It was both practical and beautiful, the kind of kitchen that even someone like me – who had no interest in cooking – found an unexpected desire to use.

“Whoever designed this place has excellent taste.”

“I designed the estate, Yuel.”

“Noel?”

“Yes. This house was originally a small one-story dwelling. After I bought the land and garden, I renovated it into a mansion, retaining the design of the garden. I aimed to give the interior a luxurious gallery feel, carefully placing the paintings to complement the space.”

Even in the kitchen, a large abstract painting – probably another of Brian’s – hung prominently on one wall. I thought for a moment that the artist must have lived a lavish life, but I quickly realized I was wrong. The immense wealth behind this transformation came from Theo’s pockets.

I knew Theo was wealthy and wielded considerable power, but I hadn’t imagined it was to the extent of building such a mansion in Seyon.

Since I found out we were in Seyon, my appetite had completely disappeared. But I didn’t let it show as I sat down at the table. A few small side dishes were already laid out, while the main course sat in a large pot on the kitchen counter.

Noel skilfully plated the food and set out a bottle of white wine to complete the meal. We sat facing each other and cut the fish into bite-sized pieces.

I pretended to be happy to be out of the cellar, laughing and talking a lot. I drank enough wine to keep my composure but not to lose control. To anyone who did not know what was going on inside me, I must have looked like a woman who was enjoying herself, smiling and happy.

It was all just one big absurd game.

If only I had been a little less sensible, a little less moral – it would have been so much easier. I could have given up everything, stayed with these three men, and lived as a beautiful doll, taking advantage of everything they offered.

Unfortunately, I was a stubborn doctor from Arkel, fully aware of the injustice of being deprived of my freedom and held captive.

But what could I do now? With my chances of escape greatly diminished, my stubbornness and sense of morality only clouded my mind. My chest felt heavy and tight as if I could explode with frustration. I wanted to scream.

After dinner, we brushed our teeth together in the huge upstairs bathroom like a couple of satisfied lovers. The bathroom was huge – the bathtub was almost three times bigger than the one in my basement room. The immaculate white marble and luxurious design gave it the feel of a seven-star hotel.

“Would you like to listen to some music?”

Noel asked gently as we sat on the sofa overlooking the garden. He stood up, waiting for my reply. I nodded, still playing along with this ridiculous charade.

Soon the living room was filled with the sound of Arkel’s classical music. Sitting there, looking out over the garden and listening to the soothing melodies, I almost felt like a carefree nobleman.

Noel took a few books from the bookshelf and placed them on the side table. He didn’t seem to have any intention of taking me back to the basement. It was as if he enjoyed seeing me wander around the living room as if he wanted me to feel at home there.

Perhaps this was what Theo and Noel had imagined long ago – me becoming a permanent part of their lives, unable to leave. This serene scene may have been their goal all along.

And then it hit me: my prison had simply expanded.

There were no more chains around my wrists, no more little basement room to keep me in. Now my prison was this whole mansion.

The classical music grew faster and more vibrant, echoing through the room. The sunlight still shone brightly over the garden, but its brilliance hurt my eyes.

As I continued to stare at the garden, I felt tears welling up, so I picked up a book instead.

Time flew as I read, and soon it was evening. I couldn’t deny that living in the main hall on the first floor was a lot more comfortable than being stuck in the basement. Still, no matter how many pages I turned, none of the book’s contents sank in. My mind was elsewhere, preoccupied with my current situation.

And as always, I came to the same conclusion: I would not give up. Whether it took a year or two, as long as I didn’t give up, I could find a way out. I had to believe that.

If I could keep my sanity and resist complete brainwashing, then I could save both Theo and myself.

“Would you like to stay on the first floor from now on?”

He asked as Noel lit the hall, casting a soft glow over the room. Although the large chandelier hanging from the ceiling was off, the subtle lights by the fireplace and those embedded in the floor-to-ceiling glass created a warm, delicate ambiance. The house was more beautiful at night than during the day.

Outside, the moonlight was now falling over the garden, and the lights around the fountain added to the dreamy atmosphere.

“I suppose this is a bit nicer than the basement.”

I said with a forced smile, although I wasn’t in the mood for jokes.

“There’s a room for you here too, Yuel.”

Noel gestured for me to follow. So there was more to surprise me. The fact that there was a room for me in this unfamiliar mansion meant that he had already anticipated my arrival when he bought this place.

We passed the kitchen and Noel opened a door to what I thought was the terrace. Instead, it revealed a wide glass corridor, large enough for five adults to walk side by side. The corridor was designed with arched glass, giving a clear view to the outside, like a transparent bridge floating in the sky.

At night, the walkway was illuminated with twinkling lights, creating a fairytale scene. As we walked, I marveled at the trees rising beside the fountain, while the far end of the garden was swallowed up in the shadows of the dense forest. During the day, this corridor would probably be filled with vibrant green, the forest just beyond the grounds of the mansion.

The corridor was short and soon we were in a large living room.

“Truly… beyond imagination.”

I murmured, still in awe.

The living room was similar to the hallway we had just passed, with sofas and various pieces of furniture, but conspicuously absent was a telephone.

What amazed me most was the ceiling.

It was all glass, with an unobstructed view of the night sky above. The stars seemed so close as if they were about to rain down on me. I stood there, mesmerized, staring at the bright, mischievous moon tilting in the sky.

Theo’s mansion in Arkel was grand and majestic, but this Seyon estate was on another level. It felt like a work of art, created with a meticulous sense of beauty and wonder.

“This is it.”

Noel opened the door to the room and I slowly stepped inside. It was an unbelievably lavish room. A bed far larger than a king-size stood in the center, surrounded by flowing lace canopies. The floor was covered in white marble, with an ivory rug elegantly laid over it.

The sink, chest of drawers, and wardrobe were all magnificent bespoke pieces, ornate and larger than standard sizes. As I looked at the intricately carved mirror, decorated with delicate vine patterns, I couldn’t help but wonder – how long had Theo been planning my abduction?

“This is the bathroom.”

Noel said as he opened a door to the right. The bathroom, though smaller than the one in the hall, was still impressive, with a large bathtub, a glass-enclosed shower, a toilet, a sink, and even a vanity, all spacious and luxurious.

“You should have kept me here from the start.”

I laughed lightly, my words laced with sarcasm.

“It was Cane’s idea.”

Noel quickly shifted the blame and deflected my comment. Seizing the moment in the light-hearted atmosphere, I slipped in a pointed question.

“When did you buy this villa?”

“About a year ago, after you and I separated.”

“Surely… you didn’t plan the kidnapping then, did you?”

“Of course not.”

Noel replied with a slight smile.

“I just… thought I’d bring you here one day to show you around. It’s a beautiful place.”

“Yes, it is beautiful.”

I agreed, although my suspicions hadn’t completely disappeared. It was, without a doubt, a breathtaking place.

***

Noel said they would gradually move my belongings from the basement into this room. Not that I had much – just a few books and some basic cosmetics. But I noticed that the vanity in this room was already stocked with all the products I used regularly, neatly arranged as if they had anticipated my needs.

Noel didn’t bind my wrists again. The shackles and chains that had bound me would remain in the basement forever.

In a beautiful room, after a long bath and shower (I loved the rose-scented bath bomb), I lay on the big bed in my nightgown, staring blankly at the canopy ceiling. I felt as if I had become a duchess of the mysterious Seyon Empire, shrouded in mystery.

At the same time, however, the thought of the basement hidden deep beneath the mansion (not so discreetly hidden, in fact) clung stubbornly to a corner of my mind… It was as if I were lying in a house built over corpses.