Fatima: The Slave Princess-Chapter 95 - 94

"I thought you'd be brimming with confidence after pulling off something of that magnitude. Now you're just standing there trembling like a frightened kitten."

I knew this plan could backfire, which is why I dedicated four years to intense training, mastering the brutal techniques of hand combat from instructors across the continent. Since we are about the same size, I can at least inflict some damage to save face. He's intentionally leaving himself vulnerable, showcasing a reliance on instinct to deflect my strikes; my breath hitched in anticipation. In that case...Huh? W-what just happened? I had been absolutely sure that my punch had hit his torso, but to my astonishment, he seemed to have completely shrugged it off, exhibiting no visible signs of impact. The sudden blow to my right cheek left me reeling, a numb sensation spreading across my face as my ear rang incessantly.

"I thought I told you not to even blink, Ivan. What part of keeping your eyes on me did you not fully understand?" He scowled, his creased brows furrowed further as he encroached on me.

No! I mustn't let myself get intimidated by him. He is no more than a puppet, a mere tool for manipulation at the hands of the subordinates who will one day be subject to his supposedly authoritative rule. He's no different from his predecessors. His show of strength is just an act, a pathetic attempt to disguise his cowardly and weak nature.

"If you think I'm going to let you humiliate me like those other wimps you faced before me, you are sorely mistaken!" I roared, a sound like a wounded beast, as I threw yet another punch, the force of it shaking my arm, only to have him casually dodge and catch my wrist.

What is this overwhelming pressure coming from him? I tugged and pulled at my arm with all my might, yet his firm grip remained unyielding, refusing to loosen its hold. He's squeezing so hard. At this rate, my bones will surely shatter.

"Hm...what should I do with you next, Ivan? Which part of your body...should I ruin first?"

Updated from freewёbnoνel.com.

+++

"Get rid of her body...and send another one in."

"P-pardon?"

This man...has been frequenting our brothel for an entire month, working our staff to the brink of death. We indulged his every whim, blinded by the endless stream of cash from his seemingly bottomless wallet, but now our worst nightmare has come true. Judging from the deep purple bruises and ragged teeth marks across her body, her death was anything but peaceful. She was one of our best flowers. What should I do?

"Did you not hear me, madam?" he scowled, puffing a cloud of smoke onto my face as a subtle cough forced its way out of my lips.

"Um...M-master...I believe you have overstayed your welcome at our establishment, and I-"

"There seems to be a misunderstanding here...Madam Rizelle." The strange man threatened as he leaned forward and took hold of my neck.

A burning hatred gleamed in his eyes as his fingers dug into my neck, the pressure building with each passing moment, stealing the air from my lungs. His voice, a low rumble like distant thunder, shook the very air around us, his face and arms a roadmap of bulging veins like furious lightning strikes. The acrid taste of sweat and saliva filled my mouth as I fought for each ragged breath, my vision blurring, my chin slick with the mixture. A burning pressure built behind my eyes, threatening to force them from their sockets, yet no matter how fiercely I fought against his relentless grip, his determination to end me remained absolute. Is this...truly how I leave this world?

"Sire. I have something to report." A clear voice interrupted from behind the door.

As soon as his grip loosened, he quickly retreated his hand, emitting a loud sigh of frustration. Each cough rattled my chest, a wheezing gasp for air following each one as my lungs burned. Rising from his chair, he marched toward the door, the sound of his footsteps echoing in the quiet room. He yanked the door open, revealing the man, and let loose a guttural 'Scram!' Realizing this was my chance to escape, I bolted out of the room on all fours as if a predator were on my heels.

"Come in and close the door behind you." he sighed loudly, ignoring the woman who just sprinted past us.

This place has turned into a pigsty in such a short time. He has now been to three different brothels. Does he intend to frequent them all? It'll be difficult to cover his tracks if he continues to move around so much.

"So? Tell me the good news, Perrin."

Hang on-Is that...what I think it is?

"Are you going to keep me waiting all day?" he growled, inhaling the lit pipe in his grasp.

What is this putrid smell? This isn't his usual tobacco blend. It's permeating the entire room, making it difficult for me to breathe.

"*cough* The...operation was a failure, sire."

A flinch escaped him as his fingers squeezed the pipe bowl. Something tells me I should leave as soon as I finish my report.

"Lord Ivan was beaten to the brink of death, and the emperor confiscated the Glacien wolves."

*Silence*

"I see..." he chuckled, placing the pipe's lip into his mouth, and inhaled deeply.

"Lie low for now and monitor Ivan. We will resume the operation soon after the festival."

"Yes, sir!"

"In the meantime, clean this up by tonight." He said, yanking the bedsheet and revealing a woman's bare corpse lying on her abdomen.

My breath hitched, not from fright, but from the sudden, shocking confirmation of what I'd suspected. I knew what this role entailed from the beginning; therefore, I have no right to complain. As long as I get paid, I'll do anything.

"Leave it to me, sire."

+++

The fighting tournament concluded shortly after Nathan's intense match with Lord Ivan. Commoners and nobles alike were elated at his masterful display in the arena; the air thrummed with their approval, even as his opponents' families approached, heads bowed in shame, offering sincere public apologies. I was terrified by Nathan's relentless beating of Lord Ivan, stopping only when he was near unconsciousness. By the time the emergency physicians arrived, his face was grotesquely swollen, the skin stretched taut and glistening, a horrifying mask of purple and red. Thankfully, everything worked out perfectly in the end, and Nathan wasn't hurt. That's all that matters.

"I've been overlooking your brash behavior ever since you came to this estate. However, I can no longer keep silent about it, Miss Lotticia."

*sigh* Somehow, I knew this would happen.

"As an imperial employee, I assumed you understood the concept of curfew. However, based on your recent late-night escapades, I was clearly mistaken."

She keeps implying I come home late every night, despite that not being the case. I painfully forwent a final festive evening with Ulissa to ensure I returned home early. What more does she want from me? Her dissatisfaction feels like a suffocating weight.

"I apologize if my recent behavior has caused you any inconvenience, Miss Odette. I will be more mindful of the time from now on."

I don't have the strength to argue with her right now. I'm not feeling so well.

"Stop right there! How dare you walk away in the middle of our conversation? Stop, I say!" she yelled, fuming in the distant background.

~Moments later...

*sigh* That warm bath was well-needed after the day I just had. I accidentally drenched my hair, which is such a nuisance to dry, but thankfully, it's my day off tomorrow, so I can just let it air dry overnight. My body hit the mattress with a thud, but my mind replayed the sharp words of my conversation with Odette. I truly hope she doesn't report it to the crown prince. *sigh* My heart feels heavy, yet again.

+++

"It's a relief that nothing happened, otherwise this would have ended in a catastrophic nightmare."

"Indeed, your majesty."

When I saw these creatures, an icy shiver ran down my spine as I sat frozen in my seat. Considering the distance and their sheer size, it's a mystery to me how on earth they were able to capture and transport them all the way to this place. He couldn't have done this by himself. Someone else must have been involved. His actions are not only deplorable, but the motivations behind them clearly suggest a possible act of treason, a fact that cannot be overlooked. If this ordeal isn't addressed immediately, it could spiral into a far more serious and complex issue.

"Duke Kartier!" the emperor called with a loud sigh.

"Yes, your majesty."

That startled me.

"You have been pensive ever since we left the dungeon. Do share your thoughts on the matter. We need all the help we can get to resolve this problem as peacefully as possible."

With the majority of the council members engrossed in addressing their sons' problems, the responsibility of assessing this matter falls solely upon me. I was hoping to go home with my wife right after the event, but I had to send Emilia ahead on her own.

"I suggest we discuss this in private, your majesty. The palace walls have ears everywhere, save for your private quarters."

"You are absolutely right, duke Kartier. How careless of me. Summon the crown prince to my private quarters at once."

"Yes, your majesty!" his secretary responded promptly before scurrying down the hall.

~Moments Later

"As you both may have already been aware, these animals are Ecchelon's national treasures. Just like the red phoenix represents our fiery might, these snow wolves are a symbol of their purity and poised ferocity."

"Now that your majesty mentions it, I recall their insignia being that of a howling wolf."

Ah...So, that's why Fatima made that face-and here I thought she was actually worried about me.

"We must return them to Bassup village in haste, otherwise I fear we might end up in a situation where our alliance with Ecchelon becomes unstable." The emperor sighed, rubbing his temples in frustration.

What could have possibly possessed Ivan to go to such lengths just to win a friendly competition? Somehow, I feel this is partly my fault since I'm the one who brought forth this event. The crown prince has been quiet ever since he came in. What's he thinking so deeply about?

"Please allow me to state my opinion, your majesty." the crown prince expressed, tilting his head up to meet his father's fretful eyes.

"Right...you were the victim in this situation. You should let out your frustration while we're here. Go on, son."

Frustration? Him? That is hardly the case, your majesty.

"First of...I am nowhere near frustrated, nor am I a victim. I won the fight fair and just." he retorted, folding his arms across his chest while straightening his posture.

"I wouldn't say fair and just though..." I pondered loudly.

"I dare you to say that again, duke Kartier!" He scowled in my direction.

"Well...to be frank, he was never a match for your highness in the first place. Therefore-ahem! What I mean to say is that it was a good fight."

His eyes bore into mine, cold and calculating, like a butcher sizing up his next cut of meat. How glad I am that his majesty is in the room.

"Hmph! As I was saying before I was rudely interrupted. Your Majesty, I request that Ivan Wrotingthon be held accountable for his offense against me."

"W-what?"

"Y-your highness?"