#ikevil

[VOGEL SHIP - BEDROOM - NIGHT]

With my airways covered, the oxygen flow gradually cut off.

Darius: Since it's all your fault that everything fell apart.

His lips were formed in a smile, and yet his eyes were anything but…and I grabbed the hand that was around my neck from above.

Kate: Let go, please…

Darius: Don't worry, I'm not squeezing so hard as to kill you.

Darius: I'm just making it painfully hard to breathe for you. Quite a fitting punishment, if I say so myself.

My back hit the wall. With nowhere to run, I could only scrunch my face in pain.

Darius: …The plan to capture Crown was meant to be a last resort, in case talking didn't get through to them.

Kate: —!

Darius: I was going to spend more time to bring them into my family. I had many things planned.

Darius: But…no thanks to you, all of that went up in smoke.

The smile vanished from Darius' face.

Darius: Crown worrying over some useless human who can't do anything but accompany on missions and write up reports…

Darius: I thought it was all some joke at first. And that they were going to treat you like some servant and outlet for their desires.

Darius: But…you really are favored by them.

His grip around my neck loosened.

Kate: (*>Д<)≪∴ *cough, cough*

I pushed his hand away in haste, while Darius looked down at me with a cold look.

Darius: You're a load of trouble, annoying, pushy with your morals, and for how you told me to trust you, you didn't trust me yourself.

Darius: You ticked me off so much, I went for this capture to get away from you as soon as I could, and yet…

Darius: Like the fool you were, you put your life on the line, and that made me bring not a Cursed one but rather a human here.

Darius: So how do you plan to make this up to me?

I was sandwiched between the wall and Darius, and unable to move, I stared back at him.

Kate: I…will take full responsibility.

Darius: No, how will you do it? Because it's not like you're going to bring me new Cursed ones here, are you?

Darius: And don't come at me with the "I'll give you my life" talk, because I won't believe that. Not when you didn't believe me.

Darius: Say what you want, but it's too late to change my mind.

Rather than mad…his expression seemed more sulky, and I blinked in response.

(Could it be, there's more to his anger than me getting in the way of his plans…?)

If anything, it felt like he was more mad at me not being able to believe him,

so when I slowly reached out to touch Darius' cheek, his pout softened a tad.

Darius: …Do you really think stroking my cheek's going to make me feel better?

(But…you do feel a bit better, don't you?)

If I were to say that out loud, though, he would probably squeeze my neck again, so I withdrew my hand in silence.

When I did, his expression reverted back—

Kate: …!

And unable to keep the raising affection in, I pulled him into a hug.

Darius: Let me go—

Kate: No, I won't.

Darius: I swear I'll cut your wrists off.

Kate: Then I'll just use my legs.

Though he said to let go, he made no effort to push me away, leaving him at my mercy.

That gap in his actions made me feel even more affection— at the same time the guilt became more prominent.

Kate: About the military practice…I'm sorry that I suspected you of that incident.

Darius said nothing in return.

Kate: My suspicion against you was an act of impulse, in light of the things that happened up until then.

Darius: Are you apologizing? Or provoking me?

Kate: The former! I was the one who said I wanted you to believe me, and yet I ended up doubting you, even if for a moment, so.

Kate: I'm really sorry for hurting you then.

At my words of apology, Darius opened his mouth after a moment of silence.

Darius: I was going to do something similar.

Kate: …Huh!?

I raised my head, still hugging him. When I looked up, it looked like he was no longer sulking.

Darius: I was going to cause problems for England during the practice, make them take the blame, and officially take many of the Crown members hostage.

Darius: But someone got us first before that could happen.

Kate: …But you were going to do that, were you not?

Darius: But you're still guilty because that didn't actually happen.

(So it wasn't just a failed attempt…!)

Would that not make me a bit less guilty for directly doubting him then?

Thinking that, I buried my face in his chest, pressing and rubbing my forehead on it. And I felt my head being lightly patted.

Kate: By the way, can I ask exactly what you were going to do?

Darius: Oh, just to kill off an officer in Germany's military who were in my way in an accident.

Kate: …Darius.

I once again raised my head to look at him, but then his hand slipped to the back of my head before he pressed me into his chest.

Darius: And like I said, I didn't do it. Yet.

Darius: But anyway, he got questioned for this incident too, so all's well that ends well.

(All's well that ends…not too well, right?)

There were many things I wanted to question about, but the hand patting my head was all too gentle…

I couldn't help but feel a sense of security from the person who had been strangling me just some time before.

And to think I felt no need to ask more on the matter…maybe something was wrong with me.

His body temperature was slightly warm as I hugged him when I murmured—

Kate: …So, I've become a hostage, aren't I.

Darius' hand on my head stopped.

Darius: That you have. I told them the moment they started questioning me about capturing Crown, I'd kill you.

Kate: But, I'm no longer fairytale keeper…

Darius: Even if you're not, it was just as effective.

Darius: They can no longer lay a hand on us. Ahh, and they had a message for you too.

Kate: Huh?

I withdrew my body just a bit, when he grabbed my shoulders—

Darius: "If you ever find yourself in danger, you can give them information on Crown."

Kate: Wah—

He pushed me down on the bed, his fingers once again around my neck.

Darius: So I know this is sudden, but that very situation's upon you now. How about you spit out information on Crown? (˶ᵔ ᵕ ᵔ˶)

Darius: You wouldn't want me to squeeze at your neck again, now would you?

Kate: Well, yes, but…

I used a cushion to guard my neck, but he immediately took that away and threw it on the floor.

Darius: Then, maybe we can start at Victor's true colors. Would you happen to know anything on that?

[1] He's a good person.

[2] He's a strange Queen's Aide.

[3] No, I don't. (+4/+4)

Kate: No, I don't. I'm inclined to think you know more than me on that.

Darius: I'm pretty sure you saw him use his ability that day though. Are you seriously saying you didn't question a single thing from him then?

Darius: Covering for him's all fine and good, but even at this time there is one thing that's fading away.

Darius: That being his trust for you.

No matter what he said, though, I had no way to answer.

Kate: I really don't know though—

Darius: Do you really think lying will work?

Kate: I'm not lying. He never told me any of the details!

When I made that clear declaration, his fingers tracing my neck stopped where they were.

Kate: …I couldn't ask him. At all.

——Flashback——

[CHURCH - STAIRCASE - NIGHT]

Victor: …I know it's unfair to say this, on top with the many secrets you have had to learn…

Victor: But, please, I'd like you to keep this incident between us.

At that time, perhaps I could have asked what I had wanted.

"Who are you?"

"Why did you hide the fact you were Cursed?"

—"Is it true that you are related to the royal family?"

(But, I didn't ask.)

Because at the time, Victor didn't seem keen on receiving such prying questions.

(And I don't want to ask questions to those who don't want to be asked.)

After all, everyone held a secret or two they would rather not tell.

Besides that, I felt that it wouldn't benefit Victor if I were to learn his secrets, so I opted not to ask.

——End flashback——

[VOGEL SHIP - BEDROOM - NIGHT]

Darius: Really? ( ╹ -╹)

Kate: Yes, I swear under oath I'm not lying.

I looked him straight in the eye, and his fingers drew away from my neck.

And then looking ever so gloomy, his gaze dropped to the bed.

Darius: …How in the world did I end up with the likes of you?

Darius: Just how, when there's nothing in that head of yours, you've little value as a hostage, you can't do much and your uses are limited?

Darius: Why…

I propped myself up, brushing my fingertips with his.

I didn't know how he would react…but nonetheless I put my thoughts to words.

Kate: Perhaps it's because you didn't want me to die.

Darius' eyes widened for an instant, but then he wore a smile like he was making me for a fool.

Darius: Me, not wanting you to die?

Darius: You just never get tired of those boring jokes, huh.

Darius got off the bed, about to leave the room.

Kate: Ah…

I chased after him in a panic, but then he bent down on the other side of the door, grabbing something before turning back to me.

Darius: This is yours, isn't it?

A familiar, certain small truck was set on the floor.

And then, what Darius set down next— was the birdcage with the robin inside.

Kate: —!

I ran over to hug the birdcage, and when the robin recognized me it gave me happy chirps.

It was the chirps I knew…and I couldn't help my vision from growing teary from relief.

(Why is it here…)

Darius looked down at me, speaking in a light tone with no expression.

Darius: It seems my family mistook your luggage in the castle for mine.

Darius: They were very neatly put into the cart.

He crouched down, poking at the birdcage.

Darius: This bird's quite attached to me, so they believed without a doubt it was my pet.

Darius: But I've got better things to do than coddle small animals. They're my family, yet it seems they don't really know me.

Though the robin lightly pecked at Darius' fingertips, he remained where he was, his expression remaining unchanged.

Darius: What a joke. (-︵-)

His gaze seemed a bit gloomy, and my hold around the birdcage relaxed at that.

Kate: Darius…

But the moment I called out his name, he stood up—

Darius: You're a hostage and bargaining chip against Crown.

Darius: I have no intention of letting you go free. And unless I give permission, I'm never letting you out of this room.

Darius: You stay quiet here, just like a hostage should be.

He pulled out a key from his jacket pocket, hanging it in front of me as if to make a show of it.

Darius: This will be your little birdcage.

With that, he left the room— and the sound of the door locking resonated.

(He locked me in…)

I was shocked that I wouldn't be able to unlock the room…but even if I managed to get out, I would have nowhere to run.

(I can't call for help out at sea.)

And escaping from the boat would be nigh impossible. I would surely get captured soon and get brought back here.

Besides, if I did escape, I may end up facing something worse.

(It's like Darius said, even if I wasn't killed…)

My hair stood on end as I tightly held onto the birdcage. I didn't even want to think of what was going to happen.

(As I am right now, I'm a hostage like Darius said, and his pet.)

Perhaps, being locked in this birdcage of a bedroom was for my own good.

Wounded robin: Pii!

I came to when I heard the cheerful voice of the robin in my arms.

(I have to get myself together, or this little one might get killed.)

I stood up, holding the birdcage, and sat down on the bed.

Kate: It'll be okay. You and I both…it'll all be okay.

I murmured those words to convince myself, to which the robin went quiet in acceptance of my words.

(What will happen from here, I wonder?)

To the problem between Germany and England, the discord between Vogel and Crown…

And, the relationship between me and Darius?

I felt depressed not being able to see what lied ahead, but I figured I should look forward, even if a little bit, as I raised my head.

(As long as I'm a hostage, I won't be able to leave Darius.)

In other words— I would now be able force myself to get closer to him.

I lied down on the bed, holding only onto a small hope like finding a blooming flower in the mud.

Kate: At atny rate, I can use this situation…and get him to trust me this time for sure.

And I, too, would trust him in turn.

Unless we had that mutual trust, there was no doubt I wouldn't be able to convey these feelings for eternity.

[CLOSE EYES → BLACK]

While uncertain of what the future held, I closed my eyes.

And a faint warmth that wasn't mine lingered on the bed.

t. b. c ⸝⸝

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