Episode 3. A Cute Slave Is Waiting
“So you believe such low-grade rumors. You, who bring up friendship every other sentence.”
“I thought you weren’t interested in any man except Cliff. It really surprised me!”
“Where did you hear that?”
“Everyone knows, don’t they?”
“Everyone knows the rumor that I drag slaves into my bed? How amusing.”
Michelle nodded with an awkward expression.
“Cliff seemed amused too. He said Stella has finally started enjoying life.”
It had been Clifford who suggested assigning a night-attending slave. If he were displeased, that would have been absurd—but I hadn’t expected him to be enjoying rumors I didn’t even know about.
“As long as His Majesty is satisfied.”
I was about to turn my wheelchair when Michelle blocked my path.
“Wait, Stella!”
*How dare she block the Empress’s way?*
Even a noble of high lineage wouldn’t be forgiven for such an offense. But Michelle didn’t care. Accustomed to the Emperor’s special treatment, she didn’t even realize she’d crossed the line.
“I don’t agree with Cliff.”
*I don’t care what you think.*
Instead of saying that, I bit the inside of my cheek. Whenever Michelle sulked, Clifford would come running. He’d vent his irritation on me and waste my time. The only reason I stayed silent before a mere maid was because I was tired.
“Enjoying life is important, but you’re Cliff’s wife, Stella.”
“So?”
“A proper wife doesn’t bring in male prostitutes.”
“Most husbands don’t build harems either.”
“Oh, Stella. Cliff isn’t an ordinary husband. He’s the Emperor of Anghel!”
Michelle raised her voice as if scolding a child who didn’t understand.
“I’m the Empress, and he’s the Emperor. Then why does the Empress only have duties, while the Emperor only has rights?”
“What do you mean?”
“Where are my rights? Why does no one advise the Emperor to fulfill his duties?”
It was a question I asked myself, but Michelle answered with pity.
“You’re a woman.”
My breath caught.
“A woman’s true happiness is to obey her husband and take care of the home. It says so in the scriptures.”
“……”
“You don’t have a child, Stella, right? Your ‘home’ is the Empire itself, so you should try even harder. If you complain, Goddess Ahalla will be disappointed.”
*Who decides my happiness? That goddess who won’t even let me die in peace? This fake friend who pretends innocence while looking down on me?*
Just as I was about to curse, Michelle offered a short prayer.
“Goddess, please forgive Stella’s foolish mistake.”
*So I’m the strange one again, am I? The one who feels strangled every time I hear words like ‘woman’ and ‘obedience’? The one who wants to shout at Michelle to stop pretending to be a ‘good girl’ while praying for me?*
“Let’s have tea together. I’ll tell you the words of Goddess Ahalla!”
“Isn’t it because you want to hear about that slave?”
“Of course I do! We’re friends, right?”
Michelle grabbed my hand. I wanted to shake her off, but I didn’t. I could only warn her in a low voice.
“It’s time for His Majesty to visit the harem. You should go assist him. That’s your job as a maid, isn’t it?”
I merely stated a routine fact, yet Michelle’s face flushed as if she’d been deeply insulted.
“Michelle. How does it feel to bathe a childhood friend who’s now grown? To see your friend’s husband naked?”
“!”
“Did Goddess Ahalla say anything about that?”
Michelle bit her lip and trembled. I could already sense more trouble coming.
—
Clifford arrived later than expected. As always, he had a woman from the harem at his side. From my desk, I watched him and the exotic woman with reddish-brown skin.
“So, you bought a new slave.”
“Why should the Empress have all the fun?”
“I thought such amusements were common for Your Majesty.”
“I’ve never had one like this.”
Clifford smiled faintly, stroking the woman’s black hair.
“There’s something special about darker skin. Though perhaps the Empress knows better.”
It seemed he believed the rumors—that I was enjoying intimate time with a slave. But unlike Michelle’s claim, he didn’t look pleased. He seemed offended… and perhaps impatient.
*He never expected I’d actually buy a slave. Nor that I’d seek pleasure with a lowly man.*
It wasn’t true at all, but the thought of striking at Clifford’s pride felt satisfying. Such pleasure was rare—well worth the 500,000 gold.
“With what money did you buy the slave? Did you take a bank loan? Or more credit?”
“What concern is it of yours?”
“Unfortunately, I’m the one who pays off Your Majesty’s debts.”
“So the Empress only cares about money.”
Clifford didn’t hide his displeasure. Holding my pen, I let my gaze drop below his waist.
“Shall I take interest in Your Majesty’s promiscuous sex life as well?”
“Is that something you say to a husband you haven’t seen in a week?”
“I think I’ve been quite generous, considering you brought a concubine into your wife’s workplace.”
Our gazes clashed sharply. In my past life, I would never have dared. But I had returned—and Clifford had no intention of understanding the new me.
“Empress, do you know something?”
“What?”
“I hate women who talk back.”
*As if that’s the only kind you hate. You hate women more responsible than you. More capable than your flatterers. You hate all of them—and me most of all.*
“You didn’t come here just to say that.”
There was an obvious reason he’d come. Michelle must have twisted my words and cried. He’d usually torment me, then comfort her.
But today, he was different.
“Show me your slave.”
*So it wasn’t because of Michelle?*
I frowned, unable to read his intent.
“Why do you want to see him?”
“Didn’t I show all my slaves to you?”
“You did. You praised their charm and repeatedly emphasized the pleasures women provide—things I supposedly lack.”
“I’ll ask again. Where is the slave you favor so much?”
There was a strange intensity in his eyes. I didn’t want to waste time and energy arguing. I almost said I’d show him—but I didn’t even know where the man was.
“Is he really in the Empress’s basement?”
“……”
“Surely you’re not feeding and housing him in your bedroom?”
If I said I didn’t know, he’d smugly mock me. I couldn’t allow that.
“It’s my private matter. Don’t interfere.”
“What?”
“I suppose I’m rather possessive. I don’t want to show what’s mine to anyone.”
Clifford’s face turned pale.
“You’re not planning to make a slave your official lover, are you?”
“Just as the Emperor can have a harem, the Empress has the freedom to take a lover.”
“……”
“You were the one who suggested it first. Thank you for reminding me.”
I bowed sincerely. That seemed to provoke him further.
“No Empress has ever had a lover!”
“It’s an honor to be the first.”
“Why are you humiliating me like this? Are you trying to take revenge?”
What had I done? I’d only ever endured everything like a fool.
“Please leave before I publicly announce that the Empress has a lover.”
Clifford’s eyes widened, then he smirked.
“You, so full of pride, rolling around with a slave? Do you think I’d believe that?”
“Does it look like a lie?”
“I know what kind of woman you are. You’d never give yourself to any man but me.”
*He wasn’t entirely wrong—and that made me furious. Why had I lived knowing only him?*
“You wouldn’t tarnish the Empress’s name. Don’t try to deceive me.”
Though he spoke boldly, he was clearly shaken.
*Why is he this affected?*
Finding his reaction almost amusing, I decided to push further.
“There’s no rule saying I must remain that way. I could die any time, after all.”
“Empress!”
“Please excuse me. My cute slave is waiting.”
“What nonsense is that?!”
“I’m not interested in Your Majesty’s possessions, so don’t bring them. I’m busy with mine.”
Clifford staggered as if struck.
*So I can hurt him too. I don’t have to just endure.*
It wasn’t enough to ease my suffering—but it was something.
Until he said:
“Why not divorce?”
“!”
“Leave the palace and live with your slave. Wouldn’t that be better than disgracing the imperial family?”
—
Divorce… I had never considered it.
*If I left the palace, I could live peacefully until I die. No need to see the future. I have more than enough money.*
A life not as Empress might not be bad.
But why should I grant them that?
“After divorcing me, do you plan to make Michelle the new Empress?”
Clifford couldn’t answer.
“Did she agree to accept you if you made her Empress? Or did you dangle the title as bait for your childhood friend?”
“…It’s for everyone’s happiness.”
“Say it properly. It’s only for you and Michelle.”
“Empress, why have you changed? You were always cold, but you respected your husband!”
“That foolish woman is dead.”
“What?!”
“Don’t expect her stupidity from me. I intend to live as I please.”
“Fine! Then divorce and live as you wish!”
“No. I refuse the divorce. I won’t throw away my life as Empress just because of your lust.”
Clifford left in a daze.
*Michelle… did you think I’d divorce just because I found a man? Were you aiming to become Empress? How bold… and shameless.*
Michelle had changed. Clifford had changed.
So I had to change too.
I summoned Joan and ordered her to take me to the man I had bought at the slave market.
—
At the entrance to the sloping path leading underground, I sighed.
“So he really is in the Empress’s basement… It wasn’t just a rumor.”
“My apologies. We couldn’t keep him with the other slaves. He doesn’t say a word.”
“Is he unable to speak?”
“We don’t know if he can’t or won’t. He doesn’t answer anything.”
“….”
“It’s also difficult to assign him tasks.”
“What’s the issue?”
“You’ll have to see for yourself.”
Joan looked exhausted. The man was kept in a small storage room beside the wine cellar. The air smelled dry and dusty, with a hint of mold. No light entered.
“Why wasn’t he given a lamp?”
“We gave him one. He didn’t light it.”
Joan lit the oil lamp and took out a chunk of meat.
“If we don’t give him meat, he won’t even show himself.”
“So he appears only when fed…?”
