Leading the young lady I picked up astray, making her the happiest girl in the world!

Finally, nighttime came.

In the midst of an unusually quiet night, devoid of even the faintest insect's chirp, faint muffled sobs permeated the air, their presence gently fading into the enveloping darkness.

"...sob… sob… sob…" Within the confines of the pitch-black room, Charlotte struggled to contain her tears, her quiet whimpering a fragile echo in the stillness of the night.

This wasn't the detached storeroom found in the main residence; rather, it was the basement pantry. With no windows to allow light and the air carrying an unsettling chill, the darkness within was so profound that even Charlotte's own fingertips eluded her sight.

From time to time, Cordelia would oversee Charlotte's studies, ostensibly playing the role of a caring mother looking after her daughter. However, the reality was far more sinister.

Behind the facade lay a stark contrast.

Cordelia would administer punishments upon Charlotte's errors, inability to answer questions, or failures in tasks.

"Why can't you manage even such a simple task!"

"What a stain you've become on the Evans family name!"

"Why must it be you, out of everyone...! If it weren't for you, I could have achieved..."

It was akin to an unrelenting tempest.

Even the private tutors paled in response, yet none dared to intercede. Charlotte could only stifle her voice, silently enduring.

There was a time when Cordelia displayed some semblance of kindness towards Charlotte.

I hate the darkness! I hate the pain! The loneliness is even more unbearable!

Suddenly, Charlotte realized something.

At least, there was no pain here.

There was only darkness in this place.

There was no one to ridicule Charlotte or to hurt her. While it was disheartening not being able to see her younger sister, being in this place offered her a sense of relief, allowing her to breathe more freely than she ever could outside.@@novelbin@@

As soon as she had that thought, the surrounding darkness began to writhe and squirm.

Taking on distinct forms, they clung onto Charlotte. They appeared to be rough, bony hands similar to Charlotte's own hands. 

Dozens of them entangled her body, ensnaring her.

Before long, the boundary between darkness and her body started to blur, and Charlotte slowly closed her eyes.

If the darkness continued swallowing her like this… with nothing to think and no agony to endure, Charlotte could simply surrender to a peaceful sleep

"Gloomy, gloomy… this depressing gloom isn't good for your health!" Suddenly, a thunderous roar tore through the darkness in a joking manner.

"What?" Startled, Charlotte jolted up and opened her eyes.

Before her very eyes was an overwhelming radiance. There was a hole in the wall, as if someone had smashed through it. A pure white world in contrast to the darkness could be seen beyond the hole. And there stood a young man clad in a robe.

His hair was a mix of black and white, and he wore a frown as if the world was coming to an end.

It was a young man that Charlotte didn't recognise.

"W-who are you?" Charlotte stammered.

The young man appeared surprised by her question. He pondered for a moment before declaring, "I am the Great Demon King and I have come to abduct you."

"What...?" Charlotte's voice trailed off in confusion.

"Come on, stop dawdling and come over here. We should leave this place as soon as possible, every second counts." The young man, who claimed to be the Great Demon King, stretched out his right hand without hesitation.

There was no trace of black mist on his face and the place he stood was bright and warm. It was nothing compared to the darkness surrounding her. 

Even so, Charlotte shook her head, "No, I can't."

"The world outside is frightening… but… there's also nothing here..." Charlotte's voice trailed off as she looked down. 

The darkness still clung to her body, refusing to release its grip. Charlotte felt that this was the only place she could live.

But despite that...

"It's okay." The young man said.

"What?" Charlotte asked in surprise.

Stepping into the darkness, the young man knelt before Charlotte.

With a gentle smile, he said, "I won't let go of your hand and I promise to protect you from anything. So... let's go."

Once again, he held out his right hand.

Charlotte timidly raised her right hand with bated breath and gently touched his.

In a split second, the darkness burst like a punctured balloon, and radiant light engulfed the entire world.