Chapter 13
At that moment, I thought Tara was just going to grab a flower and cry.
“Calm down. That child’s father is safe. He’s still waiting for his son.”
I told her about Mr. Eaton’s safety to reassure her, but it was useless. She just kept pulling flowers out of the vase one by one and throwing them on the floor. That’s when I felt something was off.
“Why are you doing this? Do you want the vase?”
I asked while slowly backing away. It was true that Tara wanted the vase—but definitely not for its intended purpose. She held it high above her head, aiming it at me.
“You’re going to throw that?”
Tara twisted her lips into a distorted grin. A chill ran down my spine.
‘Did she approach me from the beginning with this in mind?’
I was an alchemist, not a knight. If a physical fight broke out, I would be at a disadvantage. Trying not to show my fear, I spoke calmly to Tara.
“Tara, it’s dangerous, okay?”
Tara stretched her lips into that eerie grin again, like she found my words amusing. No matter how I looked at her, she was seriously planning to throw it.
‘Dodge! I need to dodge!’
I screamed it in my head, but my body wouldn’t obey. My legs wouldn’t move. All I could do was crouch down and shield my head with my arms. I closed my eyes tightly.
Clang!
When I slowly opened them, I saw shards of shattered glass scattered around. If her aim had been a bit more accurate, it would’ve been my head, not just the vase.
‘Is… is it over?’
I looked up at Tara, hoping so. But she didn’t seem concerned at all about having thrown the vase or almost hitting me. Her unfocused eyes stared at me as she slowly walked closer. She moved just like a zombie from a movie.
‘I need to run…’
I estimated the distance to the door. Even with big strides, I’d have to take at least ten steps. For the first time, I cursed how large and luxurious this room was. But I didn’t have time to dwell on that.
“The first rule. Never speak of anything before arriving at the Magic Tower.”
Then those dreadful words came out of Tara’s mouth.
“What?”
“You broke the Magic Tower’s rule, miss~”
“You… you.”
I scooted back, trying to crawl away, but my back hit the wall. My palms stung—shards of broken glass must’ve gotten into them.
“You didn’t just mention the novel plot, you spoke about Tara’s past. Did you really think I wouldn’t notice~?”
“That tone…”
“What’s wrong with my tone~? I’m only being gentle for your sake~”
Marilyn. That tone was unmistakably Marilyn’s.
‘She’s controlling Tara’s mind?’
I recalled how terrified Tara had been of Marilyn. I thought maybe she’d been hit or harshly scolded before. I never imagined it could be this.
“Tara, where is the real Tara?”
“Miss, what are you saying? I am Tara~”
Marilyn let out a giggle. She seemed to be enjoying this situation immensely.
“You’re not Tara. You’re Marilyn.”
I leaned against the wall and got up. I had to make it to the door somehow. But Marilyn was blocking the way.
I shoved a chair in her direction. It wasn’t much, but I hoped it would buy me some time. Then I moved sideways toward the door with my back against the wall.
“Where are you going~? You broke the Magic Tower’s rule, you have to be punished~”
Even when the chair slammed into her shin, she didn’t seem to feel any pain in Tara’s body.
“Isn’t punishment something only the Master of the Tower can give?”
“I can do it too. I’m good at it.”
Her voice sounded like a child whining for attention.
‘I can’t let her catch me.’
I felt like something worse than “punishment” awaited me.
“No. If I’m punished, I want it to be by the Master of the Tower.”
I said brightly and suddenly sprinted. My hand reached the doorknob. My unexpected escape made Tara scream sharply.
“Miss!!”
She screamed again as I bolted through the door. I didn’t look back and just ran. But it wasn’t enough. A cold hand grabbed my ankle.
Thud.
The force of the fall was so strong, I hit the floor hard. My head spun and my breath caught. It felt like all my organs flipped inside out.
“Hehehe. Got you.”
Marilyn’s voice was full of glee. It almost felt like we were playing a game of tag.
“It’s time for your punishment~”
“Please spare me!”
At this point, it was better to let everyone know and try to survive. Dying here at the hands of Marilyn while she controlled Tara—that was too meaningless.
As Marilyn dragged me, I stretched my arm desperately and grabbed the hallway railing.
“Huh?”
Realizing she couldn’t drag me easily, Marilyn tugged like she was pulling on a fishing rod. I thought my arm might tear off.
“Careful, miss~ In this position, your upper and lower body could separate. Your pelvis could split and both legs get ripped off. Like tearing off a chicken leg. No, maybe your arm comes off first.”
It didn’t sound like an idle threat. Her gruesome description painted a vivid picture in my mind.
Meanwhile, the sound of footsteps was getting closer. The thought that someone had heard me and was running over gave me the strength to keep holding on.
Soon, I saw dozens of shoes—black flats worn by the maids. My face rubbed against the floor where those shoes stood.
“Please… help me.”
No response. Not just silence—there were no voices stopping Marilyn, no hands reaching out to me. Their silence felt as ominous as crimson letters written in blood.
“You must not break the rules.”
“You must not break the rules.”
The maids began to chant in unison. It was the same song I had heard in the dining room. Their shoes stomped in rhythm on the floor.
“The rules of the Magic Tower are absolute.”
“Those who break the rules shall die.”
It felt like I had become a sacrificial offering, caught by a primitive tribe. Just like Marilyn, the maids looked excited at the thought of punishing me.
“Those who break the rules shall die.”
I had reached my limit. My grip on the railing gave out before my legs could be torn off. Marilyn would drag me away now.
“Someone… please…”
I lay sprawled like a dried-up worm, murmuring when—
[Give the command.]
At first, I didn’t recognize it.
[Don’t plead—command.]
Then I realized—it was Eon’s voice inside my head.
‘Give a command…?’
Would these crazy maids really stop just because I shouted at them? Was some sadistic killer watching this scene and mocking me from somewhere?
[You must command. If you want to live.]
Even if I didn’t trust Eon, it wasn’t hard to try. If I could escape this hell with just one order, why not?
“Stop it! All of you, stop! Marilyn, get your hands off my leg right now! And you—shut your mouths!”
I screamed like it was my last desperate act. I added more words, reminding myself I had to give a command.
“This is an order! An order, do you hear me?!”
I had no strength left. My chest heaved as I panted, but I realized something: the force pulling me had vanished.
‘Huh?’
I slowly opened the hand still clinging to the railing…
