[R18] King's Domination-Chapter 46: Queen’s Whip and The Cat Girl

"I’m sorry for calling you here despite your busy schedule."

In the audience chamber, Princess Ellis offers words of apology. She must know that tonight is the opening of the new brothel. The fact that she summoned me anyway suggests it’s an urgent matter.

"Hey, honey, long time no see!"

Reina is here too. She’s not wearing the outfit Morris gave her but has changed back into her usual maid dress. Having likely finished her nap, she seems full of energy.

"So, Princess, what’s this about?"

"Yes, I’ll explain it to you. First, take a look at this."

Two female attendants bring forward what looks like a long rope.

"Is this... a whip?"

"Yes. It’s a weapon said to have been favored by Queen Victorina."

So, literally the "Queen’s Whip." I wonder what kind of queen loved using a whip.....

"Can I hold it?"

"Of course."

I pick up the whip. It feels like it’s made of some strange material, like an alloy of iron and rubber.

"Can I try it out?"

"Yes."

As if prepared in advance, three old leather armors are displayed on stands. They’ve thought this through.

"Here I go!"

For some reason, I swing the whip with a flamboyant tone. With the sound of cutting wind and tearing leather, all three armors split cleanly in half. It’s my first time using a whip, yet I can control it freely, even to the tip. Is this thanks to Seiou’s skills?

"This whip is a weapon only Queen Victorina could wield. To handle it so well is remarkable."

Princess Ellis, unusually loud, sounds delighted. But honestly, being praised for my whip skills doesn’t exactly thrill me.

"That startled me!"

Reina, meanwhile, holds her chest, her heart racing. As Seiou’s maid, she seems to have reacted to the whip in some way.

"Don’t punish me with the whip if I mess up, okay?"

Her words spark an odd urge to try it, though I don’t know why. Instead of answering, I test the whip again, striking the floor near her.

"Be quiet!"

For some reason, my voice comes out flamboyant again.

"Eek, that scared me!"

Reina jumps in surprise, and there’s something oddly captivating about it. I can’t help but feel a rush, like my level’s about to go up.

"Stop it, honey, that’s mean!"

Reina lets out a strange, horse-like whine.

"...I understand you’re lively, but please keep such things at the mansion."

Even Princess Ellis has to intervene. Ugh...

"N-no, not even at the mansion, okay!?"

"But why did I sound so flamboyant?"

"It’s the weapon’s curse. It’s said that Queen Victorina was the same. You don’t have to worry about it."

What a strange curse.

Still, there’s no denying this whip is a powerful weapon. Even against armored foes, targeting their face or wrists could instantly disable them. It has a long reach and can handle multiple opponents at once. It’s a solid weapon.

(Though it’s a bit big and heavy.)

A young man walking around with a whip feels... off.

(Can’t Seiou’s skills do something about this?)

I open my status screen to look for a useful skill.

(There it is. This’ll work.)

I find a skill called "Secret Item Storage." It’s a skill for smuggling items into a brothel. Apparently, it lets you retrieve items even when you’re naked. I pour magic into it to activate the skill.

"What’s the status of the garrison?"

"There’s no notable movement so far."

Officer Miya answers.

It’s only been half a day since last fire incident. They’re probably waiting, maybe until the garrison’s payment deadline.

Still, I want more detailed info, ideally my own intelligence network.

"There’s another reason I called you, Lord Seiou."

Princess Ellis speaks up. Indeed, if it was just about the whip, there was no need to rush or summon me. A messenger could’ve delivered it. There must be another reason.

"A special slave merchant has arrived in Freesia. I’d like you to assess whether their merchandise meets your needs."

"A special slave merchant?"

"Yes. Nobles, royals, and tribal leaders have the right to buy high-status individuals before they reach the slave market."

I see. This world’s slavery is harsh. The nobility must have created this system as insurance for themselves. If they fall into slavery, their peers can rescue them. Selfish bunch.

"This merchant handles such cases. The one who came today is Slei."

At the name Slei, Reina flinches slightly.

"Reina, you know him?"

"...Yeah. He’s the one who bought me when I lost in a political struggle. He’s polite but gives off a bad vibe. Princess Ellis saved me quickly, so nothing bad happened."

So, Reina’s claim of coming from a "good family" meant she was a nobility or higher.

"The ’merchandise’ brought today is quite unique. I’d like you to decide whether to buy them or not," Princess Ellis says in a calm tone.

I recall I was looking for a high-level assassin to prevent assassinations. But what does she mean by unique? Either way, meeting them is the fastest way to find out.

"I’ll meet them. Bring them in."

"Understood."

Officer Miya goes to fetch Slei.

"Reina, why don’t you wait in another room? You don’t want to see this guy, right?"

"...No, I’m okay with you here, honey. Plus, I want to see what kind of person might join us."

Reina clings to my shoulder, pressing close. She’s scared but curious. It makes sense, she might have to work alongside this person as a guard.

After a while, a man enters the audience chamber. He wears flashy clothes and a cynicalbas a cynical smirk. His face is heavily made-up like a clown, making his age hard to guess.

He holds a chain connected to the collar of a small figure trailing behind him. The figure wears a hood, obscuring their face, but they seem like a boy. A faint jingle, like bells, comes from somewhere on their body.

"I’m Slei, the special slave merchant. Pleased to meet you."

He bows gracefully, but there’s something sleazy about him.

"Oh, is that Lady Reinesi... my apologies, Reina now, isn’t it?"

Spotting Reina, Slei addresses her with that same sleazy smirk.

"Ugh."

Reina, unusually timid, hides behind me.

"That maid outfit suits you. Who knew you’d take to serving others so well?"

His compliments feel barbed. He’s definitely an unpleasant guy.

"Enough small talk. Show me the ’merchandise.’"

Slei stops abruptly and removes the hood from the small figure.

It’s not a boy but a girl. And not just any girl, a catgirl, with long, silky black hair and large cat ears.

A crude collar, like one for an animal, is fastened around her neck, attached to the chain.

(What a beautiful girl.)

Even without the cat ears, she’s stunning. A small face with sharp, clear eyes. Pure yet strong-willed lips. Pale white skin contrasted by glossy, straight black hair. She’s short, with a modest chest, but her legs are long, and her waist sits high. She’s the epitome of a classic beauty, like something out of a Japanese man’s dreams. Even in a shabby dress, her beauty shines through.

(She reminds me of the girl I had a crush on in my middle school.)

I’m captivated. Back in middle school, when dating was forbidden, I secretly liked a girl like her. I dreamed that if I studied hard and followed the rules, I might one day date someone like her. A naive fantasy I never realized was just that.

Sadly, back then, it was the era of delinquent gals. Pure, classic beauties were practically driven out by peer pressure from other girls. Even in anime, the ideal of long black hair became tied to quirky or eccentric characters. Though I hear "whore bitch" or "goldigger girl" archetypes are making a comeback in strange ways.

"A catgirl..."

"Beautiful."

Are catgirls rare in this world, or is it her beauty that’s rare? Princess Ellis and her attendants stare at the girl with curiosity. Despite her situation, she stands tall, her sharp eyes fixed on me, as if piercing through me.

(Looking into those eyes feels like my heart’s being gripped.)

It’s a strange sensation, like an old wound from middle school pulsing again. But instead of pain, it’s a bittersweet feeling spreading inside me.

(This is bad. It’s like when I first met Reina. I need to be careful not to say something weird.)

"She’s super cute, honey!"

Reina steps between me and the girl, looking back and forth between us. She’s sharp, maybe she’s noticed something off about me.

"Her black hair is so pretty. It’s the same color as yours, honey. I’m jealous!"

She’s focused on the hair. Black hair is rare here, and this is the first time I’ve seen it on someone besides myself.

"Your hair is beautiful too, Reina."

Her flowing golden hair is indeed stunning. By praising her, I try to pull myself back from being captivated by the catgirl. I don’t want Reina to know I was charmed.