Chapter 7
THANKS to the existence of color contacts, Yuki never had to avert her eyes from others. She never felt ashamed of the eyes she inherited from her father, no matter the curious looks she received from others.
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A soldier acted as their guide upon entering the castle gates, gradually leading them deep within the still damaged fortifications. At the end of the labyrinth of bloodied halls, torn banners, quickly built makeshift furniture, and wary-eyed soldiers, stood a door riddled with cracks. General Isis was waiting for them on the other side.
He was a man of lanky stature and slender physique. His eyes were so narrow no one could tell if they were open. His large top hat clashed greatly with his military uniform, which should have been worn with an armored helm instead.
He looks like a fox, Yuki thought as she stole a peek through the gap in her mantle. She kept her eyes cast down, thinking it best their eyes didn’t meet. A small shadow loomed by Isis’ feet. A girl the same height as Yuki stood there. The girl wore a long red dress with a loose hem. She squeezed Isis’ hand like she was frightened.
“You kept me waiting Lucat. I was beginning to wonder if you would ever accept my invitation,” Isis said without preamble.
“Thank you very much for your most kind invitation,” Luca responded in a pleasant tenor. Yuki recalled Luca’s full name was Cendol Lucat Adolunde.
Oh, he’s switched into his fake pleasant mode, Yuki noted as Luca slid into a friendly conversational mode with the general.
Yuki stared at the girl beside Isis. The girl’s beautiful jet-black hair nearly reached her waist, and her eyes were a forest green. Yuki smiled when the frightened girl’s eyes met hers. The girl’s face crumbled like she was about to break down crying, then stiffened when Isis put his hand on her head.
“I never imagined Adolunde’s knighted prince had a penchant for little girls.”
Yuki felt Luca’s hand flinch. By saying Luca had a thing for little girls, he must have meant Yuki was the object of his affections.
Hang on! What’s this guy saying! It’s impossible for a man handsome enough the idols of Japan would pale at his good looks to have impure feelings for me—a girl who looks no older than ten!
Yuki frantically tried to deny it—her cheeks flushing red with embarrassment. What if it’s true?
“Oooh, she has an adorable reaction,” Isis’ lascivious tone had Yuki using her free hand to pull the mantle past her chin, hiding her face from his perverse leer. “You see, this adorable girl here was quite hard to tame at first, but she’s recently become the most obedient little lamb. Submissiveness is charming too, but I always enjoy breaking them the most. Hehehe,” Isis’ high-pitched, creepy laughter echoed through the room.
“The moment they realize there is no hope and their bodies give in to my touch just does it for me like nothing else will.” Isis finished by directing a provocative look toward the shivering girl at his side. His very presence sent a shiver through Yuki.
“About the negotiation terms,” Luca mildly interjected. Both his smile and demeanor were subdued, but an intimidating air surrounded him.
“Oh dear, how formal you are to bring up negotiations already. Personally, I would love to become good friends with you before we jump into the negotiations—especially when we share such similar hobbies,” he said lasciviously. Yuki grimaced, his tone made her sick.
“Besides, it’s too boorish to discuss such things right away. I finally have guests visiting my newly acquired castle; it would be rude of me not to host a banquet in your honor.”
Luca opened his mouth to say something, but Isis started ordering servants who had been out of sight preparing for the banquet before Luca could object. Isis proceeded, completely ignoring Luca’s silent rage.
“Please relax in the room I have prepared for you until everything is ready,” Isis said with a sickeningly sweet smile.