ORHML 18

Chapter 18

I stayed in the Emperor’s palace, calling in strategists and sages to gather information about this place. At night, I listened to the Emperor talk about state affairs; during the day, I accompanied him to learn various things.

That’s why I’d been waiting for the right timing—unsure when exactly I should bring it up.

“I want to go to the victory celebration with Father.”

I said it while we were having tea together. Originally, I was supposed to go with Adrian, but right now, I didn’t even want to look at him.

“You’ve grown tired of Duke Russell.”

Since he sounded surprised, I added:

“Yes. But I’ll still marry him. I need the power of the Russell Duchy if I want to become Empress.”

“Then you’ll have to be with him at the Crown Princess appointment ceremony.”

“That’s why I want to go with you to the victory celebration. I don’t want to take him with me, but he’ll probably follow anyway, even if I don’t.”

I watched as he passed me the strawberry cake. I didn’t know what the original Princess Gracie liked to eat, but I hadn’t lived a life surrounded by such luxuries.

Perhaps that was why being surrounded by cakes, expensive teas, and beautiful jewelry didn’t feel so bad to me—though that was dangerous in itself.

Well, maybe it’ll all change once I hit 7 billion.

“The clothes have been prepared here.”

“You anticipated this?”

“I simply kept the possibility open.”

I wondered briefly if he would eat the strawberry if I fed it to him with my fork. I tried holding it out—and he accepted it naturally.

“Strawberries are sweet this year.”

And before I realized it, my pent-up worries slipped out of my mouth.

“My face has changed recently.”

“Will you show me?”

While living in the Imperial Palace, I’d switched to a simpler mask, which made it easier to remove. I took off the thin mask and looked at the Emperor. He pulled his chair right next to mine.

The face that had once been completely melted, with only faint traces of eyes, nose, and mouth, had now changed so that only my skin was lightly red.

“I see. Has the curse weakened?”

“Yes. It seems like the longer I stay in the Imperial Palace, the more it fades.”

“Then you’ll have to keep staying here.”

That was my intention anyway, but the Emperor looked so delighted that it was funny.

“You seem happy?”

“Of course. How could I not be?”

I’d gotten used to his strange habit of pressing and stroking as he petted me. Leaning my head into his hand, expecting his touch, his “you’re lovely” strokes melted my tense heart again.

I woke up in surprise as the bed rocked. It was still dark outside—dawn. Moonlight spilled softly into the room through the large window.

“Master.”

Why do you call me that? Just how did Princess Gracie treat you?

“Master, please don’t abandon me.”

I was startled when he wrapped his arms around my waist, but the status window that appeared at the side calmed me.

“Why are you here?”

“Because Master wasn’t calling for me.”

Joshua’s odd thing was that his words were gentle, but his voice was low. Soft words spilling from a voice that suited his beautiful face.

“Why am I your master?”

“Because Master claimed me.”

Princess Gracie… Just how many people did you claim?

“Wasn’t chastity important in your country?”

I touched his face—his eyes were wet. His golden hair slipped through my fingers, soft. When I stroked it, he caught my hand, as if asking for more.

“After that accident, my memory’s been strange.”

“What?”

“So I don’t really know much about you.”

His grip on my hand tightened. Among all the men my “sister” had taken, there couldn’t have been one easier to control than him.

“Why did a crown prince like you come here?”

“Her Highness said that if she took me, she’d let my country remain a vassal state.”

…Oh, hell.

She really was insane.

Asking for a crown prince in exchange for a country!

“H-how many times have we…?”

“What?”

“You know… slept together.”

“Ah, we…”

I thought he wouldn’t be shy, but he seemed just as embarrassed as me.

“W-we’ve done it a great many times.”

“How many, exactly?”

“Almost every day.”

“Did we do it with three people often?”

“Yes… frequently.”

So that’s why Adrian didn’t care.

“You, me, and Adrian?”

“Yes.”

When he finally released me from his hug, I ruffled his hair as if praising him.

“I’m sorry.”

Of course, it wasn’t really my fault, but right now I was Princess Gracie. I wanted to comfort him, since he’d given up his chastity to save his country. It was also my position to do so.

“I’ll make you happy, Your Highness.”

This game is definitely rated 19+.

Option 4!

“How exactly will you make me happy?”

“I’ll do whatever Your Highness likes.”

“How?”

I held him tightly to keep him from doing anything suspicious. His hand slid to my back again, his hair brushing my stomach. I patted his back to calm him, and his breathing evened out.

“I’ll only do the positions Your Highness likes.”

“Are you insane? No!”

“What?”

Damn it, my real thoughts slipped out.

“I-I mean, my memory isn’t whole right now, so I think I need time to prepare myself for that kind of thing.”

“Then if we do the positions you like, Your Highness, your memory will come back. You always praised me. You said I was your best toy.”

His impatient hands slid inside my negligee. His touch was so warm as it moved slowly over my thigh; his face came closer.

“Stop.”

“Does it displease you?”

“Yes.”

“I’m sorry.”

His hands stilled, and Joshua hung his head like a wilted flower. I saw tears fall from his chin, moonlight glinting in the drops.

Even when you cry, you’re pretty. It’s unsettling.

“I don’t know what I said before, but you’re not a toy.”

“…What?”

“You said we slept together.”

“…”

“So saying something like that to you makes me feel bad.”

I removed his hand from my thigh and pushed him down beneath me. He stared up at me, surprised. This game—why did it make all the men so handsome?

“Do you like me?”

“Yes.”

Only 25%?

As if numbers even mattered.

“I feel the same. So let’s wait until our feelings are a little stronger.”

“Then everyone will say I’ve outlived my usefulness.”

True—he was practically sold here as a sex slave. If he couldn’t fulfill that role, it would be hard for him to survive.

Though it angered me that my sister had manipulated him, I admired his courage in coming here. He chose me over her. If I could use that, I should.

If the Deyrid Kingdom was a vassal state and its slaves were spread throughout the Empire, then using Joshua was the perfect way to change Princess Gracie’s image.

“Come here every day if possible. But until I give permission, let’s not do things like before.”

“Yes.”

Something heavy—like an extra battery—pressed against my stomach. I ignored it and unbuttoned his thin shirt. His thick neck was revealed, veins visible.

I stroked it.

“Uh… Your Highness?”

“Stay still.”

I blew warm air on his neck, and the thing pressing below grew even larger. His trembling hands on my shoulders were adorable, so I kissed him lightly. His whole body shuddered when my lips touched his neck.

“Shouldn’t I leave a mark or two?”

“Uh…”

I left about two marks before pulling away.

“You think so too, right?”

He said that, then moved on top of me. Even in the dark, his emerald-like eyes glistened with tears.

“I’ll leave a mark too.”

“Alright.”

He pulled at my negligee, burying his face in my neck. He nibbled and then bit with his lips—tickling yet heating my body.

“Ah… uh…”

“I love Your Highness’s voice.”

I couldn’t stand it anymore and stroked his head, telling him to stop. He lay down beside me and slipped an arm under my neck, making a pillow.

“You used to like arm pillows.”

Maybe Joshua didn’t believe I’d lost my memory.

Perhaps he thought this was just another new game.

That would explain his composure.

He smiled at me as if he loved me, but I couldn’t miss the flicker of something else in his eyes.

“Yeah, it feels nice. Maybe because your arm is comfortable.”

“Please cherish me, Master.”

I lay closer at his coaxing. Even knowing his smile was fake, I had to admit—he really was handsome.

“Please take me as your concubine, Master.”

Even in bed, he had a way of saying the most outrageous things.

And he probably didn’t even mean it.