episode_0024

Episode 24.

Sigh!

Water is sprayed roughly. Rika opened her eyes and glared at me.

Rika’s body is bound with chains. Both arms are tied behind the head, and the ankles are also fixed so that they can barely be lifted off the ground.

To be able to make that kind of expression even in this situation, your spirit is amazing.

I faced those gazes and spoke, smiling like an angel.

“Good morning, Rika.”

“Ugh!”

Pilgret extends his arm to block Rika’s spit flying to her face. It is said that Pilgret spent most of the night interrogating her, but Rika did not say anything.

“Are you really not planning on telling me who sent you the command? Even though they say they will spare your life if you reveal who is behind it.”

“Hmph, there are no orders. I just came here of my own will…”

“Then how did you get the information that I was coming to that village?”

“I’m good at smelling fishy bitches.”

At that moment, Pilgret’s arm stretches out and grabs Rika’s neck. I raised my hand to stop Pilgret’s actions.

“Whew, nothing will change even if you are stubborn like that. It seems like you are as loyal to the person who sent you as he is to you.”

Rika glared at me and closed her mouth. He may have realized that it is dangerous to hastily open his mouth in front of me.

“As you know, what you did was a heinous sin. You’re trying to harm the princess of this country, and the only heir to the throne. Even with capital punishment, you can’t pay it all off?”

Rika glared at me without saying a word. It’s an intense look. Although not as beautiful as Carmel, Rika was also quite beautiful.

A strong body pulled by chains. There was a strange beauty there. The kind of beauty that makes you want to look at the texture of the muscles without even realizing it and check the shape underneath the clothes.

“Pilgret. Please go upstairs for a moment.”

“Do you mind?”

“Yes.”

“Okay.”

Pilgret gave silent pressure to Rika with his warning gaze and went upstairs through the iron cage door. Only Rika and I were left in the dark cell.

“It was Carmel that sent you, right?”

There was a flinching reaction on Rika’s face.

‘Compared to Carmel, it’s a much easier opponent.’

I sensed agitation beneath her stern expression.

Carmel would not have been able to convey her complex relationship with me in detail to Rika. There is no way Rika would know that I was trying to uncover Carmel’s conspiracy and exploit Carmel’s weaknesses through it.

Right now, Rika didn’t seem to even think that she could be Carmel’s weakness.

I picked up the long, thin wooden stick that was lying there with the Hyeonggu. Perfect size and flexibility to hold and swing by hand. Of course, its purpose would be a whip.

I put the end of the wooden stick under Rika’s chin. The ferocious gaze of a vicious dog is directed at me. It went lower and lower.

“It’s a little rough, but… it’s a face and body that men can savor. As long as she wears more feminine clothes and takes good care of herself, Lustier will be successful in social circles.”

“What are you saying…”

“Ah, of course, a high treason criminal like you can’t have such a sweet story. But if I put my mind to it, I can make you a princess among the prisoners.”

The end of the wooden stick lightly presses the clothes near Rika’s tightly stretched chest. Even though Rika was humiliated by the treatment, it seemed as if the words I said were not leaving her mind.

“To me… to the prisoners…?”

“Yes. Everyone must be missing the woman very much after spending so long in prison. When you walk in, you will be welcomed wholeheartedly. You will be happy in no time. You wouldn’t receive such an enthusiastic welcome at any social party.”

“Woo… Ugh…”

Fear spreads across Rika’s face. I took the stick away, smiled, and asked again.

“Rika, the thing that moves you is Carmel, the queen of this country, right?”

Rika mustered up the last of her strength and glared at me. Then he closed his eyes tightly as if he was in pain and said.

“…I don’t know that name…!”

“Really?”

Clink-

A wooden stick dropped randomly makes a fairly loud sound. I turned around with a cold face.

“That’s amazing, Rika. Your loyalty is real. Thanks to that, you yourself will be destroyed.”

A rough struggling sound is heard behind the back. The sound of chains clashing and Rika’s painful cries.

* * *

“Oh, did you have a good trip? Yes, you came back earlier than expected.”

“I need to be able to rest because I am worried about my country’s affairs. Plus, it was a great hot spring, so my fatigue went away quickly.”

3 days vacation. Although it was short, it was meaningful enough for me.

Because I succeeded in capturing my target, Rika.

“Hmm, your expression is really nice. Hehe, I want to go to that hot spring too!”

Unlike Fehat, who was happy about my quick return, Carmel’s expression was not good. It seems fitting to say that they are anxious.

That’s natural. Carmel would know better what the fact that the report from Rika was cut off and that I returned safely meant.

I deliberately made eye contact with Carmel and smiled.

“I’ve been there, mother.”

“Uh, that’s right… that’s right…”

Aside from the fact that my assassination failed, he seemed to be worried about Rika’s safety. Carmel’s restless appearance made me want to keep it as is and admire it from time to time.

The moment I finished reporting my return to Fehat, Carmel came up from behind and grabbed me by the arm.

“What’s going on, Mother?”

Of course, I know what’s going on. Looking at Carmel’s desperate face, I had to work hard to control the corners of my mouth.

“Princess Sera… Let’s talk for a moment. That’s right! Phew, tell me in detail what happened on vacation… I really, really want to hear it…! Now, hurry to my room…!”

Carmel looked very desperate. It was probably the first time I had seen Carmel so desperate since reading the letter.

Of course, I also planned to talk to Carmel. I smiled softly and accepted Carmel’s invitation.

“Of course, mother. Of course, I have to stop by. Now, shall we go?”

I naturally wrapped my arms around Carmel’s arm. I walked forward, enjoying the feel of soft skin touching each other. Carmel walked together with an awkward smile, suppressing her displeasure.

Carmel’s room. I exchanged a quick glance with Siniah, who was waiting inside. Siniah also seemed to have something to say to me. I’ll have to listen to it privately later.

After sending everyone out, Carmel and I were left alone in the room. Looking at Carmel, who looked nervous, I began to talk leisurely.

“First, I have to tell you about the hot spring water. To be honest, I went there expecting quiet, so I had lowered my expectations for the hot spring itself. But the hot spring water was better than I imagined. Plus, the scenery seen from the open-air hot spring…”

“Not like that!”

Nervous Carmel’s patience did not last long. I smiled and said to Carmel.

“Then what are you talking about? Is there any reason for something great to happen in a quiet rural village, Mother?”

Carmel chewed her lip in exasperation.

The incident in which Rika attacked me was not reported anywhere. Knights were also strictly prohibited from joining the military. Of course, even they would recognize this as an incident in which an unknown barbarian accidentally attacked the princess.

In the end, it’s something Carmel shouldn’t know. Just knowing that is tantamount to confessing your involvement. Well, the current attitude is actually like that.

“Ho, I saw the condition of the convoy. It looks like there was a battle… Well, something happened?”

“You even watch the maintenance of individual drivers with interest. Indeed, it is as big as the sea. Well, that’s right. There was an incident. It wasn’t a big deal. It was like a group of barbarians who didn’t know the subject attacked.”

It is clearly visible that Carmel’s insides are burning hard. It seems like he can’t even pretend to relax like usual.

“Well, so…? What happened? Did you capture the leader?”

“Yes.”

A little bit of relief flashes across Carmel’s face when she hears that she has been captured. But soon it turned into something extremely nasty.

“You dare target the princess of Lustier as a barbarian… Hehe, it must be a terrible crime that cannot be repaid even by death. So I gave him a fitting punishment. Since she happened to be a female, they threw her in prison so that she could live as a plaything for the prisoners for the rest of her life.”

“What?”

Shock, anger, and grief pass through Carmel’s face one after another. Carmel’s wide and shaking eyes were a great sight in themselves.

Carmel’s hands on the table were shaking uncontrollably. And on top of that, a drop of water fell.

I’m crying.

Carmel was crying.

In the novel, that terrifying villainess who didn’t seem to come out even a drop of blood when pricked with a needle!

It was just a single tear, but it felt like my heart was going to explode. I feel like I want to raise my hands and cheer right now.

Controlling my intense feelings, I waited for Carmel’s next words with a calm smile.

“I lost, Sera… Release Rika… Please…”