The Nymph Wants to be Plundered - Chapter 104

What in the world had just happened? Before him stood Polyxene , her unremarkable tits swaying—nothing more than a lump of flesh to him—while any trace of the World Tree’s invasion into the hallway had completely vanished. Instead, the branch that had stretched toward him, adorned with leaves, was now slinking back toward the entrance, retreating bit by bit.

‘Did it show me a vision of something that hasn’t happened yet? Why?’

The fact that Polyxene had anticipated his movements by manipulating Iel was reason enough to punish her. In this matter alone, he had no intention of blaming her foolishness—so why had the World Tree intervened?

As Cassis, he had no desire to sink further into confusion, nor did he want to push Polyxene into committing more sins. After all, she was a woman who had volunteered for ranger training just to survive in the castle. Whatever her reasons, if she were cast out, she’d surely despair, plummeting into a wretched existence—weeping pathetically like Bansi.

Still, ever dutiful to his role as king, Cassis gave a sharp nod, issuing a warning.

“Get out of my sight.”

“Your Majesty…!”

“The Aika Festival has only just begun. There are plenty who’ll gladly satisfy your carnal desires for the night—whether you choose to kindle romance or settle for fleeting pleasure, the choice is yours.”

“And what of my heart? Huh? Am I not someone precious to you?”

“I want nothing set in stone. The Aika Festival isn’t about forcing your desires onto those who don’t want you—surely you know that?”

No sooner had Cassis’s cold decree fallen than the sylphs, sensing his intent, sprang into action once more. This time, he didn’t stop them. A furious gust of wind sent Polyxene staggering back helplessly until she slammed against the wall with a wet smack. Cassis strode past without so much as a glance.

Only after the violent winds died down did Polyxene , humiliated beyond measure, finally regain her senses.

“Hah… hah….”

Everything had gone completely off the rails. Polyxene stared blankly at the expensive chiton she’d had tailored to drape pure white from her shoulders down to her ankles. She’d deliberately had it stitched to bare her chest, thinking that if she accentuated her charms just a little in this dress—one that clung to every curve—she could easily bring him to his knees! Had her last-minute switch from the muslin dress been a fatal mistake after all that deliberation?

‘His Majesty might be formidable, but I can’t just give up like this. I have my own stubborn pride, damn it.’

He must’ve gone into the Temple of Thea, right?

Even the great Polyxene wouldn’t dare think of trespassing into the Pantheon. Far from looking dismayed, she smoothed her disheveled hair with practiced ease and strode out of the Hall of Serenity. There was only one place left to go now. She raced straight to the barracks and quickly spotted her target.

“Brother!”

“Hm? Ah, Polyxene . Did you have a good time?”

The moment Iel heard that familiar voice, he turned with a bright smile. Seeing his cousin’s state, he assumed she’d finally succeeded. Her pristine white dress was creased in all the wrong places, and her hair looked like she’d been rolling around in a thicket, wild and tangled.

‘Well, that’s proof enough she went through with it. Though, it was quicker than I expected.’

His smirk didn’t last long. What came next was enough to twist his face into a scowl as she poured out her grievances.

“H-He… rejected me.”

“Huh? What?”

She couldn’t bring herself to admit that Cassis’ sylphs had whipped up winds sharp enough to slap both her cheeks. Instead of spinning some b******t excuse that wouldn’t hold up, Polyxene just clung to her cousin, desperate.

“I cannot back down like this. It’s the Aika Festival! Judging by how long His Majesty has stayed, he’s not completely disinterested… Please tell me. What exactly is lacking in me?”

Iel wore an expression of disbelief. He had thought that with Polyxene’s extraordinary beauty, even the mighty king would fall helplessly if she deliberately confessed her love, but that wasn’t the case? He tried to comfort her first.

“Hmm… no, Polyxene . Your face is far from a level that should cause any self-doubt. If even with such beauty it’s not working, perhaps you should consider giving up. There are plenty of suitable men who desire you, aren’t there?”

“Please help me just once more, yes? Th-that’s right. You know what? If you could arrange for me to be dressed as a handmaiden who enters the Hall of Glory, not like Phivi or Mel…”

“That is absolutely out of the question.”

Iel’s expression, which had been troubled, immediately turned as strict as frost. However, Polyxene was desperate and refused to back down easily.

“Please! If you do this for me, I won’t bother you again.”

“That will not happen before my head falls beneath the World Tree. Understand this, Polyxene .”

“Brother!”

Despite her sweet voice, as if made from melted sugar, calling out desperately, Iel remained unmoved. Only his heart was unsettled and troubled. He knew that Cassis had practiced abstinence for a long time, but he had thought that today, he might give in just this once…