CREEAKK!
A door opened slowly, its hinges protesting with a low groan that cut through the silence. A woman entered the dimly lit room with careful, hesitant steps, her eyes adjusting to the shadows as she took in the sight of two men sitting casually at a worn table, deep in conversation as if they had all the time in the world.
"Umm, what happened to Eva and her husband?" she asked nervously, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Oh, look who's here! Come, come, Kyra Mills. I was waiting for you only!" One of the men rose from his seat with a predatory smile, walking slowly toward her. His footsteps echoed in the quiet room as Kyra subconsciously started moving backwards, her body reacting before her mind could catch up.
"Those two bastards just left us all alone—what to do?" He spread his hands in mock helplessness. "Here, Mr. Babkin says to leave them alone since one is in jail and the other one has done her job, and it's my fault that the poison didn't work. Sigh, what a shame, what a shame." His voice dripped with false regret. "I only have you as my hope now. So, tell me, Miss Kyra—" His tone suddenly turned sharp and dangerous. "DID YOU FIND ANYTHING?"
"Umm, Mr. Kane, I... I... still..." Kyra stammered, her words dying in her throat.
Sighhhh.
Before Kyra could say anything more, Kane closed the distance between them and reached out. He touched her cheeks lightly, his fingers cold against her skin, then patted them with a gentleness that felt more threatening than comfort.
THAP! THHAAP!
"Hmm, 'I still couldn't find anything,'" Kane repeated mockingly, his voice a cruel imitation of hers.
THHAAP!
With slightly more force, he patted her cheeks again, the sound sharper now.
"'I was busy gaining her trust!'"
THHAAAP!
The pat converted to a slap, the sting radiating across her face.
"'I couldn't focus because of my kid!'"
THHAAAP!
"'Just give me one more day!'"
THHAAAAP! THHAAAAP! THHAAAPPP! THHAAAP! THHAAAPP! THHAAAPP!
Kyra's head snapped to the side with each blow, the sharp cracks echoing in the small room. Her eyes filled with tears that she fought desperately to hold back, but she didn't say anything. She just stood there silently, taking each strike, her jaw clenched tight and her body trembling.
"What a useless bunch I brought," Kane snarled, disgust dripping from every word. "TSK! Mr. Babkin, I told you, right? Just kill them directly, don't waste any time. Now see, every fucking one of them is bouncing on our heads!"
SSLLAAPPPPPP!
The final slap was the hardest, sending Kyra stumbling to the side.
"TSK! You bitch, you have one last chance." Kane grabbed her chin roughly, forcing her to look at him. "In a few hours, we will come to the Queen's palace. If you don't kill the Queen by that time, then forget your kid and GIVE BACK THE MACHINE!"
"Huh!"
Kyra's head had been down the whole time, but at those words, she suddenly looked upward. Her eyes went wide with panic as she kept shaking her head desperately, her composure completely shattering.
"NO, NO, NO! PLEASE, MR. KANE, NOT THE MACHINE! MY SON WILL DIE!" Kyra's voice broke as she pleaded, her hands reaching out in a gesture of complete desperation.
From across the room, Babkin rose from his seat and approached slowly, his movements calm and measured in stark contrast to Kane's violence. He looked at Kyra with something that might have been pity, though his eyes remained cold.
"Ms. Kyra, why were you hired?" he asked in a voice that was almost gentle.
"Hmm, Mr. Representative, I... I was hired to disrupt the ceremony by making the Heart Machine falter," Kyra said in a low voice, her head dropping again in shame.
"Hmm, that's correct," Babkin nodded slowly. "But now the situation has changed. Many people have come to this island wanting to claim the title of Higher Crown. We can't afford to waste time anymore." He clasped his hands behind his back, his tone becoming businesslike. "Like Mr. Kane said, kill the Queen or return the machine. We can't let you keep that precious machine—its value is immense. This is a small prototype that is being used on multiple fronts of the empire to fight against those weird people."
He paused, letting his words sink in before continuing.
"I sympathize with you, I truly do. But I can't let you keep it. Also, it will only stabilize your boy's condition temporarily. Your boy can't stay in that thing for eternity!"
Babkin's explanation was delivered with the cold logic of a man who'd made these kinds of calculations many times before. Kyra just stood there, her mind racing but finding no way out, not knowing what she could possibly do to save her boy.
"Mr. Representative, just for a few more—"
SLLAAPPP!
"SHUT UPPP!" Kane's roar made her flinch violently. "WHY ARE WOMEN SO ANNOYING?! JUST GO DO WHAT I HAVE ASKED! OTHERWISE, YOU WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO MEET YOUR SON AGAIN!"
The threat hung in the air like a blade. Kyra stood there frozen for a long moment, her whole body shaking. Then, biting her lips so hard a thin line of blood appeared, she turned around and left without another word, her footsteps quick and unsteady.
"TSK! Nothing is going right!" Kane growled, pacing the room like a caged animal. "Those bastards keep attacking my Princess. I will just remove the Queen... the Princess herself is useless then, kekekek."
His laugh was low and evil, echoing in the room as he stormed out, leaving Babkin alone. The Representative stood motionless for a moment, then walked to the window. He stared outside at the rising sun, its golden rays just beginning to touch the horizon, his expression unreadable as he stood lost in thought.
.
"I have to kill the Queen. Yes, I have to kill her. Otherwise, my son will not live! KILL THE QUEEN, KILL THE QUEEN, KILL THE QUEEN."
Kyra muttered the words like a broken prayer as she walked through the Queen's palace with slow, dragging steps. The beautiful corridors that she'd once admired now felt like they were closing in on her, each step forward feeling heavier than the last. With trembling legs, she finally reached the door where her son and the Queen were resting with Mr. Jorri.
She stood there for a long time, completely still. Behind her, the first rays of sunshine streamed through the palace windows, making her shadow stretch and grow bigger against the door. She clenched her hands into fists so tight that her nails cut into her palms, and small drops of blood appeared.
"I HAVE TO KILL THE QUEEN. KILL THE QUEEN, KILL THE QUEEN."
With a shaking hand, Kyra reached into her pocket and brought out a sharp, very small blade. The metal caught the early morning light as she pinched it tightly between her fingers. Taking a deep breath that did nothing to steady her racing heart, she opened the door.
CRREAAKK!
The hinges groaned softly as she entered the room. Her eyes immediately found the Queen, who was sleeping peacefully. The Queen sat beside Jorri he back on bed support, her hands resting gently on Mr. Jorri's hair as he slept. She wore her usual black full-body one-piece outfit, slightly loose and comfortable, with a heart-shaped cutout at her chest area. A cute black ribbon adorned her waist along with a black band, and the dress loosened more as it reached her leg shins, giving her an elegant yet relaxed appearance even in sleep.
The Queen's chest rose and fell in the steady rhythm of deep sleep. Kyra's gaze shifted to the bed where her son lay, his small body curled under the blankets inside machine area. Even in his sleep, he grunted in pain now and then, his face twisting with discomfort. Each sound from him was like a knife twisting in Kyra's heart.
She bit her lips hard enough to taste blood and brought her knife forward with both hands now, gripping it tight enough to make her knuckles turn white. The words kept spilling from her mouth like a desperate mantra.
"KILL THE QUEEN, KILL THE QUEEN, KILL THE QUEEN."
She walked slowly forward, each step feeling like she was wading through deep water. Her breathing was shallow and quick. Finally, she came near the Queen and stood over her, the blade trembling in her grasp. She pointed the small sharp blade at the Queen's exposed neck, where her pulse beat steadily beneath pale skin.
Her hands were shaking violently. Her eyes were swimming with tears that blurred her vision. She kept muttering through gritted teeth, her voice barely a whisper now.
"KILL THE QUEEN, KILL THE QUEEN..."
"Not today, my friend. Maybe after a few days will be okay!"
Suddenly, Kyra heard the Queen's voice—calm, warm, and utterly unexpected. She glanced up sharply and saw the Queen's face, but her eyes were still closed, her expression peaceful.
Kyra's breath caught in her throat. She still didn't move, the blade still pointed at the Queen's neck, but her whole body had gone rigid. She said desperately, her voice cracking with emotion, "My Queen, I have to kill you to save my son. Please let me kill you. Otherwise, my son... my son will DIE!"
The words tore from her throat as tears finally spilled down her cheeks. She was shouting now, but the Queen still didn't open her eyes. Instead, she spoke again in that same relaxed yet sad tone.
"My friend Kyra, just give me a few more days. I have to see my daughter safely become the new True Princess, then you can kill me if you must." There was a gentle smile on the Queen's lips. "I am sure Natlia will do her job as Queen just fine after that. Can't you give this poor lady a few more days?"
"I... I... but, but I was given only today's time. I can't... I can't..."
Kyra's voice rose higher and higher until it broke completely.
"WAAAHHHHHH! WHY IS THIS HAPPENING TO ME?! I DON'T WANT TO HURT ANYONE! I JUST WANT MY BABY TO BE HEALTHY! PLEASE! DON'T HURT MY SON!"
She broke down completely, her legs giving out beneath her as she collapsed to her knees. The blade slipped from her fingers and clattered to the floor as she started bawling hard, her whole body shaking with the force of her sobs. She kept crying and crying, the sound raw and broken, all the fear and desperation and pain pouring out of her in waves.
The Queen finally opened her eyes, the deep pools of understanding in them reflecting the early morning light. She raised one hand and made a small signal toward the corner of the room, then looked down at Jorri. She patted his head gently with a tender smile before slowly standing up, her movements graceful despite having just woken.
She stood in front of the bawling Kyra, her presence commanding yet compassionate.
"STAND UP, KYRA!" The Queen's voice rang out strong and clear, cutting through Kyra's sobs like a bell.
The crying woman flinched a little at the command, her shoulders jerking, but she still didn't get up. She remained curled on the floor, her hands covering her face.
The Queen's expression hardened as she ordered again, her voice filled with the authority of a ruler but also the fierceness of a mother.
"STAND UP! A MOTHER SHOULD NOT GET WEAK DURING THESE TIMES! DON'T LET YOUR KID SEE YOU LIKE THIS!"
Hearing this, something in Kyra responded. She stood up immediately, her movements jerky and uncoordinated, and forced herself to stand straight even though tears were still streaming down her face. Her whole body trembled but she held herself upright, drawing on some deep well of strength she didn't know she still had.
The Queen's face softened instantly, warmth flooding back into her expression. She reached out with both hands and held Kyra's tear-stained cheeks gently, lifting her face up with her own two hands so their eyes met directly.
"Give back the machine to that representative. Nothing will happen to your son!" The Queen said in a soft but determined voice, her gaze burning with conviction.
"BUT... My... my..."
"Your son will be fine. TRUST ME!" The Queen didn't let her speak, her grip on Kyra's face tightening just slightly as she kept looking at her with a fiery, unwavering gaze. "YOU DO TRUST ME, RIGHT?"
Kyra couldn't speak. She could only nod, fresh tears spilling over as she looked into the Queen's eyes and saw nothing but absolute certainty there.
The Queen smiled at seeing this, and without hesitation, she pulled Kyra into a warm embrace. She wrapped her arms around the broken woman and held her tight, one hand coming up to pat her back in a soothing rhythm.
"Don't worry, Jorri and your kid will be fine. I have found a way." The Queen's voice was gentle now, full of comfort. "Of course, I have to consult with Nat first, but I am sure everything is going to be alright. Don't worry, your son will smile soon again!"
She kept patting Kyra's back as the woman clung to her, letting it all out.
"MY SON WILL SMILE SOON!" Kyra cried even harder, but now there was hope mixed with the pain. The Queen also shed tears, silent ones that rolled down her cheeks as she thought of Jorri lying in the bed nearby.
Both troubled women held each other in the quiet room, consoling one another as the morning sun continued to rise outside, both of them hoping desperately for everything to go right.
.
.
"AA! MY MONEY!"
A man suddenly woke up from his sleep with a start, his hand stretching out into the air as if trying to grab something invisible. His fingers grasped at nothing, closing around empty air.
"AGH!"
He realized what he was doing and gently brought his hand back down, a sheepish smile spreading across his face as he stretched his fingers and felt them pop.
"Aah! What a nice sleep I had," he said softly to himself, his voice still rough from sleep.
Oliver looked around the room, taking in the scene. Everyone else was still sleeping peacefully, scattered around the space in various positions. The floor was covered with lots of clothes and fabric cutting scraps, evidence of yesterday's work session that had gone late into the night.
Sigh!
He let out a contented breath and started to place his hand on his chest, but he felt something already there. His fingers touched soft, warm skin.
Oliver's smile widened as he looked down and saw a cute hand resting on his chest. He held it gently but firmly, his thumb brushing over the knuckles. Turning his head to the left, he saw Miss Emmy sleeping beside him, her face relaxed and peaceful. Mother Ariana was behind her, pressed close, effectively squeezing Emmy toward him.
Hehe, thanks, Mother, for the little help, Oliver thought with an internal grin.
He glanced to his right side, where Gloomy and Sio were curled up together in sleep. Behind them, Mother Silja was sleeping, her hand resting protectively on Sio even in her sleep. A bit farther away, Maren was sprawled out in her usual not-so-attractive posture, one leg kicked out and her mouth hanging slightly open.
Oliver felt some wetness on his right arm and looked down to see the source. Gloomy's face was pressed against his arm, and a small puddle of drool had formed on his skin.
GYA! Gloomy, you bastard, my shiny arms are dirty now! Oliver complained silently in his mind, but he didn't disturb anyone. Instead, he carefully turned back to his left and kept looking at Miss Emmy's sleeping face, taking in every detail.
Her eyelashes were long and dark against her cheeks. Her lips were slightly parted, soft breaths escaping between them. A few strands of hair had fallen across her face. Oliver watched her in silence, content just to observe.
Suddenly, after a while, he noticed something. Due to Miss Emmy's sleeping position, her right arm was stretched out on the ground, which made her outfit loose on the shoulder area. Through a small gap in the fabric, Oliver could see something on her naked shoulder.
Hmm.
Curiosity flickered in his eyes. Oliver moved very carefully, making sure not to wake her, and gently stretched her shoulder cloth aside just a little bit to see better. He looked at what was there for a long moment, his expression growing thoughtful and then soft with understanding.
After seeing enough, he released the fabric and let it fall back into place. He then grasped her left hand that rested on his chest and gave it a gentle squeeze, smiling to himself. Moving slowly and carefully, he slid his arm beneath her head and drew her closer to his chest, adjusting her position so she was more comfortable.
Oliver hugged her upper back with one arm and kept her left hand clasped tightly in his other hand. He leaned down close to her ear and whispered in the softest voice imaginable, barely more than a breath, "Don't worry, Emmy. This handsome man will never hate you for something like that. I will keep liking you until someday—" his voice dropped even lower, "—I WILL SAY I LOVE YOU!"
He whispered the last words so quietly they were almost silent, then closed his eyes with a peaceful smile on his face, holding her close.....
.
SSWWWWWSSSSSS!
Suddenly, Miss Emmy's eyes fluttered open. Her face was already red, her cheeks completely flushed as if she'd been running. Her eyes sparkled with something she couldn't quite name as she blinked rapidly, trying to orient herself.
"Ah! What! What was I dreaming about?" she whispered to herself, confusion written all over her face. "Huh! Hmmm, I can't remember, but I heard something good. Hmmm."
She sat up slowly, careful not to wake the others. Her clothes were messy from sleep, wrinkled and twisted, and her hair was disheveled, sticking up in several directions. As she looked around to get her bearings, her gaze fell on Oliver—and she saw that he was still clutching her hand tightly even in his sleep.
GGAAYYYY, SHAMPOO BASTARRDDDD! TAKING ADVANTAGE OF A SLEEPING LADY! LEAVE MY HHAANNDD!
Miss Emmy screamed internally, her face growing even redder. She tried to slowly pull her hand free from his grasp, wiggling her fingers and pulling gently, but Oliver's grip was surprisingly strong even in sleep.
GRR!!!
Getting frustrated, Miss Emmy leaned forward and positioned herself better. She placed her right palm on the floor beside his face for support and leaned closer, trying to use the leverage to loosen her hand from his grip.
LEAVE ME, YOU BASTARD! OTHERWISE, I WILL PUNCH YOUR STUPID FACE!
Miss Emmy roared in her mind, her internal voice furious. But then, being this close, she actually looked at his face.
Suddenly, everything else faded away. She stopped trying to free her hand and just kept looking at Oliver's face, completely transfixed. His features were relaxed in sleep, his breathing steady and calm. There was something vulnerable about him like this, something that made her chest feel tight.
She didn't know what she was doing, but Miss Emmy found herself slowly getting closer to his face. Her upper body leaned down more and more, drawn by something she couldn't explain or resist. The distance between them shrank inch by inch.
But suddenly, without warning, Oliver's eyes opened. He looked directly at Miss Emmy's face, which still wore that blank, transfixed expression, though her eyes were completely focused on him with an intensity that made his heart skip.
"Hmm, Miss Emmy, are you trying to attack this alone, vulnerable young man in his sleep? It's not good manners, you know!" Oliver said with a teasing smile, his voice low and slightly husky from sleep.
"GYA!"
Miss Emmy's eyes went wide with shock as she saw him suddenly awake and looking right at her. For a few seconds, she didn't react at all, frozen like a statue. But then her brain caught up with the situation and she tried to push herself up quickly.
But—TAK!—Oliver's free hand shot out and tapped the front part of her right elbow with just enough force to make her supporting arm buckle.
PUFF!
Her support vanished and she fell forward, landing on Oliver's embrace. This time the position was even more intimate and close than before. Her chest pressed directly against Oliver's side chest, and she could feel his warmth through the thin fabric of their clothes. Her face was now buried against his neck.
WAH! YOU BASTARD, PLAYING TRICKS ON THIS WOMAN!
Miss Emmy cursed him furiously in her mind first, her thoughts a chaotic mess. Then she lifted her head slightly and spoke out loud, her voice coming out more flustered than angry.
"Stupid shampoo bastard, leave me! I was trying to free my hand, that's all. Don't accuse me of attacking you! Grrr, leave me right now! I have to prepare food for my little ones when they wake up! LEAVE ME, LEAVE ME!"
Miss Emmy complained grumpily, but there was something half-hearted about her struggles. She didn't really put any effort into actually getting up. Her expression was a mixture of shyness and annoyance, her lips forming a small pout even as her eyes darted away from his.
"Yes, yes, I will leave you eventually," Oliver said with an easy smile, clearly enjoying himself. "But right now, why not let yourself relax a little and rest a bit more before our day starts? You won't always get this chance to sleep in the embrace of this handsome man, you know!"
As he spoke, he pulled her left hand across his chest to his right side, his fingers interlacing with hers. His other hand slid along her back, resting just a little lower than before, the touch gentle but firm.
Miss Emmy's whole face turned scarlet at the contact. In complete embarrassment, she hid her face against his side chest, pressing her forehead against his ribs as if she could disappear into him. After a moment of silence, she spoke in a small, vulnerable voice.
"Young master, don't play with me. Even though I come from a lowly region, I still have some self-respect, you know." Her voice trembled slightly. "I will not become your plaything. We have seen each other a lot. Just because suddenly you like my exterior doesn't mean I will just nod at your stupid desires. I am a poor and weak woman. I can't fight you, young master, but please don—"
"Auu—waa—gak! Why do you have so much energy this early in the morning, Miss Emmy, saying things like that?"
Oliver pulled her hand a little harder, pressing Miss Emmy's face toward his side so her mouth was muffled against his chest and she couldn't keep talking. Then he let out a long sigh, his chest rising and falling beneath her.
"Miss Emmy, don't say things like that to me. It hurts a little, you know." His voice was softer now, more serious. "Tell me—do you really see me as one of those nobles who treat women like playthings?"
He loosened his grip slightly so she could respond. Miss Emmy shook her head against his chest, the movement small but clear.
hmmm 50 - 50 you bastard!, Emmy thought in her mind
"Then tell me—have you ever seen me this close to any other woman before? Close the way I am with you right now?"
Miss Emmy shook her head again, still not looking up at him.
How would I know Bastard! 50 - 50 ! , Emmy again thought in her mind
"Hehe, then why are you saying things like that?" Oliver's voice warmed again, taking on a gentle, reassuring tone. "It's true I only recently realized I'm attracted to you, but I've always found you fascinating. Don't worry—this young master isn't playing with you. I want to learn more about you. Your outside is beautiful, yes, but I want to know what's inside too."
He smiled warmly, and even though she couldn't see it, she could hear it in his voice.
"And for that, why not let this handsome young master help you today? You can order me around all you want. I'll be your handsome butler for the day. Tell me, Miss Emmy—your servant is ready and waiting for your commands!"
Miss Emmy's face was completely red now, so hot she thought she might actually catch fire. She didn't look up. She just kept hiding against his chest, not saying a single word. Her mind was screaming though.
WAAHH, WHAT IS THIS BASTARD SAYING? SO MUCH NONSENSE! GRR!
Unable to handle the intensity of the moment any longer, Miss Emmy suddenly sat back up, pulling away from his grasp. She breathed in and out heavily, trying to calm her racing heart and cool her burning cheeks. Behind her, Oliver smiled as he looked at her back, clearly amused. He put his hand behind his head casually, completely relaxed as he enjoyed watching her flustered reactions.
Miss Emmy glanced back over her shoulder and caught him smiling at her with that evil, knowing grin.
Grr! This stupid... Humph, I don't care.
She turned around fully, preparing to get up and escape this embarrassing situation. But then her eyes landed on Mother Ariana sleeping nearby, and she froze.
Mother Ariana's clothes were completely messed up from sleep. Several of her collar buttons had come undone, and because of the deep cutout design of her shirt, her large breasts were pressed against the ground, leaving most of her cleavage completely exposed. She was sleeping on her side, and her position meant she was facing directly toward both Emmy and Oliver.
TSK! What are these filthy boobs?! GRR!
Miss Emmy screamed internally, a spike of jealousy shooting through her. Without even realizing what she was doing, she instinctively shifted her position backward, placing herself directly between Oliver and Mother Ariana. She completely blocked his view of the other woman.
Then she glanced over her shoulder again, a quick look to check where Oliver's eyes were focused. She saw him still smiling gently, but his eyes were fixed only on her face, not looking past her at all.
Something warm bloomed in her chest at that realization.
"What are you smiling about?" Miss Emmy spoke a little louder than necessary, her voice carrying a note of bossy authority as she reached down and grabbed his forearm firmly. "Let's go. You're my servant today, right? Come with me, don't laze around here!"
She pulled him up with surprising strength.
"Hey, hey, I was just jok—"
"COME WITH ME!"
Miss Emmy didn't give him any chance to finish his protest or back out. She pulled him away from the sleeping area, her body still positioned to block his view of Mother Ariana as they moved.
Despite the strong, commanding tone of her voice, Miss Emmy felt pure joy bubbling up inside her chest. She couldn't help but smile a little, the corners of her mouth turning up. As she kept dragging a half-heartedly protesting Oliver behind her, she started humming a cheerful tune under her breath, her steps light and happy.
Behind them, Oliver let himself be pulled along, a small smile on his own face as he watched her, his morning already made.
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END OF CHAPTER
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Author Blabbering
50 - 50 !
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