"Apologize?" The word rolled off my tongue like dirt. All my life I had been forced to apologize for things I never did. Why the hell should I start now?
"I won't!" I snapped.
The cat's eyes darkened. "You can only survive here if you don't cross paths with her. Apologize, host!"
But my decision was final.
I turned to her. "Apologize? She should be the one doing it! She slandered me first," I said calmly.
I braced for the black slash of death or scolding. Instead;
[Congrats! Reader59 sent a gift packet for your words.]
I froze. The cat's smirk widened. "For a second, I thought you would be as stupid as you were in your old life. Looks like you grew a spine."
She cat-walked closer. "You've been gifted. Healing power increased by fifty percent, plus better control. Still F-rank, though… but nice job."
Everything snapped back to normal.
"How can you say that? She got me in trouble the second I called her-"
"Leave my room," I muttered.
Elowen stared in shock, eyes blazing with anger and hatred. I saw right through it.
She stepped closer, lips brushing my ear. "I'm no slave you can boss around. Mind your time, dear cousin." Her voice was soft, smooth, like a velvet-wrapped warning.
She pulled back with a smile. "It's okay. We'll warm up to each other eventually."
She walked out with her maid.
I stared at her back, hands on my hips. Time to get dressed. The banquet was in a few hours. I had to strike first.
I chose a red off-shoulder gown, black lace framing the top, waistline clinging to my flat stomach, curving over my hips, showing off every seductive line. A long slit ran up one thigh, teasing my smooth skin. I smiled at my reflection. Blonde hair cascaded down my back. Perfect.
My gaze sharpened, a slow smile curved my lips.
I headed for the door but paused, glancing at the cat, better take her along, I could use some pointers there. I scooped her up, stroking her soft fur.
I walked out with purpose, hips swaying. The male servants, mostly beast-men, couldn't hide their stares. Here, low-rank females with no magic got stuck as maids or sold for domestic work under higher females. Beast-men handled the rest.
I climbed into the cart. "The Cold Netherland," I told the driver.
He nodded, but his hands trembled. He started to move, then Elowen stepped in front.
"This cart is for me today. I'm headed the same direction."
She looked angelic, like a savior to the terrified driver. He didn't wait for me.
"Please step down for a second, Miss."
My gaze darkened. I caught Elowen's smug little smile and sighed.
"Do you care to join me?" I asked.
The blood drained from her face. "Really—"
"Come on. You said you were heading same direction."
She gripped her dress hem, thinking fast I reached out, grabbed her arm, and yanked.
She lost her footing and crashed to the floor. The hem of her dress tore with a satisfying rip. I smirked.
"How could you!" she yelled softly.
I gasped dramatically. "I'm so sorry. I really didn't mean to!"
Shameless. I watched her grit her teeth.
"Let's go," I told the driver.
Her eyes widened. "Wai-"
"Come on. You dare keep the Duke family's heiress waiting?"
The driver shuddered, whipped the horse. We lurched forward.
Elowen tried to stand, but the cart hit a bump. She flew up and slammed back down, groaning in pain.
I watched in quiet satisfaction, then turned to stare out at the passing scenery. Enjoying every second.
I knew why she was scared. The Cold Netherland, no one went there willingly. It was cruel to any ranked female, even the Empress avoided it like plague. In the original story, layers of warm clothes were required just to step foot inside. Ice, snow, it was an endless freeze. The original villainess had banished Thyrian here because Darian called him "ugly" and in need of "reshaping." I couldn't believe she would do that to someone so gentle. How Thyrian survived was a miracle. He must be sick badly.
I sighed and glanced at Elowen. She was seated now, calculating. No warm coat. She would freeze even in the cart once we arrive at the Netherlands.
"Cousin, how about you lend me your clothes? You control fire, you won't freeze into a crystal out there. Plus…"
"Did you bring spare warm clothes?" I cut in. "You said you were headed here. Coming unprepared? That's really not noble behavior."
She froze.
"Really, you can't just watch me freeze. Don't be cruel, Raven. I'm your cousin."
"Elowen." I said her name cold and flat.
She froze, biting her bottom lip.
"My fire powers are trash, pure F-rank. You're C-rank. Who's at a bigger disadvantage without a warm coat?"
She bit her lip harder.
The cart stopped at the edge. I draped the coat over my shoulders and stepped out without waiting for her reply. But as I started down the icy stairs...
She moved fast behind me, missed a step on purpose, and her hands slammed into my back.
I lost balance and crashed into the snow. "Ahhh!"
"I'm sorry!" she screamed.
My eyes darkened. I watched her walk down the stairs and slipped out a leg, she bumped into my leg and tumbled down. Her shoulder slammed into an icy rock, she screamed at the impact.
I stood up slowly. Her arm was definitely broken, but I scoffed.
"Wait here. Look after her. I'll find help," I told the driver, then ran off.
I would let her freeze there, but right now, with her here, I sensed Elowen was more than petty tricks. She had dangerous things up her sleeve. For now, she was playing safe.
No time to dwell on her schemes. I had to find my merman.
The cat yawned, opened her eyes, and snuggled closer. I melted a little. Why was she a total barracuda when she talked but an angel when she meowed?
I looked down at the cave below, the place the original villainess had locked Thyrian away. I had to hurry before night fell.
I trudged through the snow and pushed the cave door open, the cat still in my arms.
A freezing pool of water sat in the center, but no sign of Thyrian.
I set the cat on a wooden stall, shrugged off the coat. The cold hit like knives. I shivered, rubbing my exposed arms.
"Thyrian!" no response.
I kicked off my shoes, stepped to the edge, and dipped into the water.
"Ohh… so cold."
I moved in deeper. My gown floated around me, thighs trembling under the surface. Only my lacy underwear stayed hidden, until the dress soaked through and clung.
"Thyrian!"
Still nothing. A horrible thought hit. "Is he dead?" No, he was my ticket to surviving the banquet.
I took a breath and dove under, scanning the dark water.
A wave surged behind me, i turned backwards, no one.
"Thy-"
A heavy rush slammed into me. I floated backward hard, my back hitting the wall, a hiss escaped my lips.
I opened my eyes and there he was.
Pale silver brows and lashes. Siren-elf ears pierced with shimmering stones and pearls. Feminine beauty: sharp nose, piercing blue eyes, heart-shaped lips. Upper body bare, sculpted muscle that made me drool even now. Silver-blue tail shimmering below, long and ending in sharp, knife-like fins.
His claws were out, ready to slice my throat.
"Wait!" I gasped before he struck.
I swam closer and pressed my body to his, hugging tight.
His muscles tensed. He froze: confused, shocked.
"What are you doing?" he snarled, ready to pounce.
I held on tighter. It felt… warm. Soothing against my freezing skin.
"Ahh… so warm."
"Let go!" His claws edged closer, but froze when I whispered, "Stay still. Let me heal you."
He scoffed low but stilled. A soft light began to glow between us.
[Healing powers intensified.]
The cat's voice echoed in my head. I smirked.
I looked up and he stared down at me. My breath ceased, he looked so damn cute. His ears were now pure red.
In the story, she had driven him to madness. All he wanted was to bond with her, Thyrian wasn't born that way. He was gentle, feminine, seen as useless, he had always hoped to be sold to a powerful master, tried to please her. Instead, she twisted that innocent soul into something full of hatred and contempt. He was the one who finally dug out her heart and ended her.
"Wha-t are y-ou do-ing?" His voice darkened, but I caught the flash of shock and embarrassment.
"I'm sorry. I'm not here to hurt you. I want to heal you and I am healing you now."
He stared in disbelief, he didn't buy a word.
"You're doing this to hurt me later… You don't want to lose your pet so early, don't you? To please Dari-"
"Don't say his name." I hugged harder. "Cat, is this working?" I asked inwardly.
"Yes. Keep it up, but not too close. He might snap."
Hearing her, I almost laughed, I felt he wouldn't.
"They're here," the cat announced suddenly.
I froze. "Who?"
Thyrian moved upward slowly. Our upper halves broke onto the surface.
I froze.
My three other beast-men consorts stood at the entrance, staring down at me.
I could feel it: their anger, their hatred.
"Warning: Host, you will die."