"LOWER YOUR HAND."
Darius's low voice was enough to freeze the air around them.
Josselyn, her chest rising and falling, watched Edmund go rigid.
Moments ago, the older man had been provoked by her last words. The hand that had never once stroked her head since she was born was raised high, just as it always had been, ready to strike her cheek.
But this time was different. His wrist had already been caught.
Darius stood between them, gripping him firmly, leaving no room to move.
"Let me go," Edmund hissed.
"Not a good idea," Darius replied flatly.
Edmund's gaze shifted to the hand restraining him, then to Darius's face.
"Since when does a shadow knight dare touch a noble?"
Darius did not move. "Since that noble forgot where he stands."
Arabella immediately pulled on Edmund's arm.
"That's enough," she said softly, but sharply. "We don't need to dirty our hands in a place like this."
Edmund still glared at Josselyn, fury blazing in his eyes.
"You think this is over?" he threatened.
Josselyn did not step back, even though her chest trembled with restrained tears.
"From the beginning, this was never yours to finish, Uncle."
Edmund's jaw tightened.
"Fine. You can hold your chin that high because of his weak protection," he said at last, wrenching his arm until Darius released him.
He clicked his tongue, rubbing his wrist in irritation. "We'll see how long you can stand here once they realize your status as a traitor's daughter."
Darius stepped forward again.
"You may leave the palace quietly, or," his eyes glinted, "our soldiers will escort you out."
Edmund and Darius locked eyes for a moment. Josselyn could see the flicker of offense on Edmund's face.
Then the man turned away sharply, Arabella following with a faint smile before they left.
The corridor fell silent again. Only the sound of the wind remained, as if trying to cool the tension that had just unfolded.
"…What an irritating family," Darius muttered.
Behind him, Josselyn suddenly collapsed to the floor.
"Are you alright?" Darius asked, immediately crouching and gripping her trembling shoulder.
She had been holding herself together the entire time. When Edmund raised his hand, every memory of blows, lashes, and harsh words had surged back all at once. Her chest felt like it would explode from the frantic pounding of her heart.
But she had refused to appear weak in front of them. And now, they were gone.
"That wasn't the first time," she said hoarsely, barely audible.
Darius looked away, pretending not to notice her fragility. "Not surprising."
Josselyn lowered her head, roughly wiping the corner of her eye, unwilling to shed even a single tear for them.
"Thank you," she said sincerely.
Darius glanced at her. "For what? Driving away that annoying pair? I should have done that the moment they stepped into the palace."
Josselyn gave a faint smile. His words eased her, just a little.
"It's hard to believe someone could grow up in a place like that…" The dark-haired man stood.
"…without becoming the same."
Josselyn shot him a look. "So you think I'm just like them?"
"I didn't say that." Darius extended his hand, offering to help her up.
Josselyn stared at his large hand with a hint of disdain. "But you thought it."
Darius met her gaze directly. Standing with the sun behind him, his face was shadowed.
All she could see was a tall figure with his hair tied low, hand extended, its meaning unclear.
"The Crown Prince thinks so."
Josselyn fell silent.
"And I agree," Darius added without hesitation.
Her jaw tightened. Then she stood on her own, ignoring his hand.
"Good," she said coldly. "Stay suspicious. It will keep you alive."
Darius raised an eyebrow slightly, glanced at his rejected hand, then slipped it into his vest pocket.
"And you?"
Josselyn turned away and continued walking.
"I do the same."
~
Josselyn could not stop herself from throwing her body onto the bed the moment she closed her bedroom door. Her arms spread out, moving as if forming angel wings.
"So comfortable…" she murmured, eyes closed.
She had not even spent a full week in the dungeon, yet it was enough to make her long for this bed.
She turned her head, gazing at the sky outside her window, now beginning to pale.
"If he manages to find proof of that debt, then he'll trust me more…" she murmured softly.
A slow smile spread across her lips as she imagined herself one step closer to her revenge.
Her hand clenched the bedsheet.
"…and I can start controlling him."
The door suddenly burst open.
"Josselyn!"
Startled, she had just begun to sit up when she was pulled into a warm embrace.
"Thank goodness you're alright!"
Josselyn froze for a moment before slowly patting his back.
"Master Yorick…"
Yorick pulled away, studying her face with concern.
"What happened? I heard you were released…"
"Conditionally," Josselyn cut in softly, offering a bitter smile.
"Conditionally?" Yorick frowned. "I don't understand."
Josselyn shifted, then patted the bed beside her, inviting him to sit.
Yorick immediately sat next to her, pulling one leg up onto the bed and turning his body toward her.
Ready to listen.
"The Crown Prince is still investigating something," she continued. "About Uncle Edmund and Duke Corven."
Yorick's expression changed slightly.
"But you're not imprisoned anymore, right?"
"No."
Yorick let out a relieved breath.
"Good… that's enough."
Josselyn looked at him for a moment.
Yorick's warmth toward her was not new. But after everything that had happened recently, she felt the need to question every reason, to piece together the puzzle.
"Why do you look more relieved than I am?" she finally asked.
Yorick smiled faintly.
"Because I don't like seeing you trapped in a place like that. You looked worn out. Pale…" His gaze traced every inch of her face. "I just don't like it."
Josselyn fell silent, unsure how to respond.
Yorick slowly lifted his hand and touched her cheek.
"May I take a look?"
Josselyn frowned.
"Your wound," Yorick explained softly. "On your tongue. Did it leave a mark?"
Josselyn stiffened instantly. The memory of that bloody kiss resurfaced.
Right. My strange ability started after that incident.
She grasped Yorick's wrist where it rested against her cheek. "Have you figured out why my body heals so quickly?"
Yorick's thumb gently brushed her cheek. "It's not as simple as I thought."
Josselyn let out a long breath.
Of course. Even I, the one in this body, am confused. How could anyone else understand?
"So, may I see it?"
Josselyn released his wrist and nodded. She carefully opened her mouth.
"Face the window, Josselyn."
She obeyed, letting the sunlight illuminate the inside of her mouth.
His fingers gently touched her chin, lifting it slightly. That touch, without warning, summoned Killian's voice in her mind.
"Make sure you don't accept anything…" "…from anyone."
Then Darius's voice followed,
"I picked you up… in the herbal room… with Yorick."
She looked at Yorick, her emotions tangled and uncertain.
"This is strange," Yorick murmured, lowering his hand. "There's no trace at all. It's as if nothing ever happened."
Josselyn closed her mouth. She had heard those words many times when Yorick examined her in the cell, so she was not surprised. What occupied her mind now was something else entirely.
She shifted slightly away from him.
"…Master Yorick."
"Hm?"
"Do you remember the night before I collapsed in the Crown Prince's room?"
Yorick paused, longer than necessary for simple recollection.
"Why?"
"I want to know," Josselyn continued, staring at him sharply.
"Did I meet you in the herbal room that night?"