Chapter 26: Taming Angelica
Angelica knew this moment would inevitably come, but didn’t expect it so soon. Though serving her master was indeed a maid’s duty, was the Lord Hero being too hasty?
But she was merely a maid – for maids, the master’s orders were absolute.
Angelica gently closed the door. In the spacious chamber, only she and Qin Chu remained, the magical lamps flickering a soft radiance that made Angelica’s lovely face redden further.
Though just an ordinary atmosphere, Angelica felt an exceptional sultriness.
Placing her small hand over her rapidly pounding heart, she was filled with gratitude towards Qin Chu.
True, he may have only chosen her due to fancying maids and her body. But regardless of the reason, this Lord Hero had still saved her from Loseweisse’s clutches.
From the moment she agreed to Qin Chu, Angelica was prepared – willing to do anything the master required.
Yet despite the mental readiness, finding themselves alone in the room made Angelica’s heart involuntarily race with trepidation.
After all, this was new territory for her, a lingering sense of fear.
But the inevitable must come. Angelica lightly bit her lip, glancing around before gracefully carrying the thick stack of invitations to place on the desk.
Now was not the time for work.
For nobles, pleasure came first, with other tasks after affairs were concluded. Surely the Lord Hero would be no exception?
Angelica had undergone quite an extensive holy maiden education in the Church, its etiquette and conduct drilled into her over decade upon decade, reflected in her graceful bearing and sacred aura with every movement.
Slender legs peeked from beneath her swaying skirt as her perfect figure sashayed over with elegant charm.
Heart filled with trepidation yet eager anticipation, Angelica slowly approached Qin Chu, cheeks flushed crimson like freshly picked apples.
“Lord Hero…”
“I…I don’t have much experience, but…but I will do my utmost to serve you well.” Angelica’s voice quavered.
Qin Chu’s mind was filled with black lines.
Just how twisted were the social mores of this world?
Having no experience was apparently still quite shameful for women here – did it really have to be phrased like that?
Seeing Qin Chu remain silent, Angelica grew even more apprehensive. Mustering all her courage, she stretched out a trembling hand.
“I…I will warm your bed for you now, master.” Her voice was barely audible.
Yet due to inexperience coupled with fear, no matter how hard Angelica tried, she couldn’t undo her waist sash, becoming so flustered she nearly cried – her large golden eyes brimming with tears.
Such a pitiable sight made Qin Chu unable to hold back his laughter.
His rough hand gently covered Angelica’s delicate one.
Feeling the touch on the back of her hand, Angelica looked up in bewilderment. Upon seeing Qin Chu’s gentle, smiling countenance, she couldn’t hold back the tears rolling down her cheeks.
Sniffle sniffle, oh Angelica.
You’re just too useless.
The very first time serving your master, yet unable to even undress him, even crying before him – you have no dignity at all.
Would the master grow disgusted by her uselessness?
If the master no longer wanted her, she would have to return to that terrible hell once more… No, no… An enraged Loseweisse would torture her with even crueler methods than before.
The mere thought made Angelica tremble with fear as she hurriedly spoke up: “Master, j-just a moment more, I’ll definitely do well. Please, please give me another chance.”
Qin Chu suppressed his smile to a faint curve of lips. “Apologies, I shouldn’t have laughed and frightened you.”
“You don’t actually need to go that far.”
Qin Chu was…apologizing to her?
But that following statement made Angelica turn deathly pale, devoid of all color.
Didn’t need to go that far?
Serving the master was a maid’s duty, yet the master said she need not do so?
What did that mean? Did the master already harbor dissatisfaction towards her, intending to drive her away?
No…no…absolutely not!
That momentary terror nearly drove Angelica to the brink of collapse.
Just as she was about to break down, Qin Chu suddenly opened his arms, pulling Angelica’s body into a warm embrace.
Angelica instantly froze, only feeling the welcoming warmth of her master’s arms, the deep-seated dread within her seeming to gradually dissipate.
But she knew such indulgence was unbefitting for a mere maid. Her slender frame gently squirmed in Qin Chu’s embrace. “Master, this…is improper. Angelica cannot accept such grace…”
“Shh, don’t move…”
Angelica’s body instinctively stiffened, but she soon sensed something amiss – the master’s hands seemed to be fiddling with the clasps on her back, as if intending to disrobe her maid uniform.
When clearly it should be her undressing the master instead.
She was proving utterly unworthy as a maid.
Angelica inwardly chided herself.
That said, the master was also being rather unscrupulous by treating her so tenderly – she would surely be bewitched.
At that moment, Angelica suddenly recalled something, her expression drastically changing as she struggled with unprecedented force: “Master, no…don’t do this…”
“Stay still…” Qin Chu’s voice remained gentle as before.
Yet it carried an irresistible, unrefusable pressure.
Angelica was filled with dread, not wanting the master to remove her maid uniform, yet unable to defy his command.
What a figure that was.
Where there should have been smooth, tender pale skin, not an inch remained unscathed – everywhere marred by bruises and discolored welts that made one’s skin crawl just looking at it.
Fist-inflicted contusions, hand-prints cracked into the flesh…
Whip marks, bite marks…
On the right side of her abdomen, there was even an ugly, centipede-like twisted scar.
That could not have been made by any blade. A dull edge, slowly cutting – that was the only way to create such a grisly wound, potentially life-threatening if mishandled.
Angelica despairingly shut her eyes. Her once decent figure and fair skin had been points of pride, the reasons she believed attracted the Lord Hero’s favor in choosing her.
Yet now, she could not reveal her beautiful self to the master – only this grotesque, marred body.
Surely all illusions about her had been shattered in the master’s heart?
She was terrified, flustered, despairing – wanting to clutch her maid dress and conceal her unsightly body.
“Loseweisse did all this, didn’t she?” Qin Chu stated quietly.
He would make this woman his.
His words came slowly:
“From today onwards, you will derive your existence as a parasite upon me. As long as I live, you will never return to that hell.”
“I will not allow others to bully you anymore. If anyone dares harm you…”
“I will definitely appear before you!”
