"Why do you keep thinking about that witch even now? She's literally the reason for your current condition!" Veronica asked with hatred dripping from every word.
I ignored her completely.
Amelia was a sour topic for Veronica, it always had been, though I never figured out the main reason behind that hatred. Even in the past, she would constantly flare up at the mere mention of Amelia's name, making it crystal clear she didn't like her one bit.
Back then I tried to find a logical explanation for why she acted this way, and I came to the conclusion that her animosity was somehow connected to me. Perhaps she didn't like the fact that the original Artemis was a complete SIMP for Amelia, following her around like some lovesick puppy.
I even entertained the possibility that Veronica had feelings for him, but now I know it was never about that at all. She just genuinely hated Amelia with every fiber of her being, and honestly, I couldn't blame her. After all, Amelia was the main reason Veronica was trapped in this godforsaken dimension with me in the first place.
I regarded her for a moment but refused to answer. Instead, I turned my attention to the spread of food laid out before me.
She had placed desserts at the front and kept the main dishes just out of my reach, making it abundantly clear I had to go through the sweets before getting to the actual meal. How petty.
Come to think of it, how long had it been since I actually tasted food?
Thinking back, it should have been a few hours before the whole mission started, when I had eaten some squid monster with Evelyn. It was after that meal that we all met up at the heart of the town where the rift had opened, and the mission began.
Then everything went wrong.
I got abandoned. No, not just abandoned—that bastard had actually used the essence relic ON ME, all in some desperate quest to save that psycho Arabel.
Hypocrite.
NO. I was the foolish one for putting my trust in him in the first place. I should have been more selfish. I should have run when I had the chance. I shouldn't have stayed behind trying to be a good friend, trying to help them.
What did that get me?
A literal blade in the back and part of my life stolen.
I took a deep breath and forced myself to calm down. I couldn't lose my mind over those bastards. All of them could die for all I cared. I didn't give a fuck anymore.
My problem now was tracking down the gateway the fallen gods had used to sneak into this world in the past. With that, I could get out of here and leave this nightmare behind.
I stabbed a slice of apple with more force than necessary and began eating. I needed to heal, and for that to happen I needed all the strength I could get. That was reason enough to eat, even if the food tasted like ash in my mouth.
"Art." Veronica's hand suddenly covered mine where it rested on the table. "Stop ignoring me. You know I hate it when you do that," she said as her grip tightened around my fingers.
I kept eating.
"Art, talk to me," she remained persistent while I remained adamant in turn.
I was not obligated to give her a reply. She was my maid and it was her duty to serve me, not question my every thought and action.
After finishing the fruits, I moved on to the main dish. The first was some kind of hard meat that surprisingly tasted decent even when my memory insisted it shouldn't. Perhaps my taste buds were just completely messed up at this point.
"My wheelchair," I said when I was satisfied with the meal.
Her spatial ring glowed in response and a comfortable-looking wheelchair appeared beside me. It took considerable effort, more than I wanted to admit, but I managed to get myself into it without her help.
But when I tried to move forward, I realized I couldn't.
She was holding onto the handles.
"Let go," I said simply, but she made no move to release her grip.
We stayed there in complete silence. Minutes turned into an hour, but she didn't move or speak, just stood behind me like some kind of statue.
"Veronica, I am not in the mood for your stupidity. Let go of the handles. Are you deaf?" I turned to look at her, expecting some kind of reaction.
She just stared blankly at me, her expression unreadable.
Damn it!
"Veronica," I said her name again after three MORE fucking hours of being held in place like a prisoner.
I had tried EVERYTHING to get out of this position. I attempted to force the wheelchair forward. I tried reasoning with her. I even tried threatening her. Nothing worked. I was completely and utterly trapped, held hostage by my own maid who refused to let me go anywhere.