When That Door Opens - Chapter 27

A large room with big windows, a space where I could move freely, a soft bed, ample food, and caring hands to look after me.

Had I never known this life, it might have been different, but now that I did, there was no returning to my past existence.

‘If you ever defy me, you will live a life far worse than your sister’s. I’ll lock you in a windowless cell where you can’t see light or meet anyone. You won’t even get water and bread anymore. You’ll have to drink rainwater and eat insects. You’ve just started living like a human; you wouldn’t want to go back to being an animal, would you?’

He knew my weaknesses all too well, having watched me my entire life.

As a child, I wept and begged for mercy at his words. Roman looked down at me with satisfaction and said,

‘You’re smarter than your sister.’

Even after becoming Astel, Roman meticulously controlled my life. Whenever I trembled in front of others or questioned his words, severe retribution followed.

Ultimately, I had no choice but to obey Roman’s commands. I confined myself to the temple and surrounded myself only with Roman’s people, as he wished.

In return for my submission, I gained a sliver of freedom. Within the temple, I could move about as I pleased and occasionally have moments to myself.

I dared not hope for more.

I just wanted to survive, even if it meant living this way.

I straightened my back and lifted my chin. This was the perfect image of Astel that Roman always demanded of me.

Moments later, Roman entered. He scrutinized me with his sharp gaze before curling his lips in satisfaction.

I immediately dismissed the others.

“There are matters I need to discuss with the Grand Duke in private. Leave us.”

Once the attendants had backed out of the room, leaving only the two of us, Roman’s courteous demeanor shifted dramatically. The minimum formalities he upheld for the sake of appearances seemed to irritate him as he impatiently motioned with his chin.

“Come here.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

I quickly got off the chair and prostrated myself on the floor, curling my body as much as possible to avoid offending Roman. As the black shoes brushed past me, I tensed up slightly. Although it had been years since he last kicked me, the painful memories and ingrained habits lingered.

“This is the agenda for the Elder Council meeting tomorrow.”

Seated on the throne, Roman threw a bundle of papers. I approached on my knees and opened the papers.

“Examine them thoroughly. Identify what to approve, oppose, or defer. I’ve provided the rationale, so memorize it perfectly.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

Following Astel’s birth, the throne of Schultz had remained vacant. The Elder Council discussed the nation’s affairs in place of the emperor. Roman was the head of that council. Decisions made by the council required Astel’s approval.

Or at least, that’s how it appeared to outsiders.

The reality was quite the opposite.

“You’re maturing beautifully. The sweet scent you give off tells me it was worth the wait. Timing is crucial for both fruits and women.”

I froze in my position, still bent over the papers.

“If I had known you’d grow this enticing, I might have kept your sister alive. Well, it doesn’t matter. You can fulfill both your roles.”

Perhaps I had foreseen this moment. Roman’s gaze had grown increasingly unsettling over the past few months. It started during last year’s ritual when I wore form-fitting ceremonial attire. His gleaming eyes were fixated on me the entire time.

Sadly, all I could do was force myself to ignore reality. A mere puppet like me had no power to oppose Roman.

His footsteps drew nearer.

My mind was filled with horrific imaginings as his shadow loomed over me. It felt as if he might pin me down and mount me at any moment.

“Raise your head.”

I had hoped that Roman’s fickleness might save me, but the moment our eyes met, that hope was shattered. His yellow-brown eyes were filled with deep possessiveness. My frightened appearance must have aroused him.

“You’re trembling.”

Roman smirked maliciously as he reached out. I immediately tensed my whole body to suppress the trembling. I couldn’t provoke his sadism any further.

His thick fingers brushed against my lips, even slipping inside to tease the inner mucous membranes. After playing with my lips for a while, he laughed.

“Prepare the oracle. The one that says you and I must marry for the prosperity of Schultz.”

* * *

After Roman left, I was in a daze. The meaning of his words was too clear to need interpretation.

Roman intended to make me his concubine.

A man twenty years my senior, already with several wives, wanted to claim me!

‘I have to stop this somehow.’

I thought and thought again. I had to escape his greed by any means necessary. But no matter how much I thought, I couldn’t find an answer.

He was the type to get anything he set his mind to. He had even killed Astel to become the true ruler of Schultz. Now that he desired me, the outcome was obvious. No matter how hard I tried, I would end up crushed beneath him.