NOVEL NEXT chapter 27
Someone kept tapping me all over, and I woke up in a daze. Half asleep, a faint smile crossed my lips.
“…Mmm.”
I groaned and reached out, my hand landing on soft fur. Ah, it was Rikal. I smiled and pulled the cat closer. Cradled in my arms, Rikal meowed and gently tapped my chest with paws sheathed in unclawed toes, as if urging me to wake.
Reluctantly, I opened my eyes and lay there a moment, unable to grasp reality. The bed was impossibly soft, tempting me back to sleep, but the unfamiliar room left me no time to linger.
Oh, right.
Memory flooded back. I sat up and looked out, bewildered by the moonlit night sky through the window. What time was it now?
There was no clock to tell me. Assuming dinner had long since passed, I hurried to swing my legs out of bed—and froze. The room spun, and I collapsed back, waiting for the dizziness to pass.
Am I just tired? Why is everything so blurry…?
I staggered across the room, Rikal trailing behind. Too weary to carry him, I gripped the wall and shuffled forward, occasionally glancing back to make sure he wasn’t left behind.
The manor’s interior was deathly silent. No one stirred, and I felt a growing anxiety.
Where was Kamar…?
Regret gnawed at me. When I saw Uncle, I should have asked more questions, told Kamar to stay with me, or at least asked to share a room honestly…
Ahead, a sliver of light spilled from a distant door. I followed the corridor by moonlight, hoping it led to Kamar’s room. Even if it wasn’t his, I could at least ask where he was—or summon a servant to help.
Filled with hope, I reached the door and paused at voices drifting through the gap. I recognized the first speaker before seeing his face. Uncle.
“…so you can imagine my surprise. Hah, things really got tangled.”
As his words flowed out, I reached toward the door, ready to ask about Kamar. But then a woman’s voice joined in.
“So what happened, then? Was it a mistake to bring him back? Where did you find such a specimen?”
I froze. I knew eavesdropping was wrong, but I couldn’t look away. A bad feeling welled up, but I strained to hear more.
Uncle continued,
“Anyway, I muddled the story and locked him in a room. I drugged him, so he’ll sleep until morning. That guest of yours should be out of the way by now, too.”
My body stiffened. Drugged… out of the way? Uncle spoke again.
I barely understood half of it, but it was clear: things were very wrong. Then came the aunt’s voice.
“And what about that man? Such a big fellow, they say. Living in the desert, you managed to find a man. Omegas are always into that sort of thing, huh? Quite the trick in the middle of nowhere.”
Uncle chuckled and shook his head.
“Well, they’ve had their fun, so no regrets there. Should we take the opportunity ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) to have another child?”
His hand slid over her shoulder. The aunt snapped,
“Compare me to such lowlifes? Don’t even think about it.”
“Haha…”
Uncle laughed weakly. The aunt added,
“So that man is dealt with, right? And Yohan?”
“Yohan too. Once tomorrow arrives, we’ll coax him and finish the job. It’s been a long wait—seven years. Congrats, dear.”
Her laughter turned sharp.
“Thanks to you. It’s been so hard to wait. But patience is bitter and its fruit is sweet. We’re the perfect example, aren’t we?”
“Just think how funny it is, remembering Yohan turning gray and trying to run away…”
Uncle laughed wholeheartedly this time. I took a step back, pressing a hand over my mouth to stifle a scream.
This can’t be happening.
My chest tightened, my heart pounding. How could Uncle betray me like this…? It was all a lie? He didn’t send me away for safety—he exiled me. And now… this trust, whatever that is? Images from the day flashed through my mind.
“If this is the house you lived in, there must be a good reason.”
Kamar.
I couldn’t stay here. I had to find Kamar and leave.
Where was he?
I spun around, but the manor felt endless. Dizziness blurred my vision, and I gritted my teeth, forcing myself to move. If I was discovered, I’d think later. First, find Kamar. He wouldn’t be in an obvious place—maybe a secluded room.
I’d assumed the manor was rebuilt, but its basic layout was unchanged. The living room and corridors were where I remembered. I thought hard.
The basement.
I recalled exploring it as a child. If Kamar was hidden anywhere, it would be there. Without hesitation, I grasped the nearest doorknob. Before opening it, I listened. Silence. I opened it quietly.
Cradling Rikal, I stepped into the corridor. To reach the basement stairs, I had to pass the reception room where Uncle and Aunt were. I swallowed and tiptoed down the hall. Voices grew nearer.
“Yohan must have taken after his mother’s poor brains…”
Aunt’s mocking laughter echoed. I ignored it and crept past. Uncle’s voice followed.
“But it’s all a blessing from God. Yohan will go where his brother and sister-in-law are, another gift. God truly is generous, isn’t he?”
Aunt laughed again.
“We’re compassionate, too. We’ll send them both off—husband included—when the time comes…”
I bit my lip and hurried past, reaching the stair landing in relief. But there was no time to relax.
I have to find Kamar…!
I rushed down the stairs. The basement entrance sat at the end of the hall, just as I remembered. If this wasn’t it, what then? I steeled myself to search quickly. I didn’t know what Uncle wanted from me, but if I stayed, neither Kamar nor I would escape.
Kamar.
My eyes stung with tears. I’d put him in danger. I should have let him go…
But that thought made me shake my head. I couldn’t think like that. We had agreed to stay together. If Kamar knew I’d thought of sending him away, he’d be angry. He might be sad.
That resolve hardened me. First, get out of here. First, find Kamar.
Fortunately, the basement stairs were easy to find. I opened the door and entered.
“…!”
The dank, dusty smell hit me. I winced and covered my nose and mouth. Rikal, too, meowed in protest at the stench.
“Shh, Rikal. No, we must be quiet.”
I soothed him and shut the door. Darkness swallowed us. Fear seized me, but clutching Rikal, I groped for the wall. Not far away, something bulged from the stone—an old switch. I pressed it, and light flooded the stairwell. I blinked against the glare, but my vision still swam. I blinked again and again, then stepped down carefully.
“Kamar… Kamar?”
I called, but only silence answered. Panic dried my mouth. If my sight didn’t clear, I’d never find him. Tears stung my eyes. Then I caught a faint, sweet scent beneath the mildew.
Before my eyes, I followed the scent like a prayer, to a shadowed corner of the basement. I gasped.
“…Ah!”
There stood a huge cage fit for a large animal.
“Kamar!”
I cried out and rushed forward. As my sight sharpened, I searched desperately—but in vain. The cage was empty. I stood stunned, my mind gone blank.