The Portrait of Pride — Chapter 17

LIVING IN A CABIN WITH THE CROWN PRINCE WAS...

WARMER THAN I EXPECTED.

THIS SERIES IS RATED 19 AND ABOVE.

WHEN IT WAS TIME FOR A MEAL, THE CHEF FROM THE PALACE WOULD BRING FOOD TO THE CABIN,

AND THE MAIDS WHO ARRIVED AT DAWN CLEANED THE INTERIOR BEFORE DISAPPEARING.

COMPARED TO THE FIRST DAY, A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF FURNITURE AND FIXTURES HAD DISAPPEARED,

WHILE FRESH BANDAGES AND OINTMENTS WERE PLACED IN THE BEDROOM EVERY DAY.

ISN'T THIS...

FAR TOO GENEROUS A TREATMENT FOR A MERE MAID?

...MASTER,

I CAN DEFINITELY HANDLE PREPARING MEALS AND MAKING THE BED.

I TOLD YOU THAT'S NOT YOUR JOB.

JUST FOCUS ON GETTING RID OF THE SCRATCHES ON WHAT'S MINE.

I'M GETTING A BIT BORED WAITING.

JUST WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR...

AH, COULD IT BE...

I'VE NEVER BEEN DRAWN NUDE BEFORE...

...MAYBE

HE'S BEEN PREPARING FOR THAT

SINCE WE'VE BEEN HERE.

BUT...

HOW DO I PROTECT MY BODY?

IF I HOPELESSLY LOSE MYSELF LIKE THIS...

AND HAVE TO OFFER MYSELF TO THAT MAN-

MASTER.

COULD I TAKE A STEP OUTSIDE FOR A MOMENT?

I...

I WOULD LIKE TO WALK ON THE SOIL.

THIS AMOUNT OF COURAGE SHOULD BE ACCEPTABLE.

OUTSIDE...

DO YOU KNOW THE WAY BACK?

I DON'T KNOW THE WAY, BUT...

COME HERE.

STOP, JUST STAND STILL RIGHT THERE.

IS HE...

TYING A BAND ON ME?

YOU WON'T LOSE YOUR WAY LIKE THIS.

IT'S LONG ENOUGH-

GO.

THE SCENT OF WATER...

BEFORE ME...

IS A SPRING...

BUT I CAN’T REACH IT.

THE BAND IS STILL TIED AROUND MY ANKLE,

AND NOT A SINGLE RAY OF LIGHT ENTERS MY FIELD OF VISION.

MAYBE...

INSTEAD OF BEING ABLE TO PROTECT MYSELF,

COULD I END UP IN A POSITION

WHERE I'LL NEVER BE ABLE TO MOVE FORWARD IN ANY DIRECTION?