NOVEL NEXT Chapter 7 - Episode 7: Arjena's Feelings
Episode 7: Arjena’s Feelings
~~Arjena’s Perspective~~
It’s been a month since I came to Duke Zaus’s castle.
To be honest, I was skeptical.
Duke Zaus is a demon known for slave hunting. He’s an enemy of humans under the demon king’s command.
It’s still hard to believe that such a being is admired by those around him.
Honestly, if he were lying, I came to this castle with the intention of defeating him.
But Zaus is genuinely kind.
Admired by his subordinates and popular among humans.
It’s surprising to find such a demon duke.
In fact, he might be kinder than ordinary dukes.
The room assigned to me was clean.
It had a spacious, fluffy bed.
A comfortable workplace.
With delicious meals every day and even getting paid, it’s undeniably high treatment.
In such a room, Meel, my caretaker, entered.
“Arjena, there are rules within the castle, so I’ll explain them to you.”
It was about the night companionship duties.
Women within the castle are recruited to accompany Master Zaus at night.
In other words, it’s about being a one-night stand partner.
Men are the same everywhere, aren’t they?
Always thinking about lewd things. Is the gentle Zaus the same?
Well, perhaps this is the true nature of a demon duke.
“We’re recruiting night companions in this notebook. Although you’re in charge of combat training, you’re no different from the women in the castle.”
“Is that mandatory?”
“Of course not. There’s no way Master Zaus would do such a thing.”
“What do you mean?”
“This system was inherited from the previous demon duke. It emphasizes autonomy for mistress candidates.”
“Does that mean you’re recruiting mistresses?”
“More accurately, it’s for secondary or subsequent wives. The main wife will be decided for political reasons.”
“Well, either way, people who want to be intimate with Zaus will sign up in that notebook, right?”
“Hmm… it’s more like expressing their intentions.”
“What do you mean?”
“Master Zaus doesn’t use this system. Since inheriting the title of demon duke, he has been sleeping alone at night.”
…That was unexpected.
I thought they were taking full advantage of him.
Wait a minute.
“He doesn’t know about this system?”
“Of course not. I told him on the first day he became the demon duke. But it seems he’s not in the mood for that kind of thing now. His goal is to become stronger.”
“Hmm…”
…I feel oddly relieved.
It’s a strange feeling.
“So… what does expressing intentions mean?”
“Just that. It’s appealing to Master Zaus.”
“…Hmm.”
Certainly.
If you sign up in that notebook, it means you’re ready for him to embrace you anytime.
It’s embarrassing to think about it that way.
“What I’m telling you, Arjena, is to prevent complaints later.”
“Huh?”
“I believe that women within the castle should have equal rights.”
“What do you mean?”
“It means being equally loved by Master Zaus.”
“!?”
“What do you think Master Zaus will do when he wants to find a lover?”
Right!
I’ll definitely check the notebook.
And then, choose a lover from among them!
“If you didn’t know about this system, you might regret it, right? So, I’m informing you in advance to prevent any unfairness.”
“I-I won’t regret it!”
“I can’t say for sure. After all, I don’t know when Master Zaus’s popularity will wane. He’s a master at winning people over.”
I flipped through the notebook, and it was filled with applicants.
“Incredible… There are even goblins and orc females…”
“Well, the right to love is equal. Entry is free. But only those selected by Master Zaus will be chosen.”
“I-It’s incredibly popular… How many hundreds of people have signed up?”
“All young women within the castle, except for you, have signed up. Every maid wants to be Master Zaus’s mistress.”
A-All of them…
“Does that mean Meel, too?”
She pointed to the first line on the first page.
“Here.”
Tremendous pressure.
“It’s only natural for a caretaker.”
“Hmm… No feelings of love?”
“…”
“Why aren’t you answering? Is it an obligation due to your position?”
“In name, yes.”
“In name?”
“It means women of my status shouldn’t fall in love seriously.”
“So, you’re in love for real?”
When I said that, she blushed crimson.
Quite obvious.
“What will you do, Arjena? Will you sign up?”
“I-I would never do that!”
She smiled with relief.
“I see. But I’ve informed you. Please respect your own wishes. Excuse me then.”
Meel left in a good mood.
Did she see me as a rival in love?
But then, what is love?
I’ve only ever practiced swordsmanship since I was a child.
I can’t even imagine such feelings arising.
Me, falling for Zaus…?
Hahaha. Impossible.
Definitely not.
Hahaha… I would never fall for a man.
I’ve never even felt fluttery around the opposite sex.
Hahaha…
The next day.
I was teaching Zaus how to wield a sword.
“Now, try swinging the sword.”
“Hmm.”
“Yeah… More like this.”
“Is that so? Like this?”
“No, no. More like this.”
“Hmm… Like this?”
Ah… Maybe it would be easier to understand if I grabbed his hands from behind and showed him.
I pressed my body against Zaus’s back.
“More… like this.”
“Y-yeah…”
Oh…! W-we’re really close right now!
A-a-a-a-ah!
“Hey! Z-Zaus! Don’t misunderstand!”
“Misunderstand what?”
“I-I didn’t hug you because I like you!”
“I understand that, but…?”
“Ugh!”
“Hmm?”
Ughhhhh… I-I’m becoming aware of something!!
I-I can’t get that notebook out of my headddddd.
“Hey, Arjena. Your face is all red. Do you have a fever?”
“I-I don’t!”
“Isn’t there a lot of sweat?”
“Y-you’re so annoying! Add another thousand swings!”
“Why?”
Ughhh…
I hate this.