Bertram carried me back in his arms, "Why are you dressed like that?"

I untied the curtain and tossed it off, "I was trying to keep my identity hidden."

"Why?"

I frowned, "What do you mean why? I can't have my identity discovered and be connected to the Black Death!"

I would definitely be killed by the King… Well… That's assuming I would even live through Simon's torture.

I shivered at the thought. I can already imagine Simon smiling in pleasure at that.

"But you have never worn a face covering before this..."

"Well f*ck me. I haven't, have I?"

Now that I think about it, he is right. I never even thought to hide my face before! I had given false names, but I just assumed a cloak would be adequate enough to hide my identity. What was I doing being so careless?!

I looked at Bertram timidly, "I'm screwed, aren't I?"

He thought about this for a second, "Not necessarily. Luckily the people we've done business with seem to like you for some reason."

I frowned at his words, "Some reason?!"

He continued paying me no attention, "I think that you should be fine. The people who know that you are connected to the Black death and have also seen your face are dead now. Anyone who has crossed you ended up murdered or missing, so no one would dare sell you out."

"When you say it like that I seem like some kind of murderer."

"Aren't you?"

"I'm not." I replied indignantly.

"Oh." He said unconvincingly, "Well, luckily for you there are people more afraid of the Black Death than the King himself."

I chuckled arrogantly, "I am good, aren't I? Should I start a gang?"

He frowned, "Please stop causing so much trouble."

I rolled my eyes at him, "If you haven't noticed, I'm really good at avoiding trouble."

He sighed, "Sure. Sure."

"Whatever. Anyway, I'm going to have to think about expanding and also how to solve this whole child kidnapping situation. It's starting to get out of hand."

"Please don't think about these things. You'll only make things worse."

I ignored him, "Now that you mention it, I think it would be a good idea to have a mask. It's not weird to see masks in the red-light district. Oh! I could make it myself! It will be so nice looking!"

Bertram did not have the heart to point out that she did not have the skills to make a nice-looking mask. It would most likely turn out to be horrifying. That would probably suit her better though.

After a while he asked, "Did Charles treat you well?"

I clicked my tongue, "Bertram. I do not like that friend of yours."

"Why not?" He said with a slightly amused expression.

"He gave me an illegal drug without telling me what it was!"

He frowned, "A drug? Why did he give you it?"

"Well." I fiddled with my hands guiltily, "I did happen to injure myself when I tried to save Mary from those men. My side hurt so much no matter what I did. He noticed and gave it to me. Although I hate to say it, it did make me feel wonderful. I don't even feel that pain anymore."

He frowned at me, "I think I know what he gave you. The pain will come back worse than it was. You are not allowed to take that drug again. That is where I draw the line."

I chuckled at his protectiveness, "I won't, don't worry. Besides, I'm quite used to pain so I can shake it off."

He looked at my confident face with uncertainty. "I do apologize for Charles. That hobby of his… Can get out of hand."

"Hobby?"

He nodded, "He enjoys studying drugs. Actually, he also spends his free time inventing poisons. Although he doesn't use them, I worry about what would happen if someone got their hands on it."

"Oh great. I'm sure he will be overly interested in Mary's father then. Her father studies pharmacological applications of plants."

I felt another headache coming on. No one can give me a break, can they?

He looked at me suspiciously, "About that… How do you know so much about that girl? Do you know her personally? Is that why you hid your face?"

I scratched my cheek awkwardly, "Well… I wouldn't say I know her personally. I just know about her."

He nodded, "I see. I knew you couldn't be friends with such a nice pure girl."

"Oi. What's that supposed to mean?"

He closed his mouth. Why? Because Seri was the total opposite! But he could never say that out loud.

When we arrived back to the Church, I noticed the party was in full swing. Bertram put me down and we walked back towards where I left Dante and William.

That was before I was accosted by grabby hands!

Queen Luna giggled, "Hoho! My daughter! My lovely daughter!"

She pulled me towards her and rubbed her cheek against mine. The smell of alcohol on her breath was so strong I wanted to puke. I tried to breath less as I attempted to squirm out of her arms.

My father grabbed my wrist, "Noooo! She's my daughter."

His breath was almost as putrid as Queen Luna's. Just what did they get up to while I was gone?!

Queen Luna looked at him with teary eyes and yanked on my other arm, "No Kane! She's mine!"

"NO! SHE'S MINE!"

My body flopped side to side as they continued this game of tug and war. But why was I the one in the middle?! This is starting to piss me off!

My father looked to my mother who was in front of us, "She's ours! Isn't she dear?"

My mother looked down at me with dull eyes. *Hiccup*

Her too?!

Queen Luna broke out into sobs, "Kane! Don't you feel bad for me?! You know I can't have children and yet here you are having babies right in front of me!! Then you tell me I can't have Seri! It's not fair!!"

The King chuckled with a bright red face, "It's okay dear! I will have children with more women for you."

She snapped at him, "You-You boorish man! Go f*ck yourself!"

My mouth dropped. I don't think I have ever heard her swear before. And not only did she swear, but she swore at the King!!!

My father was also so shocked that he momentarily loosened his grip. Queen Luna took advantage of this and pulled me into her cleavage. I could barely breath in her tight embrace.

She laughed eccentrically, "Hah! I won! Now she's mine!"

"Nooo!" My father collapsed to the ground dramatically, "Wife! Avenge me!"

My mother just stared in front of her listlessly. *Hiccup*

Queen Luna stroked my hair as she whispered in my ear, "I've always wanted a daughter. We tried so hard and lost so many children. My little William was the only one who survived." She began to cry drunkenly, "Now I can't even give my husband any attention in the bedroom because if I get pregnant again I will die!"

Is this what it's like to be a bartender? I wonder if she knows what T.M.I means...

She looked down at me with a serious expression, "That's why I must kidnap you. Then I will castrate that King for his crude behavior."

My face twitched. Well this conversation keeps getting darker.

The King chuckled joyfully at this, "Honey~ Please don't be so upset. As a man, I have needs, but I still love you."

She turned to him with venomous eyes, "I hope you die you **** *** *** and then stick it up your *********!" (These adult words were omitted as they were too awful to write)

My mouth dropped from the shock of her foul mouth, "Q-Queen Luna! He's still the King!"

The King chuckled lightheartedly, "It's okay. She always swears at me and threatens to kill me when she's drunk."

I looked at him completely speechless. Don't you see you're the problem here?! How can you act so nonchalant?!

Queen Luna sniffled as tears poured down her face, "Seri! You fixed your parents' marriage, now fix mine!"

Seeing her slobbering face, I sighed in resignation. "Well I personally think you should kick him to the curb. But since you can't- I will say this. There are other ways to entertain a man without the risk of pregnancy."

She looked at me with intense and curious eyes, "Oh? Like what?"

"Like… You know…" I made a certain hand gesture.

"Oh! I see… Tell me more!"

"Well.. You know… Your mouth…" My face flushed from embarrassment and I couldn't continue speaking anymore.

Why am I even talking about this?! I want to die from shame!

Also, doesn't she think it's weird that a nine-year-old is telling her this?! Is she really that drunk!?

IS NO ONE IN THIS WORLD NORMAL?!

"J-Just ask Simon to explain!" I threw him under the bus in a panic.

"Hmm? Why Simon?"

Because he's a pervert, but he's at least an honest one!! ARGH! I CAN'T HANDLE THIS AWKWARDNESS!

I looked over at William and Dante with tears in my eyes. Their eyes widened as they stared at my face in surprise. Then, they seem to have gotten over the stirring of their hearts and rushed over.

William pulled on his mother, "Mother. Please stop bullying Seri."

She dropped me and traded me for William. He too was sacrificed to the cleavage. She squeezed him in her embrace, "My precious child! Mother loves you more than anything in the world!"

"I know! Now let me go!" His muffled voice said in agony.

I silently thanked William for his sacrifice. I owe him big time.

Dante looked at me, "It's late. Do you need to go to bed?"

I nodded quickly, "Yes! Definitely yes!"

The King chuckled, "Well it is late. And the priest has been implying that we should all leave for a few hours now."

The King truly is a terrible person.

The King finally declared it a night and the drunken idiots were all escorted home by their servants. I went to the guest room in the Imperial palace and felt like collapsing.

I didn't even drink and I feel intoxicated!

I climbed into my bed and pulled out a book I had ordered Bertram to pick me up. I giggled wickedly as I read the pages.

After a hard day like today, it's always good to destress.

I heard my door swing open violently and crash into the wall. It bounced back and hit the person in the doorway.

"Oof."

My heart froze. Is it another assassin!? No… There's no way. Bertram's always outside of my door like some vigilant guard dog. He wouldn't let anyone enter without putting up a fight.

But then… Who was it?

The person walked in and crashed into a table, making a vase smash onto the ground.

"Oh my."

*Hiccup*

M-Mother?! But what was she doing in my room? Was she so drunk she lost her way?

I hid my book under the covers and pretended to be asleep. She stumbled towards my bed and leaned into my face.

I could smell her inebriated breath as she whispered in my ear, "Oh. She's asleep." *Hiccup*

Is she going to kill me?!

I felt the blankets rise and the mattress press down as someone crawled into my bed.

WHAT THE F*CK IS HAPPENING HERE?!

She wrapped her arms around me and snuggled into me. I could feel her warm breath on my head. My eyes snapped open in a panic.

What do I do?! Why is she in my bed?! Is this mistaken identity?

"I'm sorry…" Her teary voice whispered into my ear, snapping me out of my panic. I heard a somber voice crackle in my ear, "Your mother truly is a worthless person…"