Three hours slipped by slowly in absolute control and silent endurance.
The air was thick with a heavy, cloying sweetness mixed with the metallic tang of blood. It carried the Queen’s distinctive cold, alluring scent and the faintest trace of Sylvie’s own blood.
Heavy curtains sealed the windows. Only the flickering flames of candle lamps offered dim, wavering light, draping the dark bedroom in ambiguous, oppressive shadows.
The wide crimson bed lay in utter disarray. Silk sheets twisted into knots, stained with dark streaks. An exquisite wine glass had toppled over, its unknown liquid soaking into the carpet.
Sylvie lay on her back in the center of the bed like a broken old doll that had been played with until it fell apart and was tossed aside. The crimson silk ribbon that had once wrapped her body was long gone—perhaps torn to shreds or casually yanked off and flung into some corner.
She was completely bare now. Her pale, slender frame lay exposed to the cold air and dancing shadows, covered in a patchwork of fresh and fading bruises and bite marks.
Her black hair fanned out messily beside her. A few sweat-soaked strands clung to her forehead and cheeks. Her emerald eyes were half-lidded, pupils unfocused, holding nothing but endless exhaustion, numbness, and the hollow void of total depletion.
It’s finally over… she thought dazedly, staring up at the luxurious but blurry canopy overhead.
“Haa…” A lazy, satisfied, sweetly husky moan drifted from beside her.
Klal lay on her side, one arm propped under her head, the other hand resting idly on Sylvie’s sweat-dampened stomach. Her fingertips traced a fresh bruise in a teasing caress.
Her own body bore almost no marks, her skin pale to the point of looking sickly. Only a faint flush colored her cheeks, and her crimson eyes still burned with the lingering afterglow of pleasure.
Klal spoke, her voice husky and content.
“Though it lacked a little surprise, this time was… acceptable, I suppose.”
“My little pet, have I trained you too well? You didn’t even resist.” Her words carried a hint of playful disappointment.
Sylvie did not answer. She could not. Her consciousness wavered between sharp pain and utter exhaustion, teetering on the edge of unconsciousness.
“Can’t speak anymore? That’s fine, hehe…” Klal laughed sweetly. “Since my darling waited all night for her master, I’ll grant you this privilege. You may sleep here with your master tonight.”
Klal smiled with sugary sweetness and lazily turned her head. She blew gently. Even from several meters away, the flickering candle flames died out in an instant.
The room plunged into complete darkness.
So tired…
Exhausted awareness drifted in the dark.
Maybe I can just sleep and never wake up…
For some reason, ever since she had left the bath she had felt overwhelmingly drained, as if something inside her were a parasite devouring the last scraps of her strength without restraint.
But… at the very least, she had to wait until she sent Nia and the others out of the city… then she could sleep, right?
Weariness crashed over her like a breaking tide, swallowing her consciousness.
Her half-open eyes slowly, slowly closed.
But I’m really… so tired… so tired…
“Number Six, it’s time to wake up.”
Her vision flooded with blinding white light. After a brief moment of blindness, it gradually adjusted. Above her stretched a stark white ceiling.
In the spacious white room, a petite girl lay in the center, her slight frame dressed only in a plain white uniform.
She shakily pushed herself up from the floor. Short silver-white hair swayed lightly. Her eyes—clear ruby-red like gemstones—lifted toward the man in a white coat standing at the door.
The man’s brows were tightly knit, his face stormy with anger. He barked impatiently, “Stop dawdling! We don’t have time.”
“Why so harsh? Can’t you see my daughter has only just woken from sleep?” A sticky, displeased female voice sounded from the other side of the door.
The man stiffened at once, stepping aside hastily and lowering his head in panic.
“S-Sorry, Dr. Melissa… It’s just that the people over there keep pressuring me. I couldn’t help it.”
Dr. Melissa replied coldly to his excuse.
“Let them wait. I’ll bring my ‘daughter’ when she’s fully awake.”
“Yes.”
The man turned and left immediately, as if afraid to remain near the woman for even a second longer.
Then the owner of the voice stepped into the room, revealing her face without obstruction.
She was tall, casting a long shadow under the harsh white lights. She wore an immaculate laboratory coat, yet the eerie contrast to her stern attire was her face—and the expression upon it.
Her face was beautiful, even exquisite, with fair skin carrying an unhealthy cool tone. At this moment, that face bloomed with a smile that made one’s skin crawl. There was no warmth in its curve, only a twisted delight.
What unsettled people most were her eyes—pink, like cloying syrup, vividly unnatural. They fixed straight on the silver-haired girl who had just stood up in the center of the room.
The gaze held open admiration, yet not for the beauty of life. It was a chilling anticipation.
“My, my, look who’s awake?” Melissa spoke, her tone abnormally gentle, almost coaxing a child. “My little Alice, did you sleep well? Any nightmares?”
She stepped slowly into the room as she spoke. The sharp click of her high heels echoed crisply across the floor.
She bent slightly at the waist, bringing her pink eyes level with the girl’s clear yet empty ruby gaze.
“Don’t be afraid, darling. ‘Mommy’ is right here.” The woman’s voice grew even softer. She reached out and gently stroked the girl’s cheek.
“You performed exceptionally well in yesterday’s adaptation test.”
Melissa continued in that sickeningly sweet voice.
“Although the process was a little… uncomfortable, it was all for your own good. To make you more perfect, understand?”
Alice said nothing. She showed neither strong joy nor fear at the woman’s affectionate praise.
She simply gave a small nod.
Melissa straightened up. The smile on her face remained unchanged as her pink eyes swept over the faint marks on the girl’s slender body.
“All right, rest time is over.”
“Next, we’ll proceed to the next phase of the experiment. Mommy is really looking forward to it.”
She took the girl’s hand, about to lead her toward a certain direction, when she felt a gentle tug.
Melissa’s smile froze for an instant, but it was quickly covered again by that sugary gentleness.
“What’s wrong? Tell Mommy if anything feels uncomfortable. If you don’t want to ‘play the game’ today, Mommy can let you rest for a day.”
Little Alice shook her head again. She lifted her face, her calm eyes staring unblinkingly at the woman. Then, in a slightly hoarse and unpracticed voice, she asked:
“Today… can Little Alice… see Tesia?”