Chapter 84

As usual, Jin and I sat at the table.

Today’s meal is a special course prepared by the head chef, Narito. The main dish is white fish, which was brought from a coastal territory, covered in ice magic. It seems that fish in the capital is quite expensive.

Such a delicious course consists of six dishes, including dessert. They look so appetizing, sparkling.

"Shina, you like fish too, huh?"

"I don’t get to eat it often—ah, it’s so delicious!"

The pan-seared white fish, seasoned with a hint of salt and the aroma of butter, is so good it makes me tremble. Narito has really mastered the use of dairy products... He’s truly a royal chef.

Jin smiles worriedly from across the table as I savor the fish. Since that incident, I’ve been a bit stiff around Jin. I try to forget it during meals because it’s disrespectful to the delicious food. Jin seems to notice the change in me but doesn’t ask anything.

Jin and I still eat together for every meal. Even though we spend so much time together, I worry if he’s doing his job properly. When I ask, he just says, "I’m doing fine!" But after the meal, Barry comes to take him back, looking furious, so I guess he’s not doing well, probably.

For the final course, a delicious dessert was served. It’s a stack of small pancakes topped with fruit and drizzled with sauce, placed on a plate with a golden rim. It’s a work of art, beautiful and sweet, with the aroma of butter. It’s exquisite.

After finishing the last bite, I’m so full. I’ve eaten too much.

"Ah, I’m so full. I’m getting sleepy."

A feeling of drowsiness washes over me, and I’m about to fall asleep.

"I had a hard training session today, so I’m sleepy too. But I have a meeting with the Nalys Kingdom’s soldiers afterward. Shina, you should go to bed early."

Jin yawned loudly and headed to the meeting with Barry. I tried to keep my head up, but Kiri, unable to bear it, picked me up and laid me on the bed. The maids looked worried, but when I smiled and said I was just sleepy from eating too much, they chuckled and dimmed the lights in the room.

I fell into a soft, happy sleep...

◇◇◇

A little while later.

Three people entered Shina’s room.

"She’s sleeping soundly."

Samuel smiled, looking at the deeply sleeping Shina.

"Yeah, we can move her quietly."

Bisk grinned.

"Let’s move quickly."

Kiri, looking anxious, picked up Shina. She has many attendants, and he was worried that another maid might come in at any moment.

The three of them moved Shina to a rarely used room in the palace. The room, filled with old furniture, was clean but rarely visited.

Kiri laid Shina on an old bed. She mumbled in her sleep. Kiri couldn’t bear to look at his mistress. Even though it was for her, he had drugged her and brought her here without permission. He felt overwhelmed by guilt.

Samuel smiled gently at Kiri.

"Kiri, you should go back and cover for Shina’s absence. Also, pack her things. You’re coming back to Nalys Kingdom with me. I won’t let you go this time."

Hugged tightly by Seriel, Kiri blushed, nodded obediently, and left the room reluctantly.

"Let’s take her back to the kingdom and have some fun, Kiri. After that, we’ll play with her, okay?"

"Be quiet, Bisk. What if someone hears us?"

"We’ll just have fun right now."

"You’re an idiot."

Laughing, Samuel turned his attention to Shina. She had been sleeping soundly, but now her breathing was becoming heavy, and her face was turning red.

Slowly, Shina opened her eyes.

"Ah, Shina, are you okay? You must be feeling uncomfortable..."

A man with shining golden hair and emerald eyes approached the panting Shina.

"W-Who...?"

"My name is Samuel. I serve as Lady Rana’s attendant. I’ve come to greet you, Shina."

"...Huh? Ah, your hair looks like Prince Lector’s..."

Still half-asleep, Shina looked at Samuel dazedly and muttered incoherently.

"To be compared to Prince Lector, the most handsome man in Daido Kingdom... That’s a compliment. Do you miss him?"

Sliding his hand over Shina’s, Samuel caressed it with a seductive movement. Shina shivered.

"Oh, you’re trembling so much. How cute. Your face is so red. Your body must be burning hot, right?"

He stroked Shina’s cheek. The touch was so unsettling that Shina couldn’t stop shivering.

"No!"

Leaning over Shina, Samuel twisted his lips. He wasn’t interested in children, but her small size didn’t mean she couldn’t be enjoyable.

"Oh, this must be uncomfortable. I’ll gladly help you recover, Shina."

Bisk, who had been hesitant, now took Shina’s other hand and kissed it, grinning lewdly.

"Ugh... What... Where am I? What happened to Kiri?"

Noticing the unfamiliar room, Shina looked around in a frightened voice. Her body wouldn’t move as she was surrounded by unknown men, and fear began to rise within her.

Samuel laughed lowly at Shina’s words. Her heavy breathing and moist eyes, combined with her youthful appearance, exuded a strange allure. Samuel licked his lips.

"Stop... Why? My body won’t move..."

Samuel smiled kindly at Shina’s panic and fear.

"Shina, you’ve taken a drug that makes your body feel hot. Kiri, your loyal attendant, drugged your dinner."

"Kiri? No way! Kiri would never do that!"

"She did. For gold coins and her love for me, she betrayed you easily. Poor thing. Don’t worry, we’ll comfort you."

Samuel combed Shina’s hair and smiled. Shina’s skin prickled as she saw the cruelty in his eyes.

"Why? What did I do?"

Shina, trembling and on the verge of tears, made Samuel shake his head.

"For someone of your status to receive the favor of Prince Jinklett, who is Lady Rana’s companion, is inappropriate. You’ve offended Lady Rana. If Prince Jinklett knew that you used your position to seduce us, Lady Rana’s attendants, he would be heartbroken. Don’t worry, Lady Rana is probably comforting the heartbroken Prince Jinklett right now."

Hearing Jinklett’s name, Shina’s eyes widened.

"Jin? What did you do to Jin?!"

"Oh, we gave him a drug too, but a less potent one. Lady Rana’s charm would make Prince Jinklett desire her even without it, but just in case... Now, shouldn’t you focus on yourself?"

Shina’s face showed shock as Samuel loomed over her with a dark smile.