episode_0086

When was the first time I ever tasted alcohol?

It was about a month after entering the Magical Tower, so I must have been fourteen. By the kingdom’s laws, the legal drinking age was fifteen, so it was illegal—but when had I ever cared about the law?

The first sip was strange. They called it wine, like a sweet beverage, but it wasn’t as sugary as real juice. The first thing I noticed wasn’t the grape’s aroma or sweetness, but the bitter alcohol hidden between them.

I was about to put it down immediately, asking why anyone would drink this, but someone told me I’d understand if I kept going. No one forced me—but resisting curiosity was harder than forcing myself to drink the bitter liquid.

The first time I felt drunk was halfway through my third glass.

My body wouldn’t move as I wanted. Calculations I could normally solve easily became sluggish. My emotions swayed violently.

I wasn’t myself anymore. I couldn’t remain fully in control. Disgusting, this inability to command my own body—that was why I disliked alcohol.

So why am I like this now? Because I don’t want to be sober. Keeping a clear mind only makes the pain sharper.

I fiercely hated losing myself before, but when I realized that in those moments, I was freed from suffering, Ariana spent her days in drunken stupor.

Every day, her stomach turned, her chest burned, she clutched her head in hangover pain, vomiting—but it was better than remaining sound of mind.

After drowning in alcohol for so long, she couldn’t quit even if she wanted to. Still, she didn’t regret it. Without that escape, she would’ve died long ago.

“How did we even get here…?”

Hic. Ariana’s face was as red as the wine in her glass as she hiccuped, retracing her memories.

“How am I supposed to follow the ramblings of a drunk? Did you have something to say or not?”

“Ah, right. So people assume I can hold my liquor just because I like drinking, but surprisingly, that’s not the case.”

“Yeah, I can see that. Still, didn’t expect you to be this bad. Did I bring something too strong? Don’t black out on me.”

“Doesn’t matter. Life’s not worth remembering anyway. Honestly, I wish I’d started drinking until I blacked out every day since I was a kid. Forget yesterday, enjoy today like it’s the first day.”

Mumbling nonsense, Ariana swayed her glass. She probably imagined it as some elegant noble gesture, but in her state, it just looked like drunken flailing.

Kyle grabbed her wrist as she tried to down another glass.

“Stop drinking. You’re at a good point now.”

“Still fine… Just one last one…”

She tugged her hand free, trying to push Kyle away, but he barely budged.

“No. That’s enough for today.”

“Who put you in charge? By what right?”

Not a question—a warning. High pride and self-respect meant Ariana never allowed others to interfere with her will.

“Right, huh…”

Ignoring her sharp glare, Kyle snatched the glass from her hand and stood up. He swirled it the way Ariana had, savoring the sharp aroma of alcohol. Then, circling around the table, he moved behind her, took a sip, and whispered in her ear.

“Riel. Do you know what you call someone who can’t go out without their master’s permission, eats only what their master gives them, and sits at home waiting for their master to return?”

His low, honeyed voice tickled her ear. Trembling, Ariana, too drunk to recognize the discomfort, pondered like she was solving a riddle.

“Umm… A slave?”

“Slaves don’t eagerly wait for their master to come home.”

“Tch, then what…”

As the alcohol settled in, her words slurred, her tongue tangling. The flush on her face deepened, like roses blooming in a snowy field. Her skin flushed pink, beads of sweat making it uncomfortably damp, and she squirmed restlessly.

Breathing heavily, she twisted on the spot, blaming the heat on the alcohol.

“Haa, haah…”

At Kyle’s touch on her shoulder, even the lightest contact sent a jolt through her.

“The answer is ‘pet.’ A pet that can’t do anything alone, sitting by the door, waiting for its master.”

“Mmm… Sounds about right…”

Kyle pulled her up, steadying her waist so she wouldn’t fall. Though she barely moved, being led to the bed alone made her breaths grow hotter.

“Nh, haa, haaah…”

No longer able to hide it, her ragged breaths sounded like moans.

Paying no mind to the whispers at her ear, Kyle gently lowered her onto the bed. The mattress sank under her figure, the carpet teasing her oversensitive skin.

“Hagh, hic!”

“So, doesn’t this remind you of someone? Trapped in a tiny room, pointlessly waiting for me to visit?”

“What… are you… even…?”

Her pupils dilated, losing focus. Her trembling voice had no strength.

Kyle grinned, bracing his hands on the bed, looming over her. As his right hand trailed up her leg, he spoke.

“Still don’t get it? You’re slower than I thought.”

“Nh, what are you—?”

“Right now, Riel, you’re no different from my pet.”

His fingers inched up her calf, creeping beneath her skirt to her thighs. Above her navel, the only barrier left was a pair of white panties—now thoroughly damp and anything but pure.

“Why… am I…?”

Her bewildered eyes widened.

“To reach this point and still not notice? Even drunk, you’re impressively dense.”

Only then did it click.

She’d been tricked.

Every kindness had been pretense—every moment, he’d been waiting to betray her.

Though she realized she’d been backstabbed, her usual rage didn’t surface. The overwhelming heat drowned everything else, reducing emotions to faint candlelight.

“…Drug?”

“Not a strong one. Just a mild aphrodisiac—enhances the fun if taken in moderation. Similar to alcohol. Not like it matters now that you’ve drowned in it.”

True to his words, even mid-explanation, Ariana couldn’t fight the heat, panting as she rubbed her thighs together. Her lower abdomen ached unbearably, her body begging for satisfaction.

“Why… this hassle… Nh, damn it…?”

If he’d simply wanted her body, raping her now would’ve been easy. The drug could’ve been slipped into her food anytime.

So why the act? The unnecessary effort?

And above all—

“No hints…”

A woman’s intuition. Having weathered years of men’s lustful gazes, Ariana’s senses outstripped most. Had Kyle harbored such desires, she would’ve noticed.

“Told you earlier, right? That I had something else occupying my mind.”

And this was it?

“To put it simply, I’m taming you. Making Riel Frost’s loyalty to the kingdom genuine, even without the slave contract. Succeed, and the Kingdom of Gilnias could surpass the Empire and Holy Nation—unify the continent.”

The front lines were a charade—alliances while sharpening knives behind the scenes. She already knew, but hearing it from the crown prince drove the point home.

Disgusting.

While soldiers died by the hundreds, their leaders cared only for post-war gains.

She wanted to strangle him now, but as she tried to rise, his hand pinned her effortlessly.

“Ah, well—those are my father’s ambitions anyway. What I want… is you.”

“So… that time. You resented me after all…”

“Ah—don’t say that. I told you—that was entirely my fault. No grudges here.”

“Then why?”

Meeting her confusion, Kyle smirked, leaning in until their faces nearly touched.

“I am a prince, you know? Never met a woman I couldn’t have. Pretty faces don’t excite me like some starved mutt.”

Ariana was attractive, but not overwhelmingly so. Had his desires been ordinary, she would’ve noticed.

“Riel—you’re the most extraordinary person I’ve ever met. The Hero Yuria, Saintess Marika, King Karl Foldragon, Emperor Eightree Martina Heizan, Pope Arkazhal—none of those so-called ‘mightiest and noblest’ gave the same flawless aura you did.”

As a mage, Kyle’s awe only grew. That day—what he witnessed defied reason.

The deeper his knowledge, the clearer the gap became—like a scholar realizing the vastness of the cosmos.

Unlike Ariana’s assumptions, Kyle revered her. He respected and idealized her sincerely—so fiercely it resembled a fanatic’s devotion.

“How would it feel, having you moan beneath me? Seeing your belly swell with my child? Conquering you… just how satisfying would that be?”

If Kyle was a faithful, Ariana was his deity. And to a zealot, conquering their god must feel akin to seizing the world itself.

Even with his arousal straining against his pants, it wasn’t lust—but the thrill of conquest, the euphoria of domination.

“…You insane bastard?”

“Absolutely. If I weren’t, I wouldn’t go this far.”

Her sneer met his blunt admission.

“Still, I won’t force you—not until you beg for it. That wouldn’t be true conquest.”

“Bullshit! Like I’d ever—Nnh!”

“Stubbornness is charming, but your body seems to disagree.”

Her thighs, slick with arousal, soaked the sheets. Kyle teased—stroking her arms or neck instead where she burned for touch.

“You’ll hate me, yes… But not entirely. Emotions defy control. Even hatred can’t smother every trace of affection. That’s why I spent days nurturing it.”

Trembling with frustration yet panting with arousal, Ariana teetered on the edge of reason.

Unable to resist, her hand crept downward—shameful, but better than surrendering to the enemy.

Just as her fingers neared—

“Hic!?”

His grip twisted her wrist away.

“No cheating.”

Oh, but drugging her was fair play?

She wanted to sneer, but breath came harder now.

“Can’t even speak properly. If you accept my terms, kiss me. That solves everything—your torment now, all problems moving forward. I’ll crown you queen. You won’t be treated poorly.”

Done talking, Kyle pulled back, waiting.

Her answer came swiftly. Struggling up, Ariana placed a hand on his shoulder, leaning close—her fevered face, teary eyes, all but proclaiming surrender.

Rising on unsteady toes, she closed the distance. Kyle, expecting defeat, lowered his head.

Eyes shut, smirking, he waited for her kiss.

What met him wasn’t soft lips—but a stinging slap.

—SMACK!

“…Foolish choice.”

Kyle rubbed his cheek, frowning.

“I gave you a chance. At trial, things will get far uglier.”

Calling it goodwill would be a stretch—but his offer was the last lifeline.

“Yet you kick it aside for pride? Do you want to drown in misery?”

She knew. Whatever awaited, comfort wasn’t part of it. Still—

“G-get… lost…”

Only one answer remained.