33 - A Step Toward Conquest
Princess Ekaterina spent her days in a whirlwind of activity. Beyond her goal of erasing the rumors involving Ray, she frequently ventured throughout the castle under the guise of inspections to garner the trust and respect of her subjects.
Throughout this time, just as Ray had told her, Princess Ekaterina hid her naturally haughty personality deep inside and played the part of an approachable princess. The results were excellent. Seeing Princess Ekaterina treat everyone without discrimination and humbly seek guidance whenever there was something she did not know, the people gradually deepened their trust in her.
On the other hand, it was Miria who was viewed with contempt. Rumors that she was infatuated with the slave of the princess she served and used her position to bring Ray into her room night after night spread through the castle in an instant, carried by the tongues of gossip-loving maids.
By now, only a very limited number of people still suspected the true nature of the relationship between Princess Ekaterina and Ray.
Having finished dinner, Princess Ekaterina returned to her room. Her heart was exhausted from a lifestyle different from her previous one and the constant consideration for her subjects. Despite being worn out, an anxiety welling up from the depths of her heart kept her restless, Princess Ekaterina sat on the edge of her bed, continuing to wait for the time to pass.
Eventually, the moment Princess Ekaterina had been longing for arrived.
"Excuse me."
A small voice drifted in from the door connecting to the adjacent meeting room. It was Ray who opened the door and entered. As he approached Princess Ekaterina sitting on the bed, he looked at her face and spoke in a concerned voice.
"You look exhausted."
"I am not."
"There is no need to push yourself like that with me."
"You're right. I am quite tired. Just listening to people is exhausting, but when you're conscious of wanting to be seen in a good light... Honestly, I didn't think it would be this much."
"It cannot be helped until you get used to it. Please endure it for now, thinking that this is for your future."
"Yes. It is to obtain the kingdom of the next generation, after all."
"That as well, but..."
"What? Is there something else?"
"I believe that acting as a king is a burden equal to, or perhaps even greater than, what you are experiencing now."
"I wonder if Father is like this every day?"
"He is the king who rules a nation. Being a king does not mean everything goes as one wishes. On the contrary, isn't it more likely that he must often take actions or make decisions that go against his own will for the sake of the country?"
"I see. I'll try to ask him about it subtly next time."
That would be to learn the mindset of a ruler. And it would demonstrate to the King her will to learn. Perhaps influenced by Ray, Princess Ekaterina had begun to pay attention to the finer details.
"I believe that would be for the best. You should get some rest early today. I shall take my leave now."
"W-wait a moment."
"What is it?"
"...Ah, that's right. The dress I'll wear at the reception is finished. Would you look at it?"
"A dress? I lack confidence in such matters of taste."
"Just look at it."
The dress was merely an excuse to keep Ray from leaving. Princess Ekaterina felt a flicker of irritation at Ray, who did not understand, or rather, pretended not to understand, this.
"Understood. Where is the dress?"
"It's hanging over there... It's too dark to see well. Let's go closer."
"Yes."
Ray naturally offered his hand to Princess Ekaterina as she attempted to stand from the bed. Princess Ekaterina naturally took his hand and stepped down from the bed.
"...I wonder where you learned to do such a thing?"
Princess Ekaterina's expression was complex, caught between the joy of her hand touching Ray's and the jealousy sparked by the shadow of another woman in that gesture.
"I was taught by the Royal Guard Knights."
"The Royal Guard?"
"Yes. They told me that being a slave cannot be helped, but that I should at least ensure my conduct does not bring shame upon Her Highness the Princess."
This was the truth. Since the incident with Fumiya, the Royal Guard Knights had begun to take an interest in Ray at the training grounds. That said, there was little they could teach him regarding the sword. Therefore, they decided to teach him the etiquette and manners of a Royal Guard Knight.
"I see. You were taught by the Royal Guard."
Knowing that Ray's behavior had been taught by the Royal Guard, Princess Ekaterina showed a blatant expression of relief.
"Then, let us go."
Still holding Princess Ekaterina's hand, Ray escorted her to where the dress hung on the wall.
"How is this?"
"Yes. It is a well-executed manner, befitting my knight."
"Princess, I am a slave."
"...When it is just the two of us, 'knight' is fine, isn't it?"
"If that is what Her Highness desires. But is it 'knight' and not 'kishi'?"
Katakana words were not typically used in this world. Ray recognized this.
"I like the sound of 'knight'."
"...As Her Highness wishes."
My knight. It was a phrase used by the heroine princess when calling her knight in a romance novel about a princess and a knight from a fictional country that had been popular in the royal capital for a time, but there was no way Ray would know such a thing.
"It's this dress. What do you think?"
"It is blue."
"Yes. Do you dislike blue?"
"No, I like it. It is a noble color. It also gives a neat, refined impression."
"Yes. I tried not to make it too flashy this time."
"Not too flashy, you say..."
The base of the dress was made of blue fabric. Several rose-shaped ornaments made of various colored fabrics were attached to the chest. The wide skirt portion featured frilled decorations of blue and white fabric layered many times. The cuffs were similar. To Ray, it looked a bit gaudy, and he didn't quite understand Princess Ekaterina's sense of it not being flashy.
"Is it strange?"
"No. As I mentioned before, I do not understand dresses well. However, I believe it suits Her Highness very well."
"Really? Then, shall I show you how it looks when I wear it?"
"Now?"
"Yes."
"Can you put it on by yourself?"
"If you help me a little, I'll be fine."
"...If you are to change, then the dress you are currently wearing...?"
After thinking for a moment, Ray spoke his thought aloud.
"...I cannot simply take it off."
"Yes. I believe that would be inappropriate."
"Then, I'll just hold it up against me."
"I see. Then I shall take the dress down."
Ray took the dress from the wall and held it up against Princess Ekaterina.
"Is it hard to see because it's dark?"
"No, it's fine."
"I'll hold it. Try looking at it from a little distance."
"Very well."
Ray stepped back until he could see Princess Ekaterina's entire body as she held the dress against herself, and he gazed at her intently.
"H-how is it?"
"...It suits you very well. I think it is very lovely."
To Ray, who knew the fashion of his original world, the dress honestly seemed a bit outdated, but when paired with the glamorous appearance of Princess Ekaterina, he felt it genuinely suited her.
"Really? I'm glad."
"I was thinking..."
"What?"
"Does everything not suit Her Highness regardless of what she wears?"
"...I wonder if you were taught that by the Royal Guard as well?"
"No, I simply thought so just now."
"I see. Those words make me happy."
"Should you not get some rest soon? You have tomorrow as well."
Saying so, Ray took the dress from Princess Ekaterina's hand and returned it to the wall. When he turned around, Princess Ekaterina was standing there, still looking down.
"Princess?"
"...I'm anxious. Even though I'm tired, when I get into bed, all sorts of things float into my head."
"Can you not sleep?"
"Yes."
"I see... That is problematic."
"That's why I want you to stay with me a little longer."
"I do not mind. But... would you excuse me for a moment?"
"Eh?"
Ray was standing right in front of Princess Ekaterina as she looked up.
"I will certainly not do anything strange. Therefore, please entrust your body to me for a moment."
Without waiting for an answer, Ray gently pulled Princess Ekaterina's head toward him and pressed it against his chest. He then embraced her head with both arms, as if cradling her.
"K-Kamui?"
"Can you hear my heartbeat?"
"...Yes, I can."
"I heard from someone that listening to another person's heartbeat calms the mind."
"Hey, who was that—"
"Please do not ask right now. Without saying anything, could you just listen intently?"
"...Alright."
Princess Ekaterina was quite curious about who had said that, but due to the comfort of being embraced, she stopped pursuing it for now and listened as Ray instructed.
Ray's heartbeat sounded slowly. In stark contrast, she felt her own heartbeat becoming loud, fast, and heavy, but eventually, that too gradually settled down.
"How is it?"
"Yes. I've calmed down."
"I am glad. Do you feel like you might be able to sleep a little?"
"I suppose... but, I wonder?"
"Is it no good?"
"I feel like if I leave Kamui, I'll become restless again."
Princess Ekaterina felt her heartbeat, which had been calm, begin to echo fast and loud once more.
"That is..."
"Just like this, until I fall asleep... n-no, that's not allowed, is it?"
She summoned her courage to say it, but Princess Ekaterina immediately denied it herself out of embarrassment.
"Understood. If that is what Her Highness desires, I shall stay by your side until you fall asleep."
However, Ray accepted it quite readily.
"...Then."
"I shall do it. Please forgive my lack of experience."
"What... K-Kamui?"
Far from lacking experience, Ray swiftly untied the laces on her back and began to remove Princess Ekaterina's dress.
"N-no, stop!"
"Ah, my apologies. I thought it would be more indecent if Her Highness were to undress herself."
"T-that's true."
"Unless I have Her Highness's permission, I could never do anything reckless."
"I know. But..."
"Could you endure the embarrassment for just a short while? I am also enduring it."
"............"
"Where is your nightgown?"
"Beside the bed..."
"Then, I shall carry you there."
"Ah!"
Ray lightly lifted Princess Ekaterina and carried her to the bed. He carried the princess, who was now in her underwear, in a full princess-carry. Ray was calmly performing an act that would result in a death sentence if anyone were to see it.
Princess Ekaterina, who was on the receiving end, was in a state of panic. She understood her current situation, but she found herself unable to say anything, leaving her body to Ray's will.
Ray gently lowered Princess Ekaterina onto the bed and picked up the nightgown that was by the pillow.
"...This is not something one puts on over the head, is it?"
Princess Ekaterina's nightgown was not like the robe-like nightgown Ray had been issued, but rather like a dress with the decorations removed.
"From the feet."
"I see. Then, excuse me."
He lifted the princess's legs with a semblance of hesitation and slid the nightgown on. After the legs came the waist. Finally, he took her arms and slid them through the sleeves from the front. It would have been easier if he had made her stand, but Ray performed the task while she remained lying on the bed.
Princess Ekaterina was completely at Ray's mercy.
"It is done."
"T-thank you."
"What would you prefer? Should I hold your hand until you fall asleep? Or perhaps your head, as I did before?"
"...I want to keep listening to your heartbeat."
Having had her underwear seen and her bare skin touched as he pleased, Princess Ekaterina had become a bit bold.
"Understood. Then, into the covers. I will lift your body with one hand, so could you wrap your arms around my neck and hold on?"
"Yes."
Supporting Princess Ekaterina, who had wrapped both arms around his neck, with one hand, Ray stood her up on the bed, lifted the covers, and lowered her inside. By performing such unnecessary movements, he created numerous opportunities for their bodies to touch.
However, as a result, this ended in a great failure for Ray.
At first, Princess Ekaterina had snuggled against Ray's body as he lay beside her, though with bashfulness, but perhaps because her sense of security toward Ray outweighed everything else, she soon began to breathe softly and comfortably in a deep sleep.
Ray did not do anything like attacking the sleeping Princess Ekaterina. His goal was to make her lose sight of her position as a princess and make her open her body of her own accord. Ray believed that making her taste a humiliation opposite to that of Rui, whose chastity had been taken by force, was the true revenge against Princess Ekaterina.
Reluctantly, Ray quietly slipped out of the bed so as not to wake her.
(Is this really revenge? If anything, I'm the one who's...)
He found himself thinking such things while looking at the sleeping face of Princess Ekaterina, who looked so peaceful.
Even though she was an enemy to be hated as a target of revenge, Princess Ekaterina possessed a beautiful appearance. Continuing to suppress his desires as a man despite the princess sleeping in the same bed was quite a torture.
(Well, whatever. Lift them as high as they can go, then drop them into the deepest abyss. That is revenge.)
Forcing himself to be convinced, Ray returned to Miria's adjacent room.
He passed through the secret door leading to Princess Ekaterina's room, which was merely a simple hole forced into the wall with magic and hidden by a wardrobe, pushed aside the clothes, and returned to Miria's room.
"You're late."
Miria immediately questioned him with a dissatisfied look.
"I believe I am earlier than usual."
"Am I? No, that's not it. What were you doing?"
"I was simply discussing the day's events as usual. However, she seemed a bit anxious, so I stayed by her side until she fell asleep."
"By the side of the sleeping princess?"
"Yes. It seemed her mind would be more at ease if someone were by her side."
"...I knew it. Starting tomorrow, I'll accompany you."
"We should have already settled that. There is no guarantee that someone won't come to the room. It would be bad if Miria-sama were not there at such a time."
"That's true, but..."
"What is it that Miria-sama is anxious about? I say this myself, but I should be the most reassuring existence for the princess."
"It's not that I think you'll do something, Kamui."
"Then is there nothing for you to be concerned about?"
"You're similar."
"Who is similar to whom?"
"The current princess is similar to Cecil."
Miria's intuition was quite sharp in some areas. This was a slight miscalculation for Ray.
"...I believe their personalities and appearances are completely different. If I were to name a common point, it would be that both are beautiful."
"No. I mean the princess is similar to Cecil when she was infatuated with Kamui."
It was natural for Miria to feel that way. In reality, Princess Ekaterina was infatuated with Ray. However, there was no way Ray would admit that. He could not let Miria interfere right now.
"...May I use slightly more casual language?"
"I don't really care about that."
"I shall take that as permission. ...What are you talking about? To be loved by two beauties, just what kind of heartthrob am I?"
"I didn't say you were a heartthrob. Well, I do think you're reasonably handsome."
"Miria-san, you have bad taste."
"Huh? Have you never looked at yourself?"
"Normally, one cannot see themselves, right?"
"No, no, you see yourself reflected in water or glass, don't you?"
"I don't. That's something people with confidence in their appearance do."
Ray, who had a complex about his appearance, hardly ever tried to look at himself, almost feeling grateful for this world where mirrors were scarce, or rather, extremely few. Because of that, while he was aware of his trained body, he thought of his face as merely having become thinner. As Miria said, the current Ray was not exactly a 'pretty boy,' but he had a sharp, masculine face.
"That's why I'm saying you're handsome, Kamui. Certainly, at first, you were skin and bones and I thought you were a creepy man, but now your flesh has returned, and rather than being thin, you feel toned."
"Are you hitting on me?"
"Who's hitting on you!?"
"Well, that's fine then. But if that were really the case, I'll tell the princess."
"S-stop that. If you did that..."
"Well, you wouldn't be able to stay in the Royal Guard."
"That's cruel. My pride as a knight is already in tatters because of the rumors about me and Kamui. On top of that, if I even lose the object of my loyalty, what am I supposed to do?"
That was Ray's goal, but there was no way Miria would realize it. Miria believed that even if she knew Ray hated her, she could not even think of revenge once she had been fitted with the collar of subordination.
In reality, Ray's hatred for Miria was not that deep. Those Ray truly hated were the ones who had stolen his happy life and driven Kamiira and the others to their deaths.
Revenge against Miria was merely a side project, but Miria had fallen completely for it during that side project.
Even as a lie, if Ray told Princess Ekaterina that he had been propositioned by Miria, her position in the Royal Guard would be stripped without mercy. That would complete the revenge against Miria.
However, Ray had no intention of doing so. The simple-minded Miria was an easy target for Ray to utilize.
"I'm joking."
"That's a nasty joke."
"It's because Miria-san suspects me so much."
Ray did not forget to subtly plant a warning. With this, it should be harder for Miria to interfere with the time Ray spent alone with Princess Ekaterina.
"I get it. But the similarity to Cecil bothers me."
"I believe that is also a misunderstanding. It's not as if I'm being pursued. There's no way the princess would do such a thing."
"In other words, Cecil is..."
"Are you in a position to pry? You haven't made up with Cecil-san, have you?"
"Impossible. I think it's absolutely impossible. When I get close to her, she's practically ice and blood."
"What does that even mean? Saying things like that will only make her angrier."
"It couldn't be any worse. Cecil isn't just angry about the matter of my testimony."
"Did you do something else to anger her?"
"It seems the rumors reached Cecil's ears."
"Ah, that... yes. They would, wouldn't they?"
The rumors about Ray and Miria had reached most people's ears, partly because they had been intentionally spread. Even Cecil, who had no interest in gossip, could not have remained unaware of it.
"When I went to the Mage Corps' training ground with the princess, magic came flying at me. That was Cecil's threat to me."
"Surely she wouldn't go that far. Wasn't it just an inexperienced mage losing control?"
"Because it was ice. The magic that flew at me was a blade of ice."
"Ah, that is definitely Cecil-san."
"Don't say it so lightly!"
"Ah. I see... that... yeah, without a doubt."
"It's not that you should say it heavily! Do something about it!"
"There's no way I can, right? Don't tell me you want me to say the rumors are lies?"
"Wouldn't it be fine if you said it secretly?"
"But, you know, Cecil-san. If she heard others gossiping, she'd probably deny it head-on."
With anything else, Cecil would absolutely keep Ray's secrets. But when it came to relationships with women, it was a different story. Ray knew very well how strong Cecil's jealousy was.
"...True."
And the same applied to Miria.
"Therefore, request denied."
"Cruel..."
"Well, I shall take my leave now. Ah, I'll continue using this tone with Miria-san from now on. Provided I have the princess's permission."
"I don't mind, but why?"
"Because Miria-san and I are lovers who have slept together many times, after all."
"Hau!?"
Delivering the final blow to Miria, Ray left the room. Having teased Miria thoroughly, Ray's heart was filled with a sense of fulfillment. Ray's hatred for Miria was only to this extent.
The night-shift Royal Guard Knight on patrol watched Ray as he emerged from the room. Ray, with his night vision, could clearly see the meaningful smile floating on that face.
Feeling an even greater sense of satisfaction, Ray headed toward his own room with a light step.