Abduction(4)

I jumped up and grabbed the chamber pot that was under the bed. I was horrified. No bathroom?

Arkel was known to have a more advanced water supply system than any other nation in the Empire. In that sense, this was my first experience of using a chamber pot, or even seeing one.

“This can’t be happening.”

The shock almost choked me.

“This is just a minor thing compared to the challenges you will face in the future. Try not to be too shocked,” Cane said, in an unsettlingly calm tone.

Cane smiled playfully as he responded. I was left speechless.

“What about that small metal door? What’s it for?”

“Hmm… That’s locked. It’s just an unused storage room.”

His casual response made me frown. I didn’t want to think about being stuck here for long, but I had no idea when I might be let go. That meant I’d have to use the chamber pot in the meantime.

“Doctor.”

Cane stepped closer to me. I recoiled instinctively, but with the headboard of the bed behind me, I couldn’t move far.

“This is not the time to worry about the bathroom. Why are you acting like this, you clever one?”

Cane laughed softly, genuinely amused, and tapped my cheek lightly. The coldness of his fingertips sent chills down my spine, a stark contrast to the warmth I felt from Noel yesterday. Instinctively, I turned my head to avoid his touch. I had promised myself not to act rashly until I fully understood his tendencies, but the dark intensity in his eyes hinted at a madness that was hard for an ordinary person to endure.

“Our schedule is straightforward. Noel will handle the meals and cleaning, while I’ll take care of the training. The rest of the time, we’ll just treat it like a holiday and relax.”

Cane spoke leisurely as he tucked a stray strand of my hair behind my ear, seemingly unfazed by my avoidance.

‘Holiday?’

His words grated on my nerves; he had a talent for twisting the knife with every statement. Each syllable unsettled me even more. But I refused to react, keeping my lips tightly sealed and my eyes fixed on the ground.

“Never thought I’d find a taste similar to that annoying Theo’s.”

Cane’s face moved closer, and he whispered in my ear.

“You’re exactly my type, doctor.”

I couldn’t hold back anymore and shot him a glare as I stood up from the bed. Despite my fierce expression, Cane maintained his sly smile, his eyes thoroughly scanning my face. They were deep, almost unfathomable—like a dark sea hiding untold mysteries.

In the end, I was the one who looked away first.

Even after Cane, who had been staring at me for what felt like ages, left the room, I remained there as if frozen. The shiny silver chamber pot reflected the crimson light, and the empty bowl lay abandoned on the table. The chain wrapped around my right wrist stretched out, and securely fastened to one side of the bedpost.

Strangely, my wrist felt like it was throbbing. The chain wasn’t too large or too small—it fit my arm just like a perfectly sized silver bracelet. The inside was padded with soft leather, so there was no risk of injury, yet the skin touching the chains ached inexplicably. It was clearly a psychological phenomenon; I was in an extreme state of stress.

Research into multiple personalities has been ongoing for a long time, but some specific disorders still have many aspects that couldn’t be medically explained.

Each of these personalities cannot simply be viewed as fragments of a single mind temporarily separated. They are distinct entities, each with their consciousness.

For example, one personality might fluently speak a language that the original personality has never encountered, or demonstrate skills that the original personality has never been able to master.

In practice, Theo was fluent in both Arkelian and Seyonian, while Noel couldn’t speak Seyonian but was adept at sign language. Theo excelled in various martial arts, while Noel had a deep appreciation for writing and painting.

Therefore, it’s not an exaggeration to say that they are entirely different people. And the newly emerged third personality, Cane, also appeared to be completely different from the two existing ones.

At first, I perceived multiple personalities as a form of possession, but over time the theory of mental illness became the dominant explanation. Even now, however, there are countless opinions on the matter.

Falling in love with a patient was a significant event for me. While studying abroad, patients became less like individuals to me and more like a field of research. The workings of the brain and mind constantly inspired my curiosity, and the field of neuropsychiatrists is a way to satisfy that curiosity.

The phrase stimulating inspiration and curiosity suggested that this field was an infinite unknown, something I could never fully understand. And somehow I was consumed by this unknown.

My feelings for Theo were beyond my control. I was irresistibly drawn to a man who was remarkably intelligent, handsome, and charming. We often shared dinners and engaged in deep conversations.

Theo was a man I couldn’t help but fall in love with with every conversation we shared. His knowledge surpassed anything I had learned at the Academy, and the nobility inherent in him clouded my rational mind.

‘I was crazy,’

I thought to myself as I stood there, feeling ashamed. I believed Theo would be fine. I thought he would remain steadfast and proud, even if the world around him suffered due to his condition. But it turned out I was completely mistaken.

In the end, Theo created a third personality and used it to abduct me.

I spent a long time in regret, deep in thought. Yet the one thing that became clearer with every passing moment was this: if I could turn back time to the day I first met Theo, I would make the same choice again. I could not refuse that dangerous and captivating man. This realization only deepened my misery.

I couldn’t just sit there blaming myself.

Kicking the dreadful bedpan aside, I began to search the corners of the room—checking the walls, the gaps between the table and the bed, everywhere for any sign of a camera.

Despite my thorough search, I found no lens or anything that resembled a camera. Was it possible that nothing was installed because there was no chance of me escaping on my own? Or was I just too foolish to notice anything?

Given Theo’s meticulous nature, I was sure there must be a camera hidden somewhere, but my failure to find any evidence was maddening.

“What are you doing, Yuel?”

Just then, the door swung open and a soft voice floated in. My body, still crouched under the bed, straightened up instantly. It was Noel.

Now it was clear that his outfit differed from Cane’s. While Cane usually wore dark, heavy colors, Noel wore bright and cheerful clothes.

It felt instinctive as if the masters of their respective domains had chosen their roles based on their inherent natures. The one possessing this spirit would navigate effortlessly through their tasks, perfectly executing what had been assigned to them. Suddenly, a memory flashed in my mind of Theo chuckling as he teased Noel for buying too many clothes, reminding me of the light-hearted conversations they had shared in the past.

What kind of clothes did Theo usually wear? I tried to recall his style, but it was becoming hazy. He mostly wore tailored suits. Given the nature of his work, he always looked impeccably put together.

“You don’t have to clean. I’ll handle it,” I said.

As if I would ever clean!

I looked at Noel in confusion.

He pushed in a tray and I glanced out the open door. Unlike the dim light inside, the hallway was brightly lit. Unfortunately, all I could see was a long corridor. A wide corridor with a curved staircase came into view. I wanted to see more, but as Noel entered the room, he closed the door firmly behind him.

Our eyes met, and Noel smiled softly. That always-sweet smile now seemed a bit annoying.

He stepped closer, placing the bowl of soup on the tray and setting the whole tray on the table.

“Is there anything else you need?”

On the tray were my favorite mushroom soup, a baguette, a soft-boiled egg, and some apple jam, beautifully arranged on the plate. A forgotten hunger rushed back to me.

“Something I need.”

I absentmindedly echoed Nouel’s words.

“Here’s a toothbrush and toothpaste.”

Noel playfully pulled out a pink package from under the tray and waved it.

“Noel!”

I called irritably, jumping up from my seat. He blinked in surprise, his eyes widening slightly. That familiar look shattered my composure. It felt like there was an exit right in front of me, yet I couldn’t bring myself to escape.

“Are you planning to keep me locked up like this?”

“Are we back to that again?”

Noel frowned slightly, looking sad.

“There’s no bathroom here!”

“Oh.”

He scratched his forehead, letting out a frustrated sigh.

“Please, just let me see Theo.”

“Yuel, please stop. Theo isn’t coming out yet.”

“I’m really about to get angry.”

I messed up my hair, scowling. If it had been Theo, I would have grabbed him by the collar for sure. He used to just laugh and raise his hands whenever I got wildly angry.

My hair, which had been tied up, fell out in disarray. Noel’s expression stiffened slightly.

“You can’t help being angry.”

“Does that mean I can’t help hating you all?”

“But you don’t hate us. You love us.”

Noel said this as if whispering. He maintained a certain distance, unlike when he had tried to comfort me by holding me close on the first day.

“Love changes, Noel. No woman would want to love someone who acts like this.”

“That’s true. Love does change. So Theo decided not to rely on love.”

“What nonsense is that?”

“It means exactly what it says. He’s not going to tie you down with love anymore.”