obsession chapter 7

“….” She was bound to Argen, and to escape its domain, she had to weaken Latium, the foundation of the Argen family’s power. Even briefly, for just a few minutes. She might be able to get out of here. A possibility, long buried, glimmered in the man before her. Noxian Rubelot. The adversary of Latium, the one blessed by Rubencia, finally curled his lips into a smile. 

“Fortunate. We’re going the same way.” 

[The same way?]

“I have no intention of letting this family, those with Argen blood, live peacefully.” He seemed to have no idea that she, too, was an Argen. Shariette didn’t bother to correct him. That was the second lie. 

“Of course, that depends on you, who holds my life, not betraying me.” Noxian, his consciousness fading once more, whispered his last words. With a smile as beautiful and dangerous as if sculpted by an angel and breathed into life by a devil. “Take care of me, Sasha.” 

Twinkle, twinkle. As if he already knew she’d be captivated by that light. Whether she was the one to save him or the one to be trusted, it was a gamble with their lives on the line. But a gamble, if won, becomes a good choice, regardless of the process. Whatever happened afterward, Shariette didn’t regret it. Not even everything that followed.

***

Present, Maylily Apothecary.

“Hmm, tying him up just in case……” Probably not a good idea. He wouldn’t like that. Recalling her first encounter with Noxian, Shariette slipped the leather straps she’d taken out back into their place. 

“Wait. I’ll get rid of all the Argens and get you out of here.” True to that chilling declaration, this man killed Shariette’s biological father, her half-siblings, and the entire Argen family. He probably realized by the time he’d slit their throats. That ‘Sasha’ wasn’t an innocent commoner apothecary, but one of the ‘Argens.’ There was one more problem. 

The condition Shariette had offered in exchange for his help. The destruction of the sanctuary, the protective forest of Latium. Thanks to Noxian Rubelot keeping his promise, she had the chance to escape. 

How could I have known there was a curse for those who invaded the sanctuary?

Rumors had reached even this remote village that Rubelot’s heir had been cursed by Latium two years ago because of that incident. She didn’t know if it was true, but if it was… This man, not only had he taken her hand without knowing she was of the Argen bloodline he so despised, he’d also been struck by a curse because of her. “He won’t die peacefully,” Shariette muttered. The option of him not dying didn’t even cross her mind. She grunted, dragging Noxian to a makeshift bed in the corner of the apothecary. His legs dangled awkwardly off the end, but there was nothing she could do about it. 

“Ah, Eh, Ee, Oh, Ooh. Eee-” Shariette practiced a normal, harmless smile in the mirror. It was still awkward to move muscles she hadn’t used in ten years, so she often memorized and mimicked other people’s expressions. “Customer, did you check the effects of the sleeping draught?” 

She rehearsed her lines in advance. Good. Let’s go with ‘Scenario 4: Pretended to have sampled it before purchase.’ 

“Sleeping anesthesia is still sleep.” 

No. Convincing only herself, she checked her reflection in the mirror again. Her once light-gold hair had turned snow-white one morning. It happened not long after she smuggled Noxian out of the castle. So much had happened back then that her hair wasn’t a priority, but looking back, it worked out well. 

Besides, my face and eye color were different then.