The Beast's Heart
"Come to think of it... Miss Riley, is there no talk about your engagement?"
As I chewed over our reunion after so long while riding the train, that thought suddenly crossed my mind. In this world, where values were broadly similar to pre-modern Earth, the rate of singles wasn't all that high. Men or women, unless there was some major defect, pretty much everyone got married eventually. Of course, being a student was reason enough to put it off. But for someone like Riley from the upper echelons, they'd often settle on a marriage partner early for political reasons...
"Uh... Professor, you asked first, so it feels weird to say this, but... mind if I ask you something?"
"Sure. Go ahead. What is it?"
"That 'political reasons' stuff... you think we need to worry about it?"
"...Ah."
Now that I thought about it, yeah. It was so irrefutably true that I ended up nodding without realizing.
"People from other countries are so weird. I can't understand why they'd marry someone they don't even like."
"Tell me about it."
"Uh... so if no one like that comes along, you just stay single forever?"
Beni, sitting next to Riley, chimed in with that question.
"Does everyone have to get married to live?"
"Well... yeah, maybe not, but..."
Riley's words were spot on, but Beni still looked a bit uneasy. Marriage was seen as something you "had to do eventually" in the Empire's common mindset. Failing to start a family was basically the same as being weeded out by society.
"There are plenty of paths in life, aren't there?"
I tossed that out lightly while watching her.
"Even Her Imperial Highness the Crown Princess is still single."
No, maybe that wasn't the best comparison. The Crown Princess had just postponed it, after all. Pregnancy and childbirth weren't easy in the first place—they required all sorts of preparations. But she especially had to be careful. Her body was her body; it was literally life or death. At least in a world full of supernatural powers, the odds of the absolute worst happening were low. Still, considering the ordeal during the process and the high chance of lingering aftereffects, she had every reason to tread cautiously. She probably wouldn't even try until after ascending the throne and securing her position.
Most Imperials seemed to think the same. And if she wasn't having kids, marriage could wait. The whole reason she had to marry was to produce an heir, after all. Actually, that wasn't just her—pretty much all marriages in this world boiled down to that. It wasn't just about tying the knot; the emphasis was on "starting a family."
"What about you, Miss Beni...?"
"Um... embarrassing, but I haven't had any experience like that yet."
"If that's embarrassing, then all of us here are embarrassed too."
"Oh, right. Sorry."
No need to apologize. I waved it off casually.
"I've never even thought about dating a boyfriend or anything..."
"Beni... are you into girls, maybe?"
"N-No, I'm not?!"
"It's fine. Unlike the narrow-minded Imperials, I respect that sort of thing."
"I said I'm really not! ...Probably."
Beni frantically denied it, though she sounded a tad uncertain. But it wasn't like she was hiding her orientation; she'd probably just never thought about it that way before.
"Why so unsure?"
"It's just... everyone around me keeps asking if I'm a lesbian..."
She wasn't. Good thing I hadn't assumed.
"Honestly, you kinda give off that vibe."
"Even you, Riley...?"
"That's the attitude that's the problem!"
Beni looked a bit downcast at Riley's scolding(?) and lowered her head slightly. She peeked up at Riley like she was gauging her reaction. All she got in return was Riley pointing accusingly. This time, Riley was doing all the attacking, so yeah, it was 100% her fault... but I could kinda understand the vibe.
From my previous world's perspective, it was like a cute, slender nerd guy acting this way around women... Of course the guys would whisper, "Is that dude gay?" Even in a place where discussions about gender roles had progressed, guys who were soft-spoken or into petite types still got that "gay" label. In the Empire? It had to be worse.
"Can you sleep keeping your distance in the dorm?"
"...Y-Yes."
"...I'm kidding, so don't make that face."
Riley, who'd been grilling Beni, saw her reaction and looked apologetic as she patted her shoulder. She seemed a bit thrown off that Beni didn't snap back like usual. Well, in a way, it was inevitable. If it was just mindless attacks, Beni might've fought back, but realizing she might actually be bothering Riley had softened her resolve.
"I've thought you seemed a bit lesbian-ish for a while, but didn't we sleep together in the dorm last time?"
"...Top and tail, right?"
"So dry—just stating facts!"
While they bantered like idiots, I felt the magic train starting to slow down. Unlike that emergency stop from the ooze balloon way back, this was a smooth deceleration. Not long until arrival.
Thinking that, I glanced out the window—and sure enough, buildings came into view against a vast grassland backdrop. As the train entered Safel Dulla proper, more structures appeared. A bronze horse with a proudly flowing brown mane reared up on its forelegs at the plaza entrance. Riley let out an "Ooh" seeing it through the window... but even as a big statue, it was only a few meters tall. The slowing train passed it in no time.
Instead, what caught the eye was the massive structure looming in the distance, exuding grandeur even from afar. Safel Dulla Racetrack, once the Empire's largest horse racing venue. A circular arena reminiscent of Rome's Colosseum. The difference? No events unrelated to horses.
It was the site of a massive cavalry clash during the Empire's chaotic era long ago. There were other spots perfect for breeding horses, but the Empire's premier ranches were built here to commemorate that battle. Politics and whatnot probably played a role too... but I wouldn't know. A history buff friend from my past life raved about it, but I could never get into that hobby.
"Once we get off, let's head to the dorm first, drop our bags... then take it easy sightseeing. Any places you especially want to go?"
I turned back to the students and said that just as the train pulled into the station platform.
"Number 3! Number 3 surges ahead in that gap!"
"Aaaahhh!"
"Fuck, why lift your foreleg there?!"
"Professor! The favorite they called Number 4 already seems toast!"
...Yeah, figures. Shouldn't have bothered asking.
"Ooh... so this is the Empire's racetrack..."
"What do you think?"
"Looks pretty impressive!"
Eh, I'll take it as a compliment. I probably wouldn't say much more than "looks cool" at awesome architecture myself, so no room to judge.
With that in mind, I shifted my gaze straight ahead. A statue stood at the Safel Dulla Racetrack entrance: a general famed for her heroic exploits in the Battle of Safel Dulla. Her proud figure atop the pedestal bore words she'd left behind. I pretended to read them while sneaking a peek up her skirt.
...No panty rendering. Shame.
"Miss Beni, you said this is your first time at a racetrack."
"Ah, yes. Never really been interested until now..."
She nodded at my words.
"But I've gotten a bit curious lately. Taking classes and all..."
Humans naturally want to apply what they've learned. With a foundation, you notice details you missed before. It was only natural her interest had piqued.
"Then let's start by buying admission tickets and parimutuels."
"Admission... oh, so you can get in without betting?"
"Exactly. But I recommend grabbing a parimutuel too."
"Huh?"
Beni tilted her head, like she hadn't expected that.
"Not saying empty your pockets. Just think of it as a little extra on top of admission—bet a bit on a horse you're rooting for. Can't hurt."
Win or lose, part goes to the track as fees, part to national coffers. Beni’s eyes sparkled like she'd had an epiphany.
"Such loyalty without the Emperor here...?"
Riley, meanwhile, looked mildly horrified. On second thought, saying "my money becomes fertilizer for the homeland" did sound like peak ultranationalist drivel...? But... doesn't offering your wallet to His Majesty get you a little excited?
"Why wouldn't His Majesty be here?"
"...You win. Just say the professor wins."
I thumped my chest and said so, making Riley's expression even more complicated.
"It's not about winning or losing, though..."
Frankly, I felt a bit wronged this time. This was straight out of political education class. Left chest: the physical heart from the gods, to be offered back to them. Right chest: the spiritual heart from His Majesty, to be offered to the homeland. The imperial salute—fist over the right chest—existed to show that resolve clearly. Probably on officer academy exams too. Not that I knew; I'd been kidnapped by that elf stacked with seniority before even starting.
"Anyway... so can I bet too?"
"Of course."
"Then I'll skip Number 4 and pick something else. Any horse you recommend, Professor?"
"Skip Number 4... the horse?"
I asked, puzzled by her answer.
"I don't know horses well, but I know the jockey. She's top-tier among this generation's racers."
"Is that so?"
"Plus, didn't you say at the academy that Number 4 was the top favorite?"
Sure, you could pick what catches your eye. Favorites don't always win, or gambling wouldn't exist. But avoiding a specific horse? There had to be a reason.
"Yeah, that's what people said."
"Then why avoid it?"
"Why are you asking? You telling me to trust the eye of someone who's gotten wallets emptied?"
"Uh..."
"I'm not an idiot."
It was so logical I had to concede. Duh—these were the idiots who'd trusted Riley with illegal gambling that could mean severe punishment. No wonder she filtered their opinions.
"Any other recommendations?"
"Like I said, I don't know much about this."
"Thought you bought a lot since you suggested it."
"Oh, I do buy parimutuels often."
I didn't watch races much, but that was par for the course. Racetracks were limited, and transport wasn't modern Korea-level. Plenty bet at off-track parlors without ever visiting.
"Then how come you don't know?"
"I pick which horse by lottery."
"Don't you usually lose...?"
"Yeah. If I do, my luck ran out there. God's will, right?"
Then why do it?... Riley eyed me like she knew exactly.
Why, indeed. Win, great. Lose, you get to offer money to His Majesty. Pure upside. Sure, fees and taxes take a cut, but the rest goes to fellow beauty gamblers. Fine by me.
"Pick one too, Miss Beni. I'll cover it."
"Huh? No need to go that far..."
"Forgot? It's not my money."
"Ah."
I had to bet somewhere anyway; just giving her pick power on part. Win or lose, it all gets donated—no loss.
Whatever she chose, balance hits zero.
"Th-Then... the favorite, Number 4...?"
Even now, picking safe. So Beni.
I nodded and continued.
"For me... hmm. Miss Beni, what's your birthday?"
"Uh... June 3rd. Age limit or something?"
"Half the confiscated cash on Number 4, the rest on the 6-3 exacta."
Empire's legal adulthood was 16. Restrictions varied, but 19 never hit any.
Just needed random numbers.
"I'll go with 3! Name sounds strong!"
"You sure? Odds are nearly 30."
"Uh... not sure what that means, but... Professor, you going by odds?"
"Of course not."
I didn't need to win. Riley pondered my confident reply, then spoke.
"Professor, come visit Groomha next time. Someone like you, I'll make an honorary tribesman."
"......"
No, this bitch really.