When the Cage Opens, the Bird Flies Away

Ecstasy. I knew it from those eyes. Arielra was hurt by the fact that I had begged her. And at the same time, she was delighted. That my mask had shattered—not in front of anyone else, but only before her. That contradiction was breaking her even more.

"Today," Arielra said lowly, "we'll stop here."

I didn't answer. I couldn't. Stop here. Those words were even more terrifying. Because "today we'll stop here" meant there was a tomorrow.

Arielra slowly returned to her chair. The Imperial Restraints and chains binding my wrists remained in place. The door was shut, and the Black Record Slate emitted a faint glow in silence.

She sat in the chair. And stared at me all night long.

I couldn't sleep. Or so I thought. But the human body is cowardly. When fear, fatigue, and pain crashed over me at once, I finally crumbled at the edge of consciousness.

It wasn't full sleep. I opened my eyes several times. Jerked awake at the sound of chains several times. Confirmed several times that Arielra was still there. She never once left her seat. That was even more terrifying.

When I opened my eyes, the ceiling wasn't the first thing I saw. It was blue eyes.

Arielra was still there. Sitting in the chair by the bed, staring at me as if she hadn't closed her eyes even once. Her golden hair was slightly disheveled, faint fatigue shadowed under her eyes. Yet her expression was strangely serene. Not the face of someone broken, but of someone who had reached a conclusion.

"...You were like that all night?" My voice was hoarse.

Arielra answered quietly. "Yes."

"You're insane."

"Maybe I am."

She was so calm it left me without a retort.

I tried moving my right wrist. Clink. The chain rang out. Reality returned. The restraints. The bedpost. The sealed iron door. The princess. It wasn't a dream.

"You didn't have nightmares," Arielra said. "Fortunately."

"Was that what you were checking all night?"

"Yes."

"That's called surveillance."

"It's protection."

"Don't you ever get tired of that word?"

"You told lies without tiring of them, too."

I shut my mouth. Lost again. This woman had grown sharper since the record slate.

Arielra slowly stood. Breakfast was laid out on the table. White bread, soup, warm tea, finely chopped fruit. All easy-to-digest foods. Invalid food. No—prisoner rations.

Arielra picked up the teacup. "Drink some water first."

"I can drink it myself."

I reached out. Clink. The chain pulled taut. It didn't reach the cup.

"..."

Arielra approached with the cup without a word. I glared at her.

"Did you deliberately set the chain length like this?"

"Yes."

"You're awfully honest."

"I don't want to lie to you anymore."

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Those words weighed even heavier. I hesitated. If I refused here? Arielra would worry. Worry would strengthen her protection. Stronger protection meant shorter chains. I'd learned that last night.

Show fear, and I'm trapped tighter. Resist, and I'm trapped tighter. Insults don't work anymore. Only one option left.

Play nice.

I accepted the cup and drank—or rather, Arielra held it, and I brought my lips to it. It felt filthy. But the water was warm. My throat eased.

Arielra's eyes softened just a fraction. "Good boy."

I nearly snapped back. Don't treat me like a dog. But I stopped. No resistance. I gritted my teeth inwardly and nodded.

"...Yes."

Arielra froze. Truly froze. Her pupils trembled slowly, like someone receiving an unexpected gift.

"Just now—"

"What's wrong?"

"You answered."

"You asked."

"Obediently."

Arielra's voice quivered faintly. "You listened to me."

I realized my mistake.

Oh.

Compliance was poison to this woman. No—worse than poison. The slightest obedience, and she interpreted it as the start of trust. But I couldn't rebel now either. Rebellion strengthened protection. Compliance deepened misunderstanding. Either way, hell. But if I had to choose, compliance was better. It might loosen the chains.

"Arielra."

I said her name. Her fingertips twitched again. Weak to her name. Remember that.

"Speak."

"For the time being, I'll follow Your Highness's orders."

Arielra's breath caught. I met her eyes squarely. Lies work best with eye contact.

"I won't act recklessly. I won't touch the record slate. I won't do anything to worsen my wounds."

As I spoke, I thought inwardly: All conditional. No reckless moves—just calculated ones. No touching the slate—just using it. No wound-worsening actions—just escape without injury.

Arielra didn't know. She closed her eyes quietly at my words. Then smiled faintly.

"Finally."

That phrase again.

"Have you decided to rest within me?"

No.I'm preparing to escape.

Out loud: "It's just the most efficient choice for survival."

This was close to the truth. Arielra seemed to hear it differently.

"That's fine," she said. "Efficient is okay. Calculated is okay. As long as you chose to stay by my side."

"..."

Words weren't getting through. But for now, that benefited me. I bowed my head. Arielra gazed at me for a long while. She was happy. Quietly. Like someone watching a bird that had alighted briefly in her palm.

But I wasn't a bird. More like a trapped rat. And rats know how to find holes.

After breakfast, Arielra announced new rules. No surprise. I'd expected it.

"First," she said. "You eat three meals a day in front of me."

"Surveillance even for meals?"

"Protection."

"Yes. I'm getting used to it."

"Second. I check your wounds myself."

"What about the physician?"

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"Waiting outside the door."

"Do you know medicine?"

"I studied since last night."

"A princess who crammed one night claims superiority over a physician?"

"Better than letting someone else touch your body carelessly."

I nearly choked on my soup. I held it in. But a chill far colder than the soup's warmth slithered down my spine.

Wait. She doesn't need to learn medicine at all.

This was the imperial palace. A sip of top-grade recovery potion from the royal stores could heal my torn shoulder in one second, without a trace. Arielra could cure me instantly if she wanted. But she didn't use potions. She chose slow-healing ointments and bandages, studying medicine overnight just to "treat me herself."

One reason. If the wound vanished in a flash with a potion, her excuse to strip my clothes and caress my body daily under the guise of "treatment" would disappear. She wanted the wound to heal slowly. Only through her hands. A meticulously twisted possessiveness.

This woman is truly, deeply mad.

Good. Maintain this state. Arielra continued.

"Third. Don't approach the Black Record Slate alone."

"I can't reach it anyway."

"Still."

"Yes."

I answered meekly. Arielra trembled faintly again. Good. Compliance works. I quickly scanned her wrists, neck, waist, key locations. The restraint key hung on a necklace. Under a black ribbon, a small golden key etched with the imperial crest. Stealing it would be hard. Arielra misses nothing. Taking it by force? Impossible.

No need to target the key then. Check the restraints' conditions themselves.

I summoned the system window in the corner of my vision.

I read the lines slowly. Cannot leave without permission. Without permission. Meaning, with permission, I can leave. Effect 2: Hide fear. Effect 3: Hide true voice.

Possible.

I nearly smirked inwardly. No. Can't smile. She's watching. I lowered my eyes.

"Arielra."

"Yes."

"My body's stiff."

She reacted instantly. "Where does it hurt?"

"Left shoulder's better than yesterday. But staying lying down will slow recovery."

"..."

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Arielra's eyes narrowed. Suspicious. Naturally. I pressed on.

"If Your Highness worries about my wounds, moderate walking is necessary."

"You want to walk?"

"Yes."

"To escape?"

"If that were my intent, I wouldn't say it."

Half-truth. I do want to escape, but not by bolting up and running now.

Arielra fell silent. While she thought, I added: "I'll walk under Your Highness's protection."

Her pupils shook wildly. Hit. She's weak to that phrasing.

"Under my protection."

"Yes."

"You said it yourself."

"Just stating facts."

"Fine."

Too quick. I faltered briefly. Arielra raised her hand. Click. The chain linking to the bedpost released. The right-wrist restraint stayed. But the physical chain to the bedpost was gone.

I nearly held my breath. No. No reaction.

Good. Arielra eyed my right hand.

"The restraints stay on."

"Didn't expect otherwise."

"But I'll grant movement permission."

That instant, the system popped up.

My heart raced. Cross the threshold. That one line was more beautiful than any system message I'd seen in days.

I rose slowly. My shoulder throbbed. But bearable. Arielra was at my side immediately.

"Slowly."

"I can walk."

"I know."

She grabbed my arm. Not the injured left— the right, with the restraints. The side making escape hardest.

"But I'll hold you."

"No trust after all."

"There is. Just not that you won't harm yourself."

I said no more. Now, steps mattered more than words.

The iron door opened. Creeeak. Heavy sound, and light from outside poured in.

I saw it. The corridor. Interior hallway of the Princess's Private Annex. White marble floors, golden pillars. Imperial sun crests etched on every wall. Morning sunlight streamed from distant windows. Real light. Unlike the chandelier inside.

I took a step. At the threshold. Paused briefly. The system might block me. Heart pounding.

Calm.

No fear detection. I breathed slowly. Stepped over.

Nothing happened.

I nearly laughed inwardly. Truly. For the first time in ages, a genuine almost-smile.

I'm out.

Outside the secret chamber. Still in the palace. Arielra right beside me, restraints on my wrist. But out.

A few steps of freedom were still freedom.

Arielra watched my face. "Happy?"

"Pardon?"

"Your expression softened just now."

Danger. I hardened my face instantly. "Sunlight irritated me, that's all."

"Liar."

She smiled faintly. But this time, it wasn't bad. Not the shattered princess from the slate, but a woman smiling normally for a moment. That was more dangerous.

Don't get attached.

I looked away. Scanned the hallway. Corridor stretched right. Left: glass doors to rose garden. Ahead: princess's private chapel. Hidden maid passage behind it.

I remembered. This map was explorable in the original Arielra route. Princess's annex. Talk to Arielra, find hidden collectibles. And this hallway had an emergency passage. For maids carrying tea and medicine. Looks like wall decoration, but imperial crest item opens it.

Imperial crest item. I glanced at my right wrist. Imperial Restraints. Silver surface etched with sun crest.

No key needed.

The restraints she bound me with could open the secret passage. Perfect.

Problems: Arielra holding my arm. And tension might trigger Effect 2.

Matching her steps, I said, "Your Highness."

"Arielra."

"Arielra."

Her grip tightened slightly. Good. Name still works.

"This hallway's quieter than expected."

"It's the princess's private annex."

"Few maids too."

"I sent them away so you wouldn't be uncomfortable."

"Overly considerate."

"You lie more around people."

Accurate. I didn't reply. Instead, I stumbled deliberately. As if from shoulder pain.

Arielra caught me instantly. "You okay?"

"Fine."

"Liar."

"Just a bit dizzy."

"Go back?"

"No."

I glanced slowly at the glass doors. "I want more sunlight."

Arielra's pupils shook. Sunlight. That word must have hit her hard. A prisoner in the chamber craving outside light for the first time. Hard to refuse.

As expected. She nodded after a pause. "Just a moment."

"Yes."

"By my side."

"Yes."

"No escaping."

I looked at her. No escaping. Would the system react? I moved my lips.

"I won't move without Your Highness's permission."

Deliberate wording. Not "no escaping." Arielra missed the difference. Or chose not to see it.

"Good."

Good. One step wider. Glass garden entrance—closest to emergency passage.

I calculated inwardly. Twelve steps to rose corridor end. Eight to garden entrance. Three to left wall sun crest. Press restraint crest—door opens. Game time: 1.7 seconds. Reality? Unknown. But try.

Problem: Arielra's hand. Need her to let go voluntarily. Force would trigger fear or flight detection.

Then—footsteps from afar. Urgent. Rare to run in princess's annex.

Arielra's face hardened coldly. The broken woman vanished; the imperial princess returned.

"Who is it?"

A maid knelt hastily at corridor's end. "Your Highness."

The maid's voice trembled. "Urgent news from the temple."

I froze inwardly. Already?

Arielra's grip on my arm stiffened. "Speak."

"A black monolith appeared over the Sanctuary of Light..."

The air shifted. I swallowed.

Sanctuary of Light. Saintess Seraphina El Rosen. And the Black Stigmata I took for her.

Second record slate.

Arielra's eyes narrowed. "Another Black Record Slate?"

"Yes. The temple requests joint investigation with the palace. And..."

The maid hesitated. Arielra's voice lowered. "And?"

"The saintess requests a personal audience with Your Highness."

My gut chilled. Seraphina's moving. Hasn't seen all records yet. But with second slate, time issue.

Arielra looked at me. I schooled my face instantly. No surprise. No fear.

Good. Arielra's grip tightened. "Leon."

"Yes."

"Did you know about this?"

I knew. High chance next record was saintess's. But can't say.

"How would I know the Black Record Slate's mechanics?"

Good, no distortion. Arielra scanned my face. I met her gaze as calmly as possible. She pondered. Duty as princess. Temple urgent news. Second slate. Saintess request. And me right beside her.

She had to choose: Lock me back in chamber and go? Or take me along?

I wanted third: Her letting go briefly.

The maid spoke again. "Your Highness, temple envoy arrived at outer palace. Awaiting reply."

Arielra's eyes iced. "Impertinent."

Truly. But grateful now. Arielra commanded the maid without releasing my arm.

"Have them wait in outer reception. No one enters this annex."

"Yes."

"And tell knight commander: Monitor temple movements."

"Yes, Your Highness."

The maid turned to leave. Then, the record slate's afterglow flickered on the hallway floor.

The system appeared. Visible only to me.

Pain throbbed below my left chest. Black Stigmata. The mark hidden under clothes responding to the second slate.

I gritted my teeth. Arielra noticed instantly.

"Hurting?"

"No."

"Liar."

"Just dizzy briefly."

Real danger this time. Stigmata reaction—she'll notice. If she connects saintess record to my wound, back to chamber. Or worse.

Now. I stumbled faintly. Arielra reflexively checked my shoulder. Injured left. As her gaze shifted there, I moved my right wrist toward the wall. Naturally. As if steadying against it.

Restraint's sun crest touched wall decoration's imperial crest.

Click.

Small sound. Thought only I heard. No. Arielra did too.

Her eyes turning back—just before. The wall opened. Silently.

Imperial maid emergency passage. Narrow darkness behind red velvet walls.

I held my breath. Arielra grabbed my arm.

"Leon."

Caught. But door open. I looked at her. Choose now. Can't push by force. Shoulder wrecked, she's princess. Maids and knights outside. Words, not strength.

I opened my mouth. "Arielra."

She stiffened. Name stops her.

"When the saintess's record slate opens, Your Highness sees it first."

Her pupils shook. "What do you mean?"

"If you keep me here, the next record synchronizes here too."

Not a lie. Slate synced to chamber. Second could come here.

"Then you'd see it before the saintess."

Her grip tightened. "Why is that a problem?"

"You'll break."

Silence. No distortion.

Arielra stared. "Worried about me?"

"Don't misunderstand. If the princess breaks, the empire shakes. Empire shakes, my survival odds drop."

Good, insult attached. Shell cold. Arielra wavered. Wants to believe worry. Heard coldness too. Contradiction held her. One beat. Enough.

I turned. Slipped inside.

"Leon!"

Arielra reached. Restraint on right wrist hummed low.

Good. I gritted teeth, shoved into passage. Tight. Dark. Left shoulder grazed wall—pain surged.

"Ngh."

Swallowed scream. No fear or pain reaction.

Good. Still okay. Behind: Arielra's voice. "Block it!" Knights moving. Maid scream. Wall closing.

I stepped deeper. Then restraints heated.

Heart nearly stopped. Line of sight? I glared at system. No. Effect 1: No secret chamber leave without permission. That's all. Arielra's addition? Cage strengthening?

Restraints tightened on wrist. Hurt. But movable.

Judgment delay. I nearly laughed. Death judgment delay bug. Now restraint delay?

Still a game, this damned world.

I didn't run. Running might trigger fear. Walked briskly. Calmly. Steady breaths. Like strolling permitted path.

I'm not escaping. Just extending permitted walk. Absurd self-justification, but system weak to wordplay.

Good. Hold is enough. I walked the dark. Passage narrow, but layout remembered. Three steps left. Five stairs. Right turn: Behind laundry. Down to annex outer garden.

Path I'd walked for collectible. Never thought it'd cost my life.

Behind: Wall fully closed. Arielra's voice muffled.

"Leon!"

Hearing it, feet nearly halted. Can't stop. Can't look back. She's crying. Angry. Betrayed. Thinks I pushed her away again.

Right. I am. But not just for her. For me. I want to live. Escape. Return to reality.

First time admitting that desire.

Go.

Teeth gritted, kept walking. Three steps later. Stigmata under left chest burned again.

"Ugh..."

Harder to endure. Leaned on wall. Black pain bloomed inside flesh. Saintess's curse. Corruption seed for Seraphina. Sealed deep in me.

Record opening.

Location tracking? I looked up. Beyond passage wall, faint bell tolls afar.

Dong. Dong. Dong.

Temple bell. Purification bell from Sanctuary of Light.

I swallowed. Already tracking?

Stigmata heated. Restraints pulsed on wrist.

Princess's Cage. Saintess's slate. Two systems grasping me.

Not escape. Just moving to bigger cage?

Knew it, but didn't stop. Better than chamber.

Few steps later: Faint light at passage end. Outside. Small door to annex outer garden.

Stood before it. Gripped handle. Hand trembled.

No. Can't tremble.

Opened door. Cool air rushed. Morning sun. Wet earth smell. Outside air, not roses.

Crossed threshold. Annex outer garden. Outside princess's secret chamber. Outside hallway. At least now, outside Arielra's sight.

Stood dazed seconds. Freedom. Not complete. Restraints on wrist. Stigmata burning. Arielra pursuing soon. Saintess slate calling.

But out of chamber.

"...I survived."

Slipped out softly. Then system.

Oh no. That line. I survived. Goes to Arielra.

Looked skyward. "Truly vicious."

Palace alarm bells rang afar. Simultaneously, temple sky cracked black. Second Black Record Slate rising.

I closed eyes. Escaped princess's cage barely. But fled toward saintess calling at end.

Teeth gritted, ran into garden. Couldn't walk now. Couldn't suppress fear.

Didn't matter. Already escaped.

From annex behind, Arielra's faint voice echoed. "Leon Hart!"

Not anger. Not despair. Prayer-like.

"Come back!"

Didn't look. System filled vision.

Both sides hunting me. Gasping, ran to garden wall. Stigmata blazed left chest. Restraints clinked right wrist.

Clink.

Sound of cage closing behind. But this time, my footsteps louder.

Oddly gratifying. Not caught yet.

Still.