Octavi looked at you apologetically before churching down to carry you up bridal style from the wood and to rest you gently on the itchy sofa. At the very least, it was better than the rough wooden floor.

You took this opportunity to continue looking around the cottage, noticing a small kitchen at the opposite side of the main room where Octavi had gone over to. You saw diverse of his belongings scattered around the place, suggesting that he had been taking refuge here for quite a while.

The kitchen was fairly clean but with the odd spiderweb or two. It was a matching auburn wood to the floor, and the countertop was made with stone just like the walls. There was a stove as well, but it required firewood to work.

Octavi retrieved a small wooden box from one of the drawers before returning to the living area of the main room. He knelt in front of you and opened the box, revealing an assortment of bandages and ointments. Taking an ointment out, he inspected it for a moment before opening it.

He considerately placed the ointment on the scratches and wounds on your legs, rubbing the cool mixture onto your supple skin.

You attempted to pull away from him, not wanting to let your kidnapper even touch you. After all, he was the reason why you were in pain at the moment and were fearing for your life. You had no idea what they were going to do to you, or where you even were.

Octavi stopped you from moving away by forcefully gripping upon your thigh, holding your leg in place as he continued to give it medical attention. Soon after he had put the ointment and such on your wounds, he proceeded to wrap the bandages around them as well.

"I don't want your help, Octavi. You made it sound like I had a choice-"

"You'll be having my help either way, [Name]. I don't want any of your bruises getting infected. My uncle once left a wound on his ankle and it got infected. By the time he realised, it was too late, and they had to remove his entire leg," Octavi stated.

This made you remain silent; you didn't want to lose an entire limb merely because you wanted to object. However, you refused to thank him since he was still the reason you were hurt in the first place.

"Let me go," You ordered him, crossing your arms sternly.

"No," He responded plainly.

"Why not?"

"I don't want to."

"Why?"

"Because I don't want to," He replied in a listless manner. There was no end to this man's patience.

"Why?"

"Because you're my life's goal," He told you, unfazed by the remark he had made. His eyes didn't even make contact with you.

On the other hand, a fiery Emperor had been plotting for almost an hour now at his desk. Eli stepped into the Emperor's office and cleared his throat, gaining Takahiro's attention. "No luck at the moment, Your Majesty," He informed the Emperor.

Lifting a map among many other documents on the table, the Emperor folded it away after blowing gently on some damp ink that was littered around the map. He had a map of the entirety of Intuuin to figure out where you were and decided to go to the places where the black snake group were most likely to take you.

Still dressed in his black yukata but now with some matching baggy, cropped pants and pinched around his ankles. On his feet were leather boots, built purely for durability and comfort. Stowing the map among other possessions in his black handbag, the Emperor stood up straight. "I shall be on my way now Eli," The Emperor notified his friend.

"Very well. I wish you a safe trip of which you will return with the empress," Eli replied as the Emperor walked past him, leaving the palace to begin his search for you.