The Duchesses

Chapter 28 : Selling My Soul to the Devil

Natalie's POV

"What are you talking about?" I feign ignorance in front of this woman, desperately hanging onto the last thread of my lifeline.

Medea speaks in a rough voice, "Feigning for ignorance now?"

She presses the dagger deeper into my neck, and I feel it pierce a small hole in my flesh. Fear choked my neck as my breathing became more difficult, but I must remain calm. It isn't going to help me, especially in this situation. My body, however, betrays me as Medea's eyes darken, and she demands an explanation from me.

"It's difficult to breathe when your dagger presses against me like that," I manage to say in a tightened throat, almost pleading with her to let me go for a while.

Her purple eyes lock on mine, possibly debating whether or not to let me go. Nonetheless, I know I should use my magic now, but it's unstable. I don't want to hurt the Duchess in this way, especially since she is essential to my survival in this world. She lets go of the dagger, and I swear I can feel the air filling my lungs again.

I can feel a drop of blood dripping from my neck and try to relax, gasping for air. Medea shows no remorse for her actions. As one would expect from such a cold woman. It's not like I expect anything from her, yet I can't deny there's a part of me pinching a bit from that action, and I have no idea why. My knees feel like jelly, and I can feel myself about to fall.

I brace myself for the pain, waiting for my body to hit the ground with a thud. Then, holding against the floor with my palm, I raise my eyes to Medea, feeling helpless under her gaze. I have a panic attack, feeling everything suddenly overwhelming, with my thoughts hitting my head mercilessly like a punchbag. Yet, Medea does not do anything to help, looking at me with darkening amethyst eyes. Perhaps it's because I'm not the Natalie she imagines.

I used to feel like I could do anything, but why couldn't I do anything in front of this woman? As if she has some sort of power over me. Is this a universal law in this world? That everyone would feel powerless in the face of the heroine?

It's unfair to me because I don't want anything to do with this world. This woman has excellent looks in the novel, and I have a crush on her, but being targeted by her is a different story. Not to mention that Ares continues to hunt me down. I was about to be executed not long ago, and the Crown Princess of the Crassore Empire had gone missing.

I'd like to find her but look at me right now. I couldn't help myself in front of the female lead. Gaining my last courage, I take a deep breath before exhaling it multiple times, repeating the mantra in my head that this shall pass and I can do everything to survive.

I finally said, "I am Aurora," after gathering the last of my courage, feeling the thunderstorm in my head start to subside.

Medea's expression changed when I confessed. She must be upset with me because I am no longer her old best friend. However, it is not my fault that I am in this world, and she knows it. I'd probably punch Anastasia for bringing me here by accident if the man's words were actual. I only want to live, to let Medea ascend to the throne as the next Empress without executing me.

After that last event, I'm hoping to be able to return. I don't know what happens at the end, but that's all I know. Medea will almost certainly marry Hector, but that is not the point.

"Aurora? What happened to Nate?" Medea inquires, still wrapping her fingertips tightly around the dagger.

"Girl, you're a moron. I've never met Natalie before, and you're already asking me a dumb question," I thought about her absurd question.

Of course, I don't say it to the moron Duchess directly. At this point, I still value my life.

"If I had known, I would have come to her sooner," I close my eyes, realising that I have a grip so hard on the floor that it numbs my fingers.