This is bad.
Lakyus glared fiercely at the man standing far too close to her.
His face was calm, even gentle—handsome enough to make maidens sigh—but she knew better now. Beneath that refined exterior lurked something profoundly dangerous.
A devil in human skin.
Her body remained completely unresponsive, bound by Lock's magic. No matter how desperately she tried to move, she couldn't muster even a shred of strength. Meanwhile, his gaze lingered on her as if she were an artwork placed on display, examined with leisurely interest.
What unsettled her most wasn't fear for herself.
It was fear for Blue Rose.
If he truly intended to use her as leverage… then everything was over.
"Don't glare at me like that, Miss Aindra," Lock said lightly, amusement dancing in his voice. "Anyone might misunderstand and think you're eager. Besides, it's still daytime—have a little patience."
"You…!"
Lakyus tried to shout, to curse him, but only a single syllable escaped her lips.
If she could move, she would have already struck him—just as she had punished countless arrogant noble brats who abused their status.
But when Lock stepped closer, something instinctive stirred within her.
Fear.
The kind that had nothing to do with courage or resolve—only the primal terror of being utterly powerless.
I shouldn't have believed him.
Those words about saving the Kingdom—lies. All lies.
Yet before she could continue cursing him in her heart, her world shifted.
In one smooth motion, Lock lifted her into his arms.
A princess carry.
Her body rested against his chest, her head brushing his shoulder. The faint scent of clean metal and magic reached her senses—foreign, intimate, and overwhelming.
Her cheeks burned.
"Heh," Lock chuckled softly. "You look surprisingly adorable like this."
She struggled weakly, but his arms were firm, unyielding. There was no escape.
"Don't waste your strength," he said calmly. "There's a saying—if you can't resist, you might as well accept it. I'll lend it to you for today."
Then he raised his voice.
"Someone."
Two Tiger Knights immediately appeared from the tower passage, clearly on standby.
"Lord Lock!"
"Relax," he said casually, feeling Lakyus tense in his arms. "I'm joking."
Then, more seriously:
"Disarm Miss Aindra and follow us."
Her rapier and floating swords—symbols of her pride—were collected without ceremony.
As he carried her toward the tower, Lock's tone softened.
"Calm yourself, Lakyus. I won't harm you."
She froze.
"…You just want to threaten us," she whispered hoarsely.
"No," he replied. "I want you to understand."
He descended the stairs at an unhurried pace.
"I have the power to destroy you. All of you. In an instant. And I want that truth carved into your memory."
She stared at him, stunned.
"I don't seek conquest for pleasure," Lock continued evenly. "I seek results. The path ahead will be bloody, difficult, and unforgiving. Even good people—people like you—will stand against me."
"I accept that."
He paused briefly at the exit.
"But what I won't accept… is pointless sacrifice."
His expression softened—almost sincerely.
"I have a good impression of you, Lakyus. So I'll be frank. Tell your companions what helplessness feels like. Tell them not to stand in my way."
Then, with a faint smile:
"And no, what I said earlier wasn't entirely false. If I were to choose a wife… I would much rather it be you."
Her mind went blank.
Love at first sight?
This man is insane…!
Yet—annoyingly—her rage dulled.
At least he hadn't taken things further. At least Blue Rose was safe—for now.
That alone was enough to let her breathe.
When Lock stepped out of the tower, the courtyard erupted.
"Lakyus!!"
"Boss Ghost!!"
Gaguran and the twins immediately reached for their weapons, faces pale with fury.
"You bastard! What did you do to our captain!?"
Lock smiled brightly.
"Relax. We're practically family now. And since you're Lakyus's teammates, you're practically mine."
Then, deliberately provocative:
"And honestly? Your captain is… quite warm."
The atmosphere exploded.
Gaguran nearly charged—but Ibiruei grabbed her arm.
"Stop! She's still in his hands!"
Lock stepped forward and gently returned Lakyus to them.
"Easy," he said. "She was simply caught in a magical exchange. She'll recover."
Ibiruei immediately cast a spell.
"Abnormal Status Cure!"
The magic flickered—and vanished.
"…It failed."
"Of course it did," Lock said mildly. "She'll recover naturally. Two days, at most."
Gaguran snarled.
"You—!"
"No… fighting…" Lakyus forced out weakly.
Her teammates understood immediately.
"We're leaving," Ibiruei said sharply. "Now."
They withdrew—fast, tense, shaken.
Lock watched them go, eyes thoughtful.
It's not that you won't let me go, he mused.
It's that I won't let you go.
Blue Rose was too valuable to discard.
And Lakyus…
She was the perfect key.
"Someone," Lock said calmly, turning away.
"Send an invitation to the current head of the Aindra family."
A pause.
"Schedule it after the Royal Tournament."
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