Chapter 129: One Day, I’m Going To Lock You in a Golden Cage
Rosalia — POV
When I woke up, I found myself lying on a bed, held tightly in an embrace that almost threatened to break my back.
I didn’t react at all. I knew immediately who was behind me—without even needing to look.
I stayed still for a moment, saying nothing.
My mind was busy processing everything that had happened.
I didn’t regret my choice. Nor my actions.
On the contrary... I felt an overwhelming sense of relief.
For the first time, I hadn’t needed to save anyone. I hadn’t caused trouble for Cassel. I had saved myself—with my own strength.
A vague thought flickered through my mind as I recalled the high-level zombie that attacked the car... and then vanished.
But that theory needed more analysis.
Forget it.
Right now, I was in the arms of my beloved—my dangerous, beautiful villain.
I let out a soft sigh and murmured gently,
"Cassel... you’re going to crush me."
Warm breath brushed against my neck, followed by a voice—low, strained, almost broken.
"Rosalia... one day, I’m going to lock you in a golden cage."
It was a completely unrelated sentence.
Yet somehow... it explained everything.
Yes. He must have been terrified for me.
I must have truly frightened him this time.
A brief pang of guilt pierced my chest.
I turned around and lifted Cassel’s face from where it rested against my shoulder.
His eyes were red like burning embers. His expression... so sorrowful it could make anyone’s heart tremble.
It looked as though he was holding himself back from crying.
And that only made it worse.
Seeing him like this... hurt me.
"Cassel, I’m really fine. It wasn’t your fault."
I kissed him gently.
Once.
Twice.
And finally, on the third time... he kissed me back.
After a heated kiss—and after soothing my large, childish villain—I finally felt a little calmer, enough to ask:
"Where are we?"
"In a hotel."
"A hotel? Wasn’t it difficult to clear it of zombies?"
Cassel’s hand tightened around my waist, his grip firm, almost possessive, as he answered casually,
"It’s fine. Some people here had already turned it into a haven. They allowed us to stay in exchange for supplies and food."
"I see... alright. Can you let go of me? I want to go out—I’m hungry."
"No. I’ll bring whatever you want here."
His iron grip pinned me to the bed, leaving me no chance to get up.
"No, I want to move around a bit. Cassel, let me—"
I struggled to break free, but failed.
"Cae... you’re hurting me."
My voice came out soft and pitiful—and almost instantly, his grip loosened.
Cassel shot up, his face filled with panic.
"Are you okay? Where does it hurt? Show me."
He reached to lift my clothes, but thankfully, I reacted quickly and stopped him.
"Wait—wait! I’m fine, really. Let’s go downstairs. I want to see the others, too, including the triplets. Come on, let’s go."
I slipped out of bed quickly before he could trap me again.
The moment I stepped outside, I was greeted by a long hallway bathed in warm yellow light, decorated with paintings and artificial plants.
It seemed this hotel had survived the apocalypse... and remained remarkably clean.
"The people here said the hotel was closed for renovations when the apocalypse began," Cassel explained as he walked up behind me, lacing his fingers with mine. "When they took shelter here, they organized everything and maintained order."
"Aren’t you hungry?" he added. "Let’s go to the dining hall. I’ll have them prepare you a proper meal."
"Mm... yeah. Let’s go."
I avoided his intense gaze—I had a strange feeling that if I stared any longer... I might be the one getting eaten.
We hadn’t taken more than a few steps when the door ahead opened.
A girl dressed in pure white... and a handsome man with a playful, charming face.
Oh, come on.
What kind of luck do I have, running into the protagonists of this world every time I turn my head?
I had no intention of acknowledging them. I simply planned to walk past as if they didn’t exist.
But apparently, the so-called hero of this world—the cheap man, Cecil—had other plans.
He approached me, leaving his heroine behind, wearing a bright, flawless smile.
"Rosalia, are you alright? You have no idea how worried we were when you were taken. It must have been difficult for you. How about—"
Before he could touch me, his hand was abruptly stopped mid-air.
Cecil’s expression froze.
And then—
I watched as his entire arm twisted violently in the opposite direction.
"..."
Cassel... do you have some kind of obsession with breaking people’s limbs?
"I told you before," Cassel said coldly, "don’t touch what belongs to me."
Before he could finish, he lifted me effortlessly into a bridal carry and walked past Cecil—who was clutching his arm, sweat pouring down his face.
As for the heroine... she stood there, trembling, her expression innocent.
But the malice in her eyes betrayed her perfect act.
People with abilities recover quickly.
Cecil’s arm would return to normal soon enough.
As for his pride being crushed...
Why would I care?
If anything... I was pleased.
But—
"Cassel... what’s wrong with him? Why was he acting so strangely?"
Cassel didn’t even glance back.
"Ignore him. And from now on, if anyone outside our team gets close to you, don’t hesitate to shoot. I’ll handle everything."
His voice turned colder.
"And you’re not allowed to be alone anymore. You are not to leave my side. Ever. Understood?"
When I met his deep, unwavering gaze... all I could do was swallow and nod faintly.
Still...
I couldn’t shake the feeling that there had to be a reason behind all of this.
Since Cassel hadn’t told me anything, it meant he didn’t want me worrying about it—or overthinking it.
Either way... I’d find out sooner or later.
When we stepped into the dining hall, the atmosphere was almost boiling with noise and energy.
In addition to our team and the other three groups, there were even more people gathered inside. The place was overwhelmingly crowded.
For a brief moment, I forgot we were living at the end of the world—where zombies and death lurked around every corner.