BVIB 40

Chapter 40

“All right, we’re done.”

“…Isn’t there too much exposed?”

“Oh my~! What are you talking about? With such a beautiful body! Even so, I chose the outfit with the least amount of exposure possible for Lady Roselyn.”

“…I see.”

Roselyn was being dressed up by the women of Kaluta according to Khan’s orders.

She was going to attend the banquet being held that evening.

It was the result of nodding her head without properly understanding Khan’s suspicious suggestion that they should accept each other’s cultures for the sake of peace.

It’s definitely not as revealing as Hali’s style, where her arms and legs are completely exposed…

But because Kaluta clothing was thin and used very little fabric, Roselyn’s stomach and shoulders were still completely exposed.

The outfit barely covered her chest, while the fabric around her waist was wrapped around her body and shaped like a skirt.

The shiny gold ornaments covering her body were also heavy and uncomfortable.

Every time she moved, the fancy decorations jingled.

“My goodness, how can you be this beautiful? Is it because your skin is so white? The dark blue fabric suits you so well.”

Roselyn shivered awkwardly as she watched the women touch and feel her body without hesitation.

She didn’t know what to do with herself because of their sincere compliments, which had no ill intentions at all.

The Kaluta people were simply too honest.

“Now, sit here. We’re going to draw a pattern on your stomach.”

“…A pattern?”

“Yes. The Kaluta people love the moon.”

They brought out silver-colored dye and placed a brush near Roselyn’s navel.

Cat-like patterns appeared on her cheeks, while a silver crescent moon and geometric patterns appeared brightly across her exposed, snow-white stomach.

“Ahh! How is your stomach so soft and smooth?”

“…I’m actually more jealous of you.”

Roselyn spoke.

The Kaluta people, whether men or women, had a lot of muscle on their bodies.

The reason Roselyn’s stomach was so soft and smooth was because there wasn’t even a little bit of muscle there.

Ornaments were also placed around her thighs and upper arms.

Instead of the bright red lipstick she usually wore, pink rouge was applied to her lips.

“Ah, so pretty. You’re really, really beautiful.”

At their frank compliments, Roselyn simply nodded.

“Thank you. You’ve worked hard.”

“I’d love to work even harder for you in the future~!”

Someone shouted.

Roselyn’s face turned bright red.

That was when it happened.

A thunderous sound echoed from outside.

“The banquet is starting. Now, go outside.”

One of the women made a final adjustment to Roselyn’s clothes and gave her a light push on the back.

Roselyn stepped outside the tent and suddenly stopped when countless eyes fell upon her from every direction.

A stage…?

She never imagined they would send her right to the center of the stage.

As Roselyn stood there, unsure of what to do, Khan approached her. She was dressed even more magnificently than usual.

Khan took Roselyn’s hand and kissed the back of it.

“I really wish you were a man. You’re quite tempting.”

Roselyn wondered if someone who looked at least fifty years old was really allowed to have such a firm body without any excess fat.

Thinking about the unfairness of the world, Roselyn turned her gaze toward the area below the stage.

Men and women alike were wearing clothes that were half-exposed.

Some of the men were completely shirtless, while others wore pieces of cloth so small that it was hard to tell whether they were actually wearing anything.

“Big sister princess, you’re pretty!!”

The children shouted.

Roselyn awkwardly nodded and turned her gaze away, but then she stopped when she saw two people sitting in the seats prepared at the center below the stage.

They were the Second Prince and Third Prince.

Yuldian had his mouth hanging open as he pointed at Roselyn.

Of course, he was sitting on Narayan’s lap, held comfortably in her arms.

They seem to be getting along very well.

Roselyn was satisfied.

Across from them, Arma was also staring at Roselyn with his eyes wide open.

“Come on, let’s go to our seats. You’re going to see something interesting.”

Khan led Roselyn forward.

Every time Roselyn passed by, she heard all kinds of comments from the crowd.

“She’s beautiful.”

“Marry me!”

Men and women alike shouted them.

Roselyn knew they were mostly joking, but it was still extremely embarrassing.

When Roselyn had made her way about halfway through the crowd, something happened.

The crowd on the opposite side parted like the sea, and someone strode toward her.

“Roselyn.”

Arma took off the coat he was wearing and draped it over her shoulders.

“You’re not feeling well either, so you shouldn’t be dressed this lightly.”

His low voice was calm as he gently scolded her, but somehow, he seemed more tense than usual.

“Oh, I’m fine.”

“You’re not fine. Roselyn, you have the most important role here.”

“That will be over tonight…”

“Your job is to stay safe until we return.”

It was an unusually stubborn side of Arma, who would normally hesitate and back down.

He naturally pulled Roselyn away from Khan and made her sit beside him.

Thanks to Arma’s large military uniform jacket, more than half of her lower body was covered.

Come to think of it, something like this happened before, too.

Arma in this place probably didn’t know about it, though.

Remembering the old memory, Roselyn smiled faintly.

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

Arma kissed the back of Roselyn’s hand as he spoke.

This is interesting.

Khan’s eyes narrowed as she watched the two of them.

One seemed completely indifferent, while the other looked as though he was desperately trying to suppress an overwhelming desire.

But why is this little beast pretending to be a little kitten?

As Khan rubbed her chin and observed Arma, he seemed to notice her gaze and looked at her coldly.

There was a clear look of resentment on his face.

Khan laughed inwardly.

An amusing idea had just come to her.

“Lyn, there’s a rather interesting custom in Kaluta. Would you cooperate with me?”

At Khan’s question, Roselyn frowned slightly.

She looked at the Kaluta people making a great deal of noise and showing off their talents on the stage, then nodded.

“As long as you’re not asking me to do something like that.”

Khan waved her hand as if asking what Roselyn was talking about.

“Ah, no, you won’t be participating. What we’re going to do now is a simple survival game.”

“Survival?”

“The prize is a date with the most beautiful person at the banquet.”

As Khan crooked her finger, the maids nearby quickly grabbed Roselyn and lifted her onto the stage.

Arma’s eyes widened when Roselyn was suddenly taken away from right in front of him.

Khan grinned at Arma.

Crack.

Arma ground his teeth.

At that moment, Khan’s husband and the public face of the Khan, Hatan, came over and stood beside her.

“All right! I’m thinking today’s ‘Katun’ should be Roselyn from the Empire. Does anyone object?”

“Woooooah!!”

“No objections!!”

A thunderous roar erupted from the crowd.

“As always, the winner gets to spend one day with the Katun. And since this banquet was prepared for friendship between our peoples, people from the Empire may also participate.”

Khan’s gaze landed on Arma.

“You may use swords or fight with your bare hands. Any method is allowed! As long as you don’t kill anyone or leave permanent injuries, some bloodshed is acceptable. However, Abyss is forbidden.”

Thump, thump.

The Kaluta people stomped their feet.

With so many Kaluta people stomping at the same time, the ground shook as though there had been an earthquake.

“Those who wish to participate, fill out an application here and submit it. Applications will be accepted for the next thirty minutes.”

The moment Khan finished speaking, a large crowd rushed over and began filling out applications.

Every year, regardless of gender, the most attractive person was chosen to become the ‘Katun.’

Anyone who wanted to fight or wanted to win the Katun’s favor would then take part.

It was a sight that could only be seen in Kaluta, where people were warlike and honest about their desires.

Arma remained seated.

Roselyn looked somewhat troubled, but her expression did not change much.

She didn’t even send Arma a pleading look for help.

…How miserable.