Episode 16 – The Captured Princess and the Cruel Smile
“The Queen told us… Bertina’s curse is a little different from Hanna’s. Since Hanna was never cursed, hers can’t be compared. But for Bertina, the curse moves slower. And… the more something ‘missing’ in your heart gets filled, the stronger it grows. In other words, the happier you are, the more it moves forward. So if you’re happy, Iris is truly glad. But Bertina, please don’t push yourself too hard, okay?”
“Yes, yes! Lotos also feels happy if Bertina feels happy. But don’t force yourself! Let’s just buy the Schneeball for Hanna and quickly return to the castle!”
Because the words came from the young twins, Bertina felt a little embarrassed. Both were tugging on her arms as they spoke.
But the burning mark on her chest was only for a moment. No pain, no problem afterward. When Bertina firmly said, “I’m fine,” the two girls smiled again.
“Alright! Let’s just buy the Schneeball and head back to the castle!”
The moment Lotos stepped forward without watching—
“Kyah!”
She bumped into someone.
The person was a huge man with tusks like a wild boar. His beard was thick, his breath smelled heavily of alcohol, and rough-looking men stood around him.
“I-I’m sorry… Lotos wasn’t looking properly,” she bowed.
The tusked man looked down at her with a nasty grin.
“Ouch, ouch. You hit me so hard, maybe you broke my ribs.”
(That’s impossible. He’s huge and tough. Lotos only brushed against him…)
While Bertina narrowed her eyes, the men circled around them.
“Oh no, you made the boss angry. How will you pay him back?”
They moved closer, their breath reeking of alcohol.
“I-I’m really sorry…” Lotos’ voice trembled.
The tusked man’s smile twisted into a glare.
“Sorry? You think that’s enough, little cat? A female should pay with her body and entertain, shouldn’t she?”
He raised his thick arm as if to strike. Lotos shrank back.
Such a small child—being hit like this? Impossible. Bertina quickly pulled Lotos close, shielding her.
“Stop this. A grown man bullying a little girl? Aren’t you ashamed?”
Her voice was cold, emotionless. The man froze, then lowered his arm.
“What are you? You look like a human…”
“Yes. Because I am human.”
The man blinked, then licked his lips and smiled wickedly.
“What’s so funny? You look like the watchtower Bergfried—so strong. Yet a small girl bumps into you and you claim you’re broken? How fragile.”
He laughed in his nose. The man leaned closer, sniffing at her.
“You smell… Ah, so strong. Human scent. I like it.”
(Smell?) Bertina frowned, glaring back at him.
“I bathe every day. If anything stinks, it’s you.”
Her sharp retort only made him laugh louder.
One of his men smirked. “Boss, didn’t they say a cursed human princess entered Nachtberg Castle recently? Maybe this is her.”
The tusked man studied Bertina carefully.
“And what if I am?” she said firmly.
He grabbed her arm tightly and dragged her close.
“So you’re the lizard prince’s bride? Hah, interesting.”
He kept saying “interesting.” But to Bertina, it was only disgusting. She wanted this to end quickly.
Yet, when she looked around, the crowded street had emptied. Everyone avoided their eyes, pretending not to see. No one would help.
“So, human princess. What will you do? These two kittens are your maids, right? Choose—either both of them come with us, or you alone.”
“Neither. You’re an idiot.”
At once, his grip on her arm tightened until it felt like her bone would break. Bertina clenched her teeth from the pain.
“Wrong answer. Choose now!”
His voice was sharp, dangerous. But Bertina glared back without fear.
“I’ll go. Just let them go.”
Her eyes shifted to trembling Lotos. Finally, the man released some pressure and nodded.
But the other men protested.
“Boss, that’s a waste. The kittens are cute too. Let’s take them.”
In an instant, Iris and Lotos were grabbed and tied.
“Yeah, more girls means more fun,” the tusked man grinned.
“You said only me!” Bertina snapped, her anger boiling.
The man only laughed.
“Humans don’t know? We demons survive by being sly.”
He hiccupped and sneered, his face twisted in cruelty.
They dragged them into a dark forest. At the end was an old shed covered in moss. Inside, the smell of animals mixed with alcohol was suffocating.
On the straw floor, Bertina, Iris, and Lotos were tied with rope.
“I’m sorry, Bertina…” Lotos sobbed. Iris kept her head down, trembling.
“You did nothing wrong. The fault lies with these arrogant men who treat women like dirt. I don’t know what they want…”
But she knew. They had said “more girls to enjoy.” Disgust and hatred flared inside her. She glared at them as they drank and laughed.
(If only I could free these two…)
She tried moving her tied hands. Nothing. The rope didn’t budge. She clicked her tongue in frustration.
The tusked man stood, eyes fixed on her.
“Still glaring? Humans are weak, but you’ve got spirit. I like that. I’ll take this princess.”
He shoved Bertina down onto the straw. Iris and Lotos screamed.
(If I’m defiled, at least the others will live. Better me than these children…)
Bertina shut her eyes tightly, bracing herself—
