Chapter 7
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 7
Chapter Title: Chapter 7 - 7.
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 7
Chapter Title: Antiope Awakens
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Today, during meditation, I let out a deep sigh.
It felt like just one more step forward would do it, but that single step felt so incredibly heavy.
'Ah, this is frustrating.'
My chest felt stuffy, my head throbbed, and I sighed deeply again.
Regulating my breathing like this always improved my mood a bit.
"Your Highness. The demonkin slave you brought yesterday has opened her eyes."
As I stepped out of the Training Hall, a maid waiting outside delivered the fresh news.
It cleared the stuffiness in my chest right away.
"Oh, really? Where is she now?"
"They've had her wait in the Main Palace reception room. In case she causes a fuss, your wet nurse is watching over her."
"The wet nurse has it rough."
Hearing that the wet nurse was looking after her made me feel both sorry and reassured.
No matter what kind of temperament young Antiope had, she'd behave in front of the wet nurse.
"Wet Nurse, I'm coming in."
I headed to the reception room with the maid.
I opened the door without waiting for permission from whoever was inside.
There was the wet nurse sitting by the bed, smiling gently.
And the girl's face on the bed, sitting up with wide eyes fixed on me.
It looked just like a painting of a loving mother and daughter.
"You've come?"
The wet nurse smiled at me.
Her usual calm and gentle demeanor suggested nothing out of the ordinary had happened.
"Sorry to make you work because of me."
"Not at all. Besides, the child just woke up. Her wounds have healed cleanly, and there are no other side effects."
"That's a relief. Has she been well-behaved? She didn't cause you any trouble?"
"She was just a little startled at first."
While we talked, the maid who'd come with me quickly brought over a chair next to the wet nurse.
She's quick on the uptake.
"Thank you. You can go now."
I thanked the maid and promptly sat down beside the wet nurse.
My heart pounded just like the first time I'd seen the Emperor.
Back then, I'd been shocked to realize I'd possessed into the game world.
Now, I felt a similar shock.
"Sorry. You must have been really startled because of me?"
First, I met Antiope's eyes and apologized.
It was basic human manners, and by bowing my head first, I aimed to lower her guard.
In a good light, it built rapport.
In a bad light, it made me seem approachable, lowering psychological barriers.
"I'm... fine."
Antiope hesitated, glancing around nervously before finally speaking.
She's starting to talk now.
"That's good. Then, could you talk with me a bit? I know it might feel pressuring, and I'm sorry, but I have some questions."
"Yes. Go ahead."
Her voice was timid, almost a whisper, her pupils unfocused.
She already showed glimpses of that gloomy, brooding character archetype locked in.
Conversations with types like this were usually tough...
But somehow, it was going smoothly.
I asked, and Antiope answered.
I learned details not described in the game—or entirely absent.
Her parents, who had slaved alongside her, died from brutal labor.
After that, she was sold alone to the capital for odd jobs, in horrific conditions.
One meal a day, one cup of water.
Just enough sustenance to keep from dying, in exchange for many times that in labor.
Exploiting her naturally tougher demonkin physique for menial tasks.
From cleaning to emotional punching bag, sandbag, and victim of all sorts of abuse—until she escaped.
The typical life of a demonkin slave.
'Even hearing it makes me feel sorry.'
It wasn't my fault, but it felt oddly like it was, leaving a lingering unease.
My chest felt stuffy again.
And the one recounting her hardships was the game's heroine.
Antiope, no less, which made it hit even harder.
"You must have had it really tough. Nothing like that will happen here, so rest easy. I'll have them bring you delicious food."
I smiled at Antiope.
My mouth tasted bitter today.
"...Yes. Thank you."
Antiope replied in a trembling voice.
Her response was blunt, but she looked ready to burst into tears any moment.
Whether from comfort and gratitude, or reopened wounds, I couldn't tell—but it was something I shouldn't pry into lightly.
"Wet Nurse, sorry, but could you look after her for a while instead of me? Anyone else might make things hard for both due to demonkin prejudice."
"Yes, Lord Niu. Don't worry. I'll take good care of her."
The wet nurse smiled softly, even with this new task dumped on her.
As if she'd expected it.
"I'm a pretty high-ranking person here, you know? So don't be too scared and just live comfortably. If you need anything or have to watch out for something, the wet nurse will tell you."
The main reasons for assigning the wet nurse: to prevent anyone framing her, and to teach her basic knowledge.
"Wet Nurse, I'm counting on you."
"Don't worry. I'll teach her well."
"Thanks. Then I'll head out first. If I stay, she'll feel uncomfortable and won't rest properly."
Before leaving, I met the child's eyes one last time.
"See you next time."
Antiope stared blankly at the spot where Niu had left.
The face and voice smiling as he sat there lingered vividly.
"What did you think seeing his face in person?"
The white-haired woman asked with a gentle smile.
No trace of demonkin prejudice on her face.
"He seemed kind."
"He is kind in reality too, and he has no hatred for demonkin. It seems like he's even trying to protect you now..."
"Really?"
Antiope's eyes widened in an instant.
Protecting a demonkin.
That was incomparable to just saving one.
"That's how he sees it, anyway."
In any case.
Crown Prince's wet nurse, Cadmos, cut off her words and changed the subject.
"Lord Niu commanded it, so I'll teach you. First, manners and etiquette."
"Me...?"
"You have to. Think of it as abuse and labor turning into education—it'll make your heart feel lighter."
Education could become abuse depending on how it was done, but it all depended on the approach.
Just keep it within proper bounds.
Crown Prince's wet nurse, Cadmos, naturally knew those bounds well.
"We'll start training tomorrow. Rest for now."
Cadmos lightly patted the child's small shoulder and left the room.
Now, only Antiope remained alone in the vast room.
'What do I do?'
Antiope clutched her head and rolled around on the bed.
Having caught the Crown Prince's eye meant escape was out of the question.
Much better than her abusive humans, but she couldn't let her guard down easily.
Still, far better than before.
The burdens were greater, but no pain, no starvation—days she could live through.
'It'll be better than before. That's enough.'
Antiope stopped rolling and slowly sat up.
A tiny spark of light flickered over her deadened pupils.
Rumors spread like wildfire when there are many people around.
In a closed space like the Imperial Palace packed with people, they spread even faster.
—The Crown Prince brought in a demonkin.
Now, everyone in the palace knew.
If anyone didn't, it was just new hires starting today or a delivery person who'd stepped out briefly.
Once rumors spread, even frequent visitors catch wind.
Naturally, it reached Ekyon's ears too.
"Lord Niu. Did you really bring a demonkin slave into the palace? They seem so filthy..."
Ekyon, sitting across from me, asked in surprise.
Filthy, repulsive.
A bit harsh, but probably what most people thought.
"Do you think they're filthy?"
"Yes. It's admirable to pity lives, but demonkin are demonkin. I'm afraid they won't know their place."
Won't know their place.
A brutally arrogant statement.
Yet Ekyon's voice and expression held no arrogance.
Just calmly stating facts.
That made it even chillier, like my whole body was turning ice-cold.
'What do I do?'
Group opinions tend to follow influential members.
I could brush it off with authority, but I didn't want easy agreement.
Lip service.
Logic and philosophy that'd make heads spin didn't seem effective.
Ekyon was mature for her age, but still a child.
Needed something simple, emotional.
"I hate feeling wronged."
After pausing to think, I gave the easiest-to-understand answer.
Unfairness.
"Unfair?"
"You know how sometimes you get punished or scolded for no fault of your own? Or see it happen to others."
"Ah, yes. It's happened."
Ekyon's eyes sparkled as she nodded.
Real-life examples made it hit home.
"Demonkin probably feel the same. Some might have actually sinned to become slaves, but most seem wronged."
"The demonkin?"
"Yeah. Their distant ancestors sinned long ago, and they're still living as slaves for it. I'd feel so wronged."
A life confined to slavery due to an ancient yoke.
Horrifying just imagining it.
Parents' sins becoming children's sins was violent enough, but centuries ago? Utterly unfair.
"If distant descendants have to live as slaves for ancestors' wrongs... I'd feel wronged too."
A positive response slipped from Ekyon's lips.
Worth the deliberation.
"Exactly. That's why I saved her. Whatever the reason, she's a member living on Ion lands, right? Punish if guilty, care for if wronged."
"Lord Niu's thinking is the model of righteous politics. Very wise words."
Ekyon's eyes sparkled excessively.
They say sycophancy sucks up, but her flattery was next-level.
This much, and my ass would be raw.
"Uh, um... yeah. Thanks."
Awkward, but flattery's still praise, so I expressed gratitude. Though I felt sheepish, her sincerity kept the mood light.
Not oppressively heavy, air relaxed.
Perfect for leisurely tea.
"Um, Lord Niu. May I ask one thing?"
As my teacup emptied, Ekyon asked.
What could it be, with that apologetic tone?
"What is it? Ask freely."
"That demonkin slave... no, the demonkin child—what's her gender?"
"A girl. Why?"
In that instant, a heavy shadow flickered over Ekyon's pupils.
As gloomy as Antiope's.
"Then, what does that girl look like? Did she seem decent to you, Lord Niu?"
Asking about a girl's looks with eyes like that?
I could already glimpse intentions to keep Antiope in check.
Maybe not, but likely.
"Yeah. Pretty like you. She'll be even prettier grown up."
I answered innocently, casually, like it was no big deal.
Usually, you'd say 'not as good as you' or 'no interest'—textbook moves.
But.
Females fussing, vying for even a scrap of favor.
That's me.
Even I find it obnoxious, but reality.
So no burden in answering.
Utterly free, at least on girl matters.
"Thank you for answering."
Ekyon smiled softly, lifting her teacup.
Clearly smiling, yet her eyes felt uniquely cold and sharp.
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