lightly brushing the curtain as she thought.
"There are only two ways," she said calmly. "Either the one who placed the mark removes it himself…"
She paused. "…or it is forcefully broken."
The Crown Duke Prince's expression hardened. "Then break it."
Queen Victoria glanced back at him, her eyes now carrying a faint warning.
"To break such a mark," she said softly, "you would need power equal to—or greater than—the Grand Duke's."
A dangerous silence followed. Then slowly… the Queen smiled.
"Or," she added, her voice lowering, "we use something… forbidden."
The Crown Duke Prince's eyes flickered. "Black magic?"
The Queen did not answer immediately.
But her silence… said enough.
---
Back in the chamber, Cecil sat quietly, chains resting against his wrists, his breathing slowly calming.
His fingers brushed unconsciously against the back of his neck.
The mark was still there. Still warm and protecting him.
But deep inside… a strange unease crept in. As if something… was about to come for it.
---
Cecil's fingers lingered at the back of his neck, brushing lightly against the mark.
At first, it felt the same—warm… steady… protective.
But then—A sudden chill ran down his spine.
Cecil froze.
His ears twitched sharply, tail stiffening behind him. His breathing slowed as a strange, uneasy feeling crept into his chest.
"…Something's wrong," he whispered under his breath.
The air in the room felt heavier. The silence… too thick.
Even the faint glow of the mark flickered slightly, like a flame disturbed by an unseen wind.
Cecil's heart began to pound again. No… this wasn't how it felt before…
He pressed his hand harder against his neck, trying to steady himself. The warmth of the mark was still there—but underneath it, something else lingered. Something cold. Something… watching.
Cecil's eyes darted toward the door.
"They're… doing something…" he muttered, his voice barely audible.
A sharp pulse suddenly shot through the mark. "—Ah!"
Cecil gasped, his body tensing as a wave of pain spread from his neck through his entire body. The chains rattled as he instinctively tried to move.
The glow of the mark flickered again—unstable this time.
Cecil's chest rose and fell rapidly, panic flooding his thoughts.
No… no… what are they doing…?
It felt like something was pulling at it. Like invisible hands were trying to tear it away.
Cecil clenched his fists tightly. "Stop…!" he whispered, though no one was there to hear him.
Another pulse. Stronger this time.
He cried out softly, his body trembling as he fell slightly forward, the chains clinking loudly against the floor.
I can't… lose this… this is the only thing protecting me… His vision blurred for a moment.
Then—The mark suddenly flared.
A surge of warmth exploded outward, pushing back against whatever was trying to interfere.
Cecil gasped, eyes widening. For a brief second… it felt stronger.
Alive. As if it was resisting on its own. But the unease didn't disappear. It only grew.
Cecil lowered his head, breathing uneven.
"…They're trying to break it…" he whispered, fear tightening his chest.
And for the first time since being captured… Cecil realized something truly terrifying—
If the mark failed… He would have nothing left to protect him.
---
Cecil's breathing turned uneven, his body trembling as another sharp pulse ran through the mark. "—Ah…!"
He gritted his teeth, forcing himself upright despite the pain. The chains clinked loudly as he moved, the cold metal biting into his wrists.
They're trying to break it… I can feel it…
His ears flattened, tail twitching violently behind him. If I stay here… I'm finished.
Cecil's eyes darted around the chamber, panic sharpening into desperate determination. The room felt smaller now, suffocating, like the walls themselves were closing in.
"No… I won't stay here…" he whispered, his voice shaking.
Another pulse hit him—stronger. The mark flickered.
Cecil gasped, nearly collapsing, but he forced himself to stay conscious. Move… I have to move… now…
He pulled against the chains. Clink—! They held firm.
Cecil's chest heaved. Sweat ran down his face as he struggled again, harder this time, ignoring the pain shooting through his wrists.
Think… think… there has to be a way…
His gaze fell to the bedpost where the chains were locked in place. The metal looked solid—but the lock…
His eyes narrowed. If I can't break them… I can slip out… Another pulse tore through the mark.
Cecil cried out softly, his body weakening. The protective warmth was fading, replaced by something unstable, something that wouldn't last much longer. Hurry…!
With shaking hands, he forced one wrist forward, twisting painfully against the chain. The metal scraped against his skin, cutting slightly as he pushed harder.
"Come on… come on…" he muttered, his voice desperate.
The mark flickered again—dimmer this time.
Cecil's heart dropped. No… it's getting weaker…
He bit down on his lip, ignoring the pain, and twisted his wrist harder—forcing it through the tight space.
For a moment—It didn't move. Then—Slip. His hand slid free.
Cecil gasped, pulling his arm back quickly, staring at it like he couldn't believe it worked.
"I… I did it…" But there was no time to think.
Another violent pulse shot through the mark, making him stagger. "—Ah!"
He grabbed his neck instinctively, feeling the warmth falter again.
No… I'm running out of time…
With shaking urgency, he reached for the other chain, working faster now, panic pushing him forward.
The room felt colder. Heavier. Like something was closing in.
Cecil's ears twitched sharply. Footsteps.
Distant… but coming closer.
His eyes widened. "They're coming…" Fear surged through him.
He forced his second hand free, nearly tearing his skin in the process, but he didn't stop.
The moment both hands were free, he stumbled back, breathing hard.
The chains fell, clattering loudly to the floor.
The sound echoed. Too loud and too risky.
Cecil froze for half a second—Then turned toward the door. Run.
He didn't think anymore. Didn't hesitate.
Even as the mark flickered weakly… Even as his body screamed in pain… Cecil ran.