Day 8 Late Evening/Day 9 Early Morning

Things continue like normal. Well, as normal as it can for a captured princess. You stay in your room, chatting with the RFA whenever you could. Not that you had a choice, considering you were tied up and all. The rough rope scratches at your ankle with every heavy step, but the anchor that weighs you down the most is dread. The dread of Saeran discovering the truth about the fake elixir. Thankfully, the hacker is too busy to see you in person, only occasionally chatting and calling you. It seems he’s just as overworked as Ray was. Still, you’re like a ticking time bomb and the longer you hold back, the bigger the explosion will be.

If that isn’t bad enough, the RFA is doing so much worse than you. To start, V postponed the party, then Zen got interrogated. Seven was also acting quite distant. The RFA is going through a storm, no, a hurricane. And here you are stuck in your prison, unable to do a thing to help. You’re trapped, forced to watch everyone around you worry and suffer.

As the sun sets, it gets harder to log into the chatrooms, yet being alone with your thoughts is even worse. The nighttime brings shadows full of fear and despair. Thankfully, you get into a chatroom with only Jumin. He is the more rational, levelheaded one of the group after all, and something about that makes you feel safe.

The two of you chat about the current situation. Of course, you can’t get into too much detail on your end, in fact, you try to act as neutral as possible. No doubt, Saeran is watching. Both in and out of the chatroom. The thought makes you shudder. At least chatting with Jumin calms you down.

Until you read his latest messages.

Jumin Han: I find your attitude Jumin Han: a little bothering as of late. Jumin Han: I did have such an impression at your introduction Jumin Han: but it feels like Jumin Han: you are Jumin Han: being controlled Jumin Han: by someone else….

Your blood runs cold as you stare at the screen. It’s not that your necessarily being controlled, but you have no idea how to act. When is the elixir supposed to kick in? Should you pretend it took effect? But how would that even work? You’re not sure, but one thing is certain, telling the truth would be suicide. But what can you say? And if you leave Jumin waiting too long, he’ll get even more suspicious.

Fingers shaking, you tap at the screen as your mind scrambles for an excuse. Something. Anything.

Jumin Han has left the chatroom.

The screen changes, first turning black with scrolling green text, before the chatroom returns, red tinged and glitchy.

Saeran.

Your stomach drops as you grip your phone. No matter how many times he interrupts the chats, it always catches you off guard.

Unknown: Princess Unknown: What kind of stupid things is the corporate heir saying? Unknown: Wouldn’t you rather talk to me? ^^ Unknown: How are you feeling now? Unknown: Any Unknown: different~?

Once again, you’re at a loss. Just like with Jumin, you can’t take long to respond, but this time you manage to type something out.

MC: Idk MC: I’m more worried about the party getting postponed. MC: Do you think it’s because of the prosecution interrogation? Unknown: What a smart girl you are~ Unknown: I wish I could let off some steam Unknown: on the guys from the prosecution! Unknown: Savior found out Unknown: that the RFA is postponing the party. Unknown: And now Unknown: she’s more than just angry. Unknown: Not even your cleansing Unknown: cheered her up.

Your breath hitches in your throat. Rika. You aren’t an idiot and from the moment she first came into your room, you knew who she was. She had been very pleasant and charming, yet there had been something unsettling behind her dull, olive eyes. What was this place and why was she doing this? Why did she leave the RFA without a word?

It’s hard to imagine her angry, yet considering what had happened to Ray, the thought is chilling. His last tearful phone call, your final words with him before Saeran took his place. . . that still haunts you. Without a doubt, you know Rika’s responsible for it. She’s fully capable of hurting others and twisting them to her desires. Something tells you she’s willing to do it again.

MC: Am I in trouble? Unknown: Princess. . . Unknown: You don’t have to worry about anything happening to you Unknown: because you’re mine ^^ Unknown: Do you know Unknown: what I told my savior? Unknown: I told her Unknown: that this is Ray’s fault Unknown: he was weak Unknown: and stupid Unknown: and didn’t deserve this mission.

This latest stream of message makes your chest ache. Ray. . . poor Ray. He was amazing, yet treated so horribly.

Ray worked harder than anyone else. . .! He has never ruined things. Not eve- You quickly hit the backspace. No. Your outburst would just make Saeran suspicious. . . Ray was still in there though. Wasn’t he? He wasn’t gone forever, right?

Unknown: But I’m here now. Unknown: I’ll make things better Unknown because I am better. Unknown: We’ll get Savior the info she wants Unknown: and make her happy again.

There’s a pause and you’re not quite sure what to say. You don’t want to help Rika or this place, yet expressing this would only give you away. A couple new messages appear before you can reply.

Unknown: You’re so pretty. Unknown: I love that face you’re making.

Your eyes widen and you look around a bit frantically, cheeks burning. You still have no idea where Saeran had the camera installed, and your heart pounds with horror, yet there’s a small bit of warmth that washes over you. What’s wrong with you? Despite everything Saeran has done, you still feel a strange attraction towards him. Your mind tries to resist with everything it has, but your body, and maybe even your heart refuses to cooperate. All you can do is look down your phone, lowering your head and trying to hide your face as best as you can.

Unknown: Haha Unknown: You’re so cute. Unknown: Watching you like this Unknown: makes me want you even more. Unknown: I want to hold you in my arms Unknown: and feel you Unknown: but I can’t now Unknown: ^^ Unknown: So until I can see you again. . . Unknown: prepare yourself. Unknown: I can’t wait to play with you Unknown: my Princess~

Unknown has left the chatroom

A strange mixture of relief and disappointment fills you as the chatroom returns to normal. It’s better this way. The longer you can be away from Saeran the better.

It’s just you and Jumin now, but not really. Saeran is still monitoring you. All you can do is type up that your phone has been acting up and you’re too tired to keep chatting. You then leave the chatroom before Jumin can start questioning you again.

Are you really tired though?

Yes and no. You’re emotionally exhausted, yet your racing mind won’t let you settle down. Even after you’re ready for bed and under the fluffy pink covers of your princess bed, your mind is still abuzz with anxious thoughts. The nightgown Saeran had the Believers deliver to you doesn’t help. It’s silky, black and scandalous with lace trim and a hem that barely covers you butt. Unfortunately, the Believers took away the much more modest and flowing, princess nightgown Ray had provided. Not that you had a choice in the matter. You still needed to act like you took the elixir after all, so you put on the nightgown without any resistance. This was honestly the least of your worries. . .

What was going to happen tomorrow? You don’t want to think about it. Surely Saeran is going to expect the elixir to have kicked in? So you had to act like it did, or else you would be in trouble? But how? That’s the part that gets you every time. It seemed the elixir was supposed to make people happy, yet everyone here seemed so sluggish and odd. Ray had been miserable, though Searan had this manic, unhinged joy about him. So was that how you were supposed to act? Glum, sleepy, hyper? You still couldn’t figure it out!

Despite all your tossing and turning along with the swirling tonic of uncertainty and nerves in the pit of your stomach, your breathing slows down and you soon doze off.

Saeran walks through the hall, head held high and mint eyes wide with excitement. It’s finally time to visit his princess. She made his work go a bit slower than he cared to admit. Her hypnotic eyes called to him. Then there were her lips. He could almost taste their sweetness just by watching the camera feed. But the part that almost drove them over the edge was her body. The way she fidgeted as she sat on the bed. It was in a word, tantalizing. The nightgown he had sent for her only emphasized her delicious shape. He could stare at her 24/7, if he let himself, but no, he isn’t like Ray. Saeran can still enjoy his princess and get work done.

What got him the most excited was the way she tossed and turned in bed. Restless and writhing. That was surely the elixir finally kicking in. It took a lot longer with her than other Believers, but Saeran doesn’t care. All that matters is that she’s one of them now. She finally belongs here and would be his forever. The thought makes his heartrate skyrocket.

He stops at her bedroom door and tries to collect himself. While it was tempting to loudly barge like all the other times, tonight is different. Special. He tugs at his open suit jacket, causing it to sloppily hang off of one shoulder. The clothes Savior gave him prove to be more and more suffocating, and as the day progressed, he made some changes. First he ditched the tie and unbuttoned his dress shirt, so he could finally breathe. Of course there was his jacket, but the thing he liked most was the leather choker he found. He has no idea who it belonged to before, but now it’s his.

With a drawn out sigh and a smirk, Saeran grasps the doorknob and turns it as slowly and gently as possible. He steps into the dark bedroom. A sweet, familiar odor assaults his senses, causing his fingers to tremble as he closes the door the behind him.

His gaze hones in on the bed. A large lump lays in the center, moving up and down at a sluggish pace. Soft and deep breaths fill the air. It’s like a siren’s song, drawing him closer and closer until he stands at the side of the bed, staring at his princess. Her eyes are shut, and lips curved into a slight smile. The elixir has given her peace. Now she can finally be happy. He brought her salvation. Not Ray. Him.

With a proud grin, he leans in closer, relishing in the medley of her breathing and addictive scent. Now he can take what was his from the very beginning. His eyes widen and his smile grows as he kicks off his dress shoes and climbs into the bed.

Rustling followed by warmth breaks through the unfeeling darkness.

It feels good.

So good.

Your breath hitches and you weakly gasp as the sensation grows stronger. Everything is floaty, yet falling and you soon recognize the feeling is coming from your neck. The fog gradually fades as consciousness kicks in. Soft blankets keep you warm and the mattress underneath you creaks with movement, but it’s not coming from you. . .

Your eyes snap open and you let out a strangled gasp at the sight of someone straddling you. You’re aware of his lips on your neck, yet it takes your brain a moment to process that it’s Saeran. How? When!? You reach for his chest, about to shove him, but your hands recoil and a chill runs up your spine when you remember the elixir. You can’t blow your cover. But then what are you supposed to do!? The conflicting thoughts leave you frozen.

Saeran nips at your neck with a growl before pulling back and adjusting himself so he can look down at you. “Good morning, Princess~” he greets with a cheerful snicker. “Aww. You look so tired.” His hand finds your cheeks and without thinking you close your eyes for a moment.

Why does his touch feel so good?

“I shouldn’t have woken you up so early. The sun’s not even up, but I was just too excited to see you~” His expression turns malicious, but soon his eyes go half lidded as he leans closer, lips hovering over yours. “Let me make it up to you. . .” His hands glide down your nightgown, causing you to squirm. Your heart pounds as a sense of danger creeps up on you, but before you can react, his hands find their way under your nightgown, causing you to gasp and buck your hips. “I’ll make it so you won’t want to go back to sleep.” He squeezes your torso, causing a moan to escape you. His fingers are rough, warm and dangerously close to your chest. You can’t help but quiver with fear and excitement. You open your mouth, but only a breath comes out as Saeran goes for your neck again. This time, he trails kisses all the way down to your chest. The way his lips sloppily press into your flesh sends tingling shockwaves throughout your insides, each one more intense than the one before it.

He stops mere inches above the sweetheart neckline of your nightgown and you hold your breath. What is he going to do? The thought makes you tremble with anticipation.

A deep and low rumble of growl comes from Saeran as he nips and licks you before latching on.

“S-Saeran. . .!” You moan and writhe, unable to control yourself. Despite your jerking moving, he keeps his hold on you, and with a groan, sucks harder.

This is wrong. . . isn’t it? You need to stop him, yet you don’t want to. Why was it getting harder and harder to resist him? You didn’t take the real elixir, and yet, you’re completely under his control. You’re so close to completely succumbing. Your mind tries to fight it, yet your body only wants to submit.

After what feels like an eternity of bliss and heat, Saeran releases you, panting for air, but soon his lips curve into a mischievous smirk as he brushes his fingers against the spot of warmth. “Marked you as my princess~ Now shall we continue~?” He gives you an expectant stare.

You’re not sure which is louder, the pounding pulse in your ear, or your ragged breaths. You want this. You want it so bad. It was okay, right? It was for your survival anyways. . . With a pleading whimper, you nod your head.

“Good girl~” Saeran steals your lips in a rough and sloppy kiss. His own lips are sweet with a slight spice to it, but it’s over before you can properly figure out what it tastes like. You let out a disappointed grunt as Saeran sits up and snickers.

“Sorry Princess, but you kept me waiting, so it’s only fair. I should make you do something to earn this.” Chortling, he snatches your phone from the nightstand.

All of the heat coursing through your body ices over and the haze clouding your mind evaporates.

“Let’s mess with the RFA. Maybe we can get them to hold the party again.” The phone’s light casts a wicked shadow over Saeran’s face as his thumb scrolls over the screen.

“W-wait a minute.” You manage to sit up. “What are you going to do?” You try to hide the frantic anxiety in your voice.

Saeran doesn’t look up. “Hmm… We can pretend you’re getting tortured. We can say the hacker won’t feed you and keeps threatening your life, and…” His face slowly lit up with sadistic glee. It starts with widening eyes and finishes with his lips curling into a malicious smirk. “We can send some pictures, but let’s not put it in the chatroom. We can directly contact that redhead, Luciel.” Saeran burst into hysterical cackles, wheezing for air before he continued. “Oh it’ll be glorious! That traitor’s so full of secrets, I bet he’ll only tell V about it. All those two want is to be heroes who get all the glory, but this time, they won’t be able to lie their way out. This will crush them. We’ll really make it look like I’m abusing you~” He reaches out and grasps a strand of your hair, letting it slip past his long fingers. “Of course, I won’t really be that rough. . .unless you want me to.” He raises an eyebrow before returning to attention to the phone. “Now let’s see how we can start this up. . .”

“No don’t!” You don’t want to hurt the RFA, but especially not Seven. Even V. Despite how aggravating he could be with not telling anyone about Rika or Saeran, he didn’t deserve this either. Without thinking you snatch the phone from Saeran and hug it to your chest. It isn’t until his surprised, wide eyes narrow that you realize how bad you just messed up.

“Princess,” Saeran begins slowly, voice low and threatening. “You realize that we’re helping further Paradise, don’t you? You’re not trying to go against Paradise,” His frown deepened. “are you?”

You don’t know what to do or say. You could give back the phone and apologize, but no, you can’t let Saeran blackmail Seven. You can’t pit the brothers against each other. But then what were you supposed to do? Your eyes fill with tears and it sinks in that you’re completely and utterly trapped. You let out a small sob, which quickly turns into a loud gasp when Saeran suddenly shoves you onto your back.

He clutches your shoulder in a death grip as he pins you. You can’t move. You can barely breathe. All you can do is stare up at the fury in his face. “S-saeran I’m s-“

“That elixir was fake, wasn’t it?” He interrupts through clenched teeth.

Without a word, you quickly nod, terrified of further provoking him.

“That marshmallow bastard, I should’ve known. . .” He hisses before snatching your phone. “I’m blocking your access from the RFA.”

“No please!” You gasp. The RFA is your only connection to the outside world. Your only chance of freedom. “Y-you can’t!” You manage to reach for the phone, but Saeran tosses it aside before roughly snatching your wrists and pinning them over your head.

“I can do whatever I want with the messenger,” He snarls and adjusts his hold, so that only one hand holds your wrists. He presses his knees against your sides, completely immobilizing you. “And whatever I want with you!” His free hand snatches your chin, holding your head in place.

What was he going to do to you!?

“No stop!” You scream with a sob and squeeze your eyes shut.

His grip on your loosens and you open eyes. Saeran’s face scrunches as his gaze goes glossy.

“S-Saeran. . .?” Despite it all, worry tugs at you. Is he okay?

His nails dig into your wrist as he bares his teeth. “No! Get. . . out of here. . . !” He gasps and growls, curling in on himself in agony, before releasing you. “Stop. . .don’t. . .” he whispers, voice hoarse. “Please! Please don’t hurt her!” He screams.

Something wet lands on your cheek. Tears. Your heart skips a beat. “R-Ray. . .?” Could it be? Is it really him?

His eyes widen and focus back on you. With a small whimper, his lips quiver. “Wh-what did I. . .?” He slowly sits up, eyes growing wider and wider as more tears welled up. “Wh-what was I about t-to-?” He shakes his head and grips it. “No!” He sobs and practically tumbles off the bed, before falling to his knees. I almost. . .I almost. . .!” His words come out slurred and hysterical as he weeps. “Princess. . .this is my fault! I’m sorry! S-so sorry!”

It really was Ray. You sit up, and shaky hands cover your mouth as tears stream down your cheek. He’s back. He came back for you, but seeing him in such pain, devastates you. “R-Ray. . .it’s okay. It’s not your fault.” You climb off the bed and sit by his side, but he scoots away.

“N-no! Don’t forgive me! Just throw me away right now before he comes back!” He pleads with desperate sobs. “Princess! I’msorryI’msorry! I’M SO SORRY! What do I do? What should I do?” He wails and curls in on himself. “I hurt you! I almost. . .I almost. . .! No. . .” He looks back at you, eyes puffy and face extra pale. “Are you alright? Didn’t it hurt. . .?” He trails off as his gaze slides down to the rope around your ankle. “I-I can’t believe this. . .” He grabs the rope and stares down at in horror. “I’ll never forgive myself. . .”

“R-Ray no! It wasn’t you, it was Saeran.” You wipe your eyes before crawling over to him. “But you’re back now and that’s all that matters,” you say. Ray would make things right.

This time, he stiffens, but doesn’t retreat. “I-I might be dragged back into the abyss. So please just-ugh!” He once again grips his head, tugging at his pink tinged hair. “Ugh. . .my head is killing me. I think I’ll pass out any moment. . .Princess. . .” He wheezes and lets out a weak whimper. “Leave me here. . .and go.” He shakes his head and looks down, voice lowering into a defeated whisper. “Ray. . .wasn’t supposed to last from the very beginning.”

“Ray no. . .please don’t go. . .” You beg with a whimper and reach for him.

“Ever since I met you. . .” After a moment of hesitation, his hand stretches towards yours. “I thought maybe I could stay. . .” His fingers graze yours, they’re cold as if he had been handling ice, yet it gives you a warm feeling. That is, until he recoils and pulls back. “But. . .” His voice cracks and he turns away. “Saeran is my real name. . . Ray never existed in the first place. . .”

"N-no.” You smack your palms against the floor for emphasis. “No!” You refused to believe it. The man you met and fell for, he was real. Everything that happened between you two was also real.

With a shaky breath, Ray opens his mouth to say more, but you interrupt him with a hug. His body trembles. Each shake goes straight to your heart. You want to vanquish his fears and doubts. A tear runs down your cheeks as your eyes close, and you rest your cheek against his chest. “Ray, I-“

“Ugh!” He goes rigid and gasps for air before prying you off him. The gesture is frantic and shaky, yet there’s still a gentleness to it as if you’re a glass doll and he’s afraid of shattering you. “Stay away from me. You have to stay away. . .!” He jumps to his feet, but stumbles and grabs his head. “A-ah. . .N-no. . .!”

“R-Ray. . .!” You get up and cautiously approach him.

With a gasping sob, he shakes his head before turning away and bolting out of the room, throwing the door open.

“Ray!” You rush after him. “Stop!” Just as you step out into the hallway something tugs at your ankle, causing you to yelp and fall face first onto the cold marble floor.  Pain jolts up your arms and legs, but that doesn’t matter. With a pained groan, you try to get up, but your ankle burns. The rope. . . your stomach plummets. Tears blur your vision as you take in the empty, silent hallway. Ray was long gone.

Ray. . .

With a sob, your body goes limp. Seeing him like that hurts. It hurts so much, but the worst part is not being able to help him. Now he was going to be all alone, suffering. Despite everything, he blamed himself, even after you nearly gave into Saeran. . . Ray, poor Ray. . . He was too good for you. . .but he himself didn’t believe that. You didn’t even get the chance to thank him for saving you. Twice. Tears soak the floor and your face as you let out an anguished whimper. At some point, Believers were probably going to come and drag you back into the bedroom, but you don’t care. All you cared about was Ray.

What was going to happen to him?

Was he really going to disappear?