Chapter 3: The Queen’s Bath

The grand tent, with its luxurious and expensive red drapes, revealed an even more opulent wool carpet. At the center of the carpet stood a giant wooden tub, or rather, a large wooden bath. However, one might wonder why such a lavish bath would exist in a military tent.

Yet, the woman in the bath seemed unaware of this stark contrast. The water in the bath was not entirely clear, likely infused with expensive fragrances or bath salts. Red flower petals drifted gently on the surface. The woman sat comfortably, her slender, fair legs draped over the side of the bath. Her toes, like tender bamboo shoots, were adorned with nails as perfect as crescent moons. If not for the constant movement of her toes, one might mistake them for a flawless marble sculpture. Above her knees, her body disappeared into the milky water, the gentle waves revealing tantalizing curves.

Her long, delicate fingers played with a flower still damp with dew. Her refined face peeked out from behind the flower, her slender fingers caressing the petals. Her eyes, like those of a fox, held a mysterious smile as they fixed on the flower before her. Her irises were a rare heterochromatic hue, a trait fitting for a queen.

She soaked in the water, enjoying her hot bath, yet also deep in thought, waiting for something.

Suddenly, the tent flap was thrown open. She rose from the water, droplets still clinging to her body, but she paid them no mind. Instead, she watched as a warrior in armor entered, bringing with them a pungent smell of blood and dragging something behind them.

The queen smiled softly, leaning back into the water. She looked at the white-haired warrior and said, ‘My brave warrior has returned, it seems you’ve brought excellent news for me.’

‘War spoils,’ the warrior replied simply, tossing the contents behind them onto the ground before the queen. Among them were two corpses, two severed heads, a small girl, and me.

I was once again thrown to the ground, headfirst. This time, however, my face met the soft carpet. My hands and feet were bound behind my back, much like a pig tied to a pole during the New Year. In this position, I couldn’t lift my head, forced to lie face-down on the carpet, my mouth full of wool.

From the bath came the sound of splashing water, followed by the soft patter of bare feet on the carpet. Honestly, I was curious to see the queen’s naked form. Earlier, I had only caught a glimpse as I was thrown in. Now, unable to move, I could only watch as perfect ankles walked past me, disappearing behind a screen.

Moments later, or perhaps instantly, the woman reappeared, walking to the warrior’s side. She smiled and asked, ‘Is this the head of the magic king?’

‘Yes, my queen. This is the magic king’s head, and this is his wife’s. The bodies are here as well, severed by my own hand.’

Apparently, behind me, the warrior who had nearly beheaded me was reporting to the queen. Although I had never met the magic king, being decapitated by this girl and dying alongside her husband was a pitiful end.

‘Wonderful! Truly wonderful! My warrior, you make me so proud. Can you guarantee that you personally beheaded the magic king with no assistance?’

‘Yes. The elves and goblins are bound outside. I alone killed the magic king before me.’

The queen’s voice was filled with excitement, but the warrior’s tone remained steady, devoid of any emotion. For a human to slay a magic king should be a moment of great honor, yet the warrior remained as calm as if she had killed a mere chicken.

‘Wonderful!! Wonderful!! Vilya, you’ve done so well!! Oh, I’ve never been so proud to be human! Vilya, my dear, you are my greatest treasure. Do you know what you’ve done?! You’ve saved the entire world! Everyone in the world should applaud you. This world is saved because of you, and because of your bravery, humanity can now lead the alliance. After all, it was a human like you who bravely slew the magic king. This is truly excellent news, my dear Vilya! I’ve never been so happy, oh my Vilya!!’

‘Your Majesty… my armor is very dirty…’

‘It’s alright, it’s alright!’

If I looked over, I might see a very intimate scene, but I couldn’t lift my head, only catching glimpses of **’s ankles as she stood on tiptoes, twisting in front of the metal armor.

‘So, what about the remaining two?’

After examining the war spoils, the queen finally turned her attention to us. I and the little girl were both thrown on the ground. The queen walked to us, her ankles stopping in front of me. Suddenly, I felt a soft touch on my head as the queen’s foot pressed down, pushing my face into the carpet. She seemed to find it amusing, turning my head back and forth beneath her foot.

Although the sensation was minimal, it was still intensely exciting. The queen’s body, fresh from her bath, carried a captivating floral scent that teased my nostrils. She was undoubtedly a beautiful woman, yet in that moment, I couldn’t see her.

Such an enchanting scene left me feeling no shame, rather, I found myself oddly enjoying it. As the queen played with my head, she looked at the warrior beside her and asked, ‘This person clearly looks human. Why would a human become your war spoil, Vilya? Could it be that some humans are aiding the magic king?’

‘Sorry, Your Majesty. I do not know who this person is. From their clothing, I cannot determine their origin or identity. However, they were found in the magic king’s harem, protecting his daughter. Thus, I considered them an enemy and brought them back.’

The warrior stood beside me, explaining to the queen. The queen huffed, then removed her foot from my head. I felt a strange sense of loss. She crouched down, looking at me. Behind her, the warrior mercilessly grabbed my hair, forcing my head up. My body arched painfully, my spine screaming in agony. Before me, heterochromatic eyes curiously scrutinized my face, her lovely features bearing a playful smile, as if I were a cute dog. She reached out, gently pinching my cheek, even as my face contorted in pain. However, I noticed that her simple towel revealed a hint of her cleavage, more visible as she leaned forward.

‘Mystery surrounds you. Who are you, and why would a human be in the magic realm? Why do you wear such strange clothes, and why protect the magic king’s daughter? Can you explain this to me?’

‘I… I… I don’t know… I… I just appeared there… I saw… someone… trying to kill a little girl…’

I truly didn’t know! And in this position, speaking was agonizing. I felt my body might tear in two, yet I managed to utter a sound.

‘Was it the magic king who summoned you? As I delivered the final blow, the magic king cast a summoning spell, attempting to bring someone to block the strike. However, the spell failed, though it did summon someone. But this person, I’ve never seen before, and they possess no magical or combat abilities, nor any distinctive features. They are merely an ordinary human.’

The warrior’s words dashed my only hope. I had thought that perhaps I had some supernatural ability, but now it seemed I was just an ordinary person.

‘Is that so?’

However, the queen seemed unsatisfied with this answer. She looked at me with boredom, then sighed, ‘I had hoped you were someone extraordinary. I was curious, but now it seems you’re just an ordinary person, probably from the north. Am I right? Don’t be nervous. I am the leader of the human alliance, Queen Sisi of the Tealynol Dynasty. I truly love that name, don’t you think it’s adorable, stranger? Do you think my name is cute?’

Her long fingers gently lifted my chin, her heterochromatic eyes scanning my face like searchlights. I felt her gaze piercing through me, unable to utter a word as I stared into her eyes.

‘Yes…’

Honesty is the best policy.

‘Good boy, good boy~’

Queen Sisi laughed happily, patting my head as if I were a dog, then lowering my body. She looked at the warrior before her and said, ‘Regarding the magic king’s daughter, I have no interest. In any case, I wouldn’t harm a child. My dear Vilya, since you’ve come to display your spoils, I’ll keep the heads and bodies. As for this child, she shall be yours. As the magic king’s daughter, she makes for an excellent prize.’

Queen Sisi walked to the child, who had not spoken or cried since being thrown in. I worried she might be dead. However, Queen Sisi seemed to lift the child behind my back, laughing, ‘This child is quite cute. If not for being the magic king’s daughter, I’d want to hug her. But now… well, never mind. I have no interest in a girl.’

‘Let… let go of me!!’

‘Very well.’

Sisi lifted the screaming child, then walked to the bath, abruptly throwing her in. The child let out a muffled scream, followed by the sound of water splashing violently. Queen Sisi then pulled her out, but before the child could take a full breath, she was pushed under again.

I was helpless, bound to the ground, able only to shout. Queen Sisi heard my cry, turning to look at me with a strange smile. She clapped her hands and said, ‘Pull her out. Don’t let her die in my bath, or it will become quite the scandal.’

‘Yes.’

Vilya nodded. Queen Sisi clapped her hands again, laughing happily, ‘What a joyous occasion! The problem that has plagued humanity for centuries is finally solved here. I am so happy. Now, hurry and take a bath, Vilya. Tonight, you are the star of the banquet. As for you, sir…’

The queen lifted her foot, kicking forward. This time, it was not a stomp on my head, but a playful prodding with her toes, her cold, soft skin brushing against me. I closed my eyes, trying to avoid her touch, but how could I escape?

‘You, sir, why not join me at the banquet tonight? It’s clear you’re well-educated. Earlier, I spoke in four languages, and you understood them all. To be honest, I’m intrigued by you once more, hmmm… Sir, do intrigue me further. I am quite eager…’