“Funny. I seem to like you too.” Benito laughed sardonically. “Do you remember – our first meeting, you were just a mere little thing*. But now,” Benito smirked. “Look at how you’re doing? Your chest looks good. Show me.”

*chibi

Alana scoffed at his request, “Even if I didn’t bother showing you, last night you were watching me bathe. I’m sure you don’t need confirmation on that matter.”

“Ah, you noticed,” Benito grimaced as his mistress flatly turned him down. Only to perk up again as he thought of a new gossip: “Hey, it’s refreshing. What’s the relationship between you and Callisto? I suppose Callisto can’t hold you or touch you naked. Is it impossible? Isn’t it?”

Alana patted the edge of her bed to Benito’s pleasure, who swiftly sat himself down without hesitation. He leaned closer, grinning. “Don’t you feel anxious? Right now, I’m the only one here. I’m not like that saint prince Callisto, and my libido isn’t dead. Maybe I’ll commit?”

“If you want to, do it.”

“Gee, when you say such things…” he looked at Alana’s stoic face and beamed.

“Your Majesty, your chastity is in danger, you know? Don’t be expressionless at times like this. Show some emotion.”

When Alana ignored his crude words, Benito crossed his legs. The bed shifted under his weight.

“I’m certain you’re wearing a mask. Geez, you’re an interesting kid.” Benito rolled his eyes. “Well, by the way. With regards to that silver-haired man, he’s ridiculously sharp. I don’t know how long I can continue to report on his activity. Lest I end up like Gustavo in the near future,” Benito grimaced, thinking about his possible end. “The main issue is, he’s now hiding in Teges. So far, about six members of the Teges family have been extinguished. But they were all sent to hell by that guy. He’s a scoundrel who’s on par with me.”

Alana’s eyes dropped slightly, prompting Benito to continue.

“Hey. What are you going to do about your country? It’s been a few years since Armenia’s royal family died in the chaos. They said it was the disease caused by the epidemic, but – that’s not what took place, eh？ For the king and crown prince to accidentally die out of nowhere, isn’t that too suspicious? Only the tiny you is all that remains. The state this country’s been reduced to, don’t you think it’s that man’s work?”

“Benito, your work will be my eyes and ears.”

“Yes, yes. I won’t inquire,” he shrugged.

“That man f*cks a woman every time he kills. She’s not forced to. She gladly offers her ass for his disposal. He’s an outrageous lady-killer.* That man, he’s coming to Armenia. Hey, what are you gonna do? He’s only killing the royal family. Won’t you die? Are you going to kill him before he gets to you? At worst, you could draw it out, but you might be able to live.”

*Benito actually says ‘he’s an unbelievably sexy guy/lover.’ but I thought that translation was more appropriate XD

“That’s not your role. Even if I’m killed, please do not raise your hand.”

Benito grumbled and scoffed at Alana. Slowly, he approached her. “I’ve been pushed to the side. I don’t like it. Nothing’s to my taste. Your Majesty, it’s punishment.”

Suddenly Alana was pushed down by her bed. Despite this, her eyebrows did not move in the slightest, let alone her complexion. Seeing her remain the same, Benito clicked his tongue and placed his hand on her swelling chest.

“Soft. So, what are you going to do? I’m going to rub it like this. Are you scared? Will you cry? Scream?” Her ribbon unravelled as her night shift loosed. Alana endured. A small rosy peak appeared as the garment fell away.

“Your heart is beating rapidly. Are you scared? I can hear the sound of your heart even if your face doesn’t change. Do you know that?” Her nipples were squeezed as he bent down to suck on them. Still, Alana did not resist.

Benito stopped. “My queen, what the hell are you thinking. A rascal like me is touching you! Are you stupid? Push me away! Shout! Callisto will come flying straight away. Hurry up and resist me!

Alana looked into the distance with empty eyes.

“My fate is in your hands. So, I’m all right.”

“What? Can I take anything I like? F*ck, what are you saying. You’re an idiot for sure.”

My nose and nose, something hot, was pushed between her lips. An intense gaze pierced Alana, desperate to challenge her. “…haha, I kissed the noble queen. If you’re not resisting, then you’re accepting to be violated as is?” Assenting, Benito became breathless. He glared at her with unconcealed lust. Benito sucked at Alana’s mouth again.

Slowly, his mouth descended down to her chest, unrelenting in his assault as he toyed with her shift. Alana did nothing. She stared vacantly at the ceiling as he clung to her chest. Her legs parted, and Benito touched her thigh. But even when his tongue licked it, Alana kept looking up at the ceiling.

When she closed her eyelids, she could see the stars – spread out all over the sky; diamonds that were never supposed to fall out. “Every time a person wishes for another’s death, the stars disappear – all the time.”

-I wonder how many stars have disappeared since that day…

“…See, you cried. After all, it’s repulsive. You don’t like it.”

Upon hearing the word ‘cried’, Alana opened her eyes. From the corner, tears rolled down the sides of her face, dampening her silk pillowcase.

“Even though you’re still a kid, you still pretend to be cheerful. Why are you killing yourself like this? You appear alive, but you’re dead. You’ll end up dying before you’ll be killed by that silver-haired man. You, do you plan on dying whilst I’m still alive? Ridiculous. Don’t think I’ll let you be so selfish to let you die on your own,” Benito whispered whilst fixing Alana’s nightwear.

As her tears dripped, Benito kissed her cheek. “Don’t cry,” he muttered softly. “Hey, I fixed your clothes. Stop crying, okay? This scary man will go away for a while.”

Alana got up after Benito left the room. Sobbing, she descended her bed and stood in front of the grand bathtub. Even though last night the water had been hot, now it was just that – water. Still, her foot slipped in and along with her body. Alana sank into the tub, immersing herself with the cold wetness. She held her breath and sank into the water until it reached the crown of her hair. But her body did not feel the cold. She told herself she did not deserve to feel cold and endured. She did not like shedding tears. Human emotions, any vestige, became unpleasant. She had reigned as queen for two years. Yet still, her heart had not been killed.

//This scene is so sad 🙁 Alana’s gone through so much with the pressures of a country on her young head, not even having enough time to mourn, that nothing no longer can be worse than that experience for her. And Benito knows that too, so he’s desperate to try to get her to at least react, showing she’s still got emotion by using scummy means to no effect.