The Dialectic of Master and Slave - Chapter 64
To be freed from the communal bathing she could never get used to and have a space all to herself. Until recently, this would have been a favor she’d have been overjoyed with. But now, different feelings prevailed.
The place where slaves bathed together was where Jaha most frequently encountered Cedric. It was a gathering point for slaves from all over the palace.
With a private bath, her chances of meeting Cedric would significantly decrease. She might not be able to see him at all. When that thought occurred to her, Jaha found herself speaking without thinking.
“That’s not necessary.”
“Don’t decline.”
The Emperor cupped Jaha’s chin with his large hand and lifted it.
“Or do you perhaps enjoy showing your body to male slaves?”
Jaha trembled at the shame that struck her like lightning.
Looking straight at Jaha with his purple eyes, the Emperor added softly.
“Getting your c**t wet from the gazes of men with c***s, is that it?”
Despite his sensually curved eyes, his gaze was sharp as a blade.
Unless she was a fool, the appropriate response was clear.
“I gratefully accept the favor you’ve bestowed.”
“Good.”
The Emperor released Jaha’s chin. She immediately lowered her head.
It felt as if her lifespan had been shortened.
Whether a ruler’s aura truly existed or not, just maintaining eye contact had left her breathless.
You know that feeling. Being crushed by someone’s mere gaze.
When you’re with someone with strong presence, even if they’re not frowning or glaring, you can suddenly feel overwhelmed by their piercing eyes, unable to move.
Just as seeing a predator’s eyes makes your knees weak, it’s a cellular-level instinct warning you of danger against which you can never prevail.
A sense of utter defeat washed over Jaha’s entire body.
The Emperor, meanwhile, thought he had left Jaha too unprotected all this time.
Wasn’t this an environment where male slaves could pounce on her if they harbored lustful thoughts?
Taking advantage of moments when other female slaves weren’t around, they might violate Jaha among themselves, or even if they didn’t act on it, they might peek and imagine all sorts of things.
Having provided a separate bathroom would prevent such unfortunate incidents from now on, but his heightened vigilance, once triggered, wouldn’t subside.
Should I put a chastity belt on her? Front and back.
No, I should keep her within sight at all times.
“From today, you are my personal slave. Never leave my side, follow me like a shadow, and attend to my needs.”
Like a bolt from the blue, Jaha’s world went dark at the shocking command.
Even meeting two or three times a week was unbearably hateful, but to always be with the Emperor? She wanted to avoid that at all costs.
“Your Majesty, may I dare speak a word?”
“Speak.”
“In my homeland, I studied various disciplines. Particularly in mathematics, I am confident I can pull my weight.”
Having cast the dice, Jaha felt her heart would burst.
How would the Emperor respond?
Please, please…
Jaha waited for the result with an anxious heart.
“And so?”
After a blood-freezing silence, the Emperor finally spoke.
With her gaze fixed on the floor, Jaha couldn’t see the Emperor’s changing expressions.
Until just moments ago, he had worn a face that went beyond simple surprise—a mixture of excitement and mild tension.
The Emperor of the Empire, tense because of a mere slave.
Ridiculous, but true.
The man who hadn’t blinked an eye at an assassin’s attack, who remained unmoved even facing war, was holding his breath, waiting for words to flow from the lips of a single slave.
She had opened up voluntarily for the first time. This woman who had been taken by him countless times without ever engaging in the most common of pillow talk.
He had been prepared to grant almost any request.
If she had asked for gold and silver treasures, he would have given them.
If she had asked for a palace, yes, he would have given that too.
The insignificant soap in his hand and the fact that Jaha had initiated conversation herself had made him that generous. But the moment he heard the content, his mood plummeted as if it were a lie.
He was no fool. He immediately understood what Jaha suddenly hoped for by appealing to her abilities, what she wanted.
“So, you want to be assigned to other duties?”
He quietly looked down at Jaha. Her silence without denial made his insides boil.
Why? Why is she trying to get away from me?
Hilale
Will there be a second volume?