The Dialectic of Master and Slave - Chapter 52
It was enough to make one wonder if intoxication could really transform a person to such an extent. Though for someone drunk, he had appeared excessively lucid. His tongue hadn’t slurred, and his gaze wasn’t cloudy.
“Even if not completely drunk, he must have been somewhat intoxicated.”
Jaha didn’t think further about the Emperor’s bizarre behavior. She had neither interest in him nor any desire to understand his motives.
Understanding required the will to understand in the first place.
Jaha had absolutely no desire to understand the Emperor. To her, he was merely an unpleasant existence. One she preferred not to recall if possible.
“But it tasted good.”
Instead, Jaha thought about the fist-sized bread she had shared with Cedric. With a slight exaggeration, it had been a heavenly taste.
How had Cedric managed to make connections with the imperial kitchen?
He had mentioned knowing someone there, but to receive bread, they must be quite close. Close enough to willingly share such precious food.
Perhaps Cedric was a slave assigned to the imperial kitchen. Maybe he worked so well that the chef occasionally saved him leftovers. Cedric had the kind of appearance that would make people fond of him, what is commonly called a likable face.
Warm, friendly eyes and a refreshing mouth, a face too neat and clean to belong to a slave.
If properly dressed, he could pass for a young nobleman without seeming out of place. Though not quite a breathtakingly handsome man who would make eyes pop open, he was quite good-looking.
“Born into the wrong world.”
If he had been born on Earth, he would have had more than enough looks to become an actor or idol.
Suddenly, the concept of a class system felt truly bizarre to her.
Of course, invisible classes existed even on Earth, where democratic ideals were commonplace. Hierarchies determined by money or position, modern class systems born under capitalist logic. Still, compared to here where the class system was codified by law, how much of a paradise that world seemed.
“I want to go back.”
To that world where I lived.
To the place where I belong.
When will I be able to return?
Just as I woke up one day in this world, might I close my eyes one day and find myself on Earth?
No, is return even possible?
It was a prospect she had been deliberately avoiding, but there was no guarantee that the unknown power that had brought her here would send her back to Earth.
Perhaps Yoo Jaha would have to live in this world until she grew old and died. As a slave for her entire life.
Jaha trembled all over at the terrifying future she didn’t even want to imagine.
While working in the library of the Langjev Palace, she had read various books trying to find a way back to her original world, but had found no suitable clues.
In such cases, the protagonists of novels Jaha had read would visit temples, seek wisdom from sages or grand magicians, or target forbidden books in libraries accessible only to emperors. Or perhaps they would seek out dragons. But as a slave, none of these options were feasible.
Strictly speaking, the Emperor was a magician, but realistically, it was impossible for Jaha to request anything from him. Even if it were possible, she was reluctant.
Of course, if the Emperor would send her back to Earth, Jaha would gladly lick even his toes. But she wanted to keep that as a last resort.
Jaha had her pride. Unless there were no other options, she didn’t want to beg and plead to the Emperor when nothing was even certain yet.
Brilliant golden hair like the sun and amethyst eyes like jewels.
The Emperor’s face suddenly came to mind, and Jaha’s mood soured. Despite his perfect form reminiscent of a god or demon, all Jaha felt were negative emotions.
Turning her head away sharply, Jaha stared at the cloth on the bedside table to cleanse her thoughts. Her mood improved slightly.
“Since I ate his bread, I should return the favor.”
She should seriously consider how to repay him, also as an apology for having doubted him.
A suitable gift for Cedric wasn’t easily decided.
Even after her menstruation ended and she was summoned by the Emperor, Jaha continued to ponder this problem.
Is soap really the only option?
Hilale
Sevmemesi normal