Shadows overcast Elias' face as his amethyst eyes narrowed, the crimson pupils within them ignited like burning flames. "What happened, milady?"

Elaine shuddered and unconsciously took another few steps back. She had never seen such an expression from the black-haired young man since he always brandished a collected appearance before her. "The past is not important." Elaine avoided answering his question. The mere recollection of last night's event created painful knottings in her stomach and accelerated her heartbeat. "I only wish to better protect myself from these sinister entities."

"I cannot help you if you do not trust me, Lady Estella," Elias stated. His resolute tone spared no room for argument.

Though Elaine held his gaze, her mind was racing inside. She could not divulge the truth without mentioning the mystifying encounter with her 'parents.' Elaine was reluctant to speak of her experience but needed the male protagonist's help. She lacked leverage for stubbornness in the current situation. "They were calling for me." Elaine's hands twisting her dress. "These creatures were imitating the voices of my father and mother to lure me outside. I would have fallen into their deprave trap if it were not for Sir Ascania barricading the door," she recounted, deliberately glossing over the details about her parents. Similar to Cecil, Elaine believed Elias would automatically assume she was referring to the Duke and Duchess of Geris.

"Sir Ascania was able to save me this time, but what about next time? He has been guarding outside my chamber every night since boarding the ship. How much longer can he remain on high alert after continuous nights of sleep deprivation?"

"Are you worried about your guard's safety, milady?"

"No, I…" Elaine initially wanted to refute the black-haired young man, but after further consideration, she nodded. "Yes." Though her motive was not pure by any standard, admitting she cared about a servant's well-being was out of character for the original Estella. However, denying the fact would make Elaine seem more disingenuous. "You are correct, milord. If my guard comes into harm's way, I will also be in danger," she concurred with Elias' assessment, noting her actual priority. "I am the representative the Étoile Empire is sending to the coronation ceremony. Our alliance depends on me reaching the Léonas Empire."

The male protagonist did not reply. His pensive silence weighted on Elaine like a boulder. Did he believe her embellished truth? What if her answer changed his mind, and he decided against helping her? The longer the prolonged silence, the more unfavorable possibilities appeared in her mind. Elaine could not protest even if he reversed his previous offer. After all, behind the superficial pleasantries, they remained undeniable enemies. The creeping doubts slowly eroded her initial confidence.

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"Let us discuss the rules."

Despite bracing for the worst outcome, Elias' response immediately cleared the dark cloud hanging over Elaine. "Yes," she beamed, pulling out the list from her dress pocket. The relief was like a spring breeze washed over her, untangling all the convoluted knots she tied in her head.

"It has been a while since I last saw your genuine smile," he commented.

Elaine's expression froze as the sudden remark caught her off guard. She had forgotten to maintain the facade without realizing it. "Surely, you must have been mistaken, Sir d'Amboise," Elaine deflected, again wearing her guise.

"Perhaps." The black-haired young man did not further probe into the subject.

For the next hour, Elias educated Elaine on the purpose and the monsters lurking behind each rule. When they reached the sixth item, her focus intensified. She wanted to learn more about the monsters' origin and how they discovered her secrets. Elaine was not an inhabitant of this world. If these beings could pry into her past and manipulate her emotions, could other entities have the same ability? Could they one day expose her identity to the world?

"No one knows exactly where they came from. However, these creatures are not dwellers of the seas, and those they target always disappear without a trace," the male protagonist explained.

Elaine glanced up from the list, wrinkling her brows. "What are they?" She clenched the paper tighter as shivers crawled down her back. If even the young man before her could not decipher their origin, then Elaine's chance of combating them would be nearly nonexistent.

"I have my theories…"

"Theories?" she repeated and stared at him with anticipation. Her dimming hope reignited.

Elias nodded. "Throughout my years of sailing, I occasionally encountered these creatures and noted some of their characteristics. Though I cannot claim certainty over their inception, their tactics reminded me of the portal's occupants."

"The portal's occupants." The male protagonist's words struck Elaine like a thousand arrows, stoking fear from the depths of her being. Dreadful memories of her experiences in the portal and the Insidious Forest flooded back all at once. She grasped the railing for support, desperately trying to quell the visceral panic and smothered gasps. How naïve she was. Assuming his hypothesis was accurate, the portal creatures never lost interest and released her. The creatures still trapped Elaine in their wicked games, and they could toy with her at will.

"Lady Estella, your complexion does not look good." Elias advanced toward Elaine and leaned forward. He reached for her forehead to gauge its temperature. "Perhaps we should reserve this topic for another time," he suggested after observing her deteriorating state.

"No…no." She shook her head, both hands clutching his arms. "I, I'm fine. I can continue." Elaine spoke between labored breaths, lifting her gaze to meet his. "Please, Sir d’Amboise. Could you tell me more about the portal creatures?" she implored. These monsters had been preying on her soul since the beginning and haunting her every waking moment. She needed to know the reason behind their relentless pursuit.

The black-haired young man's brows knitted together. Yet, before he could respond to her plead, another voice intervened.

"Milady." Cecil rushed to Elaine's side and stepped inside the sound barrier. His arms wrapped around her shoulders, pulling her away from Elias. "Forgive my impudent, milord, but I cannot, in good faith, allow Her Ladyship to proceed in her current condition."