Unable To Escape (10 Chapters Left to Complete) - Chapter 11
People each have a ‘mask’ suited to their circumstances.
Among them, those called the powerful naturally possessed dozens or even hundreds of masks they could switch at any moment for their own benefit.
Killian, one of Eregorn’s three dukes, was no exception.
Those unfamiliar with Killian often mistakenly assumed he lacked the proper decorum expected of a noble.
After all, born as the illegitimate son of a ducal house and having spent his childhood on battlefields, such a notion might seem only natural.
How could a man who had survived by fighting beasts—not even human—have had time to learn the basic etiquette expected of nobility?
Yet this was merely a misconception held only by those who “didn’t know Killian well.”
“Killian is more noble than any other noble in Eregorn.”
Alicia, who had always watched over Killian, knew better than anyone exactly who he was.
Killian was a lord who knew how to negotiate for the benefit of his domain, a knight who would bow his head for his subordinates, and a noble who could at any moment place the mask of ‘pretense’ upon his face for his own gain.
Therefore, it was absolutely no surprise that Killian owned the mask of ‘laughter.’
“I’d occasionally heard rumors he’d mocked someone…but he’s never once laughed in front of me…has he?”
Only now did Alicia realize she had never properly seen the smiling face of the person she cared for, and she let out a hollow chuckle.
Simultaneously, anxiety pressed heavily upon her chest, and she bit her lower lip.
“Why did he laugh?”
Alicia was certain Killian’s ‘laughter’ served some purpose.
The problem was she couldn’t even begin to guess why that man had taken out a mask she had never once seen before.
At the dining hall of Lasa Fortress, Alicia sat at one end of the long table meant for six, stealing glances at Killian seated directly across from her, elegantly slicing his meat, and forcibly swallowed the sigh threatening to escape.
It was a meal hastily arranged right after she had nodded to Killian’s invitation—extended with a smile as though bewitched by a fox.
Though it was rather late, Alicia hadn’t eaten anything since the previous night, and she had heard Killian had also skipped his meal due to the commotion caused by the beast, leaving her no reasonable excuse to refuse even at this late hour.
“Is the meal not to your liking?”
“Oh, no. It’s delicious.”
“You don’t seem very focused on your food, though.”
It was a brief exchange that almost reversed the roles of host and guest.
The only saving grace was that Killian had since returned to his usual expressionless self—ever since the formal dinner invitation—so she wouldn’t have to show any more foolish expressions.
“It’s fortunate the others present at that moment wore equally foolish looks.”
Even Diaz’s wolves, who moved as one with Killian, had stared at their master with dazed faces, so no one would have noticed her own silly expression.
“…Does the meal suit Your Grace?”
“Yes.”
“I’m glad. The chef was quite dismayed, saying he couldn’t prepare rarer ingredients since he didn’t expect guests.”
“Since these ingredients were prepared for Your Highness’s meal, they’re undoubtedly excellent without any special effort. I’m satisfied.”
“…I see.”
He wasn’t wrong.
Unless the Emperor or Crown Prince visited, no guest who might arrive could possibly outrank Alicia, the mistress of this fortress.
Moreover, the chef who prepared the meal was originally in charge of the Emperor’s own dishes.
The Emperor had willingly lent this chef—whose skill was considered the finest in the Empire—out of concern for Alicia, so the quality of the meal wouldn’t have suffered even with unexpected guests.
“You’d do well to focus on your meal now that you’ve examined my face thoroughly enough.”
“…”
She’d tried to peek discreetly, but apparently it had been obvious.
Alicia averted her eyes from Killian’s steady gaze and looked down at the plate before her.
She had poked at the food with her knife and fork, but barely touched it, and now it was growing cold.
‘I’m going to get indigestion…’
After a moment’s hesitation, Alicia set her utensils on the table and reached for her wineglass.
She had no appetite and didn’t feel like eating anything, but thinking of the worried chef who would fret over her untouched plate, she hoped a light wine might revive her taste buds a little.
‘Besides worrying him, Father would surely be informed…’
Having resolved not to worry her family any further, she knew she had to clear her plate—even if by force.
“Are you going to drink alcohol?”
“Hm?”
“…I heard you haven’t eaten anything since yesterday.”
“It’s just a light aperitif.”
“Light or not, it’s still alcohol.”
He had been truly… truly odd ever since earlier.
First showing her that smile, and now even speaking to her with what sounded like concern.
This was completely unlike the Killian Alicia knew.
“Drinking on an empty stomach isn’t good for you.”
“…Your Grace.”
“Yes?”
“May I ask why you invited me to share this meal?”
She couldn’t go on like this.
Questions filled her mind so thoroughly she feared her head might burst open soon.
“So you’re implying this gathering carries some other meaning.”
Killian set down his fork and knife, took a sip of water, wiped his mouth with a napkin, and spoke.
“Because Your Grace isn’t someone who wastes time on meaningless matters.”
“Are you suggesting this meal is a waste of Your Highness’s time?”
“No, I meant Your Grace’s time—not mine.”
How precious his time must have been—so much so that until the day he died, he’d never once shared a properly timed meal with her.
Memories surfaced of always waiting at the table for Killian as her food grew cold, and Alicia’s words came out sharp.
“Hmm…”
Killian’s emerald-green eyes, unreadable in their intent, turned toward Alicia.
Realizing she’d reacted too sensitively, Alicia instinctively avoided his gaze.
He was someone who no longer had anything to do with her now…
Alicia bit her lower lip, suppressing the foolish urge deep in her heart to lift her head and look at him again.
As her lips, pressed repeatedly by her white teeth, grew redder than usual, Killian finally spoke.
“What meaning could this gathering possibly have?”
“You’re… trying to say there’s no meaning?”
“I merely apologized for damaging Your Highness’s garden and, should that apology be accepted, asked to share a meal—that’s all.”
“…So I should understand your intention as needing confirmation that I’ve accepted your apology?”
“If that interpretation makes you more comfortable, by all means.”
“…”
“If you have no further questions, you’d best continue your meal.”
Killian turned his eyes back to his plate and quietly resumed eating.
Alicia, watching him, picked up the fork and knife she’d set aside.
No further words passed between them until the empty plates were cleared and sweet dessert appeared on the table.
Occasionally, Killian’s gaze would fall upon Alicia’s wineglass—but that was all.
“This must be your first time seeing a beast.”
Pushing his dessert plate slightly away, toward the far side of the table, Killian lifted his teacup and spoke.
The light brown liquid within, poured at the perfect drinking temperature, rippled gently, creating tiny waves inside the cup.
“…That’s right. Since I stay only within the Imperial Palace, I never have the chance to see beasts.”
“Some who see a beast for the first time suffer nightmares.”
“Are you… worried about me?”
Feeling her foolish heart begin to race again, Alicia asked Killian in a voice she forced to sound calm.
She was furious with herself for letting something as trivial as a single sentence make her heart flutter—so much so she wanted to tear her hair out.
“Yes.”
Her heart dropped with a thud at Killian’s short reply.
She didn’t need a mirror to know her face had flushed bright red.
“It would be troublesome if something happened to someone as important as you.”
Troublesome…
With those words, the warmth that had risen instantly faded.
What on earth had she been expecting?
Killian was simply worried this incident might drag him into some bothersome trouble.
Yes, it was troublesome.
No matter how dearly the Emperor and Crown Prince cherished Alicia, they couldn’t possibly punish one of the Empire’s only three dukes severely just because she had a nightmare.
However, they could certainly use his failure to control the beast as grounds to trouble Killian.
And for someone like Killian, who detested unnecessary complications, that was definitely the issue weighing on his mind.
“Why are you acting like this?”
“Oh, it’s nothing—just an upset stomach.”
The air around her felt as if icy water had been poured over her, pressing down heavily on her body.
She hated herself for foolishly letting irrational hopes heat her entire body and anxiously awaiting his next words.
Unable to bear meeting Killian’s eyes, Alicia lowered her head and stood from her seat.
She couldn’t stay here any longer.
No—she simply couldn’t.
Self-loathing churned inside her so violently she felt she’d die if she didn’t vomit it out immediately.
“I’ll take my leave first. Thank you for the enjoyable meal today.”
“You don’t look well… Are you alright?”
“Yes, I’m fine. It’s just that I haven’t fully recovered from my illness, so please don’t worry.”
“If you’re feeling unwell, I could…”
“No! Your Grace must be tired as well—please rest now. Then I’ll… I’ll take my leave.”
Though it was impossible, Alicia quickly rose from her seat, as if fearing Killian might try to hold her back, and hurriedly fled the dining hall.
Left alone in the dining hall, Killian watched her departure, leaned back against his chair, and slightly lifted the corners of his mouth.
“How long can you keep that up?”
It was the smile of a fierce wolf anticipating the hunt to come.
Male lead first thought she played hard to get, only to realize she
really disliked him
Short intro:
What she can’t stand the most is the streets full of effeminate men, especially that so-called top beauty whom she avoids at all costs.
Shen Yaoxing looks at Jiang Mingyue, who keeps approaching her with coy shyness.
Shen Yaoxing: Bro, don’t be like this, I’m really about to throw up!
She fears nothing in heaven or earth, except for him getting close to her.
*
At first he thought she was just using the trick of feigning indifference to attract his attention. Later, he learned that she truly despised him.
This dealt a heavy blow to Jiang Mingyue, and he vowed to make her, like everyone else, fall at his feet in worship!
***
Synopsis:
Before transmigrating, Shen Yaoxing only wanted to find a reliable man to spend her life with. Who knew that after transmigrating, she would become a reliable woman herself…
A forced misandrist, highly skilled, and reliable female lead
vs.
An initially aloof and arrogant, later morbid, obsessed male lead
_____
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She loves this man? In every single flashback he has been an unfeeling D-bag towards her. What about him could she possibly love? Please move on.
To me … She’s being annoying😒😒😒 she yap too much eheeh
The Audacity of that bitch!!! 😡😡 Glad the princess kept her in her place