chapter 4

[Serena's viewpoint]

"Serena, sweetie, you are the joy of our family, so Daddy will promise you that he will do everything in his power to protect you, and he will not allow anyone to harm you, my princess."

My father has showered me with love and happiness since I was born in this world. I'm a daddy's girl. We intend for her to be my last dance on my 18th birthday.

Because my father is more than that. He's also my brilliant knight and my first prince.

"I can't do that; please do something else." I begged him.

I'm hoping he'll change his mind and let me go. I realize his aim is government officials, but why, Daddy?

He's a decent man. He never stole from the people. He never did anything wrong or damaged anyone.

That's why I'm perplexed as to why this criminal also wishes to murder him.

"Nah nah nah. I want your father's life, and even if you don't help me, I can kill him in the blink of an eye." I couldn't say anything else because I immediately began choking and stared at my two hands, which I couldn't move due to the shackles that drew them together.

The rapid tightening of the shackles here damaged my neck as well. It was as if I had turned into a stone that couldn't move.

When Exodus confronted me, he was clutching a little knife. When he used that tool to tear the skin on my arm into small pieces, he smirked devilishly, and I bit my lip rapidly.

"You really have soft skin, little mermaid," he said as he continued to harm me. "Stop, please. It hurts." I could hardly see through my tears.

I never expected to go through all of this. I know I'm going to die tonight.

My body will be on the news tomorrow because I will be one of those killed by this heinous act.

I'm weak, and I'm afraid I'm going to run out of blood from what he's doing since, after injuring my arms, he moved on to my leg.

He grabbed my leg, but I collected enough strength to kick him, and he quickly let go. He tightened his hold and was ready to bring his knife closer when he came to a halt.

Before touching my leg, he dropped the knife he was holding. I was stunned by his actions until he bent his head and smelled it.

"You smell so good," he continued to say as I shook in my seat.

"Okay, since I love your creamy legs, I'll spare this," he said, kissing it lightly before letting it go. I instantly clasped my thighs together because I had already witnessed what he did when he disengaged from them.

Apart from the thin garments I was wearing, I was simply wearing underpants.

I thought he was ready to shake me and depart when he put a hose on the glass I was standing on.

I'm not sure where he'll put it, but it answered my query when it let out water.

"What are you doing?" I stammered. 

"You're a mermaid, so you need water, right?"

Water? I was taken aback by the scent of alcohol rather than water coming from the hose.

My eyes widened instantly as I realized what he was going to do. He lacerated my body and poured alcohol on the glass, which turned out to be an aquarium.

He intends to bathe my wounds in alcohol, which will give me and my body great anguish.

"Are you afraid?" I gulped one after the other. For the first time, I was so enraged that I could look him down even though I was terrified.

"I wish you'd rot in hell, you devil!" I can't handle it any longer. If he continues to torture me, I will simply request that he murder me.

"Don't worry, little mermaid, hell is my palace because I'm more evil than Lucifer," he said with another smile.

He submerged my hands in the aquarium.

I closed my eyes because I didn't want to see him. I don't want to see the devil's face when I die.

Daddy, Mommy, brothers, and Haru I adore you all. I'm sorry I couldn't say goodbye to you; if I had known, I would have told you and made you feel how much I love you all.

Before the darkness engulfed me once more, a tear fell from my eye.

Why? What makes me think I'm still alive? That's what I asked myself as soon as I opened my eyes.

Why has he not killed me yet? Why am I still alive? Is he going to torture me for a long time before suffocating me?

I've been detained here for three days. He continues to abuse me and treat me like an animal.

The only difference is that I'm no longer in the tank and instead find myself on the ground, handcuffed around my neck like a dog.

I'm already weak because, in addition to my painful wounds that have yet to be treated, my stomach is grumbling from hunger.

He feeds me only once a day. I don't seem to have a voice anymore since he forces me to drink water, and it seems to run out every time I cry.

When I heard the door open, I was surprised for a second. I could hear his heavy footsteps approaching me from there.

"Eat," he said authoritatively before placing a platter of food in front of me.

I wiped my tears away before slowly sitting up and gazing at him. "Why haven't you killed me yet? Kill me now." I appear to be muttering because my voice appears to be weary.

Because of what I said, I watched his lips lift once more. I just saw him smoking a cigarette.

He smoked in front of me while staring at me with his bloodshot eyes.

Actually, this is the first time I've ever seen a red eye. I can't believe such an eye color exists.

"It seems like you were scared to death just last night. Tell me, little mermaid, do you really want me to kill you?" I was still shocked when he spoke with a British accent.

He appears to be of decent race based on his appearance and ability to speak English; therefore, it never occurred to me that he could speak English.

"If you're going to make me suffer, just kill me; I'd rather that than be with or see a demon like you every day." I'm not sure where I got the courage to say that to him, despite my terror.

But, because I thought this was the end of my life, I'll stay with you for a while.

The smile on his lips faded, and his aura seemed to darken. I took a step back and gasped as he quickly approached me and grabbed my arm firmly.

He gripped it forcefully, causing me to scream in pain. He is also responsible for many of my wounds.

My still-bleeding wounds are being pushed back by the pressure of his grip.

"Don't worry, I'll go kill you, but first I'll kill your father so the two of you can go to hell together," he said as he removed a revolver from his jeans.

He shot me in the head, but I only shouted when I felt the impact on my neck when he shot it there.

I almost passed out as the handcuff dropped on my neck because of the harm caused by the shot he fired.

Before we stepped out of the basement, he swiftly pulled me upright. I immediately burst into tears.

It was difficult for me to walk after sitting for a long period since my knees seemed rigid.

"D*mn! Stand up." His order is emphatic. I raised my head and shook my head.

"-I can't." I concur. I'm not sure what his reaction was behind his mask, but when he sat down and carried me like a bride, I was taken aback.

I merely stared at him, stunned, but his gaze was fixed on the floor.

We're inside a large mansion. But, despite its size, you won't be able to see anything because, aside from a sofa and TV in the living room, there is nothing else.

There will be no aides or guards. I'm still attempting to reach out to them for assistance, but will they assist me?

I'm a captive of their demon master; therefore, even if there is an assistant here, they may be unable to assist me in escaping.

The demon and I went into one of these chambers. The large room with its own balcony became available.

A big white bed and a few other things. Before suddenly releasing me, the monster approached one of the doors.

When he abruptly let go of me, I moaned from the pain in my ass. He's terrible.

He was aware that my body was in severe pain, but he continued to act as if I were a stone devoid of emotions.

"Go take a bath," he said coldly, staring at me. He also opened the bathroom door, revealing the presence of a bath tub within.

"W-what exactly are you planning?" he brought me here? What is he doing washing me? Yes, I know I stink because I smell blood, but won't he also kill me?

What is the point of taking a shower?

"Just obey me; you don't want me to get mad again." What he said made me feel terrified, so even though I was struggling with the situation, I forced myself to get up and take a shower.

I rushed into the bathroom and leaned against the door before crying and holding myself.

I'm so afraid that I don't want to leave where I am. Daddy promised to protect me.

He stated that he wouldn't let anything happen to me because I'm his only princess. But why hasn't anyone helped me up until now? What am I doing here?

Is there truly no way out? Should I truly accept the fact that I will die at his hands?

I got up, terrified, before stripping naked. When I stepped into the bath tub, the water appeared to transform into blood due to my wounds.

Little cries poured out of my mouth every time I scratched them.

My mother would not allow a minor wound on my skin. It's worth caring for, but that man quickly damaged the skin I'd been caring for for a long time.

I closed my eyes and leaned back in the tub.

What exactly did we do to you, Exodus? Why did you subject me to this?