Muen didn’t know what exactly had shifted in Anne’s mind over the years—what twisted development turned her from his maid into a connoisseur of full-blown imprisonment play—but he knew one thing for sure.

He had to escape.

Because frankly, he had no idea what other soul-crushing, lights-out horror she might come up with next.

And just after a few days of being locked up like this, he was already reaching his limit.

Mentally exhausted. Physically more so.

He wanted to live—really live. Freely.

And if possible... maybe even happily.

The yellow-haired villain didn’t want to surrender just yet.

“Let’s go. Tata kai!”

(Tatakau = to fight)

...

The biggest advantage of recognizing this place?

Peace of mind.

What Muen feared most was that Anne might’ve locked him up in some maze-like hellscape he’d never seen before. If that were the case, he probably wouldn’t have even found an escape route, much less used it.

Fortunately, Anne was still his personal maid—and that meant she had limitations in where and how she moved.

Transforming an abandoned underground storeroom near the Campbell Estate into a prison was likely already her upper limit.

Otherwise, Muen had no doubt she’d go all-in and build a whole damn fortress on an island in the middle of the lake just to lock him up for eternity.

Turning him into some fairy-tale “princess” locked away in a tower, never to see daylight again.

That... was probably her dream scenario.

“Too bad. I’d rather be the prince.”

Muen groped through the junk in a corner and fished out a rusted machete. Gripping it tightly, he began creeping forward toward where he remembered the exit was.

All the while, he stayed on high alert for potential traps.

Thankfully—none.

He exhaled in relief. He didn’t have the skill to detect traps right now, let alone magical ones.

If Anne had gotten nasty and rigged the passage with pressure triggers or an alarm system, he’d have been done for.

But thinking it over, this place was still technically part of the Campbell Estate.

If one of the other maids wandered in and set off a trap... well, that could cause serious trouble.

Anne, who was literally imprisoning the Duke’s son, wouldn’t want any of that blowing up in her face.

“...Wait a second. Do the other maids even know about this?”

“Are they just clueless? Or... accomplices?”

...

Muen didn’t walk fast, but the end of the tunnel was clearly getting close.

After one last turn, a sudden burst of blinding light nearly fried his retinas.

But he didn’t dare close his eyes. Even as they teared up from the glare, he kept them wide open.

Like a dying man glimpsing salvation.

The exit.

That was the exit.

He was seconds away from freedom!

In that instant, Muen thought of the sky. Of the sea. Of himself riding across endless grasslands, the wind in his hair.

Ah, freedom... that was the scent of freedom.

It was right there—

Clack.

A crisp footstep rang out behind him.

And with it, a shadow slid across the glowing light—blocking out most of it.

Just seconds ago, Muen had been basking in his fantasy of liberty.

Now? It was like he’d been teleported to a freezing wasteland and doused in ice water.

He dove back behind the corner.

Only one person could show up at a time like this.

Anne.

But... how the hell was she back already?

By Muen’s rough count, it had only been about thirty minutes since he picked the lock and got here.

Thirty minutes!

For a supposedly love-struck girl, that wasn’t even enough time to fill in her eyebrows!

How the hell had Anne managed to bathe, change, and get back here so fast?

Was this part of the maid training? Thirty minutes to shower, dress up, and be all clean and soft for her master's immediate molestation?

No thanks! That wasn’t a “moe” point he needed!

“Damn it...”

Now that things had come this far, Muen had to admit—he may’ve jumped the gun.

Maybe waiting until nightfall would’ve been the smarter play.

But he’d already loosed the arrow—there was no re-nocking it now. Even if he crawled back into the cell and acted like nothing happened, Anne would know something was off.

He had to find another way.

Muen scanned the area. In the shadows, he spotted an abandoned storage cabinet.

“...Maybe...”

His eyes lit up.

...

Step.

Step.

Step.

In the utter silence, every footstep rang out like a hammer against Muen’s chest.

He forced himself to stay calm, slowing his pounding heart. He clamped a hand over his mouth and nose, holding his breath.

Right now, he was hiding inside that cabinet.

It stood about as tall as a man—just enough to fit him inside.

Whoever had left it here... bless their soul.

After all, this passage only had one way in or out. Without somewhere to hide, he’d have run headlong into Anne the second she walked in.

And then he’d be screwed.

Thank you, O’ Cabinet Deity.

May every desperate escape artist find a conveniently placed wardrobe at just the right time.

Muen offered a silent prayer.

“...She’s here.”

He could feel her presence now. Peering through the gap in the cabinet door, he caught sight of Anne’s silhouette.

She entered his line of sight slowly.

Still walking with that same poise and grace. Each step measured to perfection.

She’d just bathed—and swapped into a fresh maid uniform. But unlike usual, she hadn’t pinned up her hair. It hung wet and loose over her shoulders, giving her an oddly seductive air.

But to Muen?

Anne didn’t look seductive ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) at all.

She looked like a monster.

Not a charming maid, but a devouring beast. And he, a trembling sacrifice cowering inside a cabinet.

If she found him—he’d die. No question.

That single thought made his heart skip several beats.

He watched with sharp, unblinking eyes as she walked from right to left across the cabinet’s limited field of view.

“Hm-hm-hmm~...”

Anne was humming softly. Sounded like she was in a good mood.

Muen recognized that tune. When he was little and couldn’t sleep, Anne would hum it for him.

Those were the days...

No. What the hell was he thinking right now?

Miss Anne, could you not hum your little lullaby? If you’re so eager to see me, hurry up already! I’m hiding in the deepest part of the hallway, you know!

Muen silently begged her to pick up the pace. Every second of this was torture.

“...Hm?”

Suddenly, Anne let out a small puzzled sound and came to a halt.

Muen’s heart nearly exploded.

What? What happened? Did she notice him?

But he was so well-hidden!

Was it over? Was this how he died?

Would Anne chop off his limbs and turn him into a human pet?

So long, my freedom... my galloping steed... my life...

“How strange. My shoelace came undone. I was sure I tied it properly...”

Anne bent down to retie it.

“...”

“So... just the shoelace?”

Muen exhaled in relief. Loud, ragged relief.

He’d nearly died from fright.

Thankfully, none of the imagined horrors had happened.

Anne stood, brushed off her skirt, and disappeared down the hall with her usual elegant gait.

Soon, even her footsteps faded into silence.

“She’s gone?”

Looked like it.

“...Which means—I survived?”

Muen’s face lit up in ecstatic disbelief.

That was so close. He’d seriously thought he was finished!

Thank the heavens. The worst-case scenario... didn’t come true.

“They say what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. From now on, I’m golden!”

Still grinning, Muen reached out to push open the cabinet door and finally leave this nightmare.

“...Huh? Wait.”

His smile froze.

“Why... won’t it open?”

No...

He slowly, stiffly looked up.

And right there, through the crack he’d used to peek earlier...

A beautiful eye was staring right back at him.

The moment it met Muen’s gaze, it curved upward—into a crescent-moon smile.

“Master~ What are you doing... in a place like this~?”