Transmigrated as the Villainess Princess - Chapter 131

Chapter 131: I Lied
Khaterine’s breath came in ragged gasps as she stumbled through the ruined wasteland beyond Zephyrion’s stronghold.

The air was thick with an eerie mist, curling around her limbs like ghostly tendrils.

Every step she took sent a fresh wave of pain through her weakened body, but she gritted her teeth and pressed forward. She had no choice.

Zephyrion had told her she could leave. That there was a way back. A portal, hidden somewhere in this cursed land.

She did not trust him.

But the mere possibility of escape was enough to make her reckless.

Her bare feet scraped against jagged stones and twisted roots, the once-delicate skin now torn and bleeding.

Her nightgown, the only piece of fabric shielding her from the cruel wind, was soaked in sweat and filth.

But she couldn’t stop. The thought of Richmond, of the life she had lost, pushed her forward.

The land stretched endlessly before her, a landscape devoid of life. The trees were dead, their bark blackened and cracked as if scorched by an ancient fire.

The sky was a swirling mass of crimson and violet clouds, pulsing with unnatural energy. In the distance, shadowy figures lurked, their forms shifting in the dim light, watching.

Khaterine ignored them.

Her breaths came out in harsh pants as she trudged on, her legs shaking from exhaustion.

She had no idea where she was going. Zephyrion had given her nothing but cryptic words, no map, no direction, only the promise of a portal that would take her back.

She should have known better.

She should have realized that the devil himself would never let her go so easily.

A faint sound echoed in the distance, the low growl of something inhuman.

Khaterine froze, her entire body tensing. She turned her head slowly, her breath catching in her throat as she saw it.

A creature.

It slithered forward, its form shifting between solid and shadow, a grotesque amalgamation of limbs and darkness.

Its eyes glowed an unnatural white, unblinking, fixed on her like a predator assessing its prey.

Khaterine took a step back.

The creature lunged.

She barely had time to react. With a strangled cry, she threw herself to the side, hitting the cold ground with a sickening thud.

Pain shot through her ribs, but she forced herself to roll away as the creature’s claws slashed down, missing her by inches.

Adrenaline surged through her veins. She scrambled to her feet, stumbling as she turned and ran.

Behind her, the creature shrieked, a bone-chilling sound that echoed through the empty land.

She didn’t look back.

She couldn’t.

Her legs burned, her vision blurred, but she kept running. If she stopped, she would die.

Suddenly, the ground beneath her feet shifted.

Khaterine gasped as she tumbled forward, the earth crumbling away beneath her. She fell, her body twisting as she plunged down into darkness.

Her mind screamed.

Then, silence.

When she awoke, she was lying on something cold and hard. The scent of damp stone filled her nostrils. A dim, flickering light illuminated the cavern around her.

Khaterine groaned, trying to push herself up, only to wince as pain flared through her body. Her arms trembled under her weight, and she collapsed back down.

“Pathetic,” a voice drawled.

Her blood ran cold.

She turned her head slowly, her breath catching in her throat as she saw him.

Zephyrion.

He stood at the edge of the cavern, watching her with an unreadable expression. His long, dark robes billowed slightly, as if caught in an invisible wind.

The unnatural glow of his crimson eyes bore into her, piercing straight through whatever remaining hope she had left.

Khaterine’s heart pounded in her chest. “You…”

“Did you really think I would let you go so easily?” He tilted his head, his lips curling into a mocking smile. “You should know by now, little duchess, that I never give without taking.”

Her entire body trembled. He had lied. Of course, he had lied. She had been a fool to believe him, even for a second.

Her hands clenched into fists. “You…” she gasped, swallowing the bitter taste of rage and despair. “You tricked me.”

Zephyrion chuckled, a dark, velvety sound. “And yet, you ran.”

Khaterine’s nails dug into her palms. “Why?” she whispered, her voice raw. “Why do this?”

His expression shifted, the amusement fading just slightly. “Because I wanted to see.”

“See what?”

His gaze darkened. “How far you would go.”

A silence stretched between them, thick with tension.

Khaterine’s breath hitched.

He had watched her. The entire time.

She had never been free. Not even for a moment.

A sharp laugh escaped her lips, bitter and broken. “You…” She shook her head, gripping her arms. “You’re cruel.”

Zephyrion stepped closer, his boots echoing against the stone floor. “And you are naïve.”

Khaterine forced herself to her feet, swaying slightly as she steadied herself. Her head throbbed, her body weak, but she met his gaze head-on.

“I will escape,” she swore, her voice firm despite the tremor in her limbs.

Zephyrion smirked. “Will you?”

Her hands clenched.

He reached out, his fingers brushing her chin, tilting her face up to his.

“You think you still belong to that man,” he mused, his voice almost gentle. “But tell me, Khaterine… if you were given the choice…”

His eyes burned into hers, something unreadable swirling within their depths.

“Would you truly return to him?”

Her heart slammed against her ribs.

She opened her mouth, ready to speak.

But no words came.

Because for the first time… she wasn’t sure of the answer.

Khaterine’s breath caught in her throat as Zephyrion’s question lingered in the air, heavy and suffocating.

Her mind screamed that the answer was obvious, that she would return to Richmond, that she would find her way back to him no matter the cost.

But doubt crept into her heart like a slow-moving poison.

She should have answered immediately. Yet, as she stared into Zephyrion’s crimson eyes, something deep inside her wavered.

He saw it.

A smirk curled on his lips as he whispered, “You hesitate.”

Khaterine clenched her fists. No. She wouldn’t waver. She couldn’t.

“I will return,” she swore.