Hamada gradually opened his eyes.
"Hm?"
This?
Where is he?
Looking around, it seems to be a neat bed, not his usual haystack bed from the cell.
Did they move him?
Hamada looked at his body.
He seems to be treated well.
"Oh, it seems you're awake. I'll get you some water and food."
The maid who had just opened the door hastily said as she closed the door again.
"Uh…"
Hamada was about to ask where he was and how long he had been staying here with all these neat clothes, but the maid was gone in a jiff.
Soon his mind began to work.
Was he bought? Since he performed well, it seems a rich noble had bought him.
Hamada needs to escape.
But how? He needs to see who bought him first and decide the best way to escape.
The window…
He paused and then shook his head.
Let's wait.
After a while, the servant brought him a light meal. A seat was placed beside his bed, and behind him was Alatair.
Alatair said, "You can eat first."
"What?"
"It seems you didn't plan to jump out of this window."
"???"
"It seems you didn't plan to jump out of this window."
"???"
Hamada isn't following his words. And hey, why are you moving your way through the window?
"Good choice."
Hamada frowned as he observed the man before him.
This kind of skin is bronze. This is not one of those Adiand people he usually sees, nor is he from his tribe.
"You're not from this empire."
"Yes, I am not. Does that bother you?"
"No, and I can eat while you tell me why I'm here."
"Alright."
Alatair went back and sat on the chair beside Hamada's bed.
"You already assumed you were sold to me, don't you?"
"If not?"
"I have heard of your circumstances. Do you not want revenge?"
Of course, Hamada wants to.
Seeing that he was silent, Alatair spoke again. "If you are being sold, do you think your brother won't be sold as well?"
"Just be blunt."
Why do nobles like to say everything in a roundabout way?
"I can prevent that. And I can even help either of you be the heir for your tribe."
Hamada sighed. "I'm already your slave. You can force me to do as you bid."
"That's too obedient of you to do, do you think so?"
Alatair pulled up a written contract.
"If you can survive and be a spy for us by entering the Adiand Palace, then your brother will live."
Hamada laughed. "Entering the Adiand's abode? I'll die even before I enter. Consider this rejected before it even begins."
That's the Adiand Palace. How could he even live as a spy, even for a moment?
"Are you sure?"
Alatair pointed at one of the contract's statements. "If you succeed in entering the Adiand palace grounds, not only is your brother's life guaranteed, but we will secretly support your tribe's finances from behind."
"That would be betraying our allegiance with the Adiand Empire." Hamada knew it well. "Look here, I can understand if it's only my brother or me, but you cannot think about supporting the Atu Tribe as a whole."
If this is known, not only will he not live, but even his tribespeople will not.
"Are you sure?" Alatair was quite relaxed, as if he knew something about Hamada's tribe. "To my knowledge, your tribe is not faring well. Although there are animals that can be hunted, there are quite a few, though fewer as the days pass. Other than herding animals, hunting, and planting herbs and vegetables, it is still not enough. Even buying medicine for your people is scarce. No wonder the nobles call you barbaric by how backward things are going on your side."
"You!"
"Is it not true? Among the two brothers, you are the smartest. You would know this more than anyone, or is it your pride?"
"…"
"Then can you swallow your pride for the goodness of your tribe?"
"…"
"Once you agree, then all is settled."
"If not?"
Hamada asked.
"Then you'll be sent to our land, be the ladies' pleasure."
Alatair looked at his stature. "Our ladies would love you."
"!!!"
Seeing his expression, Alatair put the contract and ink pen on the lamp stand. "I suppose you agree to this time, then."
"Oh, and if you think you would be able to escape the second choice, think again."
"…"
"Who knows? With your wits, you can fare better in the Adiand Palace as a knight."
"…If I die, at least give my brother some money."
He has no choice anyway.
"You can write it in the contract. If you do well, it'll be tripled."
"Fine."
"Wise choice."
With that, Hamada put in his own outlay and signed the contract.
"Have a rest first. I'll see you in a week."
***
Meanwhile, in the study, Ett found something odd.
"Akan."
"Yes, Your Ladyship."
"What do you think of Lativ's current use?"
"Well, he's quite a fast learner, especially having you as his inspiration, Your Ladyship."
Look at that wretched smile.
"That's a disgusting face; put it away."
"Apologies, but it's true. I heard from Butler Xiwen that he always praises your beauty and would work hard to help His Majesty and the Princess for the betterment of the empire. Butler Xiwen's troubled face is quite laughable. That kind old man must be itching to say you're the Empress Dowager."
"…"
Yeah, right.
"I'll be telling him I'm an old hag."
"Is it necessary? Wouldn't he be more zealous with the task he's been given? He'll be more loyal to us as well."
Ett coughed.
Look at that, as expected of this person. The loophole is so easy to detect and exploit. He's so manipulative, even for a young boy's love.
"It's not my way. Too low. I'll let him know, only him."
Not that Garth's son.
"If one day he realizes he was in love with the Empress Dowager, he'll feel betrayed. I don't want another useless kill."
"That's true, Your Ladyship. But what if you could make him fall deeper in the pit? Even if he knows late in the future, he wouldn't bear betraying you?"
"Akan, I don't do your way in that area."
"But he is so smitten so badly!"
"Then let me crush it."
"If you crush it now, that will be too early. We could have more use of his admiration. But, well, are you thinking that even if you say so early, an ounce of his love would not fade?"
"…"
Dude, I didn't even think about that.
I'm too tired for this. "Think whatever."
Akan grinned. "A momentary conscience is accepted, but that's it. It's not your way. However, I'll wait for that day. It's quite an amusement if that happens. Would you bet with me, Your Ladyship?"
"No."
"How dull, Your Ladyship. I'll bet with Butler Xiwen then."
"That's a child."
"Yes, and you're a child for now."
"That's very unsettling to say."
"But it can be useful, isn't it?"
"Enough."
Just help me out with these papers.
"As you wish."
After a few more hours, Ett finally finished her task for today.
"I'll take a brief walk. Don't accompany me."
"Alright. Then please get inside shortly, Your Ladyship," Akan added. "Your palace knight would be watching you from afar as if he never existed."
"Alright."
As Ett stepped out of the door, her palace knight, who was standing nearby, bowed to her.
She stared at him.
Really, this guy is a looker, no doubt about that. Even the freckles across the bridge of his nose and a bit on his cheeks are so charming. If not for this guy's lean yet muscular body, she would think he was a soft fellow.
"You, I order you to look at me."
The palace knight obeyed.
Ahhh.
Really.
Ett couldn't help but stare at his eyes, bright Ember, just like a dog. When sunlight hit her dog's eyes, they shimmered golden brown, warm and striking, like autumn caught in flame.
How he missed looking at those eyes. Now she's wondering how her lovely dog is.
"What's your name again?"
She didn't remember when Akan introduced them.
"I don't have a name, Your Highness."
So even your name is stripped away after brainwashing?
"Ember, I'll call you Ember."
Just like your eyes.
"Understood."
"Then keep your distance."
"Yes."
Seeing as the sun was about to go down, Ett sighed.
So far, walking little by little has helped her reduce nosebleeding too much.
"Still, I would still cough and renew five handkerchiefs a day."
Well, it's better than having eight handkerchiefs, since they've been stained with blood these past few months.
But that's the limit.
"Haa."
Ett sat on one of the benches, looking up at the sky.
Will she ever return to her old height or to her original normal life?
There was no system. So far, there isn't much plot deviation on her side, to the point that it's very boring and monotonous. The only hope she has is when the novel starts, when there is a form of entertainment, and when signs or hints of returning from this reverie appear.
It's good. She can be Ett and not work to death, yet this is not where she is.
Ett became more dull in this place.
"Should I just make some comics, stories, and otherworldly entertainments like those who are in an isekai setting?"
Nah, much of a drag.
But that would be a blast. She can watch the people's reaction.
Ett shook her head.
It's not bad, but ahh. I don't know. I'll think about it later.
Ett closed her eyes, feeling the breeze.
Yes, just like this, and let me melt into the ground.
Be part of nothingness. Let the self dissolve like mist before dawn. Achieve samadhi, and return to Dao—where form is void, and void is infinite.
"Okay, we're switching genre now."
Reverse. Reverse.
"Haaa."
Ett took a deep breath.
Right, she forgot her water. To always be hydrated, ah.
Alright, that's enough gazing.
It's getting cold as well.
Standing up from her seat, Ett started to walk back.
Yet somehow, in a way she did not understand, as if by instinct, she looked beyond the bench. It was filled with trees.
Lovely trees.
Big green leaves, big trunk, sturdy branches… Yes, this place is filled with lovely trimmed trees.
This was another garden she usually didn't go into, as it was the dividing line between her territory and Guren's peace of mind.
Could it be…?
Well, it's not bad to check it out.
Going through the knee-high bushes, Ett carefully looked around the garden.
There was nothing much to be seen.
Should she go deeper?
Although there was no fence to draw a line between each other's places, it's just…
"Hmm…?"
Ett squinted her eyes. There's a person curled like a baby.
No, that's a child.
"…"
Oh, please, not her child.
Should she go back? Not this again? The time she helped him, it took her weeks to recover.
But no, she got closer, and behold! Guren, curling his body, his head beaded with sweat, frowning really hard as he gritted his chattering teeth.
"Please…why, again? Why am I finding you like this…"
All troubled.
Looking at the sky, it was not raining. Yet it was cold as the afternoon usually was, but no rain seemed to be coming.
"Seriously, Guren."
Why are you sick again? Are these your PTSD days? You're not inherently weak.
Was the paperwork too much to handle? I've done a good job sweeping it off over the past few days.
Ett neared and reluctantly leaned closer; she raised her hand to feel Guren's forehead.
"Man, you're burning cold."
Does this guy usually have this kind of illness?
Right, Butler Xiwen or Akan knows this better than she does.
Ett pulled out her handkerchief and gently wiped Guren's sweating forehead, face, and neck.
He shouldn't look too weak. Ett reasoned out.
"Alright, that's enough."
For now, she'll call Butler Xiwen.
Where's Ember again…
"You..."
Ett, who was about to stand up properly, stopped like a statue.
"Why are you…"
The eyes that were looking at her were dazed, yet why did it pierce her so badly?
Ett gulped, staring at his eyes that never left hers. "You're cold."
"Huh."
"I'll call Butler Xiwen."
"Don't."
Ett frowned. What do you mean, don't?
"Just don't."
"Your Majesty. I have to go."
But no, he clasped Ett's hand, making her shudder.
"I s-said… don't.
Then don't stare at me!
Besides, your grip hurts my wrist. Let go!
Ett was unable to voice it out, seeing his wretched state.
Caw. Caw. Caw.
What now?
Ett looked up, breathing a sigh of relief as she saw a crow flying past them in the sky.
Strange bird.
Ett looked back at Guren. "See that bird? It's a vulture, do you want to die?"
"…"
"Let go."
"What is…a vulture?"
"…"
Right, vultures don't appear in this empire.