Chapter 35: A master’s dilemma
Now that Ronan was looking at Yen closely, he couldn’t help but be amazed by her beauty.
Ronan didn’t know how the outside world viewed him, but Yen was a beauty that, even back on Earth, would probably have been considered S-class.
His dream of having a harem of goddesses was suddenly reawakened as his gaze became more and more intense.
But just as Ronan was lost in his thoughts, he suddenly heard a calm female voice.
"Master... what are you doing?"
Huh? Who is that?
Hearing the sudden feminine voice inside his head, Ronan looked around warily, his body tensing.
Another assassination?
But I’m a nobody! Go and attack Bama for crying out loud!
"Master... it is Yen, your slave."
The voice sounded again.
This time, Ronan came to a terrifying realization.
Wait... it couldn’t be her, right?
"Master, we can communicate through telepathy. It is one of the functions of the slave collar," Yen explained.
Ronan’s eyes widened.
How convenient.
He had still been wondering how he was supposed to command a slave when he couldn’t even speak, but it seemed the slave collar was quite an interesting artifact.
Was this ability created by a Trait? Or was the collar infused with one?
Either way, it pointed to two things.
First, Traits mattered far more in this world than Ronan had initially realized.
Second...
He might actually be able to send Yen out to help him kill the humans he needed for his sacrifice.
But there was a problem.
If they were still in the city he had arrived in earlier, things would have been much easier but this was the capital.
Nobles were everywhere.
Any random person could be a member of a powerful knight family, a descendant of a great alchemist or healer, or even a powerful adventurer.
Anyone capable of living in the capital wasn’t merely strong.
They usually had a terrifying background to match.
One mistake could cost Ronan dearly.
After all, at least one King Realm expert stood behind many of these families.
Now... since Yen can talk, does that mean I can talk too?
But Ronan was afraid.
What if he tried speaking and only a grunt was transmitted telepathically?
Or worse...
What if his male voice was transmitted?
Wouldn’t Yen immediately realize that he was pretending to be a woman?
But then again...
Her life and death were in his hands.
What if he simply threatened her?
Just as Ronan’s mind was swirling with thoughts—
Knock. Knock!
The sound broke the awkward atmosphere.
Ronan immediately stepped away from Yen and walked toward the door, leaving her standing there in confusion.
Fine.
Maybe you couldn’t or wouldn’t talk to anyone before.
But you’re my owner now. It shouldn’t hurt to communicate with you telepathically...., yen thought.
Yen also wanted to know what was going on inside the mind of this beautiful Maiden.
Ronan reached the door and opened it.
A maid stood outside holding a long tray.
"Your food, Maiden."
The maid bowed slightly.
Her eyes lit up the moment she saw Ronan.
News of the crimson-eyed Maiden had already spread throughout the Duke’s Mansion.
Everyone was talking about her beauty and those mysterious eyes that seemed capable of drawing people in.
The maid had initially thought the stories were exaggerated.
How can someone whose face you can’t even see be that beautiful?
But now that she was looking at Ronan...
She could confirm it.
The rumors hadn’t exaggerated anything.
Seeing the maid staring at him strangely, Ronan sighed.
So I’m apparently considered a beautiful Maiden now?
He couldn’t help but lament his situation as he took the tray and walked inside, leaving the stunned maid standing outside.
But the moment Ronan entered the room, another problem appeared.
He was an undead.
A ghoul.
He only ate flesh.
Could he even eat normal human food?
But if he didn’t eat, wouldn’t the Duke and the others eventually become suspicious?
So what was he supposed to do with this food?
Just then, Ronan noticed Yen staring intensely at him.
Ronan smiled.
Perfect.
He walked toward Yen, stood in front of her, and opened the tray.
A delicious aroma immediately filled the room.
Yen’s stomach growled.
It had been two days since she had last eaten.
And that wasn’t even considering her injuries.
Although they had been bandaged and covered, the wounds were still there.
Then, to Yen’s complete shock, the Maiden picked up a spoon, scooped up some rice, and brought it toward her mouth.
Wait... what?
Why would the Maiden do this?
Anyone could tell that this food had been specially prepared for her.
Even the meat of a few Awakened beasts had been added.
Their flesh was far more nutritious than ordinary meat and contained a subtle energy that could nourish the bodies of Awakened beings.
There were even rumors that consuming such meat could help ordinary humans awaken their Traits.
Of course...
That was only a myth.
Ronan gently pressed the spoon against Yen’s small lips.
"This..."
Yen’s mind went blank.
Then a soft, almost melodious voice sounded inside her head.
"Eat."
Yen’s heart trembled.
She stared into Ronan’s crimson eyes.
For a moment, time seemed to slow.
She felt as though her body was no longer under her control.
Her mouth opened.
She ate.
One spoon.
Then another.
Then another.
She didn’t stop.
Before long, she had finished everything on the tray, revealing just how starved she truly was.
The moment she finished, she heard Ronan’s voice again.
"From now on, you’ll be the one eating. Take care of yourself. I’ll need you soon"..
Yen looked at Ronan.
He was definitely the one speaking.
But that voice...
It was so gentle.
So angelic.
Who exactly is this Maiden?
Not only was she incredibly beautiful, even her voice was beautiful.
Yen began wondering if the reason Ronan only revealed his eyes was because his entire face was simply too beautiful to show.
But then Ronan suddenly froze.
Tears were falling from Yen’s eyes.
"Heh... what happened? Did I do something wrong?"
Ronan hurriedly asked.
Yen smiled through her tears.
"No..."
She wiped her eyes.
"It’s just that... my sister used to feed me like this when we were little."
Ronan’s body trembled.
Her sister?
He finally understood.
But that wasn’t even his biggest problem.
He had just realized something.
He had actually spoken to her.
But that wasn’t the issue.
His voice...
It wasn’t the voice he remembered.
Ronan’s expression changed.
Don’t tell me...
Has Ronan...
"Give me a moment."
Ronan hurriedly stood up and bolted toward what he assumed was the bathroom.
His mind raced.
His heart pounded heavily.
He couldn’t stop imagining what he would find.
If I check... and it isn’t there...
Then does that mean...
Fuck!