The Tyrant Covets The Slave -R19 - Chapter 11

Beher took Lucy to her room and stayed by her side. It was very awkward for her to take care of someone, but she couldn’t leave her alone.

 

Lucy seemed to have woken up, but after a day she was still unconscious. She seemed to be in shock from what had happened the other day.

 

In the meantime, Beher had memorized all the information about the Emperor. There was thorough preparation for the play, including the laws of the Horn Empire and the people around the Emperor. As she flipped through the history books one by one, she felt a sense of déjà vu. The achievements of great Emperors were always accompanied by the Great Department of Education.

 

As historians, they were the traces of his dedication to the study of history and spirituality, and the time they spent together as the Emperor’s helpers. At first glance, it would seem that they were invaluable friends and colleagues.

 

Not the kind of people who would commit treason.

 

Why would the emperor order the killing of his loyal subjects? It seemed that there was a hidden history that the world didn’t know about.

 

At first, she was sick and tired of studying history. But now she was intrigued. Most of that interest was related to the Grand Duke , but it wasn’t bad.

 

It was also important to have fun to continue the play thoroughly.

 

“Ah….”

 

Lucy’s mind came back to life and she began to grunt. Her fingers and toes twitched.

 

Beher closed the book she was holding roughly, then she grabbed Lucy’s shoulders and shook it lightly.

 

“Lucy? Are you awake?”

 

“…Hmmm.”

 

She was still not speaking properly. Was she dreaming? Beher wondered if she should wake her up, and then decided to leave her alone to sleep some more.

 

‘She must be tired.’

 

Beher picked up the book again. As she was about to read the words inside, she heard a cry.

 

“Haaaa…”

 

“….”

 

Lucy was always walking around cheerfully, so Beher didn’t feel any other sadness in her. However, Lucy seemed to be in sadness right now.

 

As she broke into a cold sweat, Beher closed the book again. She dipped a cloth in water and carefully wiped Lucy’s forehead. Apparently, she could not study.

 

Lucy’s eyes became teary, and soon, tears fell down.

 

Beher wiped away her tears with her fingertips.

 

It was obvious that she couldn’t hear them anyway, but Beher still wanted to comfort Lucy. She wanted to give back the kindness to her as Lucy had done the first time they met.

 

“Lucy. Don’t cry.”

 

After soothing her for a while, Beher fell asleep.

 

***

 

She thought she closed her eyes only for a moment, but the sun was in the middle of the sky. The dull weather had somehow given way to sunshine.

 

Beher rubbed her eyes, got up, and stretched out. Where did Lucy go?

 

[I’ll be right back, My Lady. Lucy!]

 

She found a note taped on a small table. She thought about looking for Lucy, but the cheerfulness she could feel in the letters reassured her and she decided to go back to her room.

 

Beher went to bathe. When the maids helped her bathe, she wasn’t comfortable. She could do well on her own.

 

There must be scentless soap…

 

The flowery scent wafting from her body was strange and she wanted to use unscented soaps, but Lucy didn’t like that.

 

Roses, dandelions, peppermint, etc. There were many different scented soaps scattered all over the place.

 

When she finished bathing and got out of the bathroom, someone familiar was sitting on her bed. There was only one person who would do such a bold thing…

 

“Your Highness…”

 

Beher was embarrassed, as all she was wearing was a gown. At any rate, he was the master of this mansion, and she had no authority to stop him anywhere he went.

 

“Did I visit early?”

 

It was early, but Beher did not say it.

 

“No… is there something urgent?”

 

Beher tightened her gown and hobbled off to enter the dressing room.

 

“Your Highness, could you please wait a moment? I don’t think it would be polite to greet Your Highness in this state.”

 

Lucai’s eyes fluttered. He was staring at the droplets of water running down her collarbone, as if he was now aware of them.

 

He seemed to be slightly swaying, but soon nodded as giving her permission.

 

Beher thought about changing into a simple dress, but opted for her training clothes, thinking she was going to practice sword fighting outside.

 

When she came out of the dressing room, Lucai tilted his head curiously.

 

‘”…… Are you going out for a ride somewhere?”

 

It was a natural question because he didn’t know that Beher was practicing swordsmanship.

 

“No, I’m learning daggers from Sir Ben.”

 

A vein popped up on Lucai’s forehead. It still looked like it was going to burst, but he had no expression on his face.

 

“…With Ben?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“When did you two become so close? I’m sure you’ve only known each other for a short time.”

 

Beher wasn’t close to Ben, but she was just keeping him close because he was someone she trusted. After struggling with what to say, Beher opened her mouth.

 

“I’m inexperienced in the use of daggers, and Sir Ben has coached me a few times.”

 

With those vague words, Lucai folded his arms and stood up. The way he walked over was confident.

 

“I told you to put on a play. I didn’t tell you to go out and fight in the war.”

 

Something didn’t sit well with him, and he growled at her angrily. He approached Beher closely and touched her collar.

 

Her whole body tensed because of the close distance. She had just bathed, but she felt like she was going to break out in a sweat.

 

The wrinkled collar was straight out. Lucai grabbed her collar and didn’t let go for a while, even though he had nothing more to say.

 

Beher was so nervous she couldn’t tell if she was breathing or not.

 

His hand seemed to be moving away, but when Beher thought she was free, his fingers touched her cheek.

 

When he finally wanted to get out, his fingertips touched Behrou’s cheek. A cold drop of water moved to splash up.

 

“Are you eating well?”

 

When she saw him naturally rubbing her cheek as if it were his, Beher wanted to refuse, but she held it in.

 

“Thanks to Your Highness’ concern.”

 

“You’re good with words, aren’t you? Take care of yourself so you don’t interfere with the contract. Try not to collapse like someone else.”

 

He was talking about Lucy. It seemed that he came to her room, probably thinking that her presence in the square would possibly interfere with the contract.

 

For a moment, she mistakenly thought that he was worried about her. Beher’s cheeks flushed red. She was ashamed by the illusion she shouldn’t have as her life was easier than before.

 

“I will keep it in mind.”

 

As Beher answered with an effort, Lucai withdrew his hand.

 

“Practicing sword fighting is good, but you should also prepare for your debutante.”

 

He didn’t seem to need Beher’s reply anymore, and he left the room just like that.

 

Beheru repeated his words with a vague look on her face.

 

“Debutante….?!”

 

That day, Beher took off the training uniform she was wearing and changed back into a dress. It seemed that she would have to be virtuous as a young lady, as the Grand Duke Lucai wished.

 

Beher went out to look for Lucy.

 

“Lucy!”

 

She had only learned how to survive, she had never learned any of the other necessary social dances or speaking skills. Her father said that such things were useless. He scolded, saying that there was no place to use even if she learned to dance.

 

She could sympathize with his words to some extent, but in hindsight, she regretted it a little.

 

‘Will I be able to learn in a short time?’

 

Beher went to Lucy’s room but she did not see her. Beher asked a passing servant.

 

“Where is Lucy?”

 

“Oh, she went to the Lady’s room.”

 

The paths seemed to have crossed.

 

Beher grabbed the skirt of her dress and almost ran towards the room. Then she opened the door roughly.

 

“Huh? Lady! Where have you been? I thought you were in your room, but you weren’t here.”

 

 

Beher was relieved to hear Lucy’s cheerful voice.

 

“Is your body all right?”

 

Lucy opened her eyes, a little surprised.

 

“Of course I am! Who am I? I’m Lucy Smilla. That’s me. By the way, Lady, come and sit here.”

 

“What’s Smilla?”

 

To her surprise, Lucy pulled her over and sat her down in the chair.

 

“I should have given it to you first, but it’s too late.”

 

There was a bright yellow pudding and tea on the table. Lucy didn’t rest, even though she had fainted.

 

The pudding was right in front of her was the pudding that Beher had blithely looked at in the dessert store. Lucy observed it, not letting her small interest escape her.

 

The fact that she paid attention to the details was gratifying. She felt the urge to nitpick. However, concluding that as long as Lucy was safe, it was fine, Beher filled his mouth with the pudding and munched. The taste was lighter than she had expected, but not bad. The taste lingered long after Lucy had arranged it. The pudding had a thick lingering taste.

 

After having tea time for a while, Beher remembered the name she had heard earlier.

 

Beher looked at Lucy. At first glance, she looked like someone she knew. She wanted to ask, but she had to explain too much to do so.

 

‘Let’s just ask something simple.’

 

While Lucy was humming, Beher opened his mouth with courage.

 

“Lucy, are you an only child?”

 

Lucy’s  humming stopped.

 

“No. I had one older brother.”

 

“You had?”

 

“Yes, he disappeared three years ago.”

 

“…”

 

“…He was a very clever and reliable brother, but I don’t know what happened to him. He went missing for a while now. I don’t even know if he’s dead or alive, and it’s really frustrating…. Well, I’m not thinking about it now.”

 

Maybe…

 

“What’s your brother’s name?”

 

“Ron Smilla. That’s my brother’s name.”

 

‘Oh no, it doesn’t make sense. How can I hear that person’s name here?’

 

Beher recalled the dying spirit in front of her eyes.

 

A brave man who was kidnapped by her father and escaped after being subjected to all kinds of experiments. Even as the arrow pierced through his body, he never lost his pure look in his eyes and spoke to Beher honestly.

 

“You must escape… All you have to do is to be strong. Don’t worry about it. This blood is nothing. There are many things. It’s okay, there is no need to cry. Run away and live so that you will never be hurt again. Please… Don’t lose that power…..okay?….akkk! Ackkk!” (Choking sound)

 

As she listened to his last words, Beher fought back tears. She wanted to cry, but she couldn’t cry in front of him. It was cruel. One of the reasons why Beher had decided to take revenge on her father was precisely because of Lucy’s brother.

 

‘So you were sad because you saw your brother in your dream yesterday.’

 

Beher looked at Lucy smiling brightly and swallowed the sadness in her heart.