Chapter 8

The Lazan decide everything based on the law of the jungle. According to this logic, ‘Equilla’ is not a hereditary title. Any Lazan warrior can challenge their leader, and if they win, they become the king, the new Equilla. Therefore, it was natural that the Equilla was the strongest warrior in Lazan. Also, perhaps because of this, they weren’t very interested in succession.

The reason the Lazan wanted a princess was simple.

『What man would refuse you? You are a noble Thessarian, and so beautiful.』

A sense of victory from possessing something unattainable.

The Lazan, persecuted as barbarians before the war, both worship and hate Bellares. That’s why they yearn for a Bellares princess, yet easily kill her.

Daphne managed to speak in a calm voice.

『Your words put my mind at ease. However, I haven’t started my period yet…』

『Don’t worry about that.』

Feeling the corners of her lips, which she had barely managed to lift, tremble, Daphne closed her mouth.

『Enna is Thessaria, and Thessaria’s will is Enna’s will. There are exceptions to everything.』

Cornered, Joffrey simply disregarded the temple’s rules. What she had feared had become reality.

『This will be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for you too. Right?』

Around that time, Joffrey became convinced that there was a fatal “defect” in Daphne’s body. It was unusual for a woman nearing twenty not to have started her period.

『You should answer.』

Daphne barely managed to nod in response. The next moment, Joffrey grabbed her shoulders and turned her to face the city.

『Look at our people.』

The city, ravaged by the long war, came into view. Outside the royal palace, it was a disaster. There wasn’t even a shadow of its former glorious prosperity.

『They worship us. Shouldn’t we answer their faith? It’s your turn.』

『…….』

『We will eventually save them, Daphne.』

Daphne turned and looked at Joffrey. When their eyes met, Joffrey gently curved his eyes. Then, Joffrey removed his hands from Daphne’s shoulders.

『Now, let’s go down and have some tea, it’s been a while.』

Joffrey, who seemed to be in a particularly good mood, looked even lighter on his feet than before. But then he started kicking a guard madly for sneezing in front of him.

The screams for help were ear-splitting, but no one stepped forward. No one could. Death loomed heavily over the faces of the soldiers facing the ground. They looked powerless, as if resigned to their fate. As if they knew that Enna wouldn’t protect their lives. They just stayed in their positions, following orders, seemingly without any faith left.

In the end, blood splattered again today. The coppery scent stung her nose. Daphne frowned and closed her eyes. It was hard to even gauge where things had gone wrong.

Wouldn’t it be better for this city to just burn down entirely? Daphne thought.

💎

Joffrey called for Daphne when the feast was in full swing.

As Daphne, her face veiled, appeared, a strange silence suddenly fell over the noisy banquet hall. Joffrey extended his hand towards Daphne.

『My beautiful sister. Come closer.』

Daphne carefully stepped into the grand hall. With each step, attendants arranged her trailing skirt. And the sticky gazes of the guests clung to her.

From behind the translucent cotton veil, Daphne quietly moved her eyes. She spotted a few nobles she had seen before, and the faces of some of her brothers, whom she hadn’t seen in a while. On one side sat hulking figures with sun-tanned skin and long, tightly braided hair. They were Lazan warriors. Perhaps because it was a little late, King Bation was nowhere to be seen.

The guests, pleasantly intoxicated by alcohol and incense, mostly had dazed expressions. And Daphne realized a rather terrifying fact: she was the only woman in the grand hall.

Tense, Daphne slowly rolled her eyes and looked straight ahead. She felt as if she had made eye contact with Joffrey, who was sitting sideways on the podium, a glossy animal pelt spread beneath him, tilting a wine glass. And the guest sitting right next to him was…

‘Equilla.’

Daphne reflexively gasped. Equilla had personally visited Bellares every time he came to retrieve a bride, one of her sisters. She had seen him from afar about a year ago when he came for Sione.

A fierce appearance. Bronze skin tanned by the sun. A massive physique like an eagle spreading its wings. Tightly braided auburn hair long enough to reach his buttocks, and a somewhat scantily clad appearance in a thin tunic, revealing the contours of his colorful body. He seemed even larger next to Joffrey, with his delicate features. His gaze, scrutinizing her, was intense.

Daphne was afraid. At the same time, hostility surged within her, making her head spin.

The man who murdered three of her sisters. She couldn’t understand Joffrey, casually tilting his wine glass next to him. The rising anger accelerated her heart.

But even if she rushed at Equilla here, she wouldn’t be able to even scratch him, held back by the guards. She couldn’t imagine what the mad Joffrey would do to her if she ruined things. Daphne forced her gaze down at the floor.

『Sit next to me.』

Joffrey’s hand guided Daphne, who was like that. As Daphne sat down, Joffrey gestured with his eyes. The gazes that had been focused on Daphne quickly dispersed. Then, as if planned, the feast resumed.

An acrid smell. The scent of what Joffrey enjoyed burning was strong. Even though she hadn’t put anything in her mouth, she felt dizzy. The laughter she heard over her shoulder, the mixture of various languages, made her even more disoriented.

Had Sione been called like this too? She tried to recall, but it was vague. She was uneasy, unable to guess what would happen. Daphne held her breath, staying alert. It seemed that the only thing protecting her here was the veil covering her face. Just then, Joffrey suddenly called her.

『Daphne, come closer to this brother.』

Daphne hesitated for a moment, then moved a step closer on her knees.

『Closer.』

Reluctantly, one more step.

『Yes.』

Daphne helplessly ended up sitting close to Joffrey. Naturally, the distance between her and Equilla, who had been sitting apart with Joffrey between them, also shortened. A strange smell mixed with the acrid scent. The musty smell of leather, a strange fishy odor, and the pungent smell of metal that made her nose wrinkle. Equilla’s scent.

Just as Daphne’s brow furrowed reflexively, Joffrey beckoned her with his finger. She leaned towards him, sensing his intent.

Suddenly, Joffrey lifted Daphne’s veil. Daphne was momentarily flustered and froze. Joffrey whispered in a playful voice,

『You should smile.』

It was a tone that suggested he found his naive sister cute. Daphne hurriedly formed a smile. It must have been awkward. Ignoring this, Joffrey took hold of her chin and slowly turned her face.

Daphne inevitably made eye contact with Equilla. Without a moment to hesitate, his face, exuding a fishy scent, came very close. Daphne flinched, maintaining her awkward smile.

『…….』

His gleaming eyes scrutinized her up close. She saw his thick, large hand reaching out to her. Joffrey’s hand, which had been holding her chin, was gone at some point, but Daphne somehow couldn’t move. Frustratingly, that’s how it was at that moment.

『No touching. Not yet.』

At Joffrey’s firm voice, Equilla’s face and hand slowly retreated. It was a movement full of regret.

『Return to your seat.』

With Joffrey’s permission, Daphne returned to her place like a ghost. Blinking a few times, she gradually came to her senses.

Meanwhile, Joffrey and Equilla chatted amicably. Do you like her? I like her. A conversation like this seemed to be taking place. Daphne’s mind was blank, so she couldn’t concentrate on their voices at all.

‘What is this, what are they doing?’

It was more anger than fear.

『Didn’t I tell you, Equilla? This child is much more docile, so you’ll like her very much.』

Daphne, unable to hide her agitation, trembled.