Escape from the evil lady (GL)
Chapter 84 - 34. Sleep paralysis

Chapter 84: Chapter 34. Sleep paralysis

In such a compromising situation, the last thing I expected was for the main villain to say something like that to me.

Feeling completely stupid at that moment, I asked again:

— I beg your pardon...?

— I’ve already thought about it, — Kaena continued, moving further into the room, — although I have no doubt that I can protect you in any situation, but some unforeseen circumstances are still beyond our control...

I opened and closed my mouth, unable to find any words. Meanwhile, the main villain continued:

— ...Therefore, if there is any emergency, I want to make sure that you will be safe. That’s why I thought you should know about it.

— About what... What should I know about?

Kaena Gessen de Ronan looked at me carefully. Trying to hide my rapidly growing excitement, I kept as impassive as possible. Then, after a pause, the woman opened her mouth again:

— There is a secret exit in this castle through which you can safely leave it if the need arises.

— A secret passage? — I asked, pretending that this discovery had come as a surprise to me and I was really surprised.

Kaena nodded.

— And he’s right here.

With these words, the Crown Princess went to her desk and, contrary to all my expectations, did not touch any of the objects on it. The rest of the places that I had so carefully examined before, the woman also did not deign to pay attention. Instead of that...

The villainess’s chair looked completely unremarkable compared to the other objects in this room. However, it was to him that the princess eventually approached and turned him around with his back to her. As it turned out, it was in the back of this chair that the secret mechanism was located.

Kaena activated it, and in the next instant, the chair moved away by itself, revealing a trapdoor that hid further stairs to the dungeon. I opened my eyes wide, still unable to fully believe what was happening.

It was very hard for me to believe that the main villain could so easily reveal the secret of her home to me... It’s not some kind of trap or something, is it?

While I was having vague doubts, digesting everything that had just happened, the Crown Princess gently took my hand in the meantime. Perhaps because I was already used to it, I did not flinch, as I had involuntarily done before, and only looked at her warily. The woman’s face was serious and at the same time somewhat worried.

— It’s just a last resort, — she said, — and I hope it’s never necessary.

— ...Yes, I hope so too.

I nodded in response to her words, keeping an innocent expression on my face.

Kaena de Ronan smiled at me even brighter.

— Sometimes I really can’t believe it, — she said, — because you’ve come into my life, I’ve finally been able to learn what it means to trust someone. I still feel like this is a dream that will disappear one day.

«.....»

Suppressing the conflicting feelings that arose in me at that moment, I shifted uncomfortably:

— Your Highness... Aren’t you jumping to conclusions too much? We haven’t known each other for a long time, and your opinion may change...

A look of confusion appeared on the princess’ face.

— What are you talking about? — she asked.

When I saw the look on her face, I even regretted bringing it up at all. But in any case, you can’t take back what you said.

— I mean, one day you might regret it... — I said uncertainly.

«.....»

However, after these words, the woman’s expression became strangely distorted. I was even a little embarrassed by it. The next moment, the Crown Princess tightened her grip on my hand.

— Never, — she said with all seriousness, — will I ever regret meeting you.

***

After what happened in the villainess’s office today, I was still recovering for a while. Was it because of the discovery of the secret passage or because of the words she said to me... I couldn’t figure it out myself.

Anyway, in the evening, after making sure that I was alone in the room, I hurried to send a message to the second princess. As soon as night fell, the maids wished me good night, finally went out and left me alone. In fact, the night was almost the only time I could be alone with myself.

I summoned the spiritual beast of the main character and gave him a short message, which I hastily scribbled on a piece of paper.

— Fly, — I whispered softly, watching as the hawk, having received my letter, soars into the sky.

The snow-white figure of the bird was moving away from the window of my room, and I watched it go. Since this beast was not a real living being, but a spirit created with magic, the Knights of the Dark Host could not detect it either. So, in the current situation, it was the best way for me and the second princess to keep in touch.

By informing the main character of the location of the secret exit from the Heilos residence, I can say that I have already completed most of my task. What lay ahead didn’t seem so difficult in comparison.

After watching the serene night landscape from the window for a while longer, I sighed softly and decided to go to bed. As they say, the morning of the evening is more complicated.

Despite the various thoughts in my head, I fell asleep almost as soon as I closed my eyes. However, I never managed to get enough sleep. The reason for this was a strange premonition when I was still in a dream.

It can’t be! Is this what they call sleep paralysis?

Still in an incomprehensible state, at some point in my sleep I felt a grip on my neck. The feeling of someone else’s fingers touching my skin was too realistic, and that’s why I immediately woke up.

«Phew!»

Breathing heavily, I abruptly opened my eyes and sat up in bed. The hand on the wall clock showed the middle of the night. And yet...

When a bead of sweat appeared on my forehead, I involuntarily touched my neck. It seemed to me that a moment ago I definitely felt something on her.

But what exactly was that...? Was it really just a dream?