"You seem to be struggling, little princess. Shall I help?"
Elise's hand flew to the collar around her neck, her fingers tracing the cold metal with bitter realization. 'Useless. Just as I thought.'
She didn't scream. Didn't panic. Her voice, when it came, was steady—a blade of calm in the storm of her fear.
"What do you want, Lich?"
A dry chuckle echoed through her mind. "You cannot stay here forever, can you? I am simply offering... cooperation. Solaria has already dared to capture you. That means they are confident in handling Melium's response. You will become a burden to your kingdom, Princess. A liability. A weakness to be exploited."
Elise's jaw tightened. Her fingers curled into fists at her sides.
"I would rather die than rely on a rotting corpse like you."
The Lich's amusement didn't fade. If anything, it grew.
