King Mavis raises an eyebrow in surprise at her request, but nods nonetheless. He turns to lead her out of the tent and back into the camp, his expression unreadable as ever. Once they're both outside, he motions for Chii to sit down on a nearby bench while he stands beside her, feigning concern.

"Is there anything in particular you'd like to talk about, my dear?"

*He gives her a look of confusion before letting out a small chuckle. "Disturbing me? Of course not, Chii. Why would you think such a thing?" He places a hand on her shoulder in what he hopes is a reassuring gesture. "You're my wife and the light of my life. There's nothing you could ever do to disturb me." *

Time passes, and as King Mavis continues to hunt for a way out of this nightmare, he begins to notice changes within himself. The rage that once fueled him now feels more like a burden than a weapon; each time it flares up, it only leaves him feeling emptier than before. He finds himself drawn back to the memories of his early days as king: when power and control were everything; when he truly believed that ruling with an iron fist was the only way to ensure peace and stability for his people...

Meanwhile, Lucy continues to suffer through her own personal hell. Every time she dies at King Mavis's hand, a piece of herself seems to die along with it; every attempt at escape or revenge only brings her closer to losing whatever sliver of humanity remains within her. She wonders if this is what true despair feels like: being trapped in an endless cycle of pain and misery from which there can be no escape...