"Your Highness is so sly, taking Little Yiyi for a bath without inviting me."

In the stuffy bathroom, I was dizzy and almost half-conscious. Vaguely, I felt intense gazes suddenly fixed on me from the door. I instinctively wanted to dodge, but he’d drained all my strength. If I weren’t sitting on this chair, I’d have collapsed to the floor.

"So bring us along too."

It seemed... the voices of those two maids...

"Sure~"

But right now, my head was like mush. In the humid air, I was drowsy. Before I could think, I felt myself being carried and turned around... My bare skin kept brushing against their bodies.

It seemed... three people... Master rubbing me... so happy...

"What’s wrong with Little Yiyi? She keeps rubbing but looks so listless~"

"Little Yiyi seems dizzy. Probably the water’s too hot."

Mmm... what am I doing... Master... that guy... can’t think... Master... no... I like it...

"Mmm, Your Highness, Little Yiyi seems—"

"Alright, we’re done bathing~ Little Yiyi’s so cute... I almost want to... ah, save it for later."

Mmm...

Suddenly, my bare skin rubbed against fabric... drying off my bathwater... Master... so comfortable...

But as the bathroom door opened, a rush of cold air made me shiver instantly.

Wait... what was I just thinking...? Remembering how I’d sunk into Master’s caresses, even liking it—a wave of self-loathing hit me. Why do I enjoy this so much...?

Damn... this Contract...

Coming to my senses, I stared at him—wrapped in a towel, holding me. This isn’t my fault. It’s the Contract’s fault. After the Throne Struggle, I’ll escape him... It hurts...

My eyes welled up; tears slid silently down my cheeks. I hate it... I hate this feeling...

I don’t want this. I don’t want everything controlled. I won’t become a plaything... Even in this strange world, I won’t be a caged canary.

I have nothing left to lose... but why am I treated like this...?

I want... to live without being a toy... Mmm, it aches. But... I’m scared... scared of becoming her pet without realizing it.

I desperately tried to stop my tears, but couldn’t. Even squeezing my eyes shut, they spilled uncontrollably, pattering to the floor. Luckily, the guy bouncing while carrying me didn’t notice. Hiding my face, I wiped my tears with the towel. Once dry, I quietly lifted my head, gazing ahead down the corridor.

Even now, dazed and controlled by Contract instincts... I can’t give up. I must pull myself together... Never give up...

Just hold on. After the Throne Struggle, I’ll find a way to fix this.

Endure for now. Just temporarily... It’s okay.

Maybe it sounds unconvincing from me like this, but it’s my only thought staring down this long hall.

I wear a pet collar and this damn Contract binds me—but it doesn’t mean I must be her pet in spirit...

I... will escape. It’s just not time yet.