Chapter 7

I was a slave.

As a child, I was a spectacle for dirty men, living by drinking muddy water. I survived, enduring indescribable pain and humiliation.

I didn’t want to die. I reached out for the basic human desires.

Even as a child, I had come to realize and accept that people are not equal.

“No! Stop!”

A certain man branded me to subdue me. A mark of slavery that would never fade. No matter how much I scratched, no matter how much I tore my skin, no matter how much I mutilated it with a sword, the brand would not disappear.

I killed that man and rose to my current position using only my swordsmanship and my beauty. The men who had bullied me now knelt before me.

It felt good. At the same time, I was also afraid. I could not show my brand to anyone. Despite being praised as a beauty, a part of my body was horribly infected and ugly.

I hate men. Men and... people who bring slaves.

And I especially hate healers who claim they can heal me, learn my secrets, and try to threaten me.

This man is no different.

He claims he can heal me, and if he learns my secret, he will try to use it to control me. I must not let my guard down.

*

The Empress’s bedroom.

Seeing Florence with her shoulders exposed, I was speechless.

“What... is this?”

There was a deep, dark brand and torn skin. In some places, it was infected, a truly terrible sight.

“Don’t make me talk too much. Can you heal it or not? Be clear.”

“No, this is...”

“So you’re a fake too! What, are you going to threaten me with this?”

“It will take time.”

“Huh?”

I took off my coat and grabbed her wrist.

Even to use healing magic, this wasn’t an ordinary injury or illness.

Branding was common in the past, even though it’s banned now.

“Stay still.”

“What... what are you... don’t touch me!”

I touched her shoulder.

It was thinner and whiter than I expected.

That’s why the scars looked even more painful.

“Florence, I will heal your scars. But I will have to... glimpse into your past, so don’t complain.”

Emotion is important when using magic. The desire to help and save the person is what makes healing magic more effective. As a result, I often see deep into their past.

I will glimpse into your past, so don’t complain.

“No healer has ever been able to heal this scar! How... how could you...”

“Then why were you still looking for healers?”

“Well, that’s...”

Florence had always wanted to get rid of this scar. Even though she knew it was impossible, she struggled and suffered.

I felt a strong desire to save her.

“Heal.”

As I cast the healing spell, Florence’s memories flooded into me.

...She was a former slave.

After a few minutes, I finally managed to remove the brand. The scars were not fully healed, but with repeated healing, they would eventually disappear without a trace.

“R-Really... the brand...”

“I’m sorry, I saw a bit of your past.”

“You... and men...”

Was she ashamed or happy? Florence bit her lower lip, her face flushed.

“The healing is done, and the brand is gone. I won’t hold it against you.”

“You won’t... threaten me?”

“Threaten? With what?”

“I’m a beauty! Many men would want to control me with the secret I’ve revealed!”

“I won’t.”

I could say it definitively.

I think healers who exploit patients’ wounds or threaten them are third-rate. I’m second-rate, but I’ve engraved this in my heart to avoid falling.

“...What kind of person are you?”

Florence looked down, taken aback. She seemed like a young girl in some ways.

And I, for some reason, because of the position and the feeling, did something unconsciously, like I do with Fels.

“You’ve worked hard. It must have been tough.”

I patted her head.

Oh, I patted her head!

She said she hates men, but I did it anyway!

I do this to make Fels happy, but Florence is different!

“Y-You... don’t... c-comfort me...”

A weak punch hit my stomach.

It didn’t hurt.

“I... I don’t... my heart... what is this feeling!”

“If you’re in pain, I can heal you.”

“D-Don’t come near me! I... I...”

I helped the weak Florence stand up and returned to the hall to inform her that the treatment was complete.

*

“Nigris-sama! I was worried!”

“I’m fine, I’m sorry for worrying you.”

Florence came out from behind him.

She seemed to have regained consciousness on the way and was trying to maintain a composed expression despite her blush.

“Your head! Is the mysterious illness cured!?”

“...Prepare.”

“Huh?”

“Prepare a house for Nigris-sama!”

“Wh-What!?”

Florence’s subordinates, the thieves, started to fuss.

...She said she would give the best house if the healing was successful.

The fact that she kept her promise made me think she was a rare type in the slums. She might be useful in business, so maybe I should trust her a little.

“I can’t believe it!”

“The head who hates men...”

“She has a maiden’s face!”

Florence’s subordinates were in an uproar, saying they couldn’t believe it.

Living together... surely that’s a joke. I’ll pretend I didn’t hear it; it sounds too troublesome to think about.

“Nigris-sama! If you want anything else besides a house, just say it!”

“You’re being too familiar with Nigris-sama!”

“I just want to understand the feelings I have for Nigris-sama!”

For now, I decided to let her guide me to the house.

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