Chapter 60: The Devil’s Plaything
“Is it too late to apologize?” Winnie whimpered, her fear reaching new heights as Kailun approached, his arms full of strange tools.
She just wanted to survive this ordeal with a shred of dignity intact. Being subjected to whatever he had planned in front of Vivian and Phils was simply unbearable.
“How many times have you asked me that?”
“Click!”
He locked the cell door behind him.
The anti-magic barrier might have suppressed the prisoners’ magic, but it had no effect on Kailun.
His strength came from his attributes. He could handle a hundred Winnies even without magic.
He tossed two sets of shackles onto the ground. “Put them on. Or should I help you?”
Winnie cowered in the corner, hugging her knees, hoping to avoid his attention.
But Kailun, ever the villain, wasn’t going to let her off so easily. He placed the lit candle on the table. “Play dead and I’ll send assassins to your family. You have five seconds to decide.”
He didn’t bother counting. He simply stared at her, his gaze unwavering.
He didn’t care if his methods were considered despicable. He was done with this world. All that mattered now was his own amusement.
Only those who could entertain him held value. With a few notable exceptions, of course.
The pressure was suffocating. One look and Winnie knew he was serious.
[Winnie hates you. She wishes she could kick you to death. Favorability -10. Current favorability: -70.]
“I’ll do it…”
Suppressing the urge to wet herself, she knelt and slowly fastened the shackles around her wrists and ankles.
“Good girl. Now, dance for me.”
Kailun blew a whistle, his sharp eyes noticing her struggle to hold back.
How could he, in his infinite kindness, not offer assistance?
“Mmm!” Winnie bit back a whimper.
“Dance! I love watching beautiful girls dance in chains. One step out of line and I’ll douse you in hot wax. And then we’ll move on to those other toys. Wouldn’t want them to feel neglected, now would we?”
He spread his arms, his face a picture of innocence.
Phils, peering through the glass wall, watched with envy. She wished she could trade places with Winnie.
Vivian, too, couldn’t tear her gaze away. The flickering candlelight illuminated the scene, allowing her to witness every detail.
It felt wrong, but she couldn’t help but watch.
A strange desire bloomed within her. She imagined herself in Kailun’s position, wielding that same power over him.
Sympathy for Winnie?
None whatsoever. Having witnessed the Royal Court’s cruelty and indifference, Vivian harbored no illusions about human nature.
And she had seen Paul’s true colors. What kind of person would fall for someone like him?
Winnie had dared to defy Kailun? The fool. Didn’t she understand the concept of “a guest in another’s house”? She was practically begging to be tormented.
Kailun’s methods were quite intriguing. Worth studying, she decided.
With a student’s eagerness, she watched, her eyes wide with fascination.
“Clink, clink!”
Under his watchful gaze, Winnie began to dance, her movements slow and awkward as she struggled to maintain her composure.
Lacking musical accompaniment, Kailun provided his own, whistling a jaunty tune.
[Winnie’s favorability continues to decrease…]
[Winnie’s favorability continues to decrease…]
[Winnie’s favorability continues to decrease…]
By the end of the dance, her favorability had plummeted to -85.
He had to hand it to her. She was putting up a good fight, for a prideful noble lady.
Kailun clapped his hands, bored. “Good effort. I’ll let you off the hook this time. But next time you insult me, I’ll record our little session and send it to Paul for his viewing pleasure.”
He left the cell, locking the door behind him.
“The key! Can you at least unlock these shackles?” Winnie pleaded, her voice trembling.
She was about to lose control. Even with Vivian and Phils watching, she couldn’t hold it any longer.
“Key? What key? Didn’t you notice? Those are specially designed spring locks. They’ll unlock automatically in about ten hours. No need to worry. Now, if you’ll excuse me. Bye-bye!”
As he turned away, Winnie caught a glimpse of his triumphant smirk.
“That bastard!” This time, she only dared curse him in her mind.
“Wait for me! Aren’t you going to interrogate me?” Phils unlocked her own cell door with the key Kailun had given her and hurried after him.
“I never said that. You’re just projecting your fantasies.”
“Can’t you at least indulge me? I’m just curious! I promise I won’t enjoy it too much.”
“No.”
“You’re so mean! If it were me, I wouldn’t have held back. You could have seen everything you wanted.”
“…You’re something else, Phils.”
Their voices faded as they walked away.
“Why are you doing this to me? I haven’t done anything wrong! Why…” Winnie broke down, tears streaming down her face.
And then it happened. The dam broke. Warmth spread through her clothes, soaking her skirt and thighs. Her humiliation was complete.
“Click!”
Startled, she looked down. The shackles had unfastened, falling to the ground with a soft thud.
He had tricked her again! The shackles were timed! And she had… she had wet herself because of her own fear and despair!
He had orchestrated everything, manipulating her every move. His understanding of the human psyche was terrifying.
Winnie sobbed even louder.
“He’s a monster! I hope my sister never falls into his clutches… no, scratch that. I hope she does fall for him! It’s her fault I’m being tormented like this! But I’m not like that fool Winnie! I still have a trump card!”
Vivian’s eyes gleamed as she retrieved a hidden vial.
It was the poison the princess had planned to use at the Second Prince’s banquet. Vivian had stolen a small dose, along with the antidote. Enough for two.
In her excitement, she failed to notice that the antidote vial’s seal had been tampered with.
…
“Find yourself a room. I have business to attend to tonight. No time for games.” Kailun dismissed Phils with a wave of his hand.
He had a busy night ahead of him, maximizing Ella’s potential.
The thought of her unique talent brought a smile to his lips.
Naturally seductive, was she?
He couldn’t wait to put that to the test.
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