You Were My Sl*ve - Chapter 43

Kazan glanced down at the cluster of nobles surrounding Adrian and let out a soft chuckle. While the prince might be feeling overwhelmed, the lively discussions and negotiations at the banquet were exactly what Kazan, as king, hoped for.

Elona caught the faint smile on his face and felt a wave of relief. She spoke gently.

“It’s a good thing you can rest a little during this banquet. You must’ve been busy all day with meetings and negotiations.”

“I’m not that tired. Though tonight’s banquet will likely last well past midnight. Starting tomorrow… I might find some time in the evenings.”

His voice, low and resonant, seemed to wrap around her. Caught off guard by his unexpected remark, Elona focused on picking at her food to mask her unease.

She had assumed Kazan wouldn’t visit the Mano Palace while the Bahalen delegation was present. Yet it seemed he considered that to be just as important an agenda as the negotiations.

“Your Majesty, may I have a moment of your time?”

Adrian, having somehow escaped the throng of nobles, approached Kazan’s table. Sitting opposite the king, he looked as though he’d taken refuge from the crowd.

“So, did you find any enticing proposals?” Kazan asked, a teasing edge in his tone.

Adrian replied seriously, “I hadn’t realized Ashatra had so many industries in operation. I’m concerned it’ll take quite some time to properly evaluate them all.”

“You still have a week left, so there’s plenty of time. Besides, you resolved the biggest issue on the first day.”

“…That’s true,” Adrian admitted, though his expression remained faintly bitter. “I’m glad we secured iron ore from Ashatra, but I never imagined Parsion’s supply would be completely depleted.”

With a slight grimace, he glanced at Elona. Their eyes met, and Adrian unexpectedly addressed her.

“Elona, I was rude to you during the earlier meeting. You offered valuable information in good faith, but I pushed you too hard. I apologize.”

His sudden apology caught Elona off guard. She hesitated briefly before accepting it.

“It’s fine, Your Highness. Given the importance of the information, it was only natural for you to scrutinize it. I understand completely.”

“I’m relieved to hear that. I also owe His Majesty an apology,” Adrian said, turning to Kazan. “It was thoughtless of me to speak harshly to the woman you cherish most. Please forgive my indiscretion.”

The woman he cherishes most.

Elona was taken aback by the unexpected description. Her eyes instinctively darted to Kazan, wondering how he would react.

To her surprise, Kazan didn’t refute the prince’s words. Instead, he nodded calmly.

“Given your fatigue from traveling and the meeting, it’s understandable. I’m sure tomorrow’s discussions will be even more productive.”

“Your kindness is most generous, Your Majesty. Thank you,” Adrian said with a slight bow before resuming their conversation.

While the two men exchanged words, Elona tried to suppress the flicker of hope stirring in her chest.

“Kazan didn’t correct him because it wasn’t worth the effort. It doesn’t mean anything. There’s no way he sees me that way… He probably just didn’t want to make it awkward.”

As she wrestled with her thoughts, Adrian suddenly changed the subject.

“Come to think of it, I’ve heard Ashatra’s royal family has a famous method of brewing liquor passed down through generations. Would it be possible for me to sample it, Your Majesty?”

“Of course. Elona.”

At Kazan’s call, Elona rose naturally from her seat and made her way to the banquet hall’s adjacent wine cellar. The royal liquor of Ashatra could only be brought out by the king’s order.

“Kazan seems to be in a good mood today. Well, it’s been a productive day of negotiations.”

As she reflected on the day’s success with a small smile, one of the maids bustling through the hall approached her suddenly.

“Elona, there you are. Could you follow me for a moment? The priestess of Lu is asking for you in the garden.”

“The priestess of Lu?” Elona asked, puzzled.

Why would the priestess summon her, especially during the banquet? The maid explained further.

“It seems the temple has sent medicine for you. One of the priestesses said she would personally teach you how to take it and asked that you be brought to her.”

While it was unclear what this was about, if it involved medicine, it seemed important enough to warrant her immediate attention. Since the garden wasn’t far, Elona agreed to follow the maid.

The maid led her past the banquet hall and deep into the garden, to a secluded area devoid of light or people.

Elona hesitated, her steps faltering. “Wait a moment. This is too far… Could this be one of Irid’s schemes?”

As suspicion crept into her thoughts, she glanced at the maid. The maid, now stopped, turned to her and scanned their surroundings to ensure they were alone. Then, she said in a hushed tone:

“Stay here and don’t move. The person who summoned you will come shortly.”

“…You lied, didn’t you? The priestess of Lu didn’t summon me, did she?”

“Don’t worry,” the maid replied shamelessly, brushing off Elona’s suspicion. “This will be much better than meeting with the priestess. There’s someone who wanted to give you a gift, but it was too difficult to do so with so many eyes in the banquet hall. Just wait here for a bit.”

With that, the maid turned and walked away, leaving Elona alone. She glanced around nervously, her unease growing.

What if an assassin jumps out of nowhere? Should I disobey and leave?

As she warily surveyed her surroundings, preparing to take a cautious step, a familiar voice broke the silence.

“Apologies for keeping you waiting, Elona de Parsion.”

Startled, Elona turned toward the man approaching her. In the dim moonlight, Prince Adrian emerged, walking toward her with steady steps. Seeing his indifferent expression, Elona instinctively backed away.

She couldn’t believe he had arranged for her to meet him alone at this hour. Wasn’t he just moments ago speaking with Kazan in the banquet hall?

“Your Highness… what is the meaning of this?”

“Nothing extraordinary,” Adrian replied calmly. “I simply gave a maid some gold coins to bring you here. That’s all.”

“How could you even think of bribing someone in another king’s palace…?”

“I had no choice. There was no other way to pull you away from King Sindar.”

“Do not come any closer.”

Elona’s voice was firm as she issued her warning.

“If you have something to say, say it from where you are. I can hear you perfectly well.”

“If I step closer, will you scream?”

“Yes. I will scream. So keep your distance.”

Her tense, defensive stance made Adrian chuckle softly. His laugh, however, was laced with mockery.

“This is absurd. A woman who spread her legs for a lowly slave and now clings to the man who destroyed her country….”

Adrian’s scathing words left Elona momentarily speechless. The prince who had apologized so courteously in the banquet hall had completely transformed.

Looking at her with disdain, he continued bitterly.

“It’s unbelievable. A woman like you almost became my stepmother. That scandal seven years ago ended up saving our royal family.”

“…If you summoned me here just to insult me, then I’ll take my leave now.”

Elona struggled to maintain her composure. He wasn’t worth losing her temper over.

But just as she was about to turn away, Adrian asked an unexpected question.

“Tell me, Elona. Are you truly such a woman? Someone who thoughtlessly chases men, someone who casts aside their dignity to survive?”

“You’ve already made up your mind about me, haven’t you? So why bother asking?”

“Because I haven’t fully decided yet,” Adrian said quietly. “Until I came here and saw you for myself, I thought you were exactly that sort of woman. Everyone said you were. But after meeting you today…”

“I’m sorry, Your Highness, but I have no interest in hearing more. Think whatever you wish.”

Her mood thoroughly soured, Elona attempted to walk away, but Adrian swiftly stepped in her path, blocking her exit.

Startled, she took a step back and looked up at him. His cold gray eyes held a peculiar intensity that sent a shiver down her spine. Then, with a sincerity she didn’t expect, he said:

“Please, hear me out. Let me tell you the conclusion I came to today.”

He leaned closer, but without touching her, his voice dropping to a near whisper.

“You are far too remarkable a woman to live as a slave.”

Elona was utterly baffled. She couldn’t make sense of his intentions, and her wary eyes searched his face for clues. Sensing her apprehension, Adrian added:

“Your demeanor during the meeting today, your eloquence, the knowledge you shared—everything contradicted the assumptions I had about you.”

His gaze softened, and a faint smile tugged at the corners of his lips as he continued to look at her.