Chapter 17
Translator: True Detective
Chapter 17. Raising to Eat
This is a deal.
Lucia Von Astellia told herself.
Business. Equivalent exchange. Deferred payment for a life.
'Anyway, yes. Let's finish it clearly today.'
The Black Knight is strong. Overwhelmingly strong.
Out of the question. Outside the norm. Or a calamity.
A monster who sent Brynjolf flying with one blow, broke Freya's sword, and pulled out Ulfric's teeth.
Martial power probably comparable to the Empire's Three Swords, Grand Duke Valter, or… the Hero of the Holy Sword.
'……Hero.'
Suddenly, a memory of childhood brushed past.
An orphan raised in the temple. A child invited to the Imperial Palace for having talent in swordsmanship.
The Hero was Lucia's only friend.
She still remembers when they first met.
The Imperial Palace garden. An afternoon with pouring spring sunshine.
The person who spoke to Lucia, who was crying alone after being bullied by her siblings for having 'barbarian blood'.
'If the Hero was here, would he have saved me from this situation?'
Probably he would have.
'He must be living well, right?'
The Imperial Palace burned, a rebellion broke out, and her father was confined.
Chaos broke out in the Empire, but still, the Hero belongs to the Goddess Church.
Since the Church is a sanctuary separate from the Imperial Family, he is probably safe.
'……Why am I thinking this now. Stop escaping reality.'
Lucia shook her head. Her hair rippled and slapped her cheek.
Now is not the time to worry about the Hero. Worrying about herself comes first.
Lucia turned her body in front of the mirror.
And opened the wardrobe.
'What should I wear?'
……What should I wear?
'Regarding the attire when visiting a man's room in the middle of the night.'
She never learned a manual for such a situation in the Imperial Palace etiquette class.
Combat uniform? No, they say the bed is a woman's battlefield, but it’s not that kind of battlefield. Dress? If it’s too formal, it might be hard to take off, and he might get annoyed.
Eventually, she chose thin silk pajamas. Draped a gown over them.
'……Is this right?'
She doesn't know.
She doesn't know, but she has to go anyway.
Lucia looked at the mirror once more.
Cheeks are red. Hands are trembling. Pupils are shaking.
Is it because it's cold? Since the night of the North is originally cold.
'……It’s okay.'
It’s not okay.
'It’s okay.'
I said it’s not okay.
'A Princess is a tool for politics anyway. I’m used to it.'
She is not used to it. Not used to it at all.
But if she doesn't believe this, she can't take a step.
Lucia opened her door.
The hallway was dark.
Torches were burning sparsely.
The Black Knight's guest room was at the end of the hallway.
Why does that short distance feel so long?
Black oak door.
Lucia's hand touched the doorknob.
Grabbed it, let go. Grabbed it again, let go.
If it is an unavoidable fate anyway. If it is an inescapable ending. Let's walk with at least head held high.
Because that is the proud Princess Lucia.
'……Let’s go.'
Knock knock.
"Come in."
An answer came.
Low voice. Bass sound like echoing in a cave.
It was a familiar voice, but slightly unfamiliar.
Something is different.
Less resonance than usual.
Creak.
The door opened.
And.
"What is the matter?"
"……Huh?"
A stupid sound leaked from Lucia's mouth.
A scene completely different from expectation unfolded.
It wasn't a monster in black armor.
A man standing by the window.
Black hair. Deep and dark black hair like cut from the night sky.
And eyes shining beneath it.
Amethyst?
No. Much deeper. Purple light condensing the abyss.
Sharp jawline, high nose bridge, eyes looking melancholic yet simultaneously arrogant.
Shadows cast over pale skin made his features even more distinct.
He was a handsome man.
Not just handsome; if brought to the Empire's social circles, noble ladies would fight tooth and nail just to grab the hem of his clothes.
His beauty was overwhelming violence just as much as the martial power he wielded.
'……Did I find the wrong room?'
There is no way such a noble son would be in the Black Knight's room.
Probably due to nervousness, she must have gone to the next room, or the room next to that, or crossed dimensions to another space.
Right. It must be so.
"Wh-Who are you……?"
The man slowly turned his head.
Purple eyes captured Lucia.
Just by looking, eyes are pierced. Heart is pierced. Brain is pierced.
The man's lips moved. The words pouring from those beautiful lips were.
"Seems you are in heat."
"……?"
"Visiting a man's room in the middle of the night. Your ass is light for a Princess."
"……!?"
All romance in the world shattered in 3 seconds.
'……It is the Black Knight.'
This dissonance where trash-like words pour from a noble son's face.
How can he spit such words with such a face?
How can the content be a gutter while having such a noble atmosphere?
Cognitive dissonance came because the gap between appearance and speech/action was too big.
In the end, the Black Knight was the Black Knight even without armor.
'As expected, the Goddess is fair. Gave him a face and took away his character. No, confiscated not just character but sociality entirely.'
But at the same time, a strange sense of relief came.
Because at least the Black Knight wasn't a rotting undead or a demon with horns.
Right, with that level of face, if she closes her eyes tight and endures……
'What are you thinking, Lucia Von Astellia! Wake up!''A crazy guy is a crazy guy even if his face is handsome!''Rather, it’s worse! A handsome crazy guy is more dangerous!''Pretty poisonous mushrooms are more fatal!'
What does it matter if his face is handsome. His way of speaking is like that. Sadistic lines pop out as soon as he opens his mouth.
Shake shake.
Lucia shook her head vigorously.
Let's escape confusion.
Must not forget the purpose of coming here.
"F, For all this time…… giving help…… thank… you……"
Every word was cut off.
When learning rhetoric in the Imperial Palace, the teacher said.
'Ellipses are punctuation marks for the weak, Your Highness.'
Right. Now Lucia was the weak.
"……?"
The Black Knight's eyebrow moved minutely.
Expression can be read.
When he was wearing armor, she couldn't know his expression because of the helmet.
Now she can see.
……Unexpectedly, his expressions are rich.
"Today… what the elder said… I mean… wedding… that is… so…."
Ah.
Why won't words come out like this.
Lucia, who used all sorts of political wordplay in the Imperial Palace. Lucia, who spoke fluently as if reciting diplomatic documents.
Is now stuttering like a child.
"E-Excuse me……"
Lucia opened her mouth.
"I came to pay… the price."
Hand touched the gown's string.
Slither.
The knot was untied.
The gown slipped down from her shoulders.
Only thin silk pajamas remained.
"I will give… what you want……"
Said it. Spat it out.
Face is hot with shame.
Carrot? No, lava.
If you put an egg on Lucia's face right now, it would be fully cooked in 3 seconds.
Squeezed eyes shut.
Heart beat madly.
It is true she received help all this time.
And she has to receive help in the future too.
Life price. Princess price. Empire price.
This much price.
This much.
Smirk.
A mocking sound was heard.
"……?"
Lucia opened her eyes carefully.
The Black Knight raised his body.
He approached Lucia slowly.
Height nearing 2 meters. Broad shoulders.
Overwhelming pressure.
'What will be done to me now.'
Will clothes be torn? Thrown onto the bed? Or pressed against the wall?
"Hiek! I, I mean! Th-This is the first time so that……"
Tears welled up.
Lucia Von Astellia, 19 years old.
Empire's 1st Imperial Princess.
Dating experience zero. Kiss experience zero. Hand-holding experience also zero.
Zero. Zero. Zero.
A perfect zero woman.
Such a woman is now cornered against a wall in pajamas in a man's room.
Life is truly unknowable.
"No need to rush."
……Huh?
"Still unripe. Reeks of greenness."
Huh?
"Chewing on unripe fruit only gives a bitter taste."
Blood drained completely from Lucia's face.
Unripe? Greenness? Gives a bitter taste?
'Is he talking about my body right now?'
Lucia looked down at her body.
Of course, she is not muscular or voluptuous like Northern women.
Not a body overflowing with healthy beauty like Freya either.
But.
But!
Still, she was considered quite a beauty in the Empire?
Heard praises like 'Lily holding moonlight' or 'Rose with morning dew'?
Fragility! Innocence! Ditzy beauty!
Such demand must definitely exist too?
'No, wait. What are you thinking right now. It’s a relief. But why do I feel dirty?'
Rejected.
And with a very insulting gourmet review at that.
Lucia’s pride was subtly hurt.
"Besides, isn't that not the Empire's way?"
"……Yes?"
"There is no need to follow the barbaric customs of the North."
Unexpected development.
Lucia blinked blankly.
No need to follow barbaric customs.
Does that mean, there is no need to offer my body forcibly?
'……Is he perhaps being considerate of me?'
Suddenly such a thought brushed past.
Maybe I misunderstood the Black Knight all this time.
A person scary on the outside but a gentleman on the inside?
Mouth is rough, but heart is warm?
"I will make you, Lucia, the Emperor."
At the Black Knight's words, Lucia's eyes widened.
"……Are you serious?"
"I do not lie."
Certainly, the Black Knight kept all his words.
Then does he really mean he will make me the Emperor?
Perhaps this man.
'Was he actually just not honest? Did I misunderstand all this time? Speaking scarily is just… rough habit of speech?'
Acting scary on the outside.
But was he worrying about me on the inside?
'It is useless to run away' meant 'I will be by your side'? 'Become mine' meant 'I will protect you'? 'I'll make you a dog' meant…… what was that.
Anyway.
Lucia's eyes reddened.
The moment tears of emotion were about to rise.
"And you, in that seat……"
The Black Knight took a step closer.
Distance where breath could touch.
Purple eyes pierced Lucia.
"Will give everything to me."
"……Yes?"
"There is no right of refusal."
"……????"
Wait.
Wait a minute.
What just now?
Give everything after becoming Emperor?
"Are, are you aiming for the Empire!? Making me a puppet to swallow the Empire…!"
Right.
That was the goal.
Classic plan to make a Princess the Emperor, control that Emperor, and rule the Empire!
"That cannot happen!!"
"Empire?"
The Black Knight snorted.
"I have no interest in such things."
Took one more step closer.
Lucia's back completely adhered to the wall.
Now there is really no more place to retreat.
"What I want is solely your body alone."
"……!"
Goosebumps ran down her spine.
Goosebumps ran down the spine and exploded near the tailbone.
'……Got it.'
Click. Click. Click.
Puzzle pieces fitted together in Lucia's brain.
'This crazy bastard's plan!'
Not attacking right now.
Why?
Because it’s unripe to eat now. Because it’s bitter. Because it reeks of greenness.
'Strategy to raise and eat!?'
Putting her in the highest seat. The noblest Emperor's seat.
Continent's highest power holder. Noblest status. Peak no one can dare approach.
He intends to violate that absolute power.
Extreme high-end taste that cannot be satisfied by violating a mere exiled Princess.
Wanting to crush and ravage the Empress who ascended to the seat above ten thousand people on the bed.
It must be a perverted desire combining such conquest desire and lust!
'Scale is different…! A sadistic demon on a different dimension!'
Type that fattens the prey then eats it when it is most delicious.
Gourmet who saves the life, even puts a crown on it, then tries to put it on the dining table.
The emotion felt for a moment? Such thing already evaporated and disappeared out of the atmosphere.
"You cannot run away anyway."
"Hiek!"
"I will wait until enough honey flows."
Honey.
Honey, he says.
What honey.
Honey flowing from where.
Lucia reflexively snatched the gown fallen on the floor.
Fumble fumble. Swish. Tak.
"T-Today's Lucia will take her leave now-at!"
Voice cracked.
Princess shouldn't use interjections like 'at'!
But now there was no leisure to care about face.
Awkwardly stepped back.
"Then goodbye! Have a good night……!"
Opened the door with a forced smile.
And ran.
Ran down the hallway at a speed almost close to sprinting.
The path that was so long when coming was instant when returning.
Lucia opened her room door and jumped inside.
Bang.
Closed the door. Locked the lock. Even put on the latch.
"Hiek!"
Collapsed onto the bed just like that.
Covered herself with the blanket.
Shiver shiver.
Heart was still beating madly.
'……Survived.'
At least today.
But.
'I can't run away in the future either!?'
Fear didn't disappear.
Rather became clearer.
'Eat after making Emperor.'
Because she found out the Black Knight's plan.
Met eyes with the woman in the mirror.
"…I'm screwed."
Earlobes were still red.
Is it because of alcohol?
……Probably because of alcohol.
Let's say it’s because of alcohol.