“I know.”

Her reply was warm, but it emanated not from her humanity but from the sense of victory in getting what she wanted.

Compassion or conscience or such was absent.

I thought it would be nice if the missing emerald ring fit between my fingers. A little less injustice would be felt if at least that much thought was there.

As I began to remove my clothes, the princess looked at me with piercing eyes.

“What are you doing?”

Ignoring her, I exposed my back to her.

“Ah…!”

I also unwrapped the bandage on my arm. I couldn’t see my own back, but the bruising on my arm looked dreadful even to me.

It hurt just standing there, and the wind brushing against it was painful too.

“Have you lost your mind?”

Seeing my wounds, her anger rekindled, but I suppressed it and spoke as calmly as I could.

“Your Highness should know the result of what you’ve done.”

“That disgusting sight, are you out of your mind?”

“Anyone would look like this after getting beaten for two hours with a whip longer than my arm. If it’s disgusting, then what’s truly disgusting is the evil underlying such an act.”

“How dare you…!”

In pain, I grimaced and hastily rewrapped my bandage. The pain almost made me cry out, but feeling the medicinal herbs soaked into the bandage gave me a little relief.

“I’ll be flogged again tomorrow. I don’t intend to confess, so you might consider consuming some tonics for your shoulder’s sake. Goodnight, Your Highness.”

As I turned to leave, she asked in a quivering voice.

“Do you love power that much? Is it because you’re a bastard?”

“…?”

Her novel question caused me to involuntarily turn back.

I slowly realized.

The princess saw me as a woman who would risk her life for power.

Of course, she could think that. People become anxious when what they deem most important is at risk.

She would never understand that what I desire is simply to eat well and live comfortably in a safe and moderate environment.

“Bastards aren’t particularly interested in power, Your Highness. What power can a bastard wield in this world?”

“…!”

Unable to find a retort, the princess clamped her mouth shut. She seemed to want to curse but couldn’t, in consideration of the royal family’s dignity.

Seeing that made me feel hollow.

She couldn’t curse because of her dignity, but had no qualms about taking a human life.

“I did not choose to enter the palace. Yet I’ve tried my best, and it seems it’s almost at an end. I’m a human being too.”

With that, I bowed politely and retreated.

The next day, Ariana came to see me early, changed my bandages, and even fed me.

“Thank you, Ariana.”

“Ah…”

Upon hearing my thanks, Ariana looked down.

“I know. You’re feeding and dressing me to drag me off for another flogging. That’s one thing, and I’m thankful in another way for your concern.”

“Mistress… I’m really sorry.”

Ah, Ariana. Making a face like that means I have to comfort you too. I’m already struggling.

I forced a smile and finished getting ready. Then, the servants from yesterday appeared and took me to the Chancellor’s office.

The pose in which she held the whip was the same as yesterday, and I felt as if I’d gone back in time.

Damn it.

“I hope you’ve reflected overnight, Lady Roar. Confess your sins.”

Closing my eyes tightly, I pondered. Maybe there was some fault of mine in all this, given that I was in such a state after being subjected to so many beatings.

If being born a bastard is a crime, then I’m guilty. But saying that would upset my mother, so I simply gritted my teeth.

I heard the Chancellor mumbling something, but I focused my thoughts elsewhere.

Where will they strike today? Thigh? Butt?

But the Chancellor was cruel.

“Stretch out your arm.”
Damn it, being hit again after already being hit, I’m not even treated as a human.

“Ah!”

When the first cane flew at me, the pain was so unexpectedly intense that I forgot to hold it in and let out a heart-rending scream.

Then the face of the Housekeeper twisted ferociously. Just as she opened her mouth to speak, the door swung open.

The Housekeeper blanched and bowed her head for some reason. I was in too much pain to be aware of anything.

But as I slowly turned, a middle-aged lady I’d never seen before was standing there.

Her Majesty, the Empress.

However, I was so out of it that I could only look up at her while slumping on the floor.

The Empress exclaimed in a trembling voice filled with agitation.

“Housekeeper, are you in your right mind?”

“I was, on Her Highness the Princess’s orders, obtaining a confession for theft, Your Majesty.”

“Theft?”

I thought I had yelled, but my voice came out strangely distorted due to the pain. I was in agony as if I had been thrown into boiling water.

“I don’t know anything about it! I don’t understand why you’re framing me for this.”

The Housekeeper snapped at me angrily.

“Can’t you keep your mouth shut? How audacious!”

“You might want to have some restraint yourself, Housekeeper Amella.”

I purposely let my arm bandage slide and sobbed.