Chapter 79: Truly Injured |
...
Morning light filtered through the curtains, weaving golden specks across the bed. The dryness of her lips slowly roused Katdera from sleep. She instinctively stretched her body with feline laziness.
"Ah—" A sudden twinge from overextending made her gasp sharply. Her eyes flew open as she looked down to see several vivid red marks marring her pale waist. The sight brought back memories of yesterday's frenzied battle.
Her mind conjured exaggerated images of ***** transforming into various forms. No matter how she pleaded for mercy, it had been useless. She pursed her lips tightly. Jonas...how could he be like this? Showing no tenderness whatsoever.
"What an...absolute bastard!" Even as she cursed him, she couldn't help recalling her own state from last night. It had been like opening Pandora's box—all reason abandoned. A complicated emotion flashed through Katdera's eyes. How could she have displayed such...behavior?
She sighed softly. If Jonas stood before her now, would she still have the impulse to draw her blade?
"..." Frowning, she suddenly noticed an unusual lightness in her body. Katdera abruptly threw off the covers to discover all her restraints—the rings that had confined her—were gone. Only faint marks remained on her smooth skin.
After being bound for so many days, this sudden freedom felt strangely uncomfortable. Katdera froze in surprise. He...just released me like that? Doesn't he fear I'll escape? With her abilities, vanishing into darkness would make her nearly impossible to catch.
And she was his would-be assassin—how could he trust her so completely?
Her gaze fell upon the table where breakfast awaited—bread and milk. Beneath the glass lay a note, beside which rested several rare purple Spiritweave flowers. These blooms, exceptionally beautiful and difficult to preserve, normally only opened at night in Bostaya. Their pristine condition here spoke of considerable effort.
A flicker of joy stirred in Katdera's heart as she instinctively tried to rise. But a sharp pain made her stumble, forcing her to brace against the wall. Her body trembled slightly as her fingers unconsciously traced from her collarbone down the curve of her waist, revealing crease marks on her rounded thighs.
As she lifted herself, **** trembled beneath silk fabric that slid to her waist, accentuating the intoxicating curve between her full hips and slender waist. The falling blanket exposed more marks scattered across her skin.
"Mmm...damn that Jonas!" Adjusting to the soreness, she padded barefoot to the table and lifted a flower to inhale its fragrance. The familiar scent brought unexpected pleasure—she hadn't properly sought out such flowers since helping Destiny eliminate dissidents.
Her fingers caressed the petals gently. How did he know I loved these?
Katdera sipped the milk, her dehydrated body grateful after yesterday's...exertions. She didn't fear poison—Jonas had already given her everything he could. Even...
Shaking away distracting thoughts, she picked up the note.
#
Dear Miss Katdera,
By the time you read this, I'll likely be en route to Destiny's stronghold.
Seeing you curled so adorably in bed, I couldn't bear to wake you.
You were particularly sensitive yesterday, weren't you?
I wonder which method you preferred?
Last night's moonlight was beautiful, yet paled beside your trembling form...
I've prepared Spiritweave flowers for you.
Do they remind you of your innocent days as a Nightshade?
Carrying hatred isn't the only way to live, Miss Katdera.
Your future could bloom freely like these flowers.
Wait here for my return.
I'll give you everything you desire.
Remember—only I can and will help you.
—Jonas
...
Beside the note lay the rings that had once bound her—an array of exquisitely crafted restraints, each with unique properties. Their sight stirred complex emotions in Katdera.
Another message accompanied them:
#Dear assassin, I've removed these little toys.
But should you misbehave, I'll happily reapply every one~
Surely you don't wish to return to that state again?~
Katdera bit her lip, almost seeing Jonas's teasing grin as he wrote those words. "That wretched man!"
[Loyalty: 20%]
She dressed in the prepared outfit, surprised by its perfect fit at the mirror—Jonas knew her measurements disturbingly well.
"But...what kind of clothes are these?" The reflection showed her lazy yet predatory beauty. The skin-tight skirt barely covered her rounded hips, its taut fabric perfectly outlining **** curves.
Rising on tiptoes to adjust her hair made the hem ride up, revealing black stockings that gleamed coldly in warm light, their intricate patterns digging into the plush flesh of her thighs, creating two plump creases at the tops. Combined with the lingering reddish marks, the effect was undeniably alluring.
"Whatever." Compared to yesterday's humiliating state, this was already an improvement.
Opening the window, Katdera saw various races coexisting peacefully below—a vision of Destiny's promised future. Jonas treated enemies cruelly, yet showed remarkable kindness to his territory's inhabitants. Perhaps this was the sanctuary her clan leader had always sought...
"Hah—"
"Hah—"
The training shouts drew her attention downward where Slynda led the swordsmanship class through drills.
...
"Train hard, learn well. This Whirlwind Slash was personally refined by Jonas. Master it, and you'll carve through battlefields like he does."
"But...it's so difficult."
"Yet Lady Olivia mastered it in a month."
"Lord Jonas surpasses even Lady Olivia."
"How can they compare? Jonas is practically divine."
"Wait...isn't Lady Olivia leading practice today? She's never missed a single session! Even trained through injuries. Why rest today?"
Slynda's expression turned complicated. "Olivia is truly injured." Though where exactly she's hurt...that's another matter.