Imprisonment (2)
Commander Beka, clad in full plate armor, asked Yu in a cautious tone.
The torrential rain that had poured down earlier had finally stopped.
The prepared spot for immediate teleportation stood empty. We had arrived early and waited, yet the one who was supposed to show up never did.
Sorry. I’m sorry, Lady Beka. You went out of your way to help me like this.
Yu gazed at Beka, who was worrying over him. His breath caught unconsciously at the otherworldly purple strands of her hair.
The woman who reached up to his shoulders had a callused palm and fingers between her fingers and palms—the mark of someone who swung a sword for a living.
Her appearance and ability were both outstanding. Among the knights who suffered from unrequited love, there were quite a few.
Commander Beka.
Elina Arita’s most loyal sword and the younger daughter of a deeply rooted count family.
No, not at all. I simply hoped that Seong-hyun-nim would be safe.
For some reason Beka’s expression darkened as she muttered to herself.
Yu glanced at her and gave a tiny nod.
Because orcs sometimes appeared here.
Even after long years of subjugation, they kept resurfacing and causing trouble. Rumors even circulated in whispers that they might be linked to the Demon King.
If Seong-hyun had been caught by an orc—
The horrifying image that flashed through Yu’s mind made him tighten his eyes. The sky had already turned pitch black, and the anxiety was swelling.
Beka looked at him with a strange gaze, one hand slightly raised in an ambiguous gesture.
Eh?
Ah, sorry. I thought something got stuck in your hair.
Ah, thank you.
Beka’s face flushed in embarrassment as she awkwardly peeled the leaf off Yu’s head.
The deep-blue hair, illuminated by moonlight, flowed softly.
Yu did not understand why she was helping him so much. There was no reason for her to do so.
If it hadn’t been Beka, the plan would have been impossible from the start.
Her high status and capital were an invaluable blessing.
In truth, Yu had sensed a certain degree of Elina Arita’s strange relationship with Seong-hyun. And that it was, to some extent, one-sided.
If the princess had already issued her orders to her most loyal knight, Seong-hyun should never have left the palace to begin with.
The knight with the ponytail kept her mouth shut, turning her head slightly to the side.
Yu opened his mouth to break the awkward silence.
Why are you helping me?
…Why are you helping him?
Yu found it hard to read the knight’s mind. All he felt was that she was looking at him with curious eyes.
Yu slowly examined the item in his hand. The forged identification he had prepared for someone was no longer useful.
The muddy water pooled on the ground. The buzzing of insects in his ears. The wind against his skin.
Perhaps he should just give up. At least for now.
Helping Seong-hyun is because of my special characteristic.
Eh?
Beka’s eyes widened in surprise.
Yu chuckled softly and took one step forward.
Saying that it’s “an individual characteristic” is strictly private information.
Then why bother…
Yu could sense the influence the other party was trying to catch. How calculating.
But because the concept was too abstract, it was unfortunate that various applications were difficult.
Yu, with his stuttering speech and low self-esteem, had no choice but to marry.
As a man, the only thing he could do for the family was—
I knew that a marriage with an age gap was arranged for me. It was something I felt instinctively. I understood that my future with the opposite woman was nothing but darkness.
An endless abyss. A promised despair. A conclusion I never wanted as a man.
Realizing that, Yu rushed into the palace and became a servant. It was the first time he had ever spoken his own fate out loud.
Beka stared at him with wide eyes. She would never know the meaning of womanhood. Whether she looked at him with pity or sympathy, it made no difference.
Seong-hyun was different.
He was closer to that darkness than my arranged marriage partner. But—
It was an unexpected opportunity. Unforeseen success. My own different ending.
He decided to trust his own characteristic. His only power.
Beka opened her mouth as if to say something, then closed it tightly. But Yu could guess what she was about to ask.
Lady Beka is different too. Of course, I can’t tell you that.
…
Seong-hyun-nim is not the type to be coddled. Anyway, let’s go back.
After organizing his thoughts, Yu was certain. Someone who could accomplish something even without talent.
I see. So be it.
The prepared carriage ended up not moving to the original destination after all. Amid the strange silence, the two of them headed back to the palace.
When I opened my eyes, all I saw was the high ceiling. But something felt off—the softness behind my back.
Ugh.
When I turned my head, a soft sensation touched my cheek. A pillow of appropriate size made from a material that wasn’t bad at all.
Just yesterday, my body had been lying limply on the sofa. Now it rested on a bed covered with a white blanket.
Eh?
But my body felt uncomfortable. Something was going wrong—a red light flashed in my head. The foggy mind sharpened at the sharp metallic sound.
What is this?
An anklet. The moment I saw it, my heart pounded like a hammer. This wasn’t right.
Sir, you’re awake now?
When I rattled the chain, Jane entered the room as if she had been waiting. I asked her.
What is this?
Anger surging higher made her rattle it harder. It hurt. Annoying.
Just breaking your ankle wasn’t enough?!
Don’t be angry. Moving around this body of yours is even more dangerous.
Is that what you have to say now?!
Even a sigh didn’t come out from Jane’s shameless tone. My breathing quickened and I felt as if I had been hit with a hammer on the head.
Why are you doing this? There must be a reason.
…It seems like you’re mistaken.
Jane’s lips twisted in a crooked smile. As if she had heard a question that didn’t make sense.
You couldn’t finish paying off your debt. Do you think your body belongs to you?
…You’re still saying that?
When would you stop acting like a body merchant? Jane lightly tapped her lips with her finger, then sat down next to me. A faint rose scent brushed my nose.
If you hate prostitution so much, sell yourself to me only. It would be better for you anyway, right?
Are you saying that now?!
Why do you interpret things your own way? I spilled the puzzle pieces that flashed through my head without filtering.
Hah. Maybe you even like me?
I said it, but it sounded funny. Yet the moment my words ended, Jane’s movements stopped.
The suspicion that had bloomed like a sprout.
The moment I spoke, it filled with conviction.
You said you hated me. You’re tired of me.
Jane’s frowning face looked like an unjust prisoner. She still remembered the words I had said back then.
So I don’t like you. But I need to be by your side. After all, you are the most precious product I’ve ever spent an enormous amount of money on.
Her face came closer as if to intimidate me. But her expression looked pitiful and lonely.
At this moment, she resembled a kitten I had seen in my childhood rather than a wild animal. Even if she ran away when I approached, she would rub against my legs from underneath.
Unlike my heart, my arm reached up and touched her head lightly. Her face was incredibly seductive and beautiful, yet why was her personality like this?
Be patient and wait. I’ll be back soon, Sir.
When she was startled by my hand pulling away, Jane gave a faint smile. Without hesitation, she stood from the bed and left the room.
Your complexion doesn’t look great. Should I bring a doctor?
No need. Get out.
After Jane arrived at the brothel, she quickly pulled the door handle. Her state of not having slept at all left her quite irritable.
She slowly walked toward the vanity. Various items were arranged intricately on the shelves.
In the mirror, the beautiful woman with fair skin raised both arms as if performing an action. As she ran her fingers through her well-groomed red hair, its roots appeared.
Interestingly, the roots of the red hair were pitch black.
Jane pressed her eyelids with her fingers, then slowly sat on the chair.
Knock knock!
Hah.
Jane put the dye tool she was holding into the drawer. Holding the lens tube she couldn’t hide in time, she shouted.
Come in.
Then a burly man entered. I didn’t know his name, but I knew his face roughly.
He was a man working at this brothel too. Just a common brothel attendant.
His appearance wasn’t bad at all. A man known for the muscles that made some women go crazy.
Hmm. What is it?
I want to quit my job.
How interesting. Then what about the money you borrowed so far?
Said the man with sparkling eyes.
The boss over there agreed to cover it.
Hmm. That?
It wasn’t a small amount.
Lately, quite a few of the guys leaving my shop weren’t few.
Whether they paid their debt by their own means or borrowed from outside like this guy.
Not many. But if it piled up, it wouldn’t be a small blow at all.
Yet it was bothering me.
She received pretty good conditions, huh?
…Ah. Yes. That’s how it is.
The name of the shop the man mentioned was objectively lower than my own brothel.
New brothels trying to catch up by imitating the system were a few.
But I didn’t need to know about that. I just needed to earn money.
Within the capital, my brothel was the best. I didn’t need to lure customers from other shops.
Understood. As soon as you finish talking with your boss, I’ll handle the paperwork right away.
Thank you.
Yeah. Go.
The man walking toward the door suddenly remembered something and asked.
Ah, right. Boss, lately the guy isn’t showing up much?
Hmm. Who?
…The black-haired one? The good-looking guy with black eyes. That unlucky— no, handsome guy. Has he been scouted already?
Jane’s fingers that had been tapping the desk stopped. Her own murderous gaze, unaware even to herself, made the man’s body stiffen.
If the job’s finished, why don’t you go? Hmm. Do you have multiple lives?
Excuse me. Sorry.
The man leaving like a mouse looked pathetic. Jane, who had been sitting on the chair, soon leaned back against the backrest.
…I wonder if he’s doing well.
Recalling the person left at the camp, Jane closed her eyes slightly.
Whenever I see him, I end up thinking of someone else.
So maybe I’m doing something uncharacteristic of me.
Black hair like mine. Black eyes. Slightly similar build and atmosphere.
Now his face is hazy.
I miss you.
Dad.