Side: Anastasia (12)

When the bag was finally opened and I was allowed to peer out, I winced at the sudden glare. The transition from the darkness was jarring.

The room was as opulent as any royal court, illuminated by a magnificent chandelier hanging from the ceiling. Expensive furnishings were arranged meticulously throughout the space.

“Anastasia Kleiner von Ramslett. Welcome to the Est Empire. How was your journey?”

I turned toward the voice. Standing there were the Emperor of the Est Empire, the Crown Prince, and the Imperial Chief Magician. Next to them stood the man who had transported me here.

“Adolf... the Emperor of the Est Empire.”

“You’re missing a ‘Your Majesty,’ I believe?” Adolf said, mocking me. I glared at him.

“Forgive her, Your Majesty,” Günther interjected. “I’ll see to it that my wife is properly disciplined from here on out.”

“Who are you calling your wife?! You kidnapped me! I would never marry someone like you!” I shouted, directed my sharpest glare at Günther.

“So she says,” Crown Prince Igor added, his voice dripping with amusement.

“Good grief. My wife certainly is a stubborn one. What do you think, Prince Igor? Care to join in on her ‘education’?”

Igor flashed a vulgar, greasy smirk. “Perhaps. But she’s filthy. She smells so bad I don’t even have the urge to touch her.”

“Quite true,” Günther agreed.

I felt my face flush with a mix of humiliation and rage. It was true that I hadn't been allowed to bathe or even comb my hair since my abduction. But you’re the ones who forced this state upon me!

As I seethed, Günther turned to the man who had brought me here, his tone turning into an interrogation. “Hey, what’s the meaning of this?”

“For that matter, why does she still have the energy to resist?” Igor added. “Weren’t you supposed to violate her every day?”

“W-well, about that... Actually, she’s protected by some kind of mysterious power...” The man gave a strained, forced smile, looking visibly troubled.

“A mysterious power? With the Magic-Sealing Rope restraining her, she shouldn't be able to use a lick of magic.”

“That’s the thing! Whenever we tried to touch her, this incredible force blew us away. Even when three of us tried at once, we all got thrown back so hard we couldn’t move. It was just impossible.”

“What nonsense is this? Fine, then. Show us.”

When Günther gave the command, the man’s face twisted in blatant reluctance.

“What’s wrong? Do you have no use for your head?”

“U-understood!”

The man reached out, intending to strip me of my clothes. The moment his hands neared me, he was repelled by an invisible force and slammed violently against the wall.

“Ugh... gah... Y-you see? That’s what happens.” The man stood up unsteadily, leaning against the wall for support.

I see. So that’s what’s been happening. My chastity was still intact despite everything. This must be thanks to Lord Roh, the Spirits, and the Elf Queen.

“S-so, regarding the reward...” the man stammered.

“Half price,” Günther declared coldly. “I told you to violate her and break her spirit every day. Simply delivering her here is a job half-done.”

“Wait, you can’t be serious! I didn't sign up for this! I was even chased by a Sky Dragon at the end! You promised—”

“Do you have a problem with my decision?”

Under Günther’s glare, the man’s mouth snapped shut. He bowed once and hurried out of the room.

“Well, no matter,” Günther said.

Emperor Adolf turned to him with a questioning look. “Is this going to be an issue, Günther?”

“No, Your Majesty. There are plenty of other ways to break a person's spirit.”

“Very well. I shall leave the rest to you. Igor, don't overindulge yourself.”

“Understood, Father.”

With those parting words, Emperor Adolf exited the room, seen off respectfully by the Crown Prince and Günther. Then, Günther turned back to me, his tone purely businesslike.

“Anastasia. You are to become a loyal warrior for our Est Empire. But first, you will take a bath. You smell far too foul to be tolerated.”

As if I would ever serve the Est Empire!

His words were infuriating, but the prospect of a bath was a mercy I wouldn't refuse. I remained silent and allowed myself to be led away.

I refused all assistance from the maid they provided and finally cleansed my body for the first time in two weeks. I didn't trust her, and I also feared the barrier might blast her away if she touched me.

For the first time in a fortnight, my hands were untied. My arms felt strange and numb after being bound for so long, but the joy of moving my limbs freely was incomparable.

However, the relief was short-lived. In place of the Magic-Sealing Rope, they fitted me with a Magic-Sealing Collar. It was a crude, heavy thing made of hard metal. Since it was locked, I couldn't remove it myself.

Ultimately, I was still a prisoner.

My brief moment of respite vanished in an instant. When I stepped out of the bath, I found the clothes they had prepared for me: obscene garments that were little more than lingerie.

Damn them. They expect me to wear something so shameful? This is practically...

But I couldn't exactly walk around naked. With no other choice, I put them on. The fabric covered almost nothing, disgustingly emphasizing the lines of my body and my chest. It was an outfit designed solely to entice men.

I felt sick with embarrassment. I wrapped a bath towel around myself before leaving the bathroom. The maid tried to take it from me, but I refused with such vehemence that she eventually relented.

Even so, in this state—and with my magic sealed—escape felt like a distant dream.

I was led down into a dungeon. The cell was luxurious as far as prisons go, but it had no windows and the door locked from the outside. A high-quality king-size bed dominated the room, and next to it sat a row of outfits similar to the one I was wearing.

It was clear what this room was intended for.

But Lord Roh, the Spirits, and the Queen will protect me. I know they will.

Clinging to that belief, I resolved to endure, no matter how long it took.

Contrary to my expectations of an immediate assault, the door was simply shut and locked from the outside. The small peephole slid open, and Günther’s voice drifted through.

“Well then, I’ll see you in a year. I hope you can survive on nothing but bread and water until then.”

“...Eh?”

The peephole snapped shut. The lights illuminating the room died, and I was swallowed by absolute darkness.