Chapter 107 - The Rhine Kingdom’s Peril 3 (1/2)
Joanna was sitting in front of a mirror and talking with Irene.
“I've changed my hairstyle for the first time in a while. What do you think?”
“…I don’t know.”
Irene was officially Joanna's attendant, that's why she had to follow her in a maid outfit at all times. However, she didn’t seem to be dissatisfied as it was a completely new experience.
“Would it suit His Majesty’s taste? Lady Leifina recommended it to me, but I'm not too sure.”
“Do you wish to seduce him?”
”Seduce? …Pfft. I didn’t think you knew that word.”
Joanna laughed at Irene's lack of expression as she spoke.
She still didn't know that Irene was chimera.
“The act of attracting men into the bedroom to have a relationship… or so I believe it means.”
“Not necessarily. Sometimes you do it to win someone’s heart.”
”Heart? To make him obedient and listen to everything you say?”
“No, no. Hmm… How should I say it... Right. Winning someone’s heart is like making them look at you and you only.”
Joanna liked Irene who somewhat seemed naive and clumsy, because she was the only one who could make her forget the boring life in the palace.
So, sometimes, she told her stories that she wouldn’t tell others.
“It is difficult for me to understand. Does it mean anything to do such a thing?”
”Of course. Most romantic relationships begin that way.”
“Then, if you keep staring at each other after getting seduced, do you fall in love?”
“…Maybe? Why? Is there someone you’re interested in recently?”
“I don't have a suitable partner.”
A chimera resulting from an experiment using the body of a deceased princess.
There were men who like her due to her beautiful appearance, but if they knew what she truly was, they would surely run away.
But it didn’t bother her, because human emotions did not exist within her.
“What are you talking about? You were born with such a lovely appearance, so how can there be no one?”
“Is it all about the appearance though?”
”Well… You’re not wrong. Men do search for other aspects, such as a kind heart, being polite, being good at housework if she’s not a noble.”
“As I thought.”
“In your case, I think you should change the way you speak into a more feminine way.”
”The way I speak?”
Irene tilted her head.
She didn't think her hard tone and stoic behavior posed a problem.
Joanna laughed and pulled on Irene’s wrist.
“Now, come and look in the mirror. Can you see your face?”
“…Of course.”
“An aristocratic woman's elegant tone goes well with your face. It has a soft look like a feather, but doesn’t feel too light instead.”
Joanna kindly taught Irene how to talk in a manner than men would like.
“Excellent. You’re really good? Soon enough, a perfect lady will be born. An intelligent, kind-hearted and beautiful woman”
“…”
“Youth does not last forever, Irene. So if the opportunity comes, be sure to grab onto it.”
”The opportunity?”
“A man who loves you. But you should take your own feelings into account as well.”
“I said it earlier, but I…”
“Life is short, so fall in love, girl.”
“…?”
“It's a phrase from a literary book that I read when I was a kid. I just wanted to tell you about it.”
Joanna looked up at Irene with loving eyes.
After a while, Irene gained back her senses and tried to say something, but...
A maid came into the room with a rolled scroll.
“My father?”
Joanna was disgusted, and used her knife to remove the red wax seal.
After reading the scroll, her expression turned dark.
“This, this can’t be...”
Blackmailing.
It said that all her family members would be killed if she did not follow the instructions.
Irene asked in concern as Joanna trembled.
“What is the matter?”
“It, it’s nothing…”
Currently, Joanna was having an inner conflict.
Should she immediately tell Irene and the others about this? Or should she keep it a secret for a while and find a way to protect her family?
'The seal used on the scroll definitely belongs to the Borge house.'
Even her father's autograph was at the end, so there was no possibility that it was counterfeit.
However, if she were to keep Blackburn's gates open according to the letter's instructions, Woohyuk, who had left to the border, would be in trouble.
As Joanna was restless, Irene grabbed her shoulder from behind.
“What decision are you going to make, Joanna?”
“…”
Irene was informed in advance that this would happen through a message from Woohyuk.
However, Joanna, who did not know this fact, was completely surprised.
“No, no way... You too, Irene…?”
“Do not misunderstand. I am on the Rhine King’s side.”
Even though she hadn’t found the meaning of her life yet, Irene never intended to betray the one who had given her a new life.
As Irene roughly explained the situation, Joanna stared dumbfouned.
”I see… His Majesty already knew that I would have to make such a decision...”
“He is certainly a trustworthy man. And he is stronger than most demon kings.”
And although he had borrowed the power of a saint, he had also defeated her master, Aris, and prevented the destruction of the world.
Therefore, it would be better to wait for Woohyuk to solve this case rather than to do everything on her own.
At Irene's advice, Joanna nodded with a bitter smile.
“I apologize for making you see me in a sorry state.”
”It doesn't matter if you don't betray the Rhine King.”
In the first place, Irene was here to protect but also monitor Joanna.