“However seeing you in a large number, I regretted it for the primary time.”’

Looking back, the one time Simeon ever panicked was once I was injured. Even once we had been so near the cliff, he was afraid I’d fall, and his stony expression and wavering eyes had been real.

The <crown of atonement>, a crown of ache that may kill you in case you get it unsuitable, was given to me with out hesitation. I questioned why, however it was once I was handed out on sleeping tablets that I used to be given the leash. It by no means occurred to me on the time that I had a resemblance with John.

That’s why I made it a situation.

‘While you cease excited about me, the <Crown of Atonement> will untie itself.’

If I don’t take into consideration him anymore, I’m much less prone to reveal the Apostle’s data.

After all, now it’s an unintended shackle that may by no means be eliminated. Nonetheless, Simeon isn’t anxious. He already is aware of. That I’d by no means expose details about the Apostle.

He additionally is aware of very effectively why I preserve the key. It’s not as a result of I’m afraid of the ache the leash will trigger, however just because I don’t wish to be bothered. In spite of everything, this can be a recreation designed for him to win from begin to end.

There is no such thing as a approach I can win, no approach I can run away from him.

“You understand what?”

Raphael mentioned in my second of despair, stroking my reddened flesh from the thorns.

“The <Crown of Atonement>, as soon as stuffed, can’t be launched by its proprietor till the circumstances are fulfilled.”

“Why?”

“It has to do with its origins, I ought to say, due to the tip that befell the queen who wore it.”

I bear in mind the origin of the <Crown of Atonement> effectively. The story of the king and queen within the folks story match Simeon’s and my state of affairs completely.

“And the very last thing she wish to do is… die making an attempt to run away from the king, even together with her crown on?”

“Sure. However there have been extra necessary occasions earlier than that.”

Vital occasions. There hadn’t been something like that in what Simeon had instructed me….

I tilted my head questioningly, and Raphael spoke in a low voice.

“The queen blackmailed the king simply earlier than she died.”

“Blackmailed… is that attainable for a king?”

“As a result of she knew what the king feared most.”

“What was that?”

Raphael hesitated for a second, after which the surprising phrases got here out of his mouth.

“Her personal demise…”

His blood appeared to freeze in his veins.

“So, she took herself as a hostage and threatened the king, saying that if he didn’t untie this now, she’d kill herself. And even when he doesn’t, it’ll by no means be what he need.”

Why hadn’t I considered that earlier than?

“The king wouldn’t pay attention. He didn’t suppose she was keen to die.”

Why Simeon desires to maintain me round, how he feels about John, whether or not it’s love or hate or neither, and all of this stuff are ineffective in terms of escaping his clutches.

You’re lacking an important factor.

“Tons of of years after the queen’s physique was laid to relaxation, the crown by no means rotted, remaining on her skeletal head. Some imagine it was as a result of her bindings had been by no means damaged, however I… I imagine it’s an indication that the king nonetheless has regrets.”

Simeon is afraid of injuring me… afraid of shedding me.

That’s the solely fact, the one option to win his recreation.

“Thanks for telling me, Raphael.”

Sure. Let’s negotiate.

“I’ve discovered loads due to you.”

I’ll take myself hostage, and I’ll escape this cage.

My opponent is Simeon. If I present the slightest signal of weak point, my probabilities will probably be over straight away. So we’d like to verify we’ve got a contingency plan… in case you may even name it a plan.

“Can I borrow your cellphone? I’ve mine at dwelling.”

Raphael gave me a puzzled look once I introduced up cellphone out of the blue.

“Why a cellphone rapidly?”

”I simply wished to take a more in-depth take a look at the article I used to be featured in earlier.”

His guard was shortly down as I gave him a intentionally awkward smile. “Ah,” Raphaell sighed, and he unlocked his telephone and handed it over.

“However hyung, I believed you weren’t ?”

“The extra I give it some thought, the extra attention-grabbing it’s. I by no means thought I’d be in an article in my life….”

“Haha, that’s what I believed at first too.”

Raphael laughed heartily and turned his consideration again to discovering the correct wavelength gemstone.

On the display floated the web article from earlier. Pretending to learn it, he shortly scrolled down and copied the reporter’s electronic mail. I then wrote an electronic mail to the reporter beneath my very own username.

Fortunately, Raphael was so targeted on discovering a gemstone with the correct wavelength that he didn’t understand I used to be tapping away on the keyboard. Once I had safely erased all traces of my electronic mail, I returned to my authentic web window and mentioned nonchalantly.

“They’re making quite a lot of assumptions.”

”Don’t fear an excessive amount of concerning the feedback.”

“I’ll strive, it’ll be quiet quickly anyway.”

Simply as I’m handing him again his telephone, there’s a knock on the door and it opens. It’s Simeon. He mentioned he’d carry me one thing to eat, however he was empty-handed, so one thing should have occurred. That’s higher. As quickly as I’m healed, I’ll go away this place.

“Guild chief!”

Raphael greeted with a beaming smile, and Simeon returned it with a skinny one.

“And the therapy?”

“I’m nearly to. I used to be speaking to Ha-jae hyung.”

Simeon winced. There was a daunting chill within the air earlier than Raphael completed his sentence. On second thought, I don’t suppose he mentioned something unsuitable, however Simeon’s expression subtly hardened. Simeon glanced at me and muttered to himself.

“Hajae… hyung?”

…Was that an issue?

He appears to be questioning me about what occurred with Raphael within the meantime, and I don’t have something good to say, so I simply shrug my shoulders. His narrowed black eyes appeared to disapprove of the state of affairs.

“You could have gotten fairly shut.”

“Hehe, it’s my specialty, making buddies with strangers.”

Raphael gave the impression to be the one one who didn’t really feel the icy ambiance, and he targeting discovering minerals, ignoring Simeon’s fierce glare behind him. Lastly, he picked up a greenish mineral and positioned it in my hand.

“That is it…!”

Raphael exclaimed. I used to be puzzled as a result of it regarded like some other mineral to me.

“You discovered it?”

“Sure! I had a hunch it was an emerald, and I used to be proper.”

The look of pure pleasure on his face was like that of a kid who had simply discovered the correct puzzle. Raphael pulled again the covers and positioned the emerald gemstone on his injured thigh. Then he pulled an extended steel rod from his pocket. It was thicker than a needle and regarded like a stone splitting knife.

I glanced at it, uncertain of what to do with it, and Raphael chuckled.

“It’d sting a bit.”

I instinctively tensed my legs on the phrases the nurse often mentioned. Elevating the gem excessive within the air, Raphael slammed it down as laborious as he may towards the gemstone, and an amazing burst of inexperienced gentle erupted from the emerald stone. I squeezed my eyes shut in opposition to the blindingly shiny gentle.

Quickly, a cheerful voice spoke up.

“Isn’t it superb?”

I slowly opened my eyes and noticed that the stone on my thigh was shattered, and on the identical time the throbbing ache centered on the wound was fully gone. I couldn’t imagine my eyes, so I bent and straightened my leg two or 3 times. The muscle tissue moved as if they’d already been rehabilitated.

“It’s true what they are saying about treating with jewellery….”

I questioned if all A-rank woke up had this means. As I touched the affected space and admired it, Raphael set free a pleasing snort.

“After all it’s actual! Need to take a stroll?”

I took Raphael’s hand and slowly stood up, afraid to place my ft on the bottom for concern of ache, however strolling barefoot on the laborious ground didn’t hassle me in any respect. It was such an ideal therapy that I used to be sorry I’d doubted it for a second.

“That’s superb, Raphael. I’ve by no means seen something prefer it.”

“Ha-ha-ha, after all, I’m.”

As a substitute of hating his smug face, I discovered it cute and wished to tease him about it.

”Truly, I used to be skeptical whenever you stored placing the gemstone in my hand.”

“Don’t even get me began on the germanium bracelet.”

“Haha, I used to be simply kidding, thanks very a lot.”

Raphael smiled shyly, instantly feeling a bit embarrassed by my honesty. I really feel dangerous about betraying him as quickly as he’s been so variety to me, however it’s the one selection I’ve for myself.

“Since we’re right here, why don’t we go for a stroll?”

I whisper, tugging barely on his supportive hand, and Raphael’s eyes widen.

“A stroll?”

“I’ve been mendacity round for days, and I’m feeling a bit stiff, and I may use some contemporary air.”

“Sounds good to me!”

Raphael was as excited as a pet when he was instructed to go for a stroll.

The issue is Simeon. I believe I ought to take him up on his supply to go for a stroll with me…. however once I flip round, Simeon is standing a couple of steps behind me, watching us. His face is expressionless, as at all times, and I can’t inform what he’s pondering.

“Include me.”

After a second of silence, Simeon nods slowly.

“I’ll, however don’t overdo it.”

“I’m fantastic, due to Raphael.”

I’m stunned. I believed he was going to say no.

I hurriedly left the room with Raphael earlier than Simeon may discover one thing was amiss. The bodyguard on the door adopted us, however I didn’t thoughts. So long as he doesn’t comply with intently, he gained’t have the ability to intrude with my plans.