Chapter 88

"Phew... I was quite nervous."

After the informal meeting with Abe Macbeth, who was both the Minister of Justice and an imperial spy, Melrina Marcel sighed deeply.

Melrina got into the carriage she had prepared in advance and set off on her way back. Inside the carriage, apart from her, only one maid was seated.

"Your persuasion was magnificent, Miss Melrina. I couldn't handle such negotiations, so I'm relieved."

"I am honored by your praise, Lady Naimilia."

The maid's words of praise. Melrina responded with a slightly tense expression.

A young lady in a dress and a maid in a uniform. To an outsider, it might seem that the former is the superior, but the relationship between these two is the opposite.

Melrina carefully paid attention not to offend Naimilia, and spoke with a raised gaze.

"With this, Minister of Justice Macbeth, one of the upper nobles of the royal palace, will work for Prince Raidor. Are you satisfied?"

"Yes, I'm sure Master will be pleased too."

"That's good to hear."

Melrina heaved a sigh of relief at Naimilia's bright smile.

Naimilia always wore a carefree smile, but Melrina knew that it was only superficial.

Naimilia was one of the 'Six Witches of Destruction' who had nearly destroyed the world, and one of the most terrifying monsters in existence.

The evidence of Macbeth's treason, which was used to corner him, was found by Naimilia summoning a shadow familiar.

There were no secrets from the shadows, which could infiltrate anywhere.

Macbeth, along with other influential nobles in the capital, had already been completely exposed, and their weaknesses were all in Naimilia's grasp.

(What a terrifying person. Truly, terrifying...)

In the past, Melrina had tried to curse and control Raidor but failed, and was subsequently imprisoned in the prison of the frontier city.

Originally, Melrina was a pawn sent by her father, Rockwood Marcel. She was prepared to be captured or even killed.

However—what befell the imprisoned Melrina was a living hell more terrifying than death.

(King, Father—forgive me. I have no other choice but to do this.)

Melrina touched the chest of her dress and lowered her head, hiding her troubled eyes behind her lashes.

On Melrina's left chest, a curse mark carved by Naimilia was etched.

The design of the mark, similar to the one engraved in Granado, tormented Melrina's heart day and night.

"Oh, since you've worked so hard for Master, you deserve a reward, don't you?"

"Such... Ahh!?"

"Don't be shy. Look, it feels so good."

"Ugh... Hah... Stop, Ahhhhh...!"

Melrina writhed in intense pleasure that assaulted her body, letting out a moan.

She had experienced this intense pleasure countless times, but it never allowed her to get used to it, gradually eroding her rationality.

Since the failure of her plan and her capture, Melrina had been tormented and driven mad by the curse.

This continued even after Raidor and Naimilia left the frontier city for the capital.

Left behind in the prison of the frontier city, Melrina spent her days alone, comforting herself through the iron bars.

(I thought about dying many times. But... this witch wouldn't even allow that...)

Every time Melrina tried to take her own life, an indescribable intense shock would pierce her body, causing her to lose consciousness.

When she woke up, the curse would poison her body again, and this cycle would continue infinitely.

Melrina had been educated by her father, the prime minister, to live and die for the Kingdom of Zain.

As part of this, she had also undergone training to endure torture.

However, she was made to realize that such training was useless against the witch's terrible techniques.

"Pain can be endured with training, just like how you get used to spicy food over time. But no one can resist love, happiness, or pleasure. I was sealed for two hundred years because I loved 'that person.'"

These were the words Naimilia left before departing from the frontier city.

And as Naimilia said, Melrina eventually succumbed to the hell of pleasure.

The sexual urges that attacked her daily eroded her pride, beliefs, and rationality, but were carefully controlled to prevent her from completely losing her mind.

At first, Melrina resisted out of her ingrained patriotism, but eventually, she knelt before the curse and begged the witch for mercy.

"I am the daughter of the prime minister. The daughter of the Marcel family."

"I have the duty to live for the country. I have the duty to die for the country."

"Is that really true?"

"The kingdom doesn't help me even though I'm suffering so much."

"Even Father has abandoned me."

"Then, why do I have to serve the country?"

In front of the endless hell of pleasure, Melrina's beliefs melted like heated iron and eventually solidified into a new form.

"For the country, for the country, for the country."

"Prince Raidor becoming king would be better for the country."

"Since he has changed me this much, he can make this country better."

"The kingdom was supposed to be destroyed by the empire anyway. Then, the prince who saved such a kingdom should be the king."

The distorted belief gradually took a firm shape in Melrina's mind.

After several months of life in the prison, when Naimilia came to fetch her, Melrina knelt without hesitation.

"I swear my loyalty to Prince Raidor. Please accept my loyalty."

Prostrate on the ground, Melrina, in the most pitiful posture of her life, made Naimilia nod in satisfaction.

"I always thought you had potential. You will make a fine dog, Melrina."

Melrina would never forget the expression Naimilia wore at that moment.

A smile as gentle as the Virgin Mary. A calm smile like a loving mother.

It was a devilishly gentle smile that made Melrina believe that serving Prince Raidor was a happy thing.

"...We never had a chance to win. Not me, not Father, not even the King."

"Did you say something, Miss Melrina?"

"No, I didn't say anything, Lady Naimilia."

After being forced to enjoy Naimilia's reward and finishing her reminiscence, Melrina shook her head in response.

"So, what should I do next? I will do anything for Prince Raidor."

"Then, let's corrupt the merchants next. Before Master returns, let's make all the influential people in the capital his allies!"

At the witch's words, her face shining like the sun, Melrina gently closed her eyes.

When she opened them again, all her worries and doubts had vanished.

"Understood. All for our master—Prince Raidor."

Thank you for your support as always.

If you like, please rate this from the stars below.