The Beast Tamed by the Villainess - Chapter 6

It was a phrase that Illyana often used.

 

Even though I hadn’t originally used it frequently, it felt like it was stuck to my mouth.

 

Her voice and accent really resembled Illyana Glaine’s.

 

 

“I’ll keep that in mind,” Carl replied in a raspy voice, noticeable hoarseness evident.

 

“Get in,” I instructed, sending Carl in first and following him back into the room.

 

 

As soon as Carl entered, Magnus must have heard his footsteps. Even without seeing anything, Magnus flinched and became cautious around Carl.

 

In the novel, Illiana started bringing books to Magnus when he was bored.

 

The wise Magnus, who should have originally ascended the imperial throne, began to realize the reality of the world, gradually becoming aware that his situation was not normal.

 

He also discovered a problem with the medicine he took every day. Magnus, once so blind, started to change little by little from then on. He planned his escape, stole the antidote, freed himself from brainwashing, and eventually succeeded in fleeing.

 

Then I’ll have to give him some books.

 

 

He will gradually realize the situation he is in. And when he becomes less reliant on drugs, he’ll come near the palace.

 

 

They will immediately recognize him when they find him because of his golden eyes, which are evidence that he is a member of royalty.

 

 

Illyana herself is remarkable. Even if she didn’t know at first, she would have eventually realized that the person she kidnapped was of royal descent.

 

Carl examined Magnus closely, over here and there.

 

Magnus’ eyes were tightly closed, making it impossible for Carl to check his pupils, but he carefully assessed other physical indicators like his tongue, under his eyes, and even his skin.

 

Magnus flinched and shivered, unsure whether it was due to the roughness of Carl’s touch or the warmth of his hand.

 

Yet the hand on his thigh remains firmly clasped, offering not the slightest protest.

 

I can see how thoroughly Illyana Glaine has tamed him.

 

Carl raised himself to be eye level with Magnus, then he turned around and looked at me, signaling that he was done.

 

 

“Carl, you can leave first.”

 

“Yes.”

 

 

After Carl left the room, I closed the door and turned back to Magnus.

 

“Mag, you can open your eyes now.”

 

His long eyelashes, which were lowered, slowly lifted. After blinking a couple of times, his gaze met mine in no time.

 

 

“I’ll go back now.”

 

“Are you just going to leave like this?” Magnus asked, widening his eyes.

 

“Yes. I’ll send you a book. Read it if you’re bored.”

 

 

I couldn’t bring myself to brainwash him or force him to take the medicine anymore. My priority now was to find a way to secure my own survival and seek a path back to my original world.

 

 

If this is the world created by that author, there might be some hints.

 

 

I even entertained the idea of searching for notoriously mysterious things.

 

At my words, Magnus shook his head and hastily knelt down on all fours at the foot of the bed. He crawled slowly to my feet and shook his head.

 

 

“Miss Lyna, perhaps I might have acted in a way that’s not appropriate…”

 

 

Anticipating what he was about to say, I hurriedly bent down and covered his mouth with my palm.

 

Magnus’ beautiful pupils blinked, as if he didn’t understand what was going on. It was really endearing in various ways.

 

 

“No, you haven’t done anything wrong, Mag.”

 

 

It’s all my fault

 

No, it’s Illyana Glaine’s fault.

 

As I slowly removed my hand, Magnus lowered his head sadly. By now, I might have started to feel a bit resentful towards Illyana Glaine. When reading the novel, I loved Illyana and Magnus the most.

 

 

“So, get some rest today.”

 

“…Yes,” he replied, seeming like he had something to say, but the words didn’t come out.

 

“And from now on, I told you not to kneel.”

 

“Oh, I’m sorry.”

 

 

With a sullen voice, Magnus stood up from his place. His emotions were still quite transparent on his young face.

 

I smiled faintly and reached out, patting Magnus’s head a couple of times. The gesture came naturally, but it ended up with me stroking his cheek before I withdrew my hand.

 

With a much more relaxed expression, Magnus nuzzled his cheek against my hand. He behaved just like a dog or a cat, without any restraint.

 

Anyway, old habits die hard.

 

Habits that the body remembers can be scary. I had only intended to pat his head, but before I knew it, I was behaving like Illyana Glaine.

 

 

“Well then, see you next time.”

 

“…Yes.”

 

 

I turned away, trying hard not to pay attention to Magnus’s persistent gaze. As I closed the door to the cabin and stepped outside, Kal was waiting for me.

 

 

“How is he doing?”

 

“It seems he’s addicted to Ray.”

 

 

I was a bit surprised.  I had intentionally not provided much information about Magnus’s condition, but I quickly realized what substance he was addicted to.

 

To Carl, I had only explained that Magnus was someone I happened to bring along, and we didn’t go into detail about each other.

 

 

“He seems to have been persistently tamed for quite a long time. Considering that, he managed to control the dosage well, so the patient is in better condition than expected.”

 

“Better condition?”

 

“Normally, with drugs, once someone becomes addicted, it causes various complex issues. ‘Ray’ is a particularly potent drug used to tame slaves, and the longer it’s consumed, the more the brain melts away, making it increasingly difficult for the person to think rationally.”

 

“That makes sense.”

 

“If you use it for just three months, the person becomes nearly brainless, just like a puppet. Usually, when taming slaves, we don’t use it for more than a month because if the trauma is too severe, it can destroy the person. But he’s relatively stable despite being addicted for three years.” Carl responded calmly while adjusting his robe.

 

 

Illyana Glaine seems to have been careful in her usage as well. That’s probably why Magnus managed to maintain his sanity and attempt to escape for up to a year in that state.

 

 

“Detoxification?”

 

“Administer detoxification agents steadily while gradually reducing the dosage of ‘Ray.’ Most likely, he has developed some tolerance, so reducing the dosage too quickly won’t have much effect,” Carl explained, answering my questions promptly.

 

“How often should you check his condition?”

 

“Once a week should be sufficient,” he replied.

 

 

I heard that Carl rarely goes out in person, probably due to his facial burn injuries. This time, it seems he needed a significant amount of money because of the issues with his only daughter.

 

I felt sorry for him, but I could only consider this as luck on my part. If he wants to continue his current life, he probably won’t do anything reckless.

 

“Then, how long does the detoxification process take?”

 

“There’s no such thing as perfect detoxification. Removing the accumulated drug from the body requires steady use of antidotes while gradually reducing the intake of ‘Ray.’ I’m thinking it will take about six months under the assumption that we reduce the intake. After that, it becomes a battle with oneself.” Carl explained.

 

 

If it’s a battle with himself, there should be no problem with Magnus. He was a person with incredibly strong mental strength, enough to escape on his own.

 

Magnus can certainly overcome it on his own. As long as we provide a certain foundation.

 

“Six months,” I mused.

 

Six months is neither too long nor too short.

 

It might speed up his return to the imperial capital by about a year, and he might lose the chance to meet the female lead, but if it’s destiny, somehow it will continue.

 

 

“Can you prepare half a year’s worth of antidotes? I will bear the cost of the materials. If you write down the necessary list, I’ll arrange for it.”

 

“I can do that.” Carl replied firmly, without any hesitation, and I nodded in response.

 

People who answer with such certainty rarely make mistakes. That’s why I feel more satisfied with his response.

 

 

“Then, let’s proceed as planned. The upfront payment we agreed on will be delivered by the messenger.”

 

“Thank you.”

 

“I trust you’ll keep your promise.”

 

“I will keep it in mind until the day I die.”

 

 

Carl’s experience made him perceptive, and he easily understood the words I wanted to hear. When I got on the carriage, I saw him bowing his head.

 

 

“Shall I take you to the mansion, Miss?”

 

“No. To the temple.”

 

“Yes, understood.” The coachman responded and closed the door. Soon, the carriage started moving.

 

 

 

* * *

 

 

“From now on, keep your eyes closed until I tell you it’s okay, Mag,” A husky voice ordered me.

 

My mind felt foggy, as if a thick mist had settled in, and I felt compelled to follow the command. Disobeying meant facing severe consequences – punishment that was excruciatingly painful and agonizing. Even if I begged for mercy and clung to the owner, they wouldn’t grant it until I obeyed while enduring beatings.

 

At first, I couldn’t even comply, and I was left abandoned in this nightmare for a long time. The memories of being mercilessly tortured within the nightmare were vivid.

 

I wanted to see a bit more of the person’s back, but I couldn’t disobey the command. I didn’t know why, but not following the command seemed to lead to serious trouble.

 

The dreadful dream repeated dozens of times in the darkness. I was tortured many times, discarded numerous times, and the owner changed multiple times. In the end, I died, dried up in a landfill.

 

I hated the darkness, but I had to obey the command. With my eyes tightly closed, I couldn’t see anything. The darkness that came over me didn’t make the future any blurrier, but my mind remained as foggy as ever.

 

Miss Lyna hasn’t come for a week.

 

Did I do something wrong? Was there a mistake in my actions? I don’t want to be abandoned like this…

 

I have nowhere else to go.

 

As soon as I tried to calm down, fear rushed in. I hated the darkness. I wanted to open my eyes right away.

 

But if I open my eyes, Miss Lyna will be angry with me. With that thought, I forced my eyes shut even harder, trying to put more strength into closing them.

 

You’re so annoying.

 

Live well, Magnus. You’ll become beast food first. Hahaha!

 

Brothers, why are you doing this to me? Please… help me, save me. I’ll listen well! Don’t leave me alone…

 

Occasionally, when the darkness covered my vision, on the days I didn’t have a nightmare, I would dream another strange dream.

 

In that dream, I would be abandoned by people I didn’t even know, left alone in a very quiet place, wandering aimlessly.