After Retirement, Living a Stud Life in Another World - 29
Chapter 29: Is this What They Call Retribution?
“How did it go?”
The first words from Mom when we faced each other the next morning.
“Not yet. We’ll take it slowly. But it seems she doesn’t hate me.”
“Well, within the palace, this is already an ‘established fact.’ Just accept it, future Prince Consort.”
I could only wryly smile. I don’t think I’ll get used to this position thrust upon me, being a candidate for Prince Consort and the fiancé of the royal princess all of a sudden.
After finally managing to fall asleep in the early hours of the morning, I was abruptly awakened by a maid pushing a wagon with breakfast for two. The maid seemed disappointed, checking the sheets for some reason, but who cares… I wished they had let me sleep a bit more.
Beatrice silently had her breakfast as if nothing had happened and headed towards her study where official business awaited her. Being over fifteen years old, royal family members had their share of paperwork, and she also had to attend the royal school. So, she had to handle official duties before going to school. While I, being a useless fiancé, could only wave her off with a bitter smile. However, when she showed a shy smile for a brief moment as she left, my heart unexpectedly raced.
“Look at that face… We’re completely caught, huh? It seems it went according to Eliza’s plan… Well, Princess Beatrice is beautiful, after all.”
Seemingly, Mom also knew about what happened in the bedroom between Beatrice and me. If that’s the case, couldn’t she have helped me out? As I shot her a slightly resentful look, Mom smiled broadly with ease.
“Sorry, but you two got along, right?”
“Yeah.”
“Well, then, it’s good. All’s well that ends well. From the looks of it, Princess Beatrice didn’t seem entirely dissatisfied either. Do your best.”
What am I supposed to do my best at? While thinking so, I felt my cheeks relax a bit too. For me, last night was a pleasant experience.
“Ah, but today, after this, Lutz might be heading into a kind of hell. Well, think of it as a trial and endure it.”
Huh? Mom’s words were unclear. What kind of hell… Mom just grinned, refusing to give me any more information.
◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇
Desperately trying to escape, I felt an unrelenting barrage of lightning piercing through me. Every hair on my body stood on end, and I couldn’t breathe. This voltage, my heart might have stopped for a moment.
Giving up on escaping and deciding to face it, I was struck by a kick with an unbelievably beautiful form. Even as I managed to get up somehow, the next hit came with a left straight. Without a chance to dodge, I was struck again, and this time, I collapsed to the ground. But, if I stayed down, another lightning strike would come, so I had no choice but to get up, knowing I would be hit again.
This merciless series of attacks had crossed into the realm of bullying or abuse. However, the strange thing about this scene was that the bully, while punching and kicking me, showering me with insults, and finally hitting me with a potentially lethal magic spell, had tears continuously flowing from her eyes.
“Why… Why is it you, Lutz!”
The strawberry-blond hair that screamed, spread like flames, and the gray eyes took on a fierce light… The one mercilessly abusing me right now was none other than my childhood friend, Gretel.
I didn’t understand why she was so enraged to this extent. But my precious childhood friend was trying to convey something clumsily.
It seems this body has a certain degree of resistance to magical attacks. I don’t know if it’s a setting in this world or a reincarnation cheat, but thanks to it, I could withstand Gretel’s S-class magical power. However, what she was truly proficient in was using her body freely for physical attacks. With her inherent abilities combined with light attribute body enhancement magic, I couldn’t even defend against it with my current strength. I endured the relentless beating, falling and getting up again.
Even though she continued this brutality, tears never stopped flowing from Gretel’s eyes. Whatever I said, her heart wouldn’t calm down. All I could do was… to keep getting up as many times as my spirit allowed, and bear the brunt of her rage.
As I tried to stand up after what felt like the umpteenth time I went down, an unexpected weakness suddenly surged from my knees. Despite resisting the fall, I couldn’t brace myself. My body sank completely to the ground this time.
The thought of another follow-up lightning strike crossed my mind, but I couldn’t move anymore. I’ve put in enough effort, so let’s hope for some mercy. If I take one more lightning strike and don’t get up, maybe Gretel will forgive me… She doesn’t seem to want to kill me, after all.
However, there was no sign of the expected impact from the lightning strike. Feeling increasingly puzzled, I suddenly found myself enveloped by a soft body, robbing me of my freedom.
“Ugh, why…”
Alongside the tearful voice of my childhood friend, the pain from likely broken bones and torn skin gradually subsided. It seemed to be Gretel’s light attribute healing magic… It felt oddly pleasant. Despite the severe beating I just endured, being gently healed like this is the epitome of mixed feelings. Yet, the warmth from her body that I just touched was so comforting… and my consciousness eventually descended into darkness.