I winced as my head thudded against solid wood. I remembered being enveloped by the glimmers of light just after the kid, who claimed to be the creator, snapped his fingers.

Gradually, my consciousness returned, but I couldn't open my eyes. Something restrained my hands and feet, and it felt like there was a cover over my eyes, preventing me from seeing anything.

"Mmmph!"

I tried to shout, but my cries were muffled. I was also unable to move my hands and feet.

"Am I being kidnapped right now?"

I expected this story to be a lovey-dovey fairytale with a prince and all that. Is this turning into an action-filled romance?

I should have clarified the genre with that kid before agreeing to be the protagonist! I just assumed it would be a straightforward fairytale. Damn my assumptions.

"Argh!" I cried out in pain as whatever I was on jolted along an uneven path.

I forced myself to calm down so I could think clearly.

I realized I wasn't in a vehicle or anything with an engine. It felt more like a wagon pulled by a horse, given the rhythmic sound of hooves. The voices of two men were also audible, though slightly muffled. It seemed like I was in a closed wagon of some sort.

Although their voices are faint, I am pretty sure that their language is quite foreign yet oddly familiar for me. Maybe because it is foreign to where I came from but this body do remember this language?

That brat! He should've told me what to expect or at least dropped me into this world on a peaceful day, not in the middle of a mess like this.

Anyway, I need to focus on what's happening now or I might lose my chance to get back home.

After a while, the horse pulling the wagon finally stopped. I decided to play it safe and acted like I was still knocked out.

They must've opened the wagon door because I felt sunlight on my skin.

"I bet the lady boss hates this kid too much and resort to doing this.” A man said while chuckling.

 “I heard the boss covets her lover.”

“Hey, carry her." one of the men instructed as the other lifted me out gently.

At least they're being careful with me or else I would have thrown a fit here and there.

They made me sit in a chair and tied my hands again.

"Hey, give her some slack. We don't want her losing circulation!" one of the men scolded the other after hearing a smack. He probably hit his head or something.

Yeah, losing a hand isn't in my plans. If anything, I should only lose a shoe like Cinderella, not a hand!

"Let the boss know that the goods have arrived.”

"You go! I can't deal with her temper!" he argued.

"Why am I stuck doing all the tough stuff? We should divide the profits 60-40 since my job is harder. I want 60 gold coins," he insisted.

A smacking sound echoed, sounding like someone's head hit something hard.

"I set up this deal. Be grateful I'm splitting it with you!" He spoke sternly, while the other man winced in pain.

"Okay! We'll split it 50-50! But if you try any tricks, I won't let it slide. You'll regret it!" The other man threatened fiercely.

I heard the sound of his footsteps moving away, likely to inform the woman in charge.

“Jerk! He's such a pain!”

There were sounds like coins clinking together.

“I'm glad I demanded 200 gold coins,” he chuckled to himself. I heard rustling, as if he was hiding the coins somewhere.

I kept listening closely to gather information for later use.

I could hear him stamping his feet heavily a few times, occasionally hearing the coins clinking together. He'd pause, listen for the sound, and then check again.

It seemed he hid some coins in his shoes, but I wasn't sure where he stashed the rest.

He paused, and I felt like he was watching me.

I felt a slight nudge on my foot, as if he was checking if I was awake yet.

“I think I drugged her too much.”

“Oh, I need to pee.” With that statement, I heard him leave the room, the door thudding closed behind him.

Taking advantage of the moment, I worked to loosen the restraints on my hands. Fortunately, they hadn't tied them too tightly.

Once my hands were free, I pushed the fabric above my eyes to get a glimpse of my surroundings. Time was of the essence, as either of the two men could return at any moment.

The place they brought me to seemed like an old house. In a corner, I spotted a metal rod that could serve as a weapon. Unsure of this body's strength, I knew at least where to aim. Living alone in the 21st century taught me a few self-defense techniques and how to handle a firearm.

It seemed the sun was setting, and I knew I had to hurry before the men returned.

As I started to untie my feet, I heard voices approaching. Panic set in—I didn't have enough time to free myself completely.

I quickly decided to keep my feet bound but slightly loose, hidden beneath my dress. I pulled the fabric over my eyes and held the ropes, making it appear as if my hands were still tied. I positioned myself against the wall, hoping they wouldn't notice.

The door opened, and I heard three sets of footsteps. One seemed to be a woman.

It was a shock when they doused me with cold water. I tried to mimic the panic I'd seen in dramas, making muffled sounds as if I were screaming. Soon after, they removed the fabric covering my eyes and mouth.

Before me stood the two men who had brought me here and a woman with long brown hair and fair skin. However, her face was partially hidden by a mask. She flashed a smirk in my direction.

“Look at you, now. Not able to act all high and mighty.” She spoke with venom in her voice.

“Who are you and why are you doing this to me?”

Dang! Typical line for someone being kidnap. Hehe

I thought I won’t be able to converse with her since the language is foreign to where I came from but the words I spat naturally went out of my lips.

"I despise you! Your arrogance is insufferable! Listen closely. You must end things with Sebastian, or you'll face consequences far worse than what's happening today." She threatened, clutching my face forcefully.

"Don't even dream of marrying him. Understand?!" Her voice was venomous. Thankfully, she released me; her grip was starting to hurt.

"Answer me!" She yelled, throwing her hands up. I braced myself, knowing I couldn't win against the three of them.

The resounding slap reverberated in the room, causing me to wince, especially at the corner of my lips. I tasted blood.

"Yes, I understand completely," I replied, my voice trembling, the pain of her slap still lingering on my face.

The lady in charge ordered, "Whip her and then dump her somewhere."

"Hey, whip her!" The guy in charge, who seems to have the 200 gold coins, pushed the other man almost stumbling towards me. He looked very annoyed and appeared ready to fight the other guy.

‘This might be my chance to escape,’ I thought to myself.

"200," I utter, trying to get the guy's attention. He glanced at me, puzzled.

"She gave him 200 gold coins, but he told you it was only 100. After you left, he laughed and called you a fool. He hid some coins in his shoes," I stated confidently, eyeing him intensely.

"You've been completely tricked," I smirked at him.

"What?" He was caught off guard by my accusation. Before he could react, the taller and stronger guy forcefully grabbed his foot, removing his shoe. Gold coins spilled onto the floor.

The larger man emitted a menacing aura, ready to unleash his fury on the smaller one.

"I... I can explain!" He stammered, realizing he was about to face consequences.

But he didn't get the chance to finish his sentence. The larger man began throwing punches, teaching him a harsh lesson.

As chaos unfolded in front of the masked lady, I seized the opportunity. I freed my hands and feet and grabbed a nearby metal staff to use as a weapon.

The two men suddenly looked at me when they saw me running to grab a long metal stick. I held onto it tightly, feeling my heart beating fast because of the danger.

The first man tried to attack me, but I swung the metal stick and hit him, making a loud noise in the small room. He looked surprised and stumbled back.

But there was no time to relax—the second man didn't stop. The room turned into a battlefield as I twirled around, using the metal stick to defend myself.

In the small space, I had to move quickly. The metal stick cut through the air, resisting the danger that was getting closer. As the first man recovered, I was determined to get out of this situation alive.

I kept moving, dodging their attacks and hitting back. The first man lost his weapon, and I turned to face the second one, ready for the next clash. The room felt intense as I fought to survive.

Finally, a strong hit made both men fall to the floor.

After dealing with the men, I looked at the masked lady. She was still standing there, frozen, despite all the chaos.

 I grinned menacingly as I strolled toward her, tapping the rod on the floor along the way.

Even with the mask on, I could tell she was scared stiff, shaking like a leaf in the wind.

When I got close, I pointed the rod at her face, cool as ice. "Take off that mask," I ordered.

She obeyed, but once she did, I regretted my request. "Please, put it back on! Now!"

I expected she'd look nice under that mask. I guessed wrong.

 I spotted a cloth nearby, enough to cover her face but still let her breathe.

"Here, cover your face. If I catch even a peek of it, I’ll give your face a serious makeover with this rod. You might end up needing a new one!"

I scowled at her, showcasing a smile that could terrify anyone.

She followed my command. I grabbed her, tossing her next to the other two unconscious men and tied them up securely. I made sure they couldn't access any sharp objects to free themselves.

Standing before them, I glared intensely.

Oh, I remember. Where's the contract?

I searched my clothes and managed to find the paper, so I held onto it tightly.

Feeling the pain from her earlier slap, I touched the corner of my lips, finding blood from split skin.

I swung my hand in the air to slap her too. The loud sound of my palm hitting her face echoed throughout the room.

I burst into a maniacal laugh as the door swung open.

As the door opened, a kind of sparkle filled the room, and there he was - the man with strangely pink hair. He seemed to bring a magical feeling with him, like something out of a fairy tale. His face was partly covered with a piece of cloth, leaving only his eyes visible. He looked mysterious and enchanting, like he belonged to another world.

His gaze shifted from me to the metal rod I held, then to the three individuals tied down—two unconscious men and a woman whose face was hidden by fabric. She was now crying and trembling in fear.

Upon evaluating the scene, he glared at me, swiftly moving as if to shield the three captives from harm. With a quick motion, his sword was inches away from my neck.

My body tensed, fearing any wrong move that could seal my fate.

BEEP

WARNING! APPROACHING BAD ENDING ROUTE!

A warning screen appeared in front of me. I assumed that only I can see it.

So, in conclusion, I shouldn't do anything to upset this person further.

I'm the protagonist of this novel, right? So, where's my knight in shining armor or someone to rescue me?

I dropped my weapon and raised my hands in surrender, but the warning screen is still there, so I'm guessing the bad route is still a possibility at any moment.

Even though I've faced many life-threatening situations, I still tremble. I think everyone's afraid when faced with death.

I didn't realize another man had entered the room.

"Be quick and rescue your sister," the man holding a sword near my neck said to the other man who entered, but I couldn't see him since my back was against the door.

I held his gaze and didn't dare make any move. This is when the knight in shining armor should appear. Any second now.

“Please.”

I whispered in complete desperation and closed my eyes tightly, my hands shaking nervously.

"Why are you holding your sword against my sister?!"

The other man exclaimed, causing me to open my eyes again.

"Sister? Oh, you're his sister?" He quickly removed the sword near me.

"I am?" I asked, my voice trembling. Finally, the warning screen disappeared.

My legs gave out.

"Thank goodness. I am," I said, relieved.