Second Lead Syndrome (1-187) | ✓

• 45 •

Zasiok looked at Cecil, and noticing her shocked expression, he realised Cecil didn't know either.

The hidden message.

Zasiok looked at the guards who were still outside the cell, and they weren't even paying attention to him.

Cecil somehow found herself instinctively shifting, providing a cover for Zasiok, to read the message.

Zasiok raised his eyebrows in surprise.

"If I got caught lying, it would be bad for me as well," Cecil remarked, impassive. "Hurry and read it."

He opened the tube and hitting it lightly against this palm. A rolled up paper dropped onto his palm and Zasiok unravelled it. He read it quietly, and the guards glanced over them, unconcerned as they turned back.

Zasiok shot his head up after reading it, his eyes wide and he stared at Cecil, not speaking a word. Cecil soon grew uncomfortable under his wide, violet eyes.

"...?"

"...why are you looking at me like that? I didn't know there was a letter hidden there." Cecil whispered.

Zasiok read the letter once again, and he looked back at Cecil, running his hand through his mulberry-coloured hair.

"You never told me your name."

"Cecil Lan."

Zasiok stopped his hand, bringing it down and he suddenly smirked. That smirk made his solemn countenance appear roguish.

Uhh...somehow this serious-looking man just smirking like that...makes me uneasy. Even if he is the protagonist, something is telling me to...back off.

Zasiok hastily shoved the paper back into the tube, clutching the chopsticks in his hand. Packing up the lunchboxes and stacking them neatly, he passed them to Cecil.

"You want me to hold it?"

"What else am I passing it to you for?"

Cecil frowned, holding the empty lunchboxes to her chest, and she glanced up...only to see Zasiok lunging for her.

Cecil gasped, her eyes growing wide as she flinched back.

"Wha--"

"Sorry, Cecil. Just cooperate with me for a moment."

The next thing Cecil knew, his arms were coiled around her neck and his enclosed fist hid the tube within them. His other hand clutched the chopsticks, hovering it above the veins of her pale neck.

"..."

Cecil was speechless.

The guards spun around when they heard Cecil gasping. At that moment, they saw Zasiok holding Cecil in such a manner, instantly panicking.

"Zasiok! What do you think you are doing?! Release the honoured guest right now!"

"If you do not want her to die, let me go."

"Yo-you bastard! As if killing the prince isn't enough, you dare to lay your hands on the queen's invited guest!"

The guards drew their swords, aiming them at Zasiok. He only strode forward, holding Cecil hostage and the guards backed away as they continued hurling insults at Zasiok.

He did not bother about their pointless barking.

The commotion attracted a few prisoners, and the two people hidden in the empty cell rushed out.

Hearing footsteps behind, Zasiok spun around, his eyes alert and he came face to face with Hana and Xue.

"Ce-Cecil?!" Hana exclaimed in horror.