Eyla took a step forward.
Rie instinctively scrambled back, palms slipping against the cold floor—but Eyla followed with graceful steps, crouching low, until she knelt before her like a predator greeting its prey.
She don't what has gotten into her at that time it was purely instinctual...
As she reached out and lifted Rie's chin with one finger.
"Now, now… my lady," she said sweetly, her voice a venomous melody, "you look so pale. Is something… bothering you?"
Rie's mouth quivered, her eyes wide.
She wanted to say something—anything—but no sound came out. Her entire body trembled.
Eyla leaned closer, eyes glowing softly.
"What's wrong, Lady Rie? You look so scared." Her voice turned mockingly gentle.
When the girl still didn't respond, Eyla gave a soft sigh.
"There's no need to be afraid of me, I won't hurt you" she said, her expression softening into something that almost looked like concern—until her smile sharpened. "Of course… as long as you behave."
She tilted her head slightly.
"So, tell me, my lady… will you behave?"
"..."
Silence.
Rie's lips parted, but no answer came.
Eyla's fingers tightened under her chin. Her mana flared again, faint but sharp like needles in the air.
The pressure spiked suddenly.
"I asked you a question," she said, voice no longer sweet—just cold. "Didn't I?"
Rie flinched, but Eyla's grip held her in place.
"T-This… you can't do this to me… I… I'm a princess…" she whispered, her voice trembling.
Eyla blinked—then burst into laughter.
"Princess?" She laughed—loud and cruel. "You?"
Leaning in, her breath brushed against Rie's cheek like a whisper of frost.
"You're nothing but a filthy little half-demon. The only reason you're even here is because of that pretty face of yours."
Her voice was thick with scorn, each word sharp as a blade.
"What else did you expect? You don't have noble blood. You're not even talented. Isn't that why you haven't awakened yet? The real princess awakened at ten. The prince? at eight. And you? Still nothing. Just a failure."
She took a step back, eyes full of disdain.
"Can't you see it? You're a disappointment. No one likes you. Not even the Demon King, who adopted you and dragged you out of the gutter. He regrets it—you can see it in his eyes."
Rie's lips trembled as shame welled up in her chest, tightening her throat.
"I... I'm not adopted," she whispered, her voice cracking. "And Father... Father's not disappointed in me..."
Eyla instead of getting angry smile even wider.
"Oh? Then tell me the last time you met him"
"..."
Rie hands clutched the hem of her dress as she shrank under every word.
The more Eyla spoke, the more her face changed. Shame. Helplessness. Fear.
It was intoxicating.
But she didn't give up...
"… if the Head Butler finds out—he won't let you—" Rie tried to say, but her words cracked halfway through.
Eyla's expression dropped.
Gone was the mocking smile. Her face turned blank. Cold. Her eyes dead.
She leaned forward again.
"Do you really think he cares?" she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Do you think the Demon King gives a damn about you?"
She let our a laugh— a dry and bitter laugh.
"Even if I kill you right here, they'd probably thank me… for cleansing this holy place of your filthy blood."
Her mana leaked out again.
It wasn't rage—it was dominance.
The pressure in the room spiked. Air thinned. Rie's breath caught in her throat. She choked slightly, hand clutching her chest.
Then— Slice.
A shallow, invisible cut opened on her cheek, mana-laced pressure drawing blood.
A crimson droplet ran down her pale face.
Rie froze.
She couldn't move.
She couldn't breathe.
She didn't want to die.
Tears finally spilled over.
Her small frame shook, shoulders trembling under the invisible weight pressing down.
Eyla released her chin, smiling again.
But this time, it was warm. Too warm.
"Don't worry," she said sweetly. "I won't hurt you."
She tucked a strand of Rie's hair behind her ear.
"Of course… as long as you behave."
"..."
The girl whimpered.
Then, barely audible— "I will…"
"That's a good girl." Eyla patted her head.
Like a pet.
With that, she stood. S
he picked up the broken vase, sweeping it into the corner with casual ease. No one would ever know.
As she turned to leave, she paused at the door, looking back over her shoulder.
"Oh—and if you ever try to tell anyone what happened today…" she traced her thumb across her throat with a sharp motion, smiling.
"You know what I'll do, right?"
Rie shook her head quickly, tears still falling. She didn't even try to speak.
Eyla smile looking at the obedient princess...
"Goodnight… princess."
With that eyla left the room, the door closing with a soft click behind her.
And Rie stayed there.
Frozen.
Alone.
Shaking.
The seed had been planted.
The seed of fear...