[Part 4/4]
Before Tamaki could say anything, he politely bowed and asked with a gentle expression.
The Ezo envoy with his arms crossed bowed and inquired...
It felt like she was floating in the clouds. Her thoughts were scattered. Only a soft feeling of bliss filled her head. She wasn't paying attention or conscious of her surroundings at all. She surrendered to the situation, carried away by a sense of euphoria.
It was eye technique, spoken language magic, and hypnosis. With a certain level of spiritual power, some prior knowledge, or strong determination, one might resist to some extent.
However, in the opposite sense, for someone unguarded and without any resistance, it was difficult to realize that they were caught in the spell. People are easily swayed by the current.
That's why it was fortunate that the maid from the rural village snapped out of it due to a small trigger.
"By the way, you're such a cute little kitty. Your cheeks are so chubby."
Yes, for Suzune, it was when a geisha casually poked her cheek with a finger.
"Huh? ...Huh?"
The awakened maid shook her head in confusion and looked around, glancing at the surroundings.
It was a splendid, luxurious room with a nouveau riche atmosphere. Sumptuous dishes were laid out on a tray beside her.
"Oh my? What happened all of a sudden? You've been so aloof until now."
"Could it be that you woke up from a nap? Oh dear, even your surprised face is adorable."
"Huh? Huh? Who are you people?"
With giggles and giggles, Suzune noticed the presence of the women who were looking at her like a beloved pet. Dressed like geishas or dancers, they seemed to find Suzune's change in demeanor rather cute. However, Suzune found it more uncomfortable than anything else.
"Oh my? This is a failure, isn't it? The curse's been broken."
"!!?"
As a syrupy sweet voice echoed from above her head, Suzune realized that she had been sitting on someone's lap. In an instant, she raised her head in response. Shortly after, she faced the person directly and widened her eyes in surprise.
Whether the person was male or female was difficult for Suzune to judge. They were too slender to be a man, and their appearance was too unconventional to be a woman. Yet, the person's beauty was undeniable.
Finally, memories flooded into her awakened mind. As she did, the appearance of the person from the memory just before losing consciousness overlapped with the person in front of her...
"You..."
"Okay, shall we keep your mouth shut? I don't like loud voices."
Suzune's screams were forcibly silenced. The person in front of her pinched her fingers sideways, and it was as if her mouth had been sealed shut. Mmm, mmm, she muttered with her mouth closed, but she still tried to scream.
Of course, that was to be expected. After all, this person had likely kidnapped her. It was only natural for her to try to scream and call for help.
"Now, now. Is that the right attitude? If you act like that... see? Does it matter what happens to that child?"
"...!!?"
The person in front of Suzune pointed gleefully to a corner of the room as she resisted. Her head moved in sync with the person's finger, turning toward the direction they indicated.
There, sitting on a cushion in the corner of the room, was a girl trembling with unease.
Above her head perched a black sparrow.
"Do you know what a Night Sparrow is? It's quite a fearsome youkai. Its feathers are poisonous, and if the wind touches them when it flies, it can cause blindness."
The kidnapper whispered this information casually. They whispered in Suzune's ear.
"So... be careful not to provoke it, alright? You never know what they might do when they're surprised, right?"
Their tone was syrupy and threatening.
"...!!?"
Hostage, threat... these despicable and shameless actions made Suzune's gaze brim with hatred. But that was all she could do. Not because she couldn't speak, but because the presence of the hostage suppressed all thoughts of resistance...
"Hehehe, scary, scary. That face doesn't suit a girl your age. ...Well then, let's give everyone a little entertainment as well."
The kidnapper declared, showing a hint of fear in Suzune's silent surrender and hateful gaze. They raised their finger again, contrary to before. Suzune's mouth opened wide.
"Pwaa...!? You coward!! Abducting people and using them as hostages..."
"That's right. Here you go!"
"Kyaa!!?"
Immediately after expressing her condemnation, Suzune was grabbed by her collar and thrown. The screaming maid was handed over to the geisha who had gathered around.
"Kyaa, as expected of Lady Shinobu! So generous!!"
"Such a cute little kitty, let's play together here!"
"Huh!? Kyaa!!? No way...!!?"
Suzune was immediately surrounded by the geisha who had been waiting, and she was being playfully teased. Unable to cope with the sudden change in situation, the maid was helpless. Helpless and defenseless, she was being toyed with relentlessly.
"Ahahaha. Look at that, it's getting lively! Well done, you've certainly satisfied the audience! I might even throw around some big coins for tips."
The kidnapper's declaration was met with even more excited cheers. Laughing heartily at the spectacle, the clown-like person stood up. In the direction they were heading, there was a princess.
Approaching the Ezo princess, they asked, "How about it? Are you satisfied with the entertainment? Oh, right. I forgot. Were you still gagged?"
To the silence in response, the kidnapper, as if just remembering, raised their finger again. The freed princess, who had been mute until now, began to shout.
"Oh, I don't know who you are! But... s-she has nothing to do with this. Please, just release her...! If you need a hostage, take only me...!"
"No."
The kidnapper rejected the girl's plea in a sultry tone. It was an immediate response.
"Why, how...?"
"Why? Isn't that something you already know?"
Addressing the now-pale Ezo princess, the kidnapper sneered.
"Already, that girl isn't unrelated, you know? She's already part of the situation. She's one of the players on this stage... You know that, even if you pretend not to."
"That's..."
A slight unease. The princess felt that it was pointed out to her. But, why...?
"Anyway... it seems you can't deceive me even with that fragrance you're wearing, from this distance, right?"
"...!!"
Before she could even react, the kidnapper's face was suddenly in front of her, and they were on all fours. They pointed out what she had concealed under her clothes, their tone implying they knew everything. In response, the princess involuntarily gasped. She understood the meaning and held what she had hidden inside her clothes.
"This child... hasn't done anything wrong...!!?"
"Well, not yet, at least."
Her desperate plea was immediately countered with sarcasm. The expression of despair on the princess's face was reflected in the woman's amethyst-colored eyes. There was no way to deny it anymore.
"But, but... that's not..."
"You naughty girl. Keeping it a secret from everyone, acting all innocent, and yet doing such bold things... Well, I wonder if you're on par with the young lady over there?"
Saying so, they glanced sideways at the maid. Suzune was being pulled around and played with by the geisha on both sides. The scene was somewhat endearing, but the princess's expression clouded over. She agonized over having dragged her into such a troublesome situation.
"Who are you working for? What is your purpose... mmm?"
As the princess gathered her courage to question, a white, slender finger was placed on her lips. While pressing their finger against the supple, young, peach-colored lips, the kidnapper sneered enchantingly.
"It's a seeeecret. Well, forget about worldly matters for a while and enjoy being entertained, won't you?"
The kidnapper irresponsibly uttered these words and then moved away from the princess. As if switching roles, they deftly caught a tray of sweets and tea that was flying toward them, directed by the noblewoman's hand. They smirked at the bewildered girl and smoothly joined the ranks of those who were teasing the maid, spinning around.
'Kuun...'
In the girl's embrace, as if echoing her inner thoughts, a small whimper resonated in the room...
Fan art:
Title:Tachibana Kayo
URL: [Link]
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