41 - Confession
As expected, no one dared to scold the princess to her face. Instead, in an extremely businesslike tone, the three of them were sentenced to three days of house arrest. This likely wasn't the final punishment, but even so, aside from Princess Ekaterina, it could be called a light sentence for Miria and Ray. The two of them had been prepared to be thrown into a dungeon.
However, Miria was still not satisfied with this light punishment.
"Why? Why did it turn out like this?"
She paced around the room, grumbling to herself.
"Miria-san, you're being noisy."
In stark contrast, Ray was leisurely stretching on the floor.
"...Why are you so calm?"
"It's you who's strange for making such a fuss, Miria-san."
"I'm not strange! I'm under house arrest in the same room as you!?"
While the house arrest was meant to be in their own rooms, Ray had been placed in Miria's room last night. Thinking it was some kind of mistake, she had asked again today, but she was told that this was Ray's room. Miria and Ray ended up spending three days in the same room.
"Your voice is too loud. The guards will get suspicious."
"I want to know the reason."
The guarding knight didn't know the reason. He had simply been told to keep an eye on the two of them, he said with a smirk.
"Maybe it's because it makes the guarding easier?"
"For a reason like that?"
"It's the only thing I can think of."
"That's quite irreverent, isn't it?"
"How irreverent of you, while under house arrest."
"Not funny."
"Is that so. Anyway, please calm down. Nothing will change even if you make a scene."
"Well, that's true."
Finally stopping her pacing, Miria sat down on the bed.
"Eh, you went to the bed of your own accord?"
"Because it's the furthest point from you."
"What, I thought you were provoking me."
"You... are you okay now?"
Changing her expression to a serious one, Miria questioned Ray.
"About what?"
"Because you seemed terribly depressed."
"I'm still depressed. That's why I'm teasing you, Miria-san, to try and lift my spirits."
"What am I to you?"
"A toy?"
"Enough. I wasted my time worrying about you."
Normally, Ray would have offered some kind of follow-up or teased her further in another way, but when Miria stopped the conversation, he didn't open his mouth again and silently devoted himself to stretching. When that happened, Miria became concerned about Ray's condition again.
"What are you depressed about? Is it that the residents of the slums were killed?"
"Well, yes."
"Isn't it okay not to feel too much responsibility? Originally, the ones who attacked Her Highness the Princess were the ones at fault."
"That's true. But there was a way to prevent it."
"But that was for the sake of Her Highness the Princess."
"Are you telling me to push the responsibility onto Her Highness the Princess?"
"I didn't say that."
"Besides, even if it was for the sake of Her Highness the Princess..."
In reality, Ray had only acted for the sake of revenge. It was Ray's own selfish convenience, and Ray knew best that Princess Ekaterina bore no responsibility at all.
"Don't blame yourself too much."
"It's not about blaming myself... Miria-san, do you have a reason for living?"
"What's with that, all of a sudden?"
"No, I just wanted to ask."
"For now, I suppose it's being recognized by others as a full-fledged Royal Guard Knight."
"What would you do if your passion for that suddenly vanished?"
"That won't happen."
"Just as an example."
"...Well, I'd probably think of something else, right?"
"I thought so. That's normal."
"Are you making fun of me?"
"I'm praising you."
"How is that praising?"
"I think being able to be normal is a good thing."
At Ray's meaningful way of speaking, Miria became increasingly worried about him. Although he was behaving as usual, even Miria noticed that Ray's condition was clearly strange.
"...And you?"
"I'm probably not normal. I think so myself."
"Hey. Are you okay? You're acting kind of weird."
"...I'll go check on Her Highness the Princess."
"Again? Surely she's already resting by now?"
"I hope so."
"What are you worried about? After a night's sleep, she seemed relatively energetic today."
"That's just her forcing herself for our sake. Because we were also terribly depressed."
"I-I see."
"By giving up the succession to the throne, a weight may have been lifted from her shoulders. But the fact that her own blood brother, the Prince, targeted her life, and the fact that the residents of the slums were killed by the kingdom's knights, are wounds to the heart that won't heal so easily."
"That's true."
"Would you like to come along?"
"...No, I'm fine."
"Oh? It's rare for you to refuse."
"I... could not protect Her Highness the Princess from the assassins. And even now, I cannot fathom Her Highness the Princess's feelings. I have no right to call myself Her Highness the Princess's Royal Guard right now."
"...If you can think that way, you'll be fine. Miria-san, I'm sure you'll become a splendid Royal Guard for Her Highness the Princess."
"I-It feels creepy to be praised by you. What are you plotting?"
"Nothing. I just said how I honestly felt. Well then, I'm off."
"O-Oh."
"Ah, please leave the space next to the bed open."
"Wh-What are you talking about?"
"Surely you aren't telling me to sleep on the floor again tonight?"
"O-Of course I am!"
"Haa, what a cruel person."
Ray opened the door of the wardrobe in Miria's room and stepped inside. He didn't forget to sense the presence in the next room. Then, erasing his own presence, Ray headed toward Princess Ekaterina's bedroom. This was because he was wary of the security being even stricter than usual due to the house arrest. When he opened the bedroom door, as expected, Princess Ekaterina was awake and sitting on the bed. Slowly, Ray approached Princess Ekaterina.
"Kamui."
Princess Ekaterina's voice called Ray without even looking back. Internally, Ray was quite surprised. Confirming once more that his presence concealment was active, he stood before Princess Ekaterina.
"Somehow, I thought you would come."
"Is that so. Can you not sleep?"
"Various things are racing through my mind, so I don't think I can sleep at all."
"That can't be helped."
"Won't you comfort me?"
"I do not know how to comfort you in a way that would heal Her Highness the Princess's heart."
"How honest. But right now, even superficial comfort... I..."
Large tears flowed from Princess Ekaterina's eyes. Without wiping them away, Princess Ekaterina stared straight ahead. In response, Ray could do nothing.
"...Sit."
"Yes."
When he sat beside the bed, Princess Ekaterina clung to Ray's chest, burying her face in it. While hesitating slightly, Ray embraced Princess Ekaterina's trembling shoulders. For a while, only the sound of sobbing echoed in the bedroom. Eventually, perhaps feeling a bit better after crying, Princess Ekaterina slowly moved her face away from Ray's chest.
"...D-Don't look at my face."
"It's dark, so I can't see."
"Liar. I know that Kamui can see well even in the dark."
"That's true."
"Hey. Would you stay by my side until I fall asleep, as usual?"
"That is..."
"Y-Yes, you're right. With people having died, I shouldn't do such a thing."
"It's not that."
"...What's wrong?"
Princess Ekaterina felt a certain anxiety at Ray's sorrowful expression, which she never usually saw.
"I think I'll stop sleeping beside Her Highness the Princess."
"Eh? Why?"
"The reason... I will tell you. I hated Her Highness the Princess."
"Y-Yes, that's true."
"And I was plotting to take revenge on Her Highness the Princess."
"Eh...?"
"Just because I was put in a collar doesn't mean I lost my will or my memories. I obey the restrictions and orders, but other than that, I can act relatively freely."
He didn't intend to tell her everything, but Ray had decided in his heart to tell Princess Ekaterina everything that concerned her personally.
"............"
"I consciously treated Her Highness the Princess with kindness. In that way, I intended to attract Her Highness the Princess's attention, make her open her heart, make her perform obscene acts unbecoming of royalty with a slave, and finally betray her and wound her heart."
"T-That's a lie!"
"No, it is a fact. That is my revenge against Her Highness the Princess."
"W-Why are you saying such a thing?"
"I wanted to inform you of the facts."
"Facts... do you hate me that much?"
"I did hate you. My precious family had their bodies defiled, their pride trampled upon, and they desired death more than living. And I killed her with these hands. Yet, Her Highness the Princess is loved by people, is not hurt by anyone, and maintains a straight face even while making people slaves and robbing them of their pride. I resented such a princess."
"I..."
"I have been deceiving Her Highness the Princess all along. Please hate me. Punish me however you wish."
"Why now? Is this also your revenge? Did you think that now, while I'm hurt, is the perfect opportunity?"
"...No."
"Then why!?"
"It is something you will understand eventually. When that happens, Her Highness the Princess will be wounded just as I planned. Even if this current wound heals, Her Highness the Princess may suffer a deep wound again."
"Kamui?"
While saying he hated her, Ray's words were overflowing with consideration for her. Princess Ekaterina could not grasp Ray's feelings.
"You don't have to believe me. But I no longer want to hurt Her Highness the Princess. While the wound is still shallow, right now, other things are far heavier events for Her Highness the Princess."
"Do you no longer hate me?"
"I don't know. But I've lost sight of the meaning of revenge. Her Highness the Princess is far more wounded by this current incident than by my schemes. I wondered what more there was to do. That's what I ended up thinking. Once that happens, it's already over."
"...Hey, do you perhaps intend to die? You wanted to die, didn't you?"
"I'm not thinking of anything right now. The fire of revenge against Her Highness the Princess has gone out. Once that happened, I no longer knew what to do."
"You can't. You are my slave. It is not permitted for you to die without your master's permission."
"If that is your wish, I shall live."
It was a tone that evoked the lethargy from when he had first become a slave. It was different from the meaning of living that Princess Ekaterina desired. The control of the collar had nothing to do with it. Having lost the purpose of revenge, Ray had also lost his purpose for living.
"...No, that's not it. It's not an order as a master. I..."
"That feeling is a delusion. You are being deceived by me."
"How could..."
"Please distance yourself from me. If you do, eventually, this current delusional feeling will vanish."
"............"
"Please do so."
"...No. Don't be ridiculous! You are my slave! You are my possession! I will never let you go! I'll keep you bound to me for the rest of your life!"
"Her Highness the Princess?"
Ray was bewildered by Princess Ekaterina, who suddenly changed her expression and tone and began to berate him.
"A mere slave of unknown origin, talking about revenge against me, the princess of this country? How presumptuous of you to think such a thing. But I'm not hurt at all. Your revenge is a failure."
"............"
"You hate me? You talk about family, but in the end, they're just the Demon Race. So what if a woman of the Demon Race was toyed with as they pleased?"
"Stop it!"
Princess Ekaterina's abuse extended even to Rui. Even Ray could no longer tolerate that and raised his voice. But even then, Princess Ekaterina did not stop.
"Perhaps she actually enjoyed it? Being embraced by so many men. After all, she's a Vampio who seduces men, isn't she?"
"Shut up!"
Infuriated by Princess Ekaterina's words despising Rui, Ray grabbed Princess Ekaterina's shoulders and pushed her down onto the bed.
"Oh, do you intend to hurt me? You're a slave. There's no way you can."
Still, the princess's provocations did not stop. She glared at Ray and continued to spout hateful words.
"............"
"I'll say it once more. So what if a woman of the Demon Race was violated? It's foolish to die over such a thing."
"What's wrong with protecting one's pride?"
"It wasn't protected. She was violated by multiple men one after another, and her pride was protected by that?"
"Shut up already!"
"You're the one who should correct that presumptuous mouth! You are my slave. You're not in a position to speak to me, a princess, in such a manner."
"............"
"A mere slave who can't do anything. I wonder how you could call that revenge."
"...It's not that I can't do anything."
"Oh, did you do something? I'm not hurt at all. Hey, don't tell me that just touching my skin a bit was your revenge?"
"No."
"Then what is your revenge?"
"I'll make you understand right now."
"...Even though you can't."
"I can."
Grabbing Princess Ekaterina's nightgown with the hand he had on her shoulder, Ray pulled it down in one go.
"Ah."
"What's wrong? Are you embarrassed?"
"...I'm fine. I don't think anything of having my skin seen by a slave."
"I see. Just having your skin seen, huh. Then, try being violated by that slave. I'll test if you, a princess, can still speak like that after being violated by me, a slave."
"I-I'm different from the Demon Race. I won't lose my pride over something like that."
"Try saying those words again... after it's over."
Stripping away Ekaterina's nightgown, he next placed his hand on her underwear. Princess Ekaterina's body shuddered. Even so, Princess Ekaterina did not avert her eyes from Ray, only glaring at him.
"Aren't you going to resist?"
"I told you, didn't I? You are my slave. I'm not one to show such a pathetic sight to a slave."
"I see. Then stay still."
Stripping away her underwear and exposing Princess Ekaterina's breasts, Ray grabbed them roughly.
"I-It hurts."
"...Then I'll be gentle."
Ray slowly sank his face into her breasts. Placing his mouth on the protrusion at the tip of Princess Ekaterina's well-shaped breast, he rolled it with his tongue. Slowly and gently. And one hand went to the opposite breast, while the other descended along her body to her lower half.
"...Ah."
Ray continued to let his hands and tongue crawl over her entire body.
"Ngh."
Just as a small moan escaped Princess Ekaterina's mouth, Ray paused and looked straight down at her from above.
"I-I'm embarr..."
"Are you embarrassed?"
"...I'm fine."
"How stubborn. Take back those words from before. Then I'll stop."
"A woman of the Demon Race... so what if a Demon was violated by many men!"
While her skin was dyed with shame, the words insulting Rui continued to be spat from Princess Ekaterina's mouth. Princess Ekaterina did not avert her gaze, continuing to glare at Ray. As Ray tried to sink his face back down to continue, he somehow saw an expression of relief on Princess Ekaterina's face. When he hurriedly lifted his head, that expression changed back to one full of hatred. With that, Ray's feelings, which had lost their composure due to the insults toward Rui, suddenly regained their calm.
"Her Highness the Princess."
"What?"
"...Rui is precious family to me. Please do not insult her any further."
"No. I'll say it as many times as it takes."
"It's no use anymore. I understand your feelings, Her Highness the Princess."
"Eh?"
"It's useless to try and make me angry. I was lured in, but I understand now. Her Highness the Princess is intentionally trying to make me angry."
"............"
"I won't be fooled anymore. Besides, think about it. Even if I hurt Her Highness the Princess with this, that's the end of it. There is nothing beyond that."
With that, Princess Ekaterina had also reached her limit. Her hateful expression vanished, and instead, tears quickly welled up in her eyes.
"Why?"
"Why what?"
"Why won't you tell me you'll live for my sake? You exist for me. You told me that."
"That, too, was just me deceiving Her Highness the Princess."
"...No. I don't want to believe such a story. That your kindness was a fake."
"I am sorry. I have wounded Her Highness the Princess."
"Then deceive me until the end!"
"............"
"Hurt me until the end! This is, this is too cruel..."
"I am sorry."
"Cruel. So cruel..."
Covering her face with both hands, Princess Ekaterina continued to cry. At the sheer sight of her pain, Ray instinctively reached out. Almost unconsciously, he gently pulled her head close and drew her to his chest.
"D-Don't be gentle."
"Ah, sorry."
At those words, Ray came to his senses and gathered the underwear and nightgown scattered on the bed, placing them by the pillow.
"I'll leave your clothes here. I'll be going now."
"Don't leave me alone."
"...Um."
"I don't know anymore. I don't know what I want."
"I..."
"I don't know..."
"Then, at least let me stay by your side until you fall asleep. If Her Highness the Princess can forgive me, I would like to do as I have done until now, just for today."
"...Yes."
Princess Ekaterina gave a small nod. At that child-like gesture, Ray's hesitation vanished. Dressing the passive Princess Ekaterina in her underwear and then her nightgown, he lay down beside her and gently embraced her body.
"I won't give up."
Burying her face in Ray's chest, Princess Ekaterina whispered softly.
"...Please don't say anything right now. I cannot answer you."
"............"
"For now, I will simply be by your side. Please forgive me for that."
"...Mm."
What swirled in Ray's heart now was a sense of regret for having wounded Princess Ekaterina. That made Ray's feelings even heavier. Ray did not try to look at the small light flickering in the depths of his heart. His feelings for Kamiira and Rui would not let him acknowledge it.