How to Run Away from Obsessed Men

Episode 78

Lindsey strolled silently through the Marquisate, her steps leading her toward the underground dungeon.

For reasons she didn’t quite understand, Raysis had granted her request to visit the dungeon.

When she’d asked to see Crain, Raysis had simply nodded without asking a single question.

Lindsey wasn’t about to refuse his unexpected generosity. She wanted to witness Crain’s pathetic state for herself.

‘Mother certainly knows how to strike.’

Kalia had spent years sharpening her metaphorical blade while Lindsey was held hostage in the Kesion Marquisate.

And now, one of those blades was aimed squarely at Crain.

‘It’s a good thing Prince Flute turned out to be trash.’

The revelations of Prince Flute’s misdeeds were piling up, and alongside them, Crain’s own attempts to cover for the prince were coming to light.

‘The imperial family has abandoned Prince Flute.’

But Crain wasn’t the type to go down without a fight.

When Lindsey arrived at the dungeon, she looked at Crain.

His hair was disheveled, his hands covered in wounds, but his eyes still burned fiercely, exuding an ominous energy.

“You… you! Why are you here? How did you get in?”

Crain’s questions went unanswered as Lindsey simply stared at him.

She had come to see him in his current state—nothing more.

‘This was once my prison too,’ she thought bitterly.

When Crain had punished her in the past, he had locked her in this very dungeon.

Lindsey had spent countless nights in the dark, damp cell, waiting for Crain to release her.

“I’m sorry… Please, just one more chance…”

She used to whisper those futile words to herself, knowing they would never reach him.

Now, Crain muttered to himself like a man gone mad, his once-commanding demeanor crumbling.

“Ha! That wretched Raysis. He’s dragging the prestige of the Kesion Marquisate through the mud!”

“…”

“And now he’s blinded by some lowly priestess? There was something strange about the way he looked at you. Did Raysis fall for you?”

“…”

“Is that why he’s defying me? Over a woman?”

Lindsey remained silent, listening quietly to Crain’s rambling.

His words carried the desperation of a man who refused to acknowledge his downfall.

Even though Crain’s enraged voice echoed in her ears, Lindsey felt none of the fear she once did.

She watched as Crain trembled with unbearable humiliation. His fury at Raysis allowing Lindsey into the dungeon was palpable.

It was clear that Crain couldn’t stomach the fact that he was now the one imprisoned in the dungeon. Lindsey couldn’t help but wonder for a moment—did Crain remember locking her in here?

“Does this place bring back any memories for you?” she asked calmly.

“What nonsense are you spouting? Memories? From a dungeon?”

“Nothing at all?”

“Of course not. Only criminals have been locked up here and died, I suppose.”

Crain frowned as he spoke, his grip tightening on the bars of his cell.

“But tell me, Priestess—what’s your connection to Raysis? Has he told you what he’s plotting?”

Lindsey nearly laughed out loud.

“Is it difficult being in there?”

“What?”

“I asked if it’s hard for you. Is that why you’re so desperate to get out?”

“It’s humiliating for someone of noble birth to be in a place like this!”

If it’s so unbearable for you, why did you leave me here to suffer? Lindsey thought to herself. If an adult like you finds it difficult, how do you think a child managed?

But she didn’t voice those thoughts. Instead, she tilted her head slightly, her gaze fixed on Crain.

Seeing him locked away in this dungeon suited him far too well.

Just witnessing his pitiful state was enough to justify her return to the Kesion Marquisate.

This man was no longer the monstrous figure she once remembered, someone so imposing and terrifying she couldn’t hope to challenge him.

Now, he was a pathetic and insignificant man—smaller than anyone she had ever known.

Had Crain noticed her gaze filled with contempt? His face turned red with anger.

“You’re not seriously mocking me with that question, are you? A mere priestess?”

“…”

“And how do you know Mikhail? How did you ensnare Raysis? Who the hell are you? Are you some transcendent Kalia brought here with powers of allure?”

Crain was completely at a loss, unable to figure out who Lindsey truly was.

‘He could never imagine that someone he thought dead might return,’ she thought, amused.

The absurdity of the situation made her want to laugh. What kind of expression would Crain make if he discovered that the woman standing before him was the daughter he thought was long gone?

Without answering any of his questions, Lindsey turned away, her steps slow and deliberate as she left him in his misery.

⋆★⋆

“Priestess Roana.”

Hearing her name called, Lindsey looked up.

Raysis stood there, watching her as she exited the underground dungeon.

His golden hair seemed to gleam ominously in the dark night, as though it carried an ill omen.

“Hello,” Lindsey greeted casually.

Raysis tilted his head slightly, his gaze sweeping over her.

“You seem to be in a good mood.”

Lindsey nodded in response.

“What was the reason you wanted to see the dungeon?”

“I heard that outsiders are never allowed into the Kesion Marquisate’s underground prison. I was curious,” she replied.

“…”

“I didn’t expect you to actually let me in,” she added with a small smile.

Raysis stared at her, as if entranced. Lindsey, for a brief moment, recalled Crain’s delusional rant.

‘Did Raysis fall for me?’

She scoffed at the thought.

Raysis hadn’t fallen for her.

“You seem to enjoy this,” he remarked suddenly.

“Enjoy what, exactly?”

“…”

“This whole situation,” he clarified.

Lindsey suppressed a laugh.

‘I figured as much when you let me into the dungeon.’

Raysis had clearly figured it out.

“Lindsey,” he said, his voice firm.

He knew.

“Lindsey Kesion. I’ve been waiting to see you for so long.”

“…”

“It’s a relief. I’m so glad you’re alive.”

Their eyes met, and Lindsey let out a dry laugh. Raysis’s gaze was filled with intense emotions—guilt, longing, and something deeper.

She hadn’t intentionally hidden her identity from him. Lindsey knew about the guilt Raysis carried toward her.

In fact, she’d allowed him to figure it out because she knew she could use his guilt to her advantage in countless ways.

And she was well aware that even knowing her identity, Raysis wouldn’t dare harm her.

At that moment, Lindsey made up her mind.

‘When I get back, I’m demanding compensation from the Tower for that artifact.’

The artifact had utterly failed to conceal her identity as promised.

With a sigh, she asked, “How long have you known? Since the beginning?”

Raysis shook his head, his expression tinged with faint joy. His hands trembled slightly, as though he was overwhelmed.

“It hasn’t been long since I realized. Up until just a moment ago, I wasn’t completely certain.”

“…”

“But now I am. I’m so relieved you’re alive. I don’t know how it happened, but it seems the Duke of Riken helped you.”

He looked at her with an earnest expression.

“Lindsey, everything I’ve been working on… it’s all been for you.”

“Convincing the Council of Elders? What exactly have you been preparing?”

“…”

“You didn’t take down Crain. That was the Duke of Riken’s doing,” Lindsey pointed out, shaking her head.

“And besides, Crain isn’t the kind of man to go down like this. I don’t know what you’re planning, but are you trying to get yourself killed?”

At her sharp words, Raysis smiled faintly. Lindsey felt a strange sense of unease. His pale face and soft smile seemed eerily out of place.

“Ever since I realized my mistakes, I’ve wanted to show you something—that our family is finally paying for its sins.”

Lindsey tilted her head, scrutinizing him carefully.

She noticed something strange—his eyes were unfocused, as though his mind was elsewhere.

Raysis began speaking in a detached voice, explaining what he had done.

“I’ve been persuading the Council of Elders. Even Princess Rebecca had her grievances with Father. I hadn’t expected the Duke of Riken to betray him, but it worked out.”

“And?”

“If I’d had a little more time, this would’ve happened even without the Duke’s involvement.”

“Probably,” Lindsey said with a shrug. “Crain’s decision to side with Flute was arrogant and stupid.”

After a moment of silence, Raysis spoke again.

“Could you forgive me just once, Lindsey?”

Lindsey stared at him, recalling when Kenyan had asked her the very same thing not long ago.

“If I forgive you, what will you do for me?”

The image of Crain’s desperate eyes flashed in her mind.

Without much expectation, she asked, “Are you going to hand over the Marquisate to me?”

“If that’s what you want.”

“What?”

“If you want it, I’ll give you anything, Lindsey.”