He had let his guard down for a moment.
Yuri was exhausted from the long journey, and once he arrived at the hotel, his attention had scattered due to old memories.
So he focused solely on soaking his body from head to toe in the warm water, letting the heat soothe his weary body and mind.
That was why he didn't notice someone entering the room.
While resting in a lotus position beneath the water, Yuri suddenly heard a faint sound reach his ears.
It was humming.
The moment he realized it, Yuri's body stiffened.
As he sensed the faint melody getting closer, he hoped the tone would deepen into something more masculine.
But his hopes were ignored, and the pitch of the humming only rose higher.
On top of that, the soft rustle of falling fabric was not something that would come from a man's clothing.
It was women's clothing.
Underwear, at that.
This meant it was now his turn for his reputation to plummet.
Yuri calmly assessed the situation.
There were two possibilities.
First, the hotel staff had made a mistake in guiding him to the wrong room.
In other words, this room wasn't his.
That would be the worst-case scenario.
The world doesn't care for the truth of the matter. If a scandal erupts, people just set off fireworks. All the glorious achievements he had piled up would be washed away like the receding tide, scattered to the distance.
Imagining such a scenario made Yuri feel like crying.
But there was still one more possibility.
Second, the owner of that humming voice had entered the wrong room.
In that case, his chances of surviving this incident were much higher.
But there wasn't enough information. He couldn't tell which of the two it was.
What would be the wisest course of action?
Yuri hesitated to act, afraid of the worst-case outcome.
Just then, a voice passed through his mind.
"Do not fear your enemy."
Yes, that's right. He was a descendant of Briol. He wasn't the kind of man who ran away, scared of some accident waiting to happen.
"Do what you believe in."
Recalling the shriveled skull of an unnamed ancestor who had once said those words, Yuri surfaced just enough to expose his face above the water, eyes still closed.
Thankfully, he was facing away from the entrance.
Yuri spoke up.
"I think you're in the wrong room."
His voice echoed through the bathroom.
It was the kind of tone spoken by someone confident that this was indeed their room, without a trace of hesitation.
The humming stopped.
Silence followed.
Like a whale that had briefly surfaced and spouted water before diving back into the depths, Yuri naturally submerged himself again. Holding his breath, he waited for the intruder to leave.
Only the air bubbles he released floated to the surface with soft pops.
Just when it was becoming difficult to keep holding his breath—
"Um…."
The visitor dared to speak instead of leaving.
"This is my room…."
Yuri felt a sinking despair as though his heart had dropped.
If it wasn't the woman who had to leave, but himself… how much more complicated would this become?
Getting up awkwardly, drying off awkwardly, dressing awkwardly, apologizing awkwardly, and packing up awkwardly to leave—he didn't have the will to endure that series of humiliations.
The woman spoke again.
"I think you came in by mistake… I'll step outside for a moment…."
And the bathroom door closed.
Yuri wanted to hold his breath and just die then and there, but he changed his mind.
If he was going to die, he'd at least take the staff member who guided him here down with him.
He stood up with a jolt.
Whether the woman had placed them there or he had taken them out earlier, clean clothes were lying near the entrance, ready to be changed into.
Since things had come to this, Yuri quickly finished bathing, dried off with a towel, and put on the clothes. Then he looked in the mirror and steadied himself.
It was time to face fate.
"Briol never abandons honor. Even if it means death."
He calmed his mind. He had to act as naturally as possible.
Yuri swept back his wet black hair and stepped out of the bathroom.
"Hoo…."
And let out a sigh, as if troubled.
The man who had once tried to hold his breath underwater and die no longer existed. Now, there was only a cold, urban man inconvenienced by an unfortunate accident.
When he raised his eyes with an indifferent expression, a woman stood next to the bed, clutching a robe.
Her stiffened expression began to soften.
Maybe it was because he at least looked like a normal human being that her anger subsided.
Yuri blinked, then politely bowed his head.
"A staff member personally showed me to this room, so there must've been a mistake. It wasn't intentional. I sincerely apologize for what happened."
His courtesy was flawless. Just as written in Briol's Royal Palace Etiquette Manual, he took a long breath in and out during a bow before slowly straightening his back.
His damp bangs swayed, briefly revealing and then covering his smooth forehead and thick eyebrows.
"I hope my apology can ease your mind."
Yuri gave the softest smile he could muster.
The woman, who had been staring blankly at him, finally opened her mouth.
"Y-yes…."
"Then I'll take my leave."
"Um…."
"Something else you need?"
"Well…."
She hesitated for a while, then bowed her head deeply.
"You can dry your hair before you go…."
***
Thanks to the woman's kindness, Yuri was able to avoid going to scold the staff with water still dripping from his head.
While tidying up his hair in the mirror, Yuri thanked the woman again.
"I owe you."
"Yes…."
She asked Yuri not to scold the staff too harshly.
"Anyone can make mistakes. I tend to be clumsy myself…."
"Of course. You have a generous heart."
"No, not really…."
Yuri just wanted to leave as quickly as possible.
"Well then, I'll be going now."
He carried his luggage and left the room at once. And the kind demeanor from moments ago vanished—he now wore a devilish expression as he marched toward the reception desk.
The staff member bowed so low it looked like his head would touch the floor.
"I-I can't believe I made such a mistake. I'm terribly sorry. Please, kill me…."
In the end, the man even tried to kneel, and Yuri had to forcibly lift him back up.
"Just be more careful from now on."
"Yes, I'm truly sorry. I don't have a single excuse."
"Fortunately, nothing happened."
"Sorry?"
"I said nothing happened."
"Ah, understood."
Yuri was assigned a new room.
Coincidentally, it was right next to the woman's room—the one he had mistakenly entered.
"Hm…."
It felt awkward, but with no other rooms available, he had no choice.
The new room had the same layout as the previous one.
Yuri unpacked his belongings, locked the door, and sat on the bed.
Strange things kept happening ever since he arrived in the Empire.
"Maybe it's only natural, having entered the tiger's den."
Yuri lay down for a moment, intending to rest.
But the world wouldn't leave him alone.
There was a knock on the door.
Yuri let out a long sigh, then irritably opened it.
But the person who appeared was unexpected.
"Is there still more?"
It was the woman from the room he'd entered earlier.
She smiled awkwardly.
"I heard a noise, and I thought it might be you next door…."
"I see."
"My name is Pamia."
She avoided his gaze shyly, rambling as she spoke.
"I'm sorry to come out of nowhere like this, but I have a favor to ask…."
"A favor?"
"Actually, maybe it's not really a favor…."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, you saw my body, so it's more like a rightful request…."
"No, I didn't. I couldn't. As you saw too, the steam…."
"You can't say that for sure, can you?"
"I swear on my honor."
"Your honor?"
"My honor is more precious than a thousand pieces of gold."
"Ah…."
Pamia looked up at Yuri with a smile.
"You're Prince Yuri, aren't you?"
"I am."
"I could tell from your hair. I heard you'd arrived in the Imperial Capital…."
On the way to the hotel, Dale had mentioned that word of Yuri's arrival in the capital was spreading rapidly.
To the citizens of the capital, who were obsessed with gossip, Yuri was already the subject of admiration and fascination.
It seemed that this woman had recognized him for that reason as well.
"In any case, you did enter a lady's room without permission…"
"Mm…."
"So I trust you'll grant a small request at least."
Yuri nodded reluctantly.
"Alright, if it's something I can do."
"Then, could you take me out for a bit…?"
"What do you mean?"
"There's something I've really wanted to try since coming to the capital, but I'm scared to go alone…"
"What is it?"
"Basregas…"
She said it so quietly that he didn't catch it at first.
"I want to go to Basregas, but I'm a bit… scared to go by myself…"
Yuri's eyes widened.
He had momentarily forgotten.
***
The continent's best casino, Basregas, was located here in the Imperial Capital. Its grand scale was said to rival that of some kingdoms' castles.
"Basregas…!"
"Do you not like casinos?"
Pamia asked softly. Yuri answered as if enchanted.
"No, I actually like them."
"Oh, really?"
In the past, Ernando had said he saw Basregas within Erich's dungeon. To any card player, it was the dream stage one would want to visit at least once.
Yuri was no exception.
"If it's just for a short visit…"
It was the winner-takes-all table, where the most renowned gamblers of the continent gathered to bet their fates and claim everything.
Wouldn't any gambler want to visit such a place?
Besides, there was still time before he was to meet Dale in the evening.
Yuri nodded.
"It can't be helped. Let's go."
The continent's greatest casino was located on the outskirts of the Imperial Capital.
The two rode there by carriage.
Even in broad daylight, the sign shone brightly. It seemed they had poured an enormous number of mana stones into it—the lights on the casino's outer walls were brighter than the sun.
The coachman pulled the reins.
"We've arrived."
"Thank you."
Yuri stepped down from the carriage and spread his arms toward Basregas, letting out a breath full of emotion.
"So this is the smell of Basregas."
"You seem to like it more than I do…"
"I only came because of your request."
"Right…"
Yuri walked inside.
Unlike the outside, the interior had a dark atmosphere.
A man in a tuxedo appeared and greeted Yuri. Despite his formal attire, his accessories were flamboyant.
"Welcome to the casino, Your Highness. I am the manager of Basregas. May I guide you personally?"
Every time he smiled, the luxurious piercings on his ears and eyebrows clinked together.
Yuri shrugged.
"It's like you were waiting for me."
"Not quite. I recognized you as you stepped down from the carriage."
"You recognize me already?"
"The Third Prince of Briol is already quite famous."
The manager glanced at Pamia and asked cautiously,
"And this lady is…?"
Yuri didn't know anything about her aside from her name. He responded with a glance, and Pamia answered quietly.
"Just a companion…"
The manager nodded with a smile.
"Understood. And, Your Highness?"
"Hm?"
The manager leaned in and whispered quietly, so only Yuri could hear.
"I'll keep this beautiful young lady a secret."
What exactly was he keeping secret?
Yuri tilted his head, not understanding the implication. The manager gave a strange smile and added,
"Her Highness, the Princess of the Holy Kingdom, will not hear of this. Fufufu…"
Yuri suddenly recalled something he had forgotten.
He had lied, claiming he was dating Sibylla, to reject Ragna's matchmaking.
And that rumor had already spread—what a city, so keen on others' affairs.
Yuri shook his head.
"There's nothing like that between us."
"Of course, of course. Still, I never imagined Your Highness would show up with such a beautiful woman. She's truly stunning. Hahaha…"
He was getting ruder by the second, so Yuri was about to cut him off when the manager suddenly offered something.
It was a mask that covered half the face.
He could sense magical energy from its surface.
"Our casino values customer privacy above all. We provide these to those who need them. But only to esteemed guests."
The mask was an artifact meant to conceal one's identity.
"Would the young lady like one as well?"
"I'm fine."
"Yes. It would be a shame to hide such beauty. Hoho…"
Yuri tried on the mask the manager had given him. His eyes and nose were covered, and even the color of his irises and hair changed.
The manager smiled mysteriously and led them inside.
Just before they parted, the manager whispered to Yuri again.
"If you need a private space, don't hesitate to ask. Everything that happens in Basregas stays in Basregas."
And he showed his neck.
A magic circle was tattooed there.
"With this seal, even if I have a mouth, I cannot speak. So, rest assured. Fufufu…"
It was a binding spell to prevent him from revealing anything that happened inside the casino.
Under the glittering lights, his smiling face looked utterly decadent.
Yuri frowned.
"That won't be necessary."
"Understood. Fufu…"
Not wanting to exchange more words, Yuri turned away immediately.
Inside Basregas, all kinds of gambling games were laid out. It looked like it would take a whole day just to try each one once.
"There's so many kinds."
"They're all just fluff. The real thing is the card game."
But Yuri liked only one thing.
And it seemed Pamia felt the same.
"Oh, Your Highness. Do you know how to play cards…?"
"Of course."
"Then let's go play together."
"You know how to play?"
"Of course."
Pamia smiled shyly and grabbed Yuri's arm, leading him forward.
"I'm pretty good, you know. You might end up losing to me today."
The manager had said she was extremely beautiful. But Yuri hadn't been conscious of that at all.
The same was true for Sibylla and Mariloz, who had been entangled with him before. Though they were certainly beautiful, Yuri never felt any particular reaction.
Perhaps he had become desensitized from seeing too much beauty.
Yuri sighed.
Not exactly a pleasant condition.
But at least, this time, it was helpful.
"Why are you walking so slow? Hurry up so we can play. Hehe…"
Thanks to that, he was able to see through this woman's act.
[T/L: Read more chapters on Ko-fi page "RevengerScans" : https://ko-fi.com/revengerscans ]