Episode 18
The gag around Julian’s neck was emitting a threatening reddish light.
“Uh…”
He was gripping the wound on my leg tightly, causing the blood that had momentarily stopped to flow again.
“Snap out of it, Duke Leonhardt.”
He still didn’t seem entirely sane. His eyes looked as if they had a certain flavor, and it seemed to be a side effect of completely releasing the gag.
“Julian.”
“Click…!”
Whether the gag was activated or not, he released the leg he was holding and crumpled to the floor. It seemed like the side effect was triggered when he got excited, and he appeared agitated after seeing the blood.
“Yvonne, uh, this…!”
“Calm down.”
The leg was still throbbing, but as I often sat on the floor with my injured leg lately, I decided to resign to it. Sitting on the floor, I gently stroked his hair that still seemed to be in pain.
“Breathe evenly.”
“Huh….”
“It’s okay. Right?”
The rough breathing gradually became more stable. The leg was getting moist with blood, and despite wiping it with alcohol, the wound seemed to have opened again.
“Yvonne… Hug me, please.”
He raised his head, still looking at me with eyes that resembled those of a mad person. However, it was clear that the gag was functioning properly.
“Come here.”
As he rushed to embrace me, we both tumbled to the floor. His hair scattered in all directions as he fell. Perhaps because his head was right above my heart, he looked similar to Hildebrandt. Indeed, in the original work, those two seemed to be drawn to each other like fate. Perhaps their essence was similar.
A beast disguised as a human.
“Please, caress me.”
“Yes.”
It was bothersome, but I couldn’t help but stroke him.
He seemed to be calmer now, as the reddish light that had been emanating from his neck had disappeared.
I have to do well. Then later, when he leaves, he’ll forgive me and won’t come looking for me again. Let’s think. He spent the entire day here, confined and under threat. So, I have to treat him well. He must be in a state of emotional distress.
When Julian remained still without any movement, I looked at him, and he seemed to be unconscious.
So, I pushed him away.
“Uh…”
I knew his muscular and heavily built body would be heavy, but I didn’t expect it to be this much. However, I didn’t want to wake him up for no reason, so I tried to push him slowly, but it was impossible.
He couldn’t move his body as if it were laid flat on a bookshelf.
“Darn.”
At that moment, the door to the basement opened. I didn’t hear any footsteps.
“Can I help you?”
“…Yes.”
The man lifted Julian off me and gently laid him on the floor. I thought about covering him with a blanket, but I decided not to show any signs of doing so unnecessarily.
As I tried to move away slowly, I realized that I had to go outside with the intruder. I had no choice but to follow the man, who gestured for me to do so.
“How did you know?”
“I don’t know.”
Marquis Rohan, an esper who was a book merchant and possessed the ability to manipulate memories. He called himself my fiancé.
“Haven’t you left the palace again?”
“It’s 4 a.m. now, Your Highness. Her Majesty summoned me early.”
“But isn’t my father asleep now?”
“How would I know?”
“Did my father tell you?”
“What are you talking about?”
“That thing.”
Finally, he turned to look at me. It should be fine if Hildebrandt informed him. My leg was still too painful; blood was oozing, and the pain was sharp.
I need to go back quickly and treat my leg.
“Well then, have a good walk.”
“Your Highness.”
Ignoring his call, I turned around to go back to my palace. Pretending not to notice him approaching again, I walked away.
“Your Highness.”
“What, what is it!”
Suddenly, he hugged me, and I was taken aback. Afraid of falling, I tightly grasped his hair.
“Why did you hurt your leg? Did you have an intense playtime with a pet or something?”
He seemed to have a somewhat hurt expression. Annoying.
“Even though you said meeting other men was disgusting to you.”
“There’s nothing between me and Julian.”
“Yvonne.”
“Call me Princess.”
Even though I intentionally gripped his hair tightly, he seemed unaffected. So, I decided to grab his shoulder. I wish I hadn’t come without my guards.
“What did my father say?”
“He mentioned that Your Highness cherishes the new pet a lot.”
“I don’t cherish it.”
“Then what was that earlier?”
“Do you think that looked like cherishing? Putting a restraint on the neck and making someone faint?”
He stared at me in silence, and it annoyed me as if I were being interrogated. He’s not even a real fiancé.
No, wait. Marquis Rohan’s ability was quite useful. It’s the power to manipulate memories. He might erase memories before releasing Julian. If I can use this person.
“Yvonne.”
“It’s ‘Your Highness.'”
“As Yvonne mentioned, I’ve been working on strengthening my physical strength lately.”
“Did I say such a thing?”
Come to think of it, it did seem that way. It felt like my shoulders and chest had become much firmer, perhaps due to some kind of training.
Curious, I pressed my fingers on them, and he chuckled as if the tension had been released.
“Marques.”
“…Yes.”
In the original story, every time Princess Yvonne wanted something, she used to call him by this nickname. Just as she did now, his eyes softened, showing less arrogance.
“Can you make a potion that erases memories?”
“…Yes.”
“Make just one for me.”
“For what purpose do you need it?”
“If you make it, I’ll invite you to my palace. Officially.”
“How soon would you like it?”
He swiftly changed the subject, making me almost laugh. He seemed to be harboring some futile hope. Just because he listened to me doesn’t mean it will lead to anything more. It seemed simpler than I thought, so I felt a bit relieved.
“As soon as possible. Before my father goes on the diplomatic mission.”
“There’s one more condition.”
“What is it?”
“Let me call you by a nickname too.”
“Sure.”
Just a nickname would be fine. Since I couldn’t fully trust Julian, it might be a good idea to have some insurance.
* * *
When I returned to my room, Evony was waiting.
“Call the doctor and summon the maids. I want to take a bath.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
As soon as I arrived, I removed the Negligee. Perhaps due to the wounds on my legs, I felt dizzy. I had shed too much blood today. The desire to leave the palace quickly was growing stronger.
“Ah…”
As I undressed and headed to the bathroom, I saw Hill, who had a tail hiding his eyes while curled up. That was undoubtedly the work of an esper manipulating him. However, I was too exhausted to think about it now. Too much had happened in a day.
Entering the bathroom, exhausted but pretending to be fine, I saw the maids. Before entering the bath, they wiped my body with water. I sat on a comfortable chair after applying some water to my body. The maids started applying body wash with sponges, wiping my body.
Their touch was gentle, and I felt myself dozing off. I lay on the comfortable chair to avoid falling asleep. Yet, as time passed, their hands massaging my arms and shoulders made me feel good.
Regardless, the scar on my neck didn’t need to be covered anymore, which was a relief. It was done to avoid being noticed by Hildebrandt.
“Your Highness, I’ll massage your scalp as well.”
“Sure.”
The feeling of the comfortable chair against my back was refreshing. My head was pulled out of the chair. It was Evony using her abilities to move me like a puppet. Warm water flowed down my forehead, and the scent of shampoo filled the air. Finding comfort in their touch, I kept my eyes closed, seeking solace.
“Evony.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Evony, you’re the best.”
“I am honored that you think so.”
She casually said so, continuing to massage my head. It was a melting feeling, finding comfort in her familiar and pleasant hands.
When it was time for the massage to end, I continued to enjoy the comfort until it was all over.
Before entering the bath, I needed to wrap a bath towel around myself.
“Bring Hill here.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
As if reluctantly, Hill was brought in, as if to acknowledge that I was already in the bath. Because, as fragile as a wolf may seem, Evony could easily subdue such a creature with one hand.
“Squeak…!”
It went into the water once and immediately jumped out. Seeing Evony following to catch it, I gestured to stop her.
I closed my eyes in the bath and naturally fell asleep.
* * *
Watching Princess Yvonne fall asleep on the bed, Hill, who was looking at her, confirmed that she was completely asleep. After raising one paw onto the bed as if confirming her deep sleep, he gazed at her.
Then he headed to the main palace. When Hill arrived at the main palace, Hildebrandt, who had fallen asleep before, woke up and reached out his hand.
As if obeying, Hill approached and lay down on his bed.
“What did you see today?”
He smiled and breathed his magic into Hill. While absorbing the memories contained in it, he laughed.
