The Runaway Maid is Loved by the Archmage - Chapter 18
Those trembling, startled eyes. Her delicate body quivering as it connected with his mana. And amidst all that, the small, intoxicating gestures she made to draw closer to him, overcome with ecstasy.
Everything about her bewitched him.
He found himself unconsciously imagining what it would be like to truly touch her. He forced the thought away, knowing he had to avoid such recklessness. Her star was a noble soul, one he dared not carelessly reach for.
Even if merging their mana brought him unparalleled euphoria, it was something he mustn’t pursue.
But… if, by some chance—if an opportunity came to fully take her without restraint…
Would he be able to maintain his composure? He couldn’t say.
Those vividly clear, blue eyes blazing with resolve, that soul burning with unyielding spirit, and…
In the primordial darkness where the ancient magic unfolded, the archmage let out a faint sigh.
‘You must always be perfect. You are destined to become the mother of the Empire.’
This was what Veronica had always been told.
She was fundamentally different from the gaudy but shallow nouveau riche family of Amastona or a mere slave woman who had nothing but her body. She was the daughter of the prestigious Eckhardt family, one that had built its history and reputation over centuries.
She had the qualifications. The place beside the dazzling sun was hers to claim. Through it, she would elevate her family, now battered by headwinds, to prominence once more. With that thought, Veronica lifted her chin high.
“Well then, what did you think, Lady Eckhardt?”
‘Useless woman.’ That was what Roberto thought with indifference. When she dared to reach for his star, knowing nothing of her place, he had simply allowed her to test herself, to see what she could do. And just as expected, it was nothing special—mere passion with no substance.
“As His Highness the Crown Prince chose her, she is a raw gem with the potential to shine, but it will require a significant amount of time and effort.”
Of course. She had been deliberately raised as an ignorant, pliant tool.
“Did you enjoy yourself?”
“Pardon?”
The Crown Prince’s lips curled into a smooth, amused smile. Veronica, not quite understanding his question, responded with a puzzled expression.
“I’m asking if you had fun playing around with my gem.”
A chill ran down Veronica’s spine the moment he said that. She had the fleeting impression that his pupils glowed red. It took her a long moment to steady her trembling lips.
“Serving Your Highness’s commands is always my greatest pleasure.”
“I see. Is that so?”
His condescending tone felt unfamiliar. Yet Veronica didn’t have the presence of mind to dwell on it. At that moment, it felt as though an enormous serpent, larger than her body, was wrapping itself around her, slowly tightening its grip. She gasped faintly, her hand scratching at her throat.
“Come to think of it, you came here wanting to belong to me, didn’t you? And so, it seems you’ve been trying to remove the one who now holds my side.”
The Crown Prince tilted his head slightly and pointed with his chin toward something. It was a large, ornate box with a carved motif of a bird. One of the aides standing nearby gave a respectful nod and carefully opened the box, spilling its contents onto the floor.
“Ahhh!!!”
Two severed heads, their faces pale and tongues protruding, rolled out and stopped at Veronica’s feet.
Overcome with terror, she screamed and collapsed to the ground.
“You desired this so much that a benevolent ruler like myself couldn’t possibly ignore such a plea, could I?”
The Crown Prince let out a sharp, sardonic laugh through his teeth.
Veronica shook her head frantically, crawling backward on all fours. The man before her—no, perhaps it wasn’t even right to call him a man anymore—was no longer the Crown Prince she had once known.
“I shall gift you a necklace that suits your neck. It signifies that you are now mine, so I hope you will accept it with honor.”
“Ah, no, I-I’m fine, really—”
Her refusal held little weight. The attendant, who had been standing by, firmly seized her slender neck and dragged her into the shadows. She struggled fiercely to escape, but it was already too late.
A bird ensnared by a serpent always disappeared, leaving behind nothing but a feather or two.
