Chapter 12

“Everything ready?”

After finishing his shopping spree, tossing away an astronomical sum of gold coins as though it were nothing, Braden asked Shutal. Instead of returning to his quarters at the Colosseum, he had come to the luxury hotel where Shutal was staying.

“Of course. Strange though—you’re actually going to get body care?”

Before the Colosseum, the hit product in Lasve’s neutral country was the luxurious public bathhouse.

Along with various large and small baths, all kinds of massages were developed—and now Braden wanted to experience them.

This guy really must be mad.

“If I’m going to embrace the Princess, I should at least do this much. It’s our first time, so it should be a good memory.”

Braden looked down at his hands. No matter how much he washed, the old grime under his nails from gripping swords wouldn’t come off. His callused palms were rough.

He thought of her soft, milky skin. If he touched her with such rough hands, her delicate skin might get hurt.

“How thoughtful of you. Never knew you had it in you. Just—watch your words when you see her.”

Shutal teased.

“What do you mean?”

“Don’t use vulgar language, be polite.”

“Enough nagging, just get that ready.”

Braden’s voice was a bit awkward, unlike his usual self.

“That?”

“That red book you always enjoyed.”

With that, Braden hurried into the bathroom.

“Is he embarrassed? He really does everything, ha ha.”

Shutal burst out laughing.

The ‘red book’ was a secret manual Shutal used to read, filled with illustrations of positions and ways to please women.

It was Braden who used to look at Shutal with pity for reading such things.

“He wants to read the red book? What on earth does he plan to do with the Princess? No, no, I shouldn’t imagine it.”

Shutal shook his head vigorously to banish the image of Braden and Adela in those illustrations.

Adela was almost a goddess. Such profane thoughts were forbidden.

***

“It’s finished, Your Highness.”

At Joy’s voice, Adela opened her eyes.

She must have dozed off. The careful massage, with fragrant oils soaking into her body, had made her feel relaxed.

It wasn’t just the massage.

Her nerves had kept her awake for days. She pretended to be fine, but with her first experience with a man ahead, sleep was impossible.

Joy helped Adela into a robe.

“Oh my, Your Highness. You should have gotten this kind of care sooner. Your beauty really shines.”

“A massage can’t do all that.”

“No, really. You’re glowing.”

“Lasve people have such skilled hands.”

Adela looked in the mirror in the living room and admitted it.

It wasn’t just the massage. After long care, her hair and skin were noticeably smoother and firmer.

“Your Highness, this isn’t right.”

Logan spoke in a strangled voice, as if his throat were being squeezed.

To act like this now was a disqualification as a capable aide. He must not have been in his right mind during the meeting. To agree to such madness.

Watching the plan unfold in reality was entirely different. Every time Logan saw it happening, he was overcome with despair.

“What do you mean, not right? The contract’s already been signed.”

Alexa scolded her husband.

“Well, the price is a bit—no, a lot—but at least you’ll have such a handsome man as a lover.”

Joy sided with Alexa.

“Who says so? That slave’s personality isn’t good.”

“If he’s handsome, that’s all that matters. He has a kind face, kind body. Right, Alexa?”

“Right, right. That’s why you’re kind too, Logan.”

Alexa patted Logan’s restless backside as if he were a puppy in need.

“Madame, don’t do that here!”

Logan jumped in surprise and ran to the window, while Alexa laughed heartily.

“Your Highness, the rumors have already spread.”

Joy brought Adela a cool pomegranate juice.

“What rumors?”

“That Gladiator Braden has taken a lady.”

“In just one day?”

Alexa perked up her ears.

“There’s a rumor that Braden bought a ton of provocative women’s l*ngerie yesterday. Everyone’s dying to know who the lady is that will receive those gifts.”

“A man bought women’s underwear? That’s totally new.”

Even bold Alexa seemed surprised.

“Oh, and not just women’s l*ngerie. He bought men’s too. And he even left behind a famous line—‘If we’ll be in bed the whole time, why would we need sleepwear?’ Kyaa!”

Joy and Alexa squealed together, holding hands.

No one had expected it. For Braden to personally buy l*ngerie.

No matter how hard she tried, Adela couldn’t picture the burly Braden picking out underwear in a shop.

“It’s true. He’s serious.”

Adela murmured softly.

Braden was keeping his promise to her.

Suddenly, she remembered again. That dizzying kiss they’d shared.

Whenever she recalled that intense, wild kiss, she felt a strange heat in her body.

What was this feeling? Fear? Or anticipation?

Adela’s thoughts and emotions were always well-ordered. But since kissing him, she felt herself growing a little more tangled inside.

“But Your Highness, are you really going to wear this dress today?”

Joy brought out a dress that looked delicate up close but plain from a distance because of its pale color.

Of course, Adela looked beautiful in any dress. But this one, true to her usual image, looked too noble.

“Yes.”

“Why? You had a beautiful dress made just for today.”

Joy glanced longingly at the bold red dress hanging on the rack, with its deep neckline and nearly sheer design.

The three women had prepared that daring, s*xy dress after much deliberation, and it was a shame to give up on it.

***

Today, the Colosseum’s stands were packed as always. Any match Braden entered was like this.

But today, there was a different kind of excitement. When the entrance opened, Braden’s appearance was not as usual.

His hair, once unkempt and messy, was now neatly brushed back. That alone made his sculpted face shine even more.

And that’s not all. Instead of his usual cheap leather armor, today he wore thin but expensive metal armor, properly fitted.

He looked like a knight from the order, exuding a magnificent aura. Women—and even men—were captivated by his appearance.

Perfectly dressed, Braden walked toward the special viewing box. There sat his master, Duke Shutal, and a beautiful woman.

People wondered about the woman’s identity.

“To today’s victory, I dedicate it to my lady.”

Braden knelt on one knee and greeted her with courtesy.

She was indeed Braden’s female patron.

Squeals erupted from all directions, mostly from women.

There were two kinds of screams from the women.

Those who shouted because it was romantic, and those who screamed in despair at losing the beloved Braden to one woman.

“May the blessing of the gods be upon you.”

Adela rose and extended her right hand to Braden, who stood and took her hand, kissing the back of it.

Another wave of squeals rippled through the Colosseum. Some women even fainted.

The romantic performance by Braden and Adela was so intense that the subsequent gladiator matches felt anticlimactic.

Perhaps it was because Braden, who disliked seeing blood, subdued his opponents with his sword and ended the match quickly.

But it didn’t matter. The audience wanted to see Braden dedicate his sword to his lady more than the match itself.

The victorious Braden picked up the sword of the defeated challenger, knelt, and approached Adela.

“I dedicate this sword to my lady who gave me today’s victory.”

Braden presented the sword with both hands, and the attendant beside him received it.

“Come closer.”

At Adela’s words, Braden approached the special box. Adela leaned down and kissed his lips.

Again, a wave of screams swept the Colosseum.

Since its opening, there had never been a case where a lady kissed a gladiator first. Today would be the first in history.

Tomorrow, the front pages of all the gossip papers would surely be filled with stories about the two.