Armad believed that uncovering the answer would be a waste of time; his immediate priority was to grasp the girl’s situation.
He reasoned it wouldn’t be inappropriate to share a part of his secret with her, considering she had already sworn allegiance. Their shared objective was thwarting the Ururu invasion. He considered making her his right hand, a position even closer than his legion. Despite his bond with his legion, Armad hadn’t divulged his secret to them yet. In contrast, he felt compelled to confide in this young woman, possibly due to insights from the system. The system assured him of her lack of ill intentions towards him. Additionally, it consistently urged him to keep her close due to her potent cultivation abilities. Reflecting on the legends of the devastating impact of the Ururu tribe, Armad realized he needed more allies beyond the system. The system seemed to recognize the gravity of the situation, prompting its decision to befriend the girl initially.
Both Armad and the system likely foresaw her crucial role in the forthcoming wars. Armad sighed and gestured with his hand, prompting the furniture he had previously shifted to rearrange itself.
And now, there was no trace of the disorder that had plagued the sitting room moments before. Armad settled into his seat and gestured to a chair opposite him for Nusi to occupy. As they both sat in silence, Nusi felt her heart begin to race unexpectedly. Why did this man before her have to be so striking? She pondered silently. His appearance had the power to leave anyone in awe.
His sheer handsomeness was almost overwhelming; it seemed unfair for one person to possess such allure. She chastised herself internally, attempting to regain control of her thoughts.
She shouldn’t be entertaining such notions, for goodness sake! There comes a point where the sheer magnitude of beauty compels one to look away, if only to preserve one’s sanity, as once the images are seen, they cannot easily be forgotten. His allure was undeniable, and if it weren’t for her strength of will, Nusi feared she wouldn’t be able to maintain her composure. Armad was keenly aware of the effect he was having on her, prompting him to consider taking preemptive measures, particularly regarding his flawlessly smooth skin. However, that would have to wait. His current priority was to win Nusi over to his side.
“Are you paying attention?” he inquired. “I have a secret to share, one you must guard with your life. Promise me you won’t breathe a word of it to anyone, no matter who they may be. Not your parents, relatives, or anyone else. It’s just between us.” He paused, awaiting her response. “Are you willing to be the keeper of this secret?” he inquired after a moment. “Speak your mind, and don’t hesitate to decline if you wish. Your refusal won’t affect our relationship, but I need to know your decision.”
With a struggle, Nusi averted her gaze from his face, fixing her eyes on her feet. She contemplated deeply, recognizing the gravity of the prince’s preamble as a warning of the secret’s significance. Based on her experience, secrets of such magnitude were impossible to escape once known. They were akin to inviting harm, as the giver’s watchful eyes would forever be upon the recipient. There was no way to sever ties with the secret bearer; attempting to do so would only invite ruin, as they would employ every means to maintain control. From what she had gathered from her readings, becoming privy to such secrets offered no discernible benefits.
However, ever since she confided in him about the invasive memories plaguing her mind, she realized there was no turning back. She couldn’t betray him; doing so would only provoke him to expose her secret to the world. The consequences would be dire; she’d be hunted like an animal, perhaps even suspected of demonic possession.
But once she made her resolve her sole desire was to put an end to Ururu’s threat, ensuring a safe world for her parents when they descended to Shadeniza. She knew she was committed to whatever path the prince chose to tread.
Furthermore, what harm was there in knowing his secret when he already knew hers? She recognized that she wasn’t merely a servant girl or her prestigious alter ego; she was also Nusi. Her strength of will served as her shield. While the Wilberforce lineage was revered, Nusi was still Nusi. She understood that by sharing her secret first, she opened the door for him to reciprocate, though she hadn’t demanded it. His decision to confide in her was his alone to make, and she was prepared for any outcome.
One factor that swayed her decision was her belief that a gentle and level-headed young man like him wouldn’t seek her confidence without a genuine motive. Perhaps he intended to extend some form of assistance, but that couldn’t transpire if she declined his offer of trust. Rejecting it would be akin to refusing a gift, where the help he offered was the present in question. Such a decision was beyond her capability at present, particularly given her weakened state in cultivation. Right now, assistance was paramount, and she stood on the brink of receiving it—why would she turn it away? With a respectful bow of her head, she placed a hand over her chest and voiced her agreement.
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Armad nodded, observing her silently for a while before speaking again. “I possess a unique skill,” he disclosed. This revelation caught her off guard, as it wasn’t what she had anticipated. Nonetheless, he continued, “It’s unlike anything you’ve encountered or read about in books. This skill will expedite your cultivation significantly.”
“You needn’t concern yourself with its specifics or mechanics. What matters is that all the food you’ve been bringing here is consumed by me,” he clarified.
He paused, observing her reaction, which unfolded just as he had anticipated. Her eyes widened, and she instinctively grasped the table for support, as if on the verge of fleeing the room. “He’s the one eating it?!” echoed repeatedly in her mind.
To an outsider, such conversation might seem unremarkable. But for Nusi, who was intimately acquainted with the workings of the kitchen, this revelation delivered a profound shock that would linger. She was well aware of the sheer quantity of food he consumed daily. It surpassed the needs of hundreds, if not thousands, of individuals. Each morning, approximately seventeen pots were dedicated solely to his breakfast, served in three portions. The lunch service demanded twenty-three pots, a fact she had witnessed firsthand on numerous occasions. The procession of servants ferrying these vast quantities of food never failed to attract attention, yet who would dare speak out in the prince’s presence?
The supper comprised nineteen sizable pots, far surpassing the capacity of an ordinary household or ceremonial feast. These were colossal vessels capable of sustaining an entire village. Given the magnitude of food consumed by just one man in a single day, it was no wonder she found herself astounded. However, as she met his gaze, she discerned the sincerity in his eyes and realized he wasn’t jesting.
Furthermore, he had already admitted to possessing a skill, so Nusi could reasonably attribute his abnormal appetite to this skill. Though she wanted to gasp, she restrained herself and nodded in apparent understanding, despite comprehending very little.
Armad simply shook his head, surmising her thoughts, but he had no time to spare nor any inclination to elucidate the workings of his skill. Instead, he uttered something that stunned Nusi even further. “You will soon be consuming quantities of food similar to mine, if not more.”
This declaration nearly caused Nusi to topple from her chair. Why would she, a maiden aspiring to maintain her allure, indulge in such copious amounts of food that would inevitably lead to bloating and puffiness? She pondered incredulously. Such behavior would surely deter any potential suitors.
However, she suddenly realized that it was the mindset of servant-Nusi attempting to override her thoughts. Throughout her life in her previous world, thoughts of marriage had never plagued her, unlike the servant-girl, whose preoccupations revolved around finding a suitable husband.
Nusi swiftly comprehended that ridding herself of the thought patterns ingrained in her host body would prove challenging. She resolved to approach this transition gradually, as she often found herself committing blunders that were more attributable to her host body than to her consciousness.
Setting aside thoughts of finding a husband, the primary focus now was cultivating her abilities and thwarting Ururu’s advances. However, the prospect of eating wasn’t the real concern. If consuming food led to bloating, surely it would have affected the person before her first. Yet, it seemed to only accentuate his charm. If eating could bestow upon her similar beauty, she was prepared to devour every morsel in existence.
Nusi involuntarily opened her mouth in astonishment. More thoughts from the servant permeated her mind once again, causing frustration. This wasn’t how she was supposed to think!
It dawned on her that she faced a formidable battle to suppress this intrusion. Without caution, the body she believed she had inherited would soon be dominated by another. Currently, both minds vied for dominance over the other. If she wasn’t vigilant, the servant’s mind would gradually overwhelm her own, leading to a loss of identity and judgment of her host body.
This scenario would effectively reduce her to a servant, as it’s one’s character and judgment that define them. Any alteration to these aspects fundamentally changes the person behind them.
Nusi recognized the importance of preventing the servant’s influence from overpowering her judgment.
“Of course, Your Highness,” she replied once she found her voice. “Your desires always take precedence.” Pausing briefly, she continued, “However, Your Highness, I’ve heard whispers—never overtly stated, but evident in many faces. There’s concern that if things continue as they are, the palace’s food stores will soon be depleted. Even your allotted portion, as currently prepared, may not endure if the threat posed by the jungle men isn’t swiftly addressed. As for myself, Your Highness, I fear what’s left wouldn’t sustain me, not even a fraction of the amount you consume.”
Armad nodded in acknowledgment, as he was well aware of this issue and had contemplated solutions.
“How do we intend to tackle this predicament?”