The Devil's Bargain
The Crown Prince's whisper clung to my skin like poisoned silk—"Will you betray me?"
I kept my silence.
In this moment, any answer would be wrong.
Silence was safer than lies.
But he wouldn't allow me that refuge.
"Did you truly think you could hide forever?" He stepped back, pouring tea with elegant hands. His voice was deceptively light. "Playing man in these halls until old age?"
"I never planned to live long." My voice scraped raw. "Only to live... useful."
His head tilted. A predator's smile.
"Then stay."19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4BKIIhiBLM
"Serve me in truth."19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1DRlfEx6eB
"Your life—your secret—I'll protect both." His words dropped like gilded nails. "In exchange... you become mine alone."
There it was. Not salvation—conscription.
The price of my unmasking wasn't death or exile, but—
"Bind your loyalty to my will."
"Your secrets for your service."
"And if I refuse?"
The teacup clicked against lacquered wood. "By dawn, Chen Qing'er receives your records... and your 'confession' in my hand."
"Your life. Your death. Your body." His fingers brushed my jaw. "Mine to command."
I stood paralyzed, throat locked.
Every move anticipated. Every horror accounted for.
When he leaned close, his breath was tragically tender:
"But know this—I needn't have exposed you..."19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnRnolvQR0n
"I only wished to keep you near."
The cruelest lie wears truth's face.
And so—
"Done." I bit through the word like a noose.
The game was his.
The devil always collects his due.
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