Chapter 14
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 14
Chapter Title: Stone Mountain - The Last Night (Pure Love Brainwashing)
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Three weeks had passed since I started living in the mansion.
Contrary to my initial worries, life in the mansion wasn't half bad.
Aside from the occasional times when I'd poke at Marina's temper and create a tense atmosphere.
Activities within the mansion were generally free, but outings to the outside world were strictly forbidden.
So, I sent letters to Lena and Millia once or twice a week to keep them updated.
Replies came back the very next day.
Millia's letters were relatively calm and filled with hard-to-parse rhetoric, while Lena's were overly dramatic but made up of simple, straightforward words that were much easier to read.
"Glad nothing bad happened. I was really worried. You have to come back safe. I'm sad because it feels like I'm always making you do tough stuff because of my situation. _ I promise I'll make it up to you when you get back. Hang in there today too >_< - Lena, who misses Lia so much."
Gen Z much?
Days passed like that, and finally, the promised fourth week arrived.
That week flew by faster than usual. Marina had opened the court as agreed to judge the chief steward's crimes.
I participated in the trial as a key witness and one of the victims.
In the real world, trials could drag on for months or even years, but not here. Or maybe it was just Marina's personality.
The trial ran continuously over three days, with various pieces of evidence and witness testimonies presented.
From my modern perspective, it wasn't exactly fair. The judge was the victim herself—the lady—and all the witnesses were her own people.
Even the defendant, the former chief steward, didn't seem mentally all there. He twitched spasmodically even when standing still, and screamed if Marina so much as spoke to him. In the end, he pissed himself during the trial and had to be dragged out.
It felt like a somewhat perfunctory trial where execution could have been declared on the spot, but Marina insisted on following every procedure. I later heard from Millia, who came to observe, that every trial since Marina took power had been conducted strictly according to legal principles, no matter the case.
"The lady handles all administrative duties publicly since ascending the throne. That's her most important principle."
"She didn't seem all that upright, though."
"Not righteous, but legitimate."
That was Millia's assessment of Marina.
After the trial ended, the mansion, which had been bustling for a while, turned to quiet.
The maids constantly hauling related documents and the officials coming and going day and night all seemed to enter a lull.
That night, Marina summoned me to her room.
It had been days since she'd last called for me. After I arrived here, she'd forced me into her bed almost every night, but this was the first time this week. During the three days of the trial, she'd been even busier than me.
Marina seemed to have no limits to her stamina, but apparently even she couldn't handle that murderous workload and still have energy to fool around all night.
Well, all the better for me.
But on the other hand, I didn't exactly mind my relationship with her.
When the maid relayed that the lady wanted me in her room, my heart fluttered a bit, even if I hated to admit it.
Just a tiny bit, though.
When I entered the room, Marina was sitting naked by the window, sipping from a wine glass.
"The day after tomorrow is the promised day."
Marina said, gazing at the moon beyond the window.
I'd been worrying she might back out now, but she turned to me and continued.
"I have a proposal."
"What is it?"
"The former chief steward is dead. I was going to play with him more, but I lost interest. It's all your fault."
Marina stood and walked toward me, step by step.
"You've changed something inside me. You reattached what I once perfectly cut out. Those words you said to me that day. Loneliness. That word won't leave my head."
"Then make a friend."
"Maybe I will. But who? There's no one in this city equal to me. I can't ask someone to become my equal. There can only be one monarch."
"Aren't you taking friendship too seriously? It's just... someone you can open up to."
"Right. A relationship without formalities. Someone to share secrets with. Like a fairy from a children's fairy tale."
Marina chuckled as she said that.
"Will you be my friend?"
Then, suddenly blushing and shyly, she made that offer.
Almost like a confession.
"Friend? Sure, I can do that."
Even if her personality was a bit bitchy.
Even if she was a villain.
Living here, I'd seen Marina's hidden sides.
Still, she was someone I couldn't like, clearly.
Marina was, after all,
surprisingly pitiable.
I never dreamed I'd feel that way back then.
"Then quit adventuring and stay by my side. I'll give you anything you want. The now-vacant chief steward position. Wealth. Power. I'll let you rule me just as I rule this city."
Marina pressed close like a spoiled child and pleaded in a desperate voice.
"That's..."
For a moment, my heart wavered.
Trait: Adventurer
But you know it. You can't stay in one place for long.
"Sorry, I can't. I want to see more of the wide world."
"Of course I won't chain you here forever. I'll allow you short trips. You're not in prison. Not confined. Just making your nest here."
Marina grabbed my hand and begged desperately.
You sense Marina's resolve. She won't bend her stubbornness without conviction.
[1. Persuade][2. Give Up (END)]
I chose 1.
[Requirement: 20]
Rolled: 5
[Very High Charm: +10]
[Low Intelligence: -3]
Final result: Fail
"Still no...!"
Time, which had paused briefly, began to flow again.
I shook off Marina's hand and said it.
Marina's face filled with despair moment by moment.
I couldn't bear to look and turned away.
"Adventure is more important to me. So... I'm sorry."
"Adventure, huh."
Marina muttered in a suddenly calm voice.
When I looked back, her expression had become more emotionless, like back in that audience chamber.
"It'll be a harsh journey. You have the talent of a fine swordsman, but lack the wits. You might get hurt over and over until you finally die. You think you'll become great, but you're wrong. Countless more talented than you have failed. Who do you think you are?"
Marina spat cold curses.
"Marina...?"
"You remind me of my mother. She was like you. Believed in the impossible and clung to it. Believed a man who loved only her body and power would go that far. It was just adultery. The worst kind of affair. He didn't love her. I loved her. She never loved me back. Still, I respected her free will. Even when she blamed me and left, I believed she'd gain enlightenment. But all that returned was loss. Why didn't I realize? The one I love is one of my people too. I failed in my duty."
She muttered frantically, questioning herself, pouring out words, then staggered back exhausted and sat in her chair.
Soon, she poured wine into an empty glass. Then she took a small vial from a drawer and emptied its contents into the glass.
She swirled the glass and looked at me.
Sad eyes. But resolute too.
Soon, Marina smirked and said,
"Go ahead."
"Really...?"
"Fool. Didn't I say I hate repeating myself?"
Marina brought the wine glass to her lips and tilted it.
I felt unnecessarily sad.
Why act nice at the end?
If I hesitated, it'd be harder to leave, so I steeled myself and turned.
The moment I took a step,
There was a presence behind me.
And then it happened in an instant.
Marina approached from behind, cupped my face, forced it around, and pressed her lips to mine.
Then she forced the contents of her mouth into mine.
"Hng...! Mmph...!"
I ended up swallowing it.
"Let go!"
I barely shoved Marina away.
"What did you make me drink?"
"Enslavement Potion. That chief steward hid it. Seems he planned to use it as a last resort if things went wrong. What a vicious man."
"Enslavement Potion..."
"Whoever drinks this has their soul eroded by the provider's will. Catalysts vary from blood to saliva. But since we shared it, the effect is half and half. I'm enslaved to you, and you're enslaved to me. If your will is stronger, it has no effect."
Suddenly, chills ran up my spine.
An immense cold assaulted me. Not from outside, but from within.
"Hic...!"
A ruthless chill like my nerves freezing made me shudder and groan.
"So warm. Your soul. I never imagined feeling such peace and warmth in my lifetime. You're kind, Lia. The sunlight of my heart. A gentle ray cradling my soul. But warmth can't beat the cold. Despair is thicker than hope, fear easily overwhelms courage. The human heart embraces darkness more readily."
Marina murmured softly.
Tears welled in her eyes and fell. She wiped them with the back of her hand and smiled at me.
"Looks like I won."
Meanwhile, I was too confused and terrified to respond.
My head throbbed.
I felt something inside me twisting, changing. Like being overwritten, painted over.
"Don't worry."
Marina spread her arms and embraced me.
She gently stroked my hair and whispered,
"I will lead you on the right path, Lia."
"Hic..."
My vision blurred.
Then went dark.
I hope you've been well.
I read all the letters you sent these past few days carefully. Your worry for me, and how much you cherish me, came through loud and clear.
Thank you, but no need to worry.
I fell ill briefly because after the trial, during a private meeting with Lady Marina, I overdid the drinking.
It is embarrassing, but I believe you'd understand.
Lady Marina said she received all the evidence items you needed while I was down.
So, you don't need to stay in the city anymore.
I plan to stay here a bit longer.
This sudden change of heart comes from realizing my own shortcomings while living in the mansion.
This world is harsh; you can't survive on recklessness and stubbornness alone.
Talent is the vessel, experience the food that fills it.
Fortunately, Lady Marina has shown me mercy with a proposal.
I plan to stay by her side for a while and learn about the world.
This is purely my own decision, not coercion or inducement.
When I feel I've adventured enough, I'll try then.
Opportunity might not come again, so I want to prepare thoroughly if possible.
I've gone on mostly about myself.
If you visit the city again, please come see me.
Nothing better than catching up after succeeding in our respective places.
I wish you countless successes ahead.
— Your steadfast comrade and friend, Lia.
The banquet hall was packed with people.
Not just the city's power brokers, but representatives from various villages too.
Proof of how important this event was.
I crossed through them, walking the red carpet laid out.
Whispers, predatory stares appraising me.
I'd have been intimidated before, but now my heart was strangely calm.
Because I knew.
What they saw or felt here didn't matter, wasn't important.
The essence of things is defined by those who define them.
A drunkard's ravings don't sway the scales of power.
At my destination, I knelt on one knee.
The hem of my vibrant velvet dress spread like waves.
"Lia."
I raised my head at the call.
There sat a black-haired woman on the throne, looking down.
Her posture overflowed with authority as always, but now laced with a new softness.
Others might not notice the faint light, but I could.
Because we shared souls.
"I hereby appoint you as my new chief steward. By my authority, you will be respected and honored, and serve as my eyes and ears. Will you do so?"
Marina's lips curved slightly upward.
Her face still near emotionless, but I could feel it.
It was the expression of a mischievous kid, excited.
So dishonest.
"I will, my liege."
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