Please Kill Me - Chapter 166
Sitting on the cold stone floor, the chilling air seeped in, making it feel like insects were crawling all over her body. The musty smell of the prison evoked memories of decay, and the occasional sound of dripping water startled her.
“I hope it’s not just being left alone in such a cold and hard prison.”
“I promise to lock you up in a cozy, warm room without any shortages.”
Leonid replied with a smile.
To an outsider, he might appear completely out of his mind, but for Yekaterina, his expression made her heart race.
The emotions intensified by the confession drug revealed some stark truths. For instance, Yekaterina realized that above all else, she loved Leonid’s smile the most.
So, she impulsively grabbed his cheeks and lightly kissed him.
As she pulled away, Leonid chuckled softly, “This time, I wasn’t falling off a cliff or had a hole in my stomach. Are you under the influence of the drug?”
“I’m completely sober.”
“I can’t even count how many times I’ve heard that at the bottom of a cliff.”
“You mean so much to me, Leonid. I missed you so much…”
Regardless of Leonid’s teasing, Yekaterina, emboldened by the drug, nestled closer to him.
Leonid raised an eyebrow as he held her in his arms.
“Yuri, the effects of this confession drug are too potent.”
“…Maybe you should wipe that smile off your face and stop teasing her.”
“If a person changes this much, you should have spoken up. With things like this, I feel like I want to pick her up and take her back right now…”
Leonid muttered in genuine distress.
A part of him wished he could lose control and kiss Yekaterina right then. He would hold her tightly and make her repeat how much she liked him until her voice grew hoarse. He could live on those words, even if she were no longer by his side.
But sadly, Yuri was there, and time was not on their side. Yuri was already holding the antidote, waiting for them.
Soon, the bell announcing the hour would ring. By that time, they needed to leave the lounge, as the Emperor would make an appearance in the banquet hall to appoint Yuri as the Crown Prince.
Reluctantly, Leonid had to pull away from Yekaterina, suppressing his feelings of regret.
“Yekaterina, I have one last question.”
“Is there more to ask?”
“Yes.”
Leonid had been obsessively focused on Yekaterina’s lies because the circumstances following her departure seemed suspiciously favorable for him. It was as if someone connected to Leonid had sacrificed something for his safety.
Moreover, just moments ago, before lifting the partition, Yekaterina had said:
— If I explain the situation to Dmitry, he’ll help me…
With all the circumstantial evidence coming together, Leonid couldn’t help but feel certain.
“Did you make some kind of deal with Dmitry?”
And the confession drug forced the answer out of Yekaterina.
“Yes.”
“…What kind of deal?”
Fear gnawed at the root of Yekaterina’s tongue, but her lips moved of their own accord.
“In exchange for Dmitry helping you… I would leave you.”
And not revealing this fact as well.
In that moment, all truths spilled out.
Yekaterina felt something pop inside her, deep within her body.
It was a small sensation, like biting into a cherry tomato, but far more unpleasant.
Suddenly, a voice echoed in her mind.
— I feel that way every time I use magic. It feels like something bursts inside me… That’s why I hate cherry tomatoes.
She instinctively recognized it.
It was the voice of a young Dmitry.
If she thought about it, it was rare for Yekaterina to share a meal with Dmitry at the same table. She was always too busy to eat on time.
Yet how did she know about Dmitry’s tastes?
Even the reasons behind them.
— Still, you know it’s not good to be picky, right, Dmitry? There aren’t many people who can eat quality vegetables in Ethiel.
— But… if you feel this way, sister, you’re sure to hate cherry tomatoes.
She could almost see the boy’s face contorted in disgust as if he had eaten something foul.
Forgotten memories, as always, pierced sharply through Yekaterina’s core.
Especially since the meaning of this memory and sensation was all too clear to her.
‘The spell Dmitry cast is still in effect.’
Though she hadn’t completely ruled out that possibility, having consumed the confession drug meant there was no escaping the questions that would follow.
Suddenly, Dmitry’s words echoed in her mind:
— If the promise is broken, Sister won’t be safe either.
Had Dmitry, as the one who cast the spell, also realized that it was broken?
He hadn’t explained what consequences breaking the promise would bring.
It would be a relief if the repercussions of the spell fell solely on her.
She felt the emotions stirred up by the confession drug thrashing wildly in confusion. Fear of the unknown gripped Yekaterina at that moment.
midori
thanks! hmmm i wonder what the effect will be. aaahh yekaterina has succumbed!