Chapter 233

EP.233 Voluntary Captivity

@@

The doctor, placing her hand on the window, felt relieved as she looked at Yuria, who was peacefully asleep.

Though restrained, Yuria was exactly as the doctor remembered her.

Her chest rose and fell regularly, indicating no issues with her breathing.

However, concerns about her brain or muscles lingered.

The doctor, unable to take her eyes off Yuria, asked, “When will Yuria wake up?”

“Whenever the Queen desires.”

“Keeping her asleep for so long might cause problems.”

“We’re taking good care of her. There won’t be any issues.”

In the past, the doctor would have insisted on checking Yuria herself, but not now. She trusted Marcella and Sehwa.

She replied calmly, “Okay… please take good care of her.”

“Of course. It’s time now. You need to return to your room.”

Hearing Marcella’s words, the doctor quickly scanned the surroundings.

A place filled with state-of-the-art equipment, even machines she hadn’t seen before.

It seemed like a laboratory, much like the Beast Slayer Headquarters.

The abundance of over-technology piqued her interest.

She wanted to ask to look around, but now wasn’t the time for such requests.

“Alright.”

Wearing a blindfold and earplugs, the doctor returned to her room and passed the time reading a novel Marcella had brought.

In the dull room devoid of TV, mobile phones, or even a computer, the book was a welcome distraction.

After finishing two books, the doctor, having nothing else to do, decided to sleep.

But as Sehwa opened the door and entered, the doctor sat up abruptly to greet her.

“You’re here? Where did you go?”

Sehwa, holding a translucent tumbler, smiled warmly.

“I had some business to attend to. Were you bored?”

“No… I was reading, so it was fine. What’s that in your hand?”

“Barley powder. Have this for dinner tonight.”

The doctor couldn’t hide her disappointment.

She had hoped for porridge, but all she got was barley powder…

Perhaps cooking had become too much of a hassle.

But what could she do? It was dinner from Sehwa, so she had to eat it without complaint.

Besides, barley powder fills you up quickly… she could endure today.

Taking the tumbler from Sehwa, the doctor opened the lid and brought it to her mouth.

The nutty and sweet flavor… and…

‘That taste…’

The addictive flavor overwhelmed the doctor’s senses.

As she gulped down the barley powder, Sehwa snatched the tumbler away, leaving the doctor red-eyed and shouting.

“What are you doing! Give it back!”

“Calm down.”

“I’m hungry! Give it to me quickly!”

“You’ll spill it. Let me feed you. Stay still.”

Right. She shouldn’t spill such deliciousness by eating hastily.

Taking a deep breath at Sehwa’s calm voice, the doctor leaned back against the headboard.

Sehwa approached, cupping the doctor’s chin with one hand.

“Lift your chin… good, well done. Sip it slowly. Understood?”

“Okay.”

“Say ‘ah.'”

Obediently opening her mouth, Sehwa poured the barley powder in bit by bit.

With each sip, Sehwa gently scratched the doctor’s chin, making her feel good.

The soothing touch made her yawn.

Finally finishing the barley powder, the doctor licked her lips.

She wanted more, but Sehwa’s gentle demeanor made her hesitate to ask.

“Come here.”

Sehwa opened her arms.

The doctor hesitated briefly before embracing her.

Why did Sehwa feel like a warm mother?

She didn’t know. It just felt natural.

“Our doctor… has become so kind. You were perfect today, except for yelling when I took the barley powder.”

“I’m really sorry about that… but I have something to say…”

“Go ahead.”

“I was hungry, and you took it away, so I got mad… you know the saying… even dogs don’t bother you while you’re eating…”

“You weren’t mad at me?”

“Absolutely not! Why would I be mad at you… but I still want to apologize for making you misunderstand. I’m sorry…”

Sehwa smiled contentedly.

“That’s a relief. I almost got really sad.”

“Will you forgive me…?”

“I wasn’t even mad to begin with. There’s nothing to forgive.”

Prepared to face consequences, the doctor felt relieved.

Grateful to the merciful Sehwa, the doctor’s lips curled into a smile.

She had to keep doing well.

@@

The next morning.

While showering, the doctor frowned as she felt a sting on her scalp.

“Ah…!”

She must have washed her hair too vigorously.

No blood, so she felt relieved and finished her shower before sitting at the table.

There, Marcella had left a hairdryer.

Sehwa had rewarded her for being good yesterday.

Humming, the doctor dried her hair but turned off the hairdryer when her neck stung.

Looking at her hands, she felt puzzled.

‘They seem… a bit pointy…’

Bringing her nails close to her eyes, they seemed triangular rather than semicircular.

Touching the tips, she felt no sharpness.

Perhaps it was just her imagination.

The stinging on her head and neck might have played tricks on her.

The doctor decided not to dwell on it.

Instead of worrying about such things, she pondered how to win Sehwa’s favor.

Showing her abilities might be better than just being obedient…

Her expertise was future science. Given materials, she could create anything.

But Sehwa wouldn’t let her touch machines now.

Contemplating, the doctor thought of asking Sehwa to let her press the switch to please her.

Though she had fainted from it before, pressing it now seemed possible.

The first time was hard, but the second would be easier.

Seriously considering it, the doctor suddenly snapped out of her thoughts.

“Gasp!”

Did she just imagine killing humans to please Sehwa?

This wasn’t right. Being confined was driving her mad.

The doctor banged her head on the table, reflecting on herself.

About a minute later, the door burst open, and Sehwa rushed in.

Embracing the doctor’s head, Sehwa said, “Calm down. No more of this.”

Tears welled up in the doctor’s eyes at Sehwa’s concerned tone.

She was so grateful to Sehwa for rushing to comfort her.

Though clearly under surveillance, what did it matter? Sehwa cared this much.

“You look so stressed, it hurts me. Let’s go outside today.”

See how kind she is?

The doctor had misunderstood Sehwa all along.

Sehwa was indeed a demon, but with exceptional empathy and care for her subordinates.

She was more trustworthy than most humans.

Moved, the doctor stopped wetting Sehwa’s clothes and asked, “Is that okay?”

“Just promise not to do anything reckless, and I’ll take you out.”

“Of course… I promise… I swear…!”

“Alright. I’ll have Marcella bring the blindfold and earplugs.”

“Sehwa. Can we skip the earplugs? It was so stuffy when I went to see Yuria… I want to talk to you while we’re out…”

Sehwa looked at the doctor, unable to refuse.

Her affectionate gaze made the doctor certain Sehwa would agree.

“Really, you’re driving me crazy… fine. But don’t focus on anything else. Just talk to me. Got it?”

She had no such intentions… Sehwa was quite suspicious.

The doctor answered immediately, “I won’t… don’t worry.”

@@

The doctor was speechless at the sight of the vast white snowfield before her.

The intense cold and blizzard battered her goggles and mask, forcing her to shield her face with her arms.

Breathing was hard. They must be at a high altitude.

Considering everything… this was Antarctica, deep inland.

She should have realized when they told her to wear multiple layers… their base was here.

Antarctica was one of the places the Headquarters had focused on searching.

Yet they hadn’t found it… their technology was truly impressive.

Though freezing and visibility was low, breathing the fresh air made her feel alive.

Feeling a sense of openness, the doctor tried to move forward, but Sehwa grabbed her wrist, warning her.

“The snow is too deep; you might fall! The weather’s bad today, so just stand still! I’ll take you out again when it clears!”

Sehwa’s clear voice cut through the wind.

The doctor shouted her agreement.

Despite multiple layers, the wind seeped through.

This was satisfying enough. Sehwa would take her out again, so she’d wait for better weather.

“Sehwa! I want to go back…”

Turning to express her desire to return, the doctor frowned as Sehwa walked back the way they came.

Was she leaving her behind?

Confident she could catch her if she ran?

Or thinking the cold would drive her back inside?

Whatever the reason, it was sad.

Antarctica’s interior was remote. An ordinary person like her could have an accident, yet Sehwa just left her…

Feeling wronged, the doctor hurriedly moved her feet.

“W-wait for me! Let’s go together!”

Stumbling, the doctor, weighed down by layers and the blizzard, lost her balance and fell.

She knew this would happen. Though unhurt, she was disappointed in Sehwa.

“Ahh!”

She shouted to get Sehwa’s attention, but Sehwa didn’t look back.

After praising her for being good and acting like she cared, Sehwa didn’t even help her up…

Grumbling, the doctor struggled to get up.

Then,

‘Huh?’

The doctor noticed something like an antenna barely sticking out of the snow in front of her.

Digging, she found a machine resembling a radio.

Instinctively, she looked back at Sehwa.

Still walking away without looking back. The doctor swallowed hard, glancing between Sehwa and the radio.

Why was this here?

It looked like something humans used. Did researchers from Antarctic bases drop it during an expedition?

Or did Sehwa kill humans who approached and missed this while cleaning up?

Thoughts flooded her mind. What should she do with this?

‘This is a trap…’

The situation seemed too staged.

Think about it. A communication device, exactly what she desired, just lying here near the base?

Tairat’s base, undetected until now, wouldn’t be so careless.

Sehwa must have set this up to test her!

It was disappointing. She trusted Sehwa and was ready to prove her loyalty, but Sehwa didn’t seem to trust her.

She needed to prove herself. What was a good way to show loyalty?

First, she’d confront Sehwa about this and demand compensation.

---