There there

Ella stood frozen, her heart pounding erratically in her chest, a cold grip of fear clutching at her insides.

Sina positioned herself protectively behind Ella, a silent pillar of support. In front of her stood Arthur, his gaze icy and unyielding, locking onto Ella's trembling form.

Tears welled up in Ella's eyes, threatening to spill over, as a chilling memory of Kiki's fate echoed through her mind. The forest felt stifling, and tiny beads of sweat formed trails along the curves of her open thighs and beneath her breasts.

Her body quivered involuntarily, a testament to the sheer terror that had taken hold of her. Each passing second seemed to stretch, heavy with the weight of uncertainty and danger, as Arthur's gaze bore into her, unflinching and piercing.

A heavy sigh escaped his lips, the sound somehow carrying a mixture of weariness and remorse.

Slowly, he closed the distance between them, his steps measured, and his voice gentle as he began, "You don't have to keep trembling like this. I won't bring you harm." With a tenderness that seemed almost out of place, he placed his hand against her cheek, his touch surprisingly warm against the backdrop of the tension that hung in the air.

Ella's response was immediate – her entire frame jerked back involuntarily, her eyes widening with a raw, primal fear that stole the words right from her throat. The grip of terror was so potent that it rendered her momentarily mute, her voice silenced by the sheer intensity of her emotions.

Arthur's expression remained unreadable, his gaze fixed on her, a strange mix of sympathy and cruelty in his eyes. "I understand that losing your friend was painful," he admitted softly, his voice tinged with a hint of sorrow.

"But you must comprehend, your friend's fate was sealed. And your own actions, the attempt you made... It places you in a perilous situation, just as it did her… I should be killing you right now." His words hung in the air, heavy and inescapable, each syllable driving home the gravity of her circumstances.

Ella's resolve wavered, her face etched with a mixture of desperation and sincerity. Her voice quivered as she finally managed to confess, her words spilling out in a rush, "I... I didn't intend for any of it to happen... I swear, it was a mistake. Please, believe me. I won't let it happen again... I promise".

Arthur's demeanor softened, a rare glimmer of compassion touching his gaze as he reached out to gently stroke her hair. His touch was oddly soothing, his fingers moving tenderly against her head, as if attempting to quell the storm of emotions that raged within her.

"Shh, there there," he murmured, his voice low and comforting. "You don't need to worry, I won't kill you as long as you follow my instructions implicitly." He continued to caress her hair, his touch a strange juxtaposition to the dark situation that surrounded them.

Tears streamed down Ella's cheeks, her sobs unabated, as she tried to regain control over her emotions. "I promise... I promise I won't ever make the same mistake again," she sobbed, her voice cracking with the weight of her emotions.

A hint of satisfaction touched Arthur's lips, his eyes studying her closely. "That's what I wanted to hear," he acknowledged. With a deliberate slowness, he lifted her chin, his fingers gentle yet oddly commanding, as he locked eyes with her.

"Meet me in my room tonight," Arthur's voice took on a seductive lilt, his words dripping with a promise that sent a shiver down Ella's spine.

"The reason you planned to rape this adventurer was to feel pleasure , was it not? Tonight, I'll show you a sensation far more exquisite, one that will forever tie you to me in ways you could never fathom".

Ella's response was a hesitant but compliant, "T…Thank you." Her lips curved into a forced smile, masking her true emotions beneath a facade of obedience, the only currency she had left to bargain for her life's safety.

Arthur's smile deepened. "Very well," he purred, his voice carrying a note of satisfaction. "However, let's solidify this arrangement".

His eyes emitted a soft, enchanting pink glow, capturing Ella's gaze in their mesmerizing hold. "You will be loyal to me and just me, in body and mind, I am your master, you will speak nothing of what you saw here to anyone…. Nod your head if you understand?"

Ella's response was swift, her head tilting in a slow, obedient nod, her eyes momentarily mirroring the enchanting pink hue before fading back to their natural state.

Observing the transformation in her, Arthur's lips curled in satisfaction, the successful application of his mind-altering ability confirming the power of the skill he had invested in, a coveted ability named "Cerebrokinesis," purchased at the cost of 22,000 E points.

Arthur's attention shifted to Sina, his gaze settling on her form as she stood silently, a passive observer to the unfolding scene.

"Sina," he addressed her, his tone carrying an air of authority. "Escort her back to the village. The story goes like this, Kiki fell victim to a Noric beast's attack, and your timely intervention saved Ella from a similar fate."

"Understood," Sina inquired, her eyes scanning the horizon ahead. "What about you, master? Are you not joining us?".

"No," Arthur's gaze lingered on Ella, his voice resolute. "I have matters to attend to. I'll return by evening." He turned to Ella, a tender smile curving his lips.

"Take care of yourself, alright?" He leaned down, planting a gentle kiss on her forehead, a silent promise in the gesture. Then, with purpose, he began striding away.

"Please, be safe," Sina's voice was a mix of respect and concern, her posture a silent show of loyalty.

"Hmmm…" Arthur's departing figure paused, his voice carrying back to them. "And ensure the adventurer doesn't pose a threat anymore. Kill him, he knows too much".