n

n

n

"Why do you look so damn beautiful?

" A hoarse voice sounded near Sylvia and jolted her awake.

nThe woman blinked her eyes in confusion. Was this really the devil talking?

nShe gulped nervously and looked at the man, only to find him gazing at her. His eyes were unusually soft and gentle, full of warmth.

nSylvia trembled and her heart skipped a bit.

nShe didn't think that even a monster like him could show such an expression.

nAmused at the woman's bewildered expression, Mikel feebly lifted his hand, wincing in pain with every small action.

nHe lifted his hand all the way to her soft cheek and gently caressed it with his fingers.

nHer skin felt warm and soft, radiating a pleasant heat that soothed him.

n

"Have I been too hard on you?

" The man mumbled, his eyes not breaking away from the delicate figure in front of him.

nSylvia was originally only slightly surprised at Mikel's unusual actions but now she was completely dumbstruck.

nThis man? Why was he treating her nicely? What new torture is he planning now? Her mind frantically wandered.

n

"Your highness…

" Sylvia nervously stuttered. She was too afraid to even move a muscle.

n

"I am sorry, my dear.

" Mikel continued. He seemed to be in his own world, ranting to his own tune.

n

"Ummm…

" Sylvia didn't know what to respond to him, but the good thing was that the man didn't seem to be needing any.

n

"Did you get hu… hurt anywhere… I did my best… to make sure that nothing... touch you.

" Mikel slurred his words.

n

"I am sorry I even wagered wid you. I needed that b… b… my dear.

"

n

"I would… I would have never lost you…

"

n

"You are… hope… You are… mine alone… I will never…

" Mikel groaned in pain and closed his eyes.

nSylvia silently stared, her brain frozen still in shock. What the hell was happening?

nWhat kind of game was this man playing?

nShe couldn't understand any of it. She couldn't understand him at all.

nWas he really speaking the truth?

nBut if these words were true, then what about his behavior earlier?

nSylvia simply sat beside him, staring at the man, unsure of what to make of anything.

nA few minutes later, the man's long eyelashes fluttered and Mikel flashed his eyes open again.

nBut this time Sylvia noticed something new.

nHis eyes. His obsidian orbs which usually stared down at her, filled with arrogance and indifference, looked a little weird as if they lacked power.

nThe man's pupils were dilated.

nSylvia snapped out of her trance and hurriedly tried to talk to him before he lost his consciousness again.

n

"Your highness… These herbs… Are they the medicine for the poison?

"

nShe couldn't care less about the devil's flirtatious words. Those words even if they were true could never mean anything.

nWhat she cared about most right now was this man's condition! Her life depended on it!

n

"Yes… That… That… works.

"

n

"Nicolas… idiot… arrows are poisoned.

"

n

"Mmmm…

"

nThe man might lie about anything but surely he would at least speak truthfully in the matters concerning his health?

nSylvia heaved a huge sigh of relief. Only now she slightly relaxed.

nShe looked at the crumpled sheet of paper and stared at the list of herbs again.

n

"An antidote to a poison huh?

" Sylvia nodded her head as she memorized the herbs.

"Perhaps it might one day be useful for me.

"

nShe then looked at the man again who seemed to still in a haze, looking at her and smiling sweetly like a warm sunny day.

nShe averted her eyes, afraid to look at him any longer.

nHowever, every now and then she sneaked a quick peek at him and found the man still smiling at her and looking at her lovingly.

nIs he not tired? What is so entertaining about my face? Sylvia bit her lips awkwardly.

nWhat is wrong with him? Why is he acting so deliriously?

nAs the woman silently mulled over this new form of torture unleashed by the devil, a thought suddenly popped into her brain.

n

"Delirious… Drugs…

"

n

"Did one of these herbs perhaps have such an effect?

"

n

"Is he intoxicated heavily?

"

n

"Is this why he is acting in such a bizarre manner?

"

nConsidering this possibility, Sylvia felt as if all the dots connected and everything made sense.

nShe stole another glance at that angelic loving face and gulped nervously.

n

"If this is in fact true, then perhaps this man could… tell me things…

"

nSylvia's mind spun quickly and her gorgeous blue eyes twinkled with a mysterious glint.

"Your highness, why am I here? Why did you buy me at the auction?

"

n

"Mmmm…

" Mikel murmured something incoherently and closed his eyes.

nHis thin lips then parted again.

"You are here for me, my dear. I need you.

"

n

"But why? Why do you need me? I am so weak. I don't possess any magic. I am a nobody.

" Sylvia frantically asked him again.

n

"You are… not… nobody. You are everything. Powerful… Magic…

"

nMikel weakly mumbled, his eyes still closed, as if he was talking in his sleep.

n