The Way To Protect The Female Lead's Older Brother [Reader-insert]

34

TRUST

[ c h a p t e r t h i r t y f o u r ]
| Lilian Agriche |
"Did you seriously stay up this late to wait for my arrival? Should I be flattered?."

(3rd Person)

Cassis cursed under his breath. The jailer had tortured him again. He was yet again tied in an uncomfortable position and then whipped. He was being punished for the fun of it.

There hadn't been any interrogation, the people here only seemed to revel in causing him pain. He felt as if he's been here for months but it's only have been four days.

He had been familiar with how cruel and sadistic the Agriche servants are. They would also often gossip about the happenings inside the Agriche household.

"Did you hear? Lady Lilian has yet again developed a new drug."

"That fast?"

"Based on what I hear, she had been experimenting in the North."

.

"Young master Dion isn't present in the Great Banquet."

"What? I wonder why..."

He was still half-blind, so the chances of escaping were slim to none.

The door to his cell rattled and opened. "Still recovering." She murmured, disappointed. Suddenly he became aware of her steps coming closer to him. He knows for sure that wasn't Lilian.

"Don't touch me." he said coldly. "I only want to check if you have critical injuries." Roxana said. "You've received more injuries since yesterday. Should I bring pain killers?"

"No need." something round and soft was pressed against his lips, it smells like wild grass. He recognized the pill, it was a common meal replacement for soldiers, packed with enough nutrients and calories to sustain  a man for three days. He had taken on of these pills before he left home to scout the borders.

Although he was starving to death he refused his meals, it wasn't because of the disgusting smell of the food, he just didn't want to eat anything offered by an Agriche.

He felt the same about Roxana, he didn't trust her just like everyone in this godforsaken place—maybe with an exception of a certain blue-haired girl.

Speaking of blue-haired girl, she had not visit him in these past three days. He would stay up late to wait for her but she didn't come.

His silence was noticed by Roxana. She tilted her head then asked "Is there someone else you're expecting?" he flinched. "No one."

"You are a terrible liar." she uttered but did not push it and left.

(Cassis Pedelian)

"It's good to be cautious. Be careful who you trust here, in fact don't accept anything from anyone here other than me. No one else in this household will approach you with good intentions."

I was shocked. How could she be so confident that I would trust her? I barely knew anything about her. But she does have a point even though there is already someone whom I gave my full trust.

I watched as Roxana left the cell.

Hours passed and I was still awake, staring at the ceiling. I heard some wings flapping, I tensed. I could see a silhouette of a small creature with wings...a bat? A gust of wind flared and I closed my eyes for a good minute before opening them again.

There was an outline of a woman...with huge wings. . .

"Why are you so tense? I won't drop you."

I blinked.

"Lilian!"  a smile formed on my face without noticing. "Did you seriously stay up this late to wait for my arrival? Should I be flattered?" though I am still half-blind, I could feel that she's grinning and I also feel my blood rush to my face.

"You didn't come." I said "Well I told you it depends, I was busy."

Her hand grabbed my chin a squeeze it so my mouth loosened, she poured some unknown liquid that tastes like honey but has a bitter aftertastse. Her hand was cold but it did not bother me. "Couldn't you be more gentle?" I coughed.

"Mm usually when I touch someone they'd end up dead just seconds later." she loosen her grip and withdrew her hand.  "What did you feed me?" I asked.

"It's a recently finished medicine...well, more like some sort of potion." she uttered "It makes the user invulnerable for a week, meaning you won't feel pain and wounds would heal in the span of four to five hours." my eyes widen. "There is such thing?" I asked.

"It is an invention of mine, I studied herbology and medicine since I was three." she said. "Is this the reason why you're busy?" I asked. "Partly." she answered.

"Endure the torture for just a bit more, you will be out of here soon. You can do that, yes?" I nod.

"There is someone who had been visiting me for the past few days..." I started. "Roxana?" she asked, I blinked. "How did you know?"

"I couldn't think of anyone else who would be bold or foolish enough to approach you despite father's prohibition, nor do they have the skill to enter here." she explained. "I don't trust her."

"Why?" she asked, there is slight disbelief in her tone. "Gut feeling, and you said that trusting too easily would get me killed."

(Lilian Agriche)

What in the h*ll...