Trap.

Chapte 2

Ralph took a step back, uncertainty flickering in his eyes. “You… you will do that?” he asked.

Leo let out a quiet sigh, his expression steady despite the weight of the situation. “What choice do I have?” he replied calmly. “At this rate, this is the only thing left to convince you.” Before Ralph could respond, the door opened and Isabella stepped inside, carrying a tray filled with neatly arranged dishes. She paused at the doorway and gave a slight bow. “My apologies for interrupting, but—”

“It’s nothing, Miss Roselite,” Leo said quickly, cutting her off with a faint smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “You came at the right time. Please, come in.” He glanced toward Ralph, his tone turning casual. “I believe our discussion is finished, right?”

Ralph stood still for a moment, his gaze lingering on Leo as if trying to understand him. After a brief pause, he nodded. “Yes… it is. Get some rest, young master. You will need it.” He turned to leave, then added, “Make sure he finishes his meal.” With that, he walked out of the room.

Isabella nodded and stepped further inside. She placed the tray beside the bed and sat down near him, her movements calm and practiced. Picking up a bowl of rich soup, she dipped a spoon into it and brought it toward his lips. “Now, young master, you heard him. Please eat.”

 Leo accepted without resistance, opening his mouth as she fed him. The moment the soup touched his tongue, his eyes widened slightly. The flavor was warm and rich, far beyond anything he had ever tasted. For a brief moment, his thoughts drifted. How can someone kill himself when he has food like this? he wondered, almost dazed. And being fed by someone this beautiful…

Isabella paused briefly, watching him with a hint of confusion, but quickly dismissed it. Perhaps he had simply gone through something difficult. She continued feeding him until the bowl was empty. “Well done, young master,” she said gently before handing him a set of pills. “Now, please take this.”

“Thank you,” Leo replied, taking the pills without hesitation. He swallowed them and lay back against the bed, closing his eyes as if surrendering to exhaustion. Isabella rose to her feet, gave a slight bow, and quietly exited the room.

Hours passed in silence before a voice broke through the stillness. “Young master…” it whispered. Leo stirred slightly, still half-asleep. “Young master.” He let out a faint sound in response, reluctant to leave the comfort of the bed. “It’s time,” the voice said.

Leo’s eyes snapped open as he sat up abruptly. “It’s… time?” he asked, his voice low, tension creeping in. “Yes,” Ralph replied from the shadows. “Shall we?” A smirk spread across Leo’s face, sharp and confident. “Hell yeah.”

The room was soon swallowed by darkness as their plan took shape. Time passed slowly, each second stretching longer than the last. Silence filled the space, broken only by faint movements. Just as doubt began to creep in, the door creaked open and a figure slipped inside, moving like a shadow. It approached the bed step by step before suddenly striking where Leo lay. A scream rang out, but something felt wrong. The figure froze, then turned toward the door—only to find it blocked.

Two figures stood there, one tall and one slightly shorter. The lights flared to life, revealing Ralph and Leo standing side by side. Beside them stood Isabella, her eyes wide with shock, a small blade clenched tightly in her hand. She took a step back, her voice trembling. “Sir Ralph… Nolan…? But…” Her gaze darted toward the bed, where only a decoy lay. “…How?”

“It seems you were right, young master,” Ralph said coldly as he unsheathed his sword, a faint blue aura flickering around him. He stepped forward slowly. “Allow me to handle this.”

“No—wait!” Isabella stammered, panic breaking through her composure. “I can explain—”

“I’m afraid there is nothing to explain,” Ralph replied sharply, vanishing in an instant. Isabella reacted immediately, activating her stealth and fading from sight, but Ralph’s experience far surpassed hers. “Behind,” he said, turning and striking without hesitation. His blade cut across her back, forcing her to the ground.

Pain surged through her as she collapsed, her fingers digging into the floor. So this is how it ends, she thought bitterly. So much for being the great assassin. Ralph raised his sword, the tip hovering near her neck. “Now… to end this.”

“Stop.” Leo’s voice cut through the moment. “Don’t kill her. Not yet.”

Isabella let out a weak laugh, a smirk forming despite her condition. “You think you’ve won?” she said, her voice low but defiant. “It’s not over yet.”

Suddenly, Leo’s breath hitched. His chest tightened violently as his heart slowed to an unnatural pace. His vision blurred, and he dropped to one knee, clutching at himself. “What…?” he gasped. A translucent screen appeared before him.

[System Activated]

[Host has been poisoned]

[Time Remaining: 00:12]

[Survive]

“I’ve been poisoned…?” he thought in shock. Darkness began creeping in, his strength fading rapidly. How…? His body gave out completely as he collapsed onto the floor. “I thought… I won…” he murmured faintly.

“YOUNG MASTER!” Ralph’s voice echoed in the distance, but it quickly faded as everything went black.

Leo’s eyes snapped open as he gasped for air, his body jerking upright in the bed once more. His breathing was uneven, his mind struggling to catch up. “What…?” he whispered. The system appeared again.

[System Activated]

[Host survived]

[Mission Complete]

[Reward: Full control of life granted]

“I… survived?” he muttered, still in disbelief. “But how…?”

“Young master!” Ralph rushed into the room, relief evident on his face. “You’re awake. I’m glad you’re alive.”

“Ralph…” Leo said weakly, glancing down at the sheets. “What happened?”

Ralph let out a heavy breath as he sat beside him. “A lot. After you collapsed, I went to seek help. When I returned… Isabella was gone.” His expression darkened. “I failed.”

Leo shook his head slightly. “No… you didn’t.” He turned his gaze toward the window, where the first light of dawn began to rise. “With the injuries you dealt her, she couldn’t have gone far. Check the nearest forest.”

Ralph frowned. “My lord… what makes you so certain?”

Leo narrowed his eyes slightly. “I don’t know… but something is telling me.”

The story has changed, he thought quietly. Or maybe… it’s moving faster than before. He clenched his hand, staring at it for a moment before relaxing. Either way… I survived.

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