Chapter 43 I Love Women. That Is It. That Is The Chapter For Today
Maeve had been through many things in this life, you know? Like being unable to eat all the sweets she wanted. Or eating all the time because somehow, in this world, Isabella’s body never gained weight— and no periods too (see? See how good it can get?) and overall just sleep whenever she wants while farting and knowing no one would smell it because she was the main character.
But being dragged across the forest by a beast was not on the list.
Thinking of it made her fold her hands as she got dragged around, her anger reaching its peak as she felt grass slapping across her face and mud entering her mouth and ears and nose— though she didn’t make a sound of complaint.
She could hear them yelling, screaming her name as they followed her. Other mana beasts appeared around, each one looking differently shaped from the last one. All deformed. She took note. Because of course, what else could she do? Yell and make them easily know where she was? What do you take her for?
Someone kind?
Was she feeling pain? Yes. Yes, she was, but why make it clear that she was? Makes it too easy for them. Makes them believe they could do whatever it is they wanted to do while leaving her in the dust of it.
She had had ENOUGH of it.
It was why after all of this— after they had both gone through the forest, Adrian instantly killing every single living thing in his sight while Amir seemed to push each of them out of the way— they were both currently kneeling in front of Maeve who was now letting out loud sobs as the elf women held her close.
And of course, even though they were speaking elvish, she completely understood it, “Two men! Two! And they still could not protect her!”
“I heard she went after Amir to protect him— and ended up being taken by one of the mobsters.”
“So brave. She is truly what we should strive to be.”
“… how does she have two mates? And how are they both kneeling at the same time for her? Are they not powerful males?”
See, Maeve never really got many chances to let her head swell in pride— because of course, duh, she had been trying to survive but having a group of beautiful women praising her and practically waiting hand and foot for her— while also not trying to remind her of how unladylike she was behaving was so comforting. “My back really hurts.”
One of them who could speak her language easily appeared behind her, her hands kneading her back gently. “You, rest. Want more food?”
Maeve made a sad face, her eyes instantly going puppy eyed. “Yes, please.”
Now, Adrian and Amir had a lot to say— one being that they were fully aware Maeve hadn’t even made a sound until they found her. In fact, she looked completely fine except for the leaves in her head and her whole body being covered in mud.
She also ignored them as she went around picking out the mana stones till they got back to the village, walking and frowning in a way that made it clear she had no desire to speak to them, and then all of a sudden, the second they reached the boundary, she screamed.
Loud.
Of course, all the women ran to her in panic even though they did not fully understand a word of what she was saying except she was now screaming and pointing at them while crying.
And now… now they were there.
Kneeling.
“We bring more food. Wait.” One woman said, and then they all left.
Amir was the one to speak first. “We apologize—”
“Do not speak for me.” Adrian cut in, voice soft. He was, as always, glaring daggers at her. “You must enjoy manipulating every person around you to do your bidding.”
Maeve picked a grape from one of the plates and placed it in her mouth. “Manipulating? That’s such a big word. Didn’t know you could use such. Want a grape? Open your mouth. I’d throw it in for you because I’m so nice.”
“Isabella—”
“Papapapa,” Maeve wiggled a finger at Amir. “You… you don’t get to speak. I die and you don’t even come for my funeral? Why? Because you were having problems controlling your bloodlust?”
He truly looked distraught. “I did not… know. Plus, I didn’t think anything would happen to you, you’re always so… self-assured, I was sure you had a plan—”
She made a face. A sleazy one. Even Amir had to look away for a second. “Ah, you’re sort of right, I am pretty cool.”
“Your narcissism is unbecoming,”
Maeve stuck her tongue out at Adrian.
He looked like he wanted to roll his eyes— or pull out her tongue, but he didn’t. Instead, he stayed on his knees as he watched her let out a sigh and lay on the padded mat they had provided for her, propped on one elbow as she shrugged, “I did not have a plan though. This time. Honestly, I had zero plans of what to do when we got here.”
Adrian was not surprised.
Amir was. “What? But why would you—?”
“Make a promise to the Queen?” She cut in. “I needed to be away from her for a while. It’s so choking knowing she watches everything that I do though I don’t mind it. It just puts a lot of pressure on me. Makes me feel uncomfortable. And it’s a bit harder to sleep. Plus, it’s a mini vacation!”
Adrian rose from the floor the . “I have met many people in my life but you are the most selfish—”
“I apologize for not coming to you when I believed that I would lose control of myself,” Amir did not bother to shift from his position. Instead, he stayed with his head bowed, his hands gripping his pants tight. “As your… Vessel, I am supposed to have full faith in you, no matter how blind, while keeping nothing from you as well. Please, forgive me,”
\[APPROVAL RATING OF THE DUKE -7\]
Oh, ye of little faith.
There was something about this sight in front of her by the way. The way his dark locks fell over his face, the way he looked like he was in pain and sounded like he truly regretted his stance. It fed something in me. Something quite… evil. “Kiss Adrian on the cheek and I’d forgive you,”
Adrian looked like he just bursted a blood vessel. Amir looked like he had expected worse. “What are you—?”
“Did you forget that your carelessness almost got me killed?” She cut in. “Look. I don’t do favorites, okay? But I might if the two of you—“ She picked her banana and moved it back and forth between them. “Do not kiss and make up right now. Immediately, please. We don’t have all day,”
The silence that followed was so thick it felt edible. It tickled dear Maeve greatly.
Adrian stared at her like she had just suggested he commit a war crime in public. Amir, meanwhile, looked… resigned. Tired. A man who had already accepted that whatever dignity he once had was no longer his. Because yes, he signed his dignity away the first second he knelt to her.
“Kiss—” Adrian began, disbelief highlighting his voice. “You are deranged.”
Maeve smiled sweetly. “Thank you.”
Amir shifted on his knees, hesitant only for a moment before lifting his head. “If that is what you require for forgiveness—”
“It is,” Maeve said promptly.
Adrian’s hand twitched toward his sword.
“Don’t,” She added lazily, popping another grape into her mouth. “You already traumatized the forest today. Let’s not add homophobia to the list.”
“What even is that word—”
“Adrian,” Amir interrupted quietly as he walked closer to Adrian. “Please. Let us not fight,”
They did fight.
It was scuffling of some sorts. Maeve knew this would happen. Men were so predictable. She didn’t care. Instead, she bit her apple, counting off her fingers from there. The second she got to zero, the elf women returned with baskets of food and right on cue, Maeve cried and said in perfect elvish, “They keep fighting over me! I feel so terrible!”
The women stopped, shocked at the fact that she spoke their language so easily— and that these men clearly did not care for her wellbeing. Three rushed to her, telling her that it was not her fault she was cursed with fools as mates while the rest pushed them away to where the males were gathered.
STEP ONE: INFILTRATE THE SPACE. MAKE PEOPLE FEEL EMPATHETIC AND RELATABLE. AND THEY WILL LET US IN ON THEIR MONEY— SECRETS!
A thought Adrian and Amir could literally hear ringing in their heads in Maeve's voice as they got led away.
But it didn’t matter what they thought. Now, the women had reasons to like and trust her. And very soon, she would bring out their premium potential and present them with contracts!
And yes, she was still aware there was a curse to fix and shadows holding onto every living being here on the land except Adrian and Amir… but trust was more important to cultivate first.