Warning: Contains yandere content, may contain triggering topic, brief hinted Stockholm syndrome.

A gift is meant to be something special.

Wrapped in desired shade, a deep vermilion, appealing to the eyes, but, to the young girl, it evoked an image of her tormenter, similar red hairs, and wine eyes, cold and demanding. It wasn't until she realized her long silence did she begin to untangle one of many gifts she's been trusted with, focused on her short-lived ease, she dismisses the sudden presence of her loving captor. Softly feeling the crafted silver embedded with shiny stones, undoubtedly a pricy item intended for her acceptance and glee. "Do you like it..?" her heart leapt, looking up to see the young man, both briefly locked their gaze onto one another before she swiftly returns her eyes to the necklace. "It's... lovely," she replied.

Today it seemed much more difficult to smile, to reassure him that there is nothing implausible progressing in her mind, to let him know she is doing all that she can to earn his much-required credence. However, each day putting up a sensible act is getting harder, stressful, exhausting, she fears she might leave a door open that will ultimately lead to her demise. Her muscles tense up at the thought of her failure, she couldn't contain her anxiety.

"What's the matter?" that unexpected question send her heart into a frantic mess, tossing her wide gaze up, she almost plops her act, instead the need to weep in a desperate plead for her release clawed its way into her thoughts. Meekly staring at the red-haired man, words sealed in her lips, opening and closing like a fish. "Nothing at all, I'm feeling somewhat delirious..." She continues.

"I couldn't sleep well last night."

"Was there something bothering you?" He immediately asked, taking a seat before her, something she barely could handle, everything keeps boiling over, brimming to the very top. Could she be able to withstand her current predicament? It almost felt like she couldn't.

"Not exactly." She quickly responds, despite her thoughts being in a jumble.

"Did the maids fill your brain with mindless gossips?" He interrogates, and she hastily shakes her head, "no-no not at all, Adeline gave me something to calm me down. It helped." Although she held some sort of bitter resentment towards their ignorance, she couldn't just throw them to hungry crocodiles. Even if they deserved it.

"Then? What is making you unhappy?" He tries to pry more out of her, and she hadn't rehearsed anything, thought of anything except for her usual dose of reassurance. She couldn't let her plans turn to dust.

"I'm... Worried." She admits, albeit not entirely true. "We haven't gotten to know each other ever since you brought me here, and you speak of our marriage soon. I feel like I don't know enough of you." She spoke.

"You wish to know more about... Me?" He replied as if it was the most astonishing thing he had ever given attention to all day long. She nods.

'Well, to keep you busy.'

Even the strongest of preys have a weak spot, being the silent observer she's noticed many things, not to his knowledge, she doubts even he had the mind to catch sight of it. Perhaps, she had a chance.

"I don't think I know your full name." She answers. "Maybe we can start from there?"

"I shouldn't... Please forgive me, but not right now." He replied, already up on his feet and advancing towards her. She tenses up when his skin comes into contact with her shoulder, resisting the urge to shake off his hand.

"Allow me to tuck you in bed. We shall talk more in the morning, we have all the time we need to know each other." He said, fondly looking at her.

"If you say so." She admits defeat.

"I do apologise, I have other business to attend to before we can relax." He answered.

"It's okay." She says as she makes herself comfortable on her bed, looking down in fear of him unearthing anything. "I'm sure you are tired as well, we'll talk during breakfast if you are not too busy." She smiles, convincing herself to pretend along.

"Very well." He gives her a small smile, lovingly peering into her eyes, would it be wrong to admit she felt somewhat... Content?

"I'll be here till you fall asleep."

She almost let a decline slip out of her mouth, but controlled herself. In a pathetic venture to welcome her slumber, she stares at the ceiling blankly watching it, sadly his presence added more tension in the air and she couldn't soften up. The unfamiliar sensation on her fingers distracted her mind, she couldn't forget he was still there, with her.

"Where are your gloves? Don't you always have them on?" It was a curious inquiry on her part, "oh yes, I do but I always take them off when I'm with you." He responded.

"You do? I just noticed."

It felt... Odd, touching her skin with his, his expression ever so mildly dissolving into ease, he appeared calm and gentle, unlike the mental image she has in her head, do strong prey ever let themselves be vulnerable?

"You need not worry about anything, I'll protect you." He utters.

Do strong prey ever lose? Do they ever doubt? Are they ever fearsome? She does not know, nor will she stay to learn. In the end, betrayal was the key to her getaway, even if the sting would remain embedded in the person's heart for a long time.

She hadn't considered her options before rushing out of her room in the night, imagining the taste of freedom had her grinning in victory. If only she had thought it through perhaps, the head maid wouldn't have been there to hinder her escape. But she could remain hidden for now, think it thoroughly while she still can before she would purely have to rely on her guts.

Putting on a smile, she walks down the stairs, operating a nervous glint in her eyes, she could do this.

"Oh! Why are you still awake miss-"

"I couldn't sleep. Do you know when diluc might come back?" She interrupts her speech, sheepishly smiling.

"He might not be back soon enough, you should go to sleep." She replied.

"I will, but before that, could you make me some of that tea you made for me yesterday? It helped me a lot." She begins, eyeing her with expectations.

"Of course, I'll bring it to your room."

She happily nods, wandering back to her prison, briefly eyeing the maid and entering inside.

"Here is your tea."

It wasn't long when she arrived with her beverage, settling it down before her, she picked it up and quickly begins to chunk it down. "Say, do you think.. I'm too fragile?" The young girl suddenly asked the maid, who peers at her slightly bewildered.

"Why do you ask miss?" She inquired.

"I'm just wondering." She smiles, taking one final sip, "I do not think so, but you appear quite healthy."

"I see that's nice to know, thank you." She stands up, startling the maid.

"Umm, no-no miss I'll take back the dishes you needn't worry."

"Not at all." She grins, quickly launching at the maid, cushioning her struggles and silencing her screams, staring into her brown terrified eyes, she felt bad doing this, but she had to, otherwise, she might as well go insane.

"I'm sorry! But I have to." Swiftly hitting her neck she looks at her closed eyes, feeling the hint of guilt already tugging her heartstrings. She huffs, wasting no time in pulling the unconscious female up, and hastily dropping her on the bed, covering her up with a blanket. She only had one more thing to do.

Entering the darkroom wasn't something she had in mind for her escape but she remembers a pair of rope diluc had used to tie her up for the first time. Perhaps he had it hiding somewhere.

If only she had enough time.

Finding it wasn't the hard task, making it out without alerting anyone was, she couldn't jump out without expecting any minor injuries to deter her movements, and even if she did, she could end up drawing attention and she didn't need that.

She had to make it out.

Before he comes back, to find her out of her room, out of her safe zone and out on her rebellious spree.

She could do it. She has to.

But the moment she hears the entrance creak open, her heart drops. She couldn't move her legs, too shaken up by the thought of her continued imprisonment.

'No.. No no no- I gotta do something! I can't go back to the way it was! I can't live that way.'

'I really.. Can't do this.'