So dark! So stinky!

Kaelxi’s legs were hooked behind her own neck, her arms bent and tucked against her sides.

Her elbows, head, hips, and knees pressed tightly against the box walls. Only her eyes and mouth could move.

Witt had treated her like putty earlier. Only after her repeated pleas did he let her climb in herself.

Thanks to her Rogue training, the joint pain was bearable, though her ligaments ached.

“Damn, why do I feel so tightly bound?”

“Is this bastard trying to twist me into alphabet shapes?”

When Witt slammed the box onto the ground, Kaelxi’s whole body jolted. Every inch throbbed—except one spot that sparked a weird thrill.

She didn’t dare complain again.

The box was airtight except for a tiny zipper gap to keep her from suffocating.

“Hey, you there! Come here!” An unfamiliar male voice called out.

Kaelxi’s heart leapt.

“Me, sir? How can I help?” Witt replied, calm and polite.

The guard flushed slightly, caught off guard by Witt’s courtesy. “Have you seen a golden-haired Elf and a foul-mouthed young man?”

“My apologies. I haven’t spotted anyone matching that description,” Witt said smoothly.

“No trouble at all. Go ahead into Cesecity,” the guard waved him on, turning to the next traveler.

No one noticed the pervert carrying a trapped girl!

Soon, Kaelxi felt stifled. The perfume inside reeked overpoweringly.

“Witt! Open the zipper wider!” she yelled.

*Thud!* Witt tapped the box lightly.

“Yikes!” Kaelxi yelped as her back stung. Before she could snap back, Witt’s low whisper cut through:

“I told you not to make noise. Such a bad girl.” He zipped it tighter.

“No, I’ll be good! But it’s so stuffy in here!” Kaelxi gasped, then choked mid-sentence. She switched to shallow breaths.

The zipper gap shrank from two centimeters to half.

Air barely seeped in. She couldn’t even speak continuously now.

Holding this pose drained her. Her breathing grew ragged.

She heard Witt reassuring neighbors about Alisha. She heard him haggling with merchants. She heard him chatting with west gate guards.

Her mind fogged. Oxygen faded. But victory was near—Witt was almost through the west gate!

Just reach that place. Just reach it!

Beyond the west gate lay forests. Through the woods and desert, she’d reach another kingdom!

Witt didn’t know Kaelxi teetered between joy and suffocation. After leaving Cesecity, he sprinted into the forest, sure no one followed.

No roads connected Cesecity to other towns. The rough terrain jolted the box violently.

Kaelxi felt like she was in a washing machine. On a jeep. Racing down an earthquake-hit mountain road!

This nausea was real—not the fake kind from playing cute earlier. Dizziness. Oxygen starvation. And that cloying perfume with every breath.

She really wanted to vomit.

“What... are you... doing...”

“Are you... joking...”

“I’m... gonna puke!”

But she held back. Vomiting would stain her clothes and worsen the stench. Worse stench meant more vomiting. A vicious cycle. She’d drown in her own mess—and Witt would mock her forever!

Gathering all her strength, she sucked in the stale air and screamed: “Witt! Let me out NOW!”

Witt finally heard her. He’d run far enough. He dropped his bags, unzipped the case, and spread it open.

Kaelxi’s face was flushed. Eyes shut, she gasped for fresh air. Perfume clung to her skin—not her scent, but the box’s.

“Is this how Elves look when they faint?” Witt mused, stepping closer with a suggestive grin.

Kaelxi opened her eyes to find Witt looming over her, eyes gleaming.

“Need help getting out?” He reached to lift her.

“You creepy pervert! What a stupid plan—I almost died in there!” she raged inwardly. But she saw her chance to manipulate him.

When Witt touched her ankle, Kaelxi shrieked: “Ow! My leg’s cramping!”

She writhed dramatically before slowly standing up.

“Kaelxi, are you okay?” Witt asked urgently.

“Does it still hurt?”

Seeing his panic over her, Kaelxi hid a wicked smile.

Perfect. Time for phase two.

She forced a pained smile. Voice trembling, she whispered: “I’m fine...”

Her eyes locked on Witt’s face—then she vomited all over him.

Witt held her shoulders, patting her back gently.

“Was it that awful in the box?”

Kaelxi nodded weakly.

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

Her voice was soft, sorrowful. “Because you wanted me to stay inside.”

“Even if it hurt... it’s nothing compared to watching you die for me.”

“I’ve lied to you so much. If this is penance, I accept it.”

“Now that I’ve chosen to be with you... I’ll obey you.”

“Even if you doubt me... or send me away... I’ll go.”

“No complaints.”

“I deserve it.”

Witt stared at the grieving girl. He felt like an idiot.

His plan was idiotic—trapping her in that box.

He was worse—doubting her, bullying her, taking advantage. And he’d thought he was being clever!

*I’m such a fool!* Witt cursed himself.

*What a gullible fool!* Kaelxi thought gleefully, watching his regret.