"Ah… umu… you see, princess. The truth is that… I really love collecting. It is my hobby to collect any kind of rare and unique things. This world may not seem that great from outside. I would describe it like a pile of rocks. My objective is to find precious gems between those rocks. Or to be less metaphorical, talented people. People who are able to do something no one else in the world is able to, no matter how hard they try. A collection of talents is worth all the work that's behind gathering it."
'The hell am I saying? I'm looking like a psychopath, who would kidnap children from their cribs only to see if they are talented?! Please scary princess, don't call the guards! Don't throw me into a cell now that my business is beginning to flourish!' In his panicked state he didn't notice the princess' expression morphing from one of curiosity, then confusion and then again understanding.
Unknown to Satoru the word talent had a different meaning in this world from what he previously used it for.
"That's truly… a magnificent goal I think."
She said as her eyes seemed to pierce his non-existent soul. Satoru's mind had just calmed down through his Emotional Suppression, before she said those words, which caused a new burst.
'AH?! I just said the most misunderstandable things since I arrived to this world and all you have to say is that it is magnificent?! I never studied psychology, but is it possible for a child to be a psychopath?' He screamed internally.
"Umu… I'm honored that a princess like you thinks so."
He said once the Emotional Suppression kicked in. She flashed him one of her smiles, that sent chills down Satoru's bony spine.
"Please Satoru, when we are alone, call me Renner. It would be unfair if I'm the only one using names."
It seemed more like an order than a request and Satoru wanted to avoid any problems with this child, so he complied without protesting.
"As you wish… Renner."
As he said those words the princess' face flushed red as the fire in the fireplace. She lowered her gaze to avoid his masked face and looked at the tea.
"This is the first time someone outside my family called me by name. I'm truly happy it was you Satoru."
As she said that, something that Satoru thought impossible actually happened. Her lips curved slightly into a shining and perfect smile, that seemed to spread golden light all around her.
'Beautiful' That was the only thing that came to Satoru's mind in that moment.
Unfortunately, it lasted just an instant before her lips curved even more and the smile became more like an evil grin.
The golden light disappeared, replaced by what seemed a dark miasma. Satoru knew that if he wasn't an undead, his mind would have shut down from the traumatic change.
{Renner's P.O.V.}
She couldn't stop smiling. It just wasn't possible. She could feel her blood pump at max speed through her body.
That sensation of ecstasy only comparable to when he touched her. Her body needed it. It craved for it.
If she could have it all day long, she would gladly sign a contract with the Demon Gods themselves.
Yes, now she was sure of it. All she needed in this world was Satoru. The kingdom, the empire, the gods and everything else in the world could burn to ashes for all she cared.
What started as a warmth was now a blazing hell that consumed her soul. 'I will do anything to have you Satoru. Everything to be at your side forever. Everything to see you happy and make you love me back as much as I you' She said in her head.
"I-it is getting pretty late. Wouldn't everyone be worried for you, if you stayed here any longer?"
Satoru interrupted her thoughts 'Yes Satoru, you are just like me. Someone who is far superior to anyone else. The loneliness of being on the top of the pyramid. With you, I will no longer feel that loneliness, but for now I will have to stay true to my position as a princess.'
"Yes, I truly should go now before someone gets suspicious."
She said rising while standing up and making herself presentable as a true princess should.
"Umu… pr-Renner could I burden you with a small request? Can this conversation remain between the two of us?"
'Is this a test? Common sense? Etiquette after finishing a conversation with a member of the royal family?' She was puzzled by his request. Obviously, this would remain between them. No one should violate her privacy.
Then a thought came to her. 'Is someone spying on us though magic and he sensed it? He seemed to be on edge a couple of times during our conversation, but I thought it was just a wrong impression… or maybe he is cautious because of the new environment he is in? It may be so, but I should check for every possible spy in the future' She told herself before deciding to play along with Satoru, but before she could speak, a more sinister and selfish thought invaded her young mind. She internally smiled.
"I will happily do so, but I would like something in return…"
She said, a mischievous grin on her face. Satoru stayed silent for few seconds 'He didn't expect this, after all it is an illogical move' She thought.
"I don't know what I could have that interested you so much, but fine. Ask away."
"A hug." Several seconds of silence passed.
"A… hug…?"
Repeated Satoru. This was the first time she heard the great magic caster sound so uncertain.
She nodded in confirmation and even took the initiative by walking up to him and trying to embrace him with her tiny arms.
She couldn't even reach his abdomen. It looked more like she was hugging his legs.
Nothing happened for several moments. Then, she felt the body she was hugging move and felt two hard arms close around her.
In that moment, she felt like her body was burning. Her cheeks flushed red out of her control. She felt a strange sensation envelope her body.
Almost like excitement but coming from deeper inside her. It took a few seconds for her to noticed she was beginning to salivate.
She needed to use all her self-control to stop and avoid drooling all over Satoru's majestic robe.
If 10 days ago someone told her she would feel such emotions, she'd have called them mad, but now she felt like it was only natural.
After what felt like only a few seconds for her, the embrace ended, and she was released from her bliss.
"Next time you visit, princess, tell me in advance so I will be able to prepare something adequate for you and at the same time, not interfere with my business."
She could only dumbly nod. She didn't dare try to speak when she had almost no control over her own body.
{Satoru's P.O.V.}
'What. The. Fuck. Just. Happened.?' To say Satoru was confused was an understatement. His mind simply couldn't register what just happened in the last few hours. He sat down on a chair magically created by him to sustain his weight.
He tried to reorganize his thoughts to make sense of his current situation. First the princess arrived without any kind of warning, then she had requested a private meeting with him.
She asked him how he was doing and the reasoning behind his actions. She agreed with him on very questionable points.
She insisted on being familiar with him and when he finally thought her dark side was coming out, she simply asked for a hug.
No, he couldn't understand her behaviour. He understood she was very smart for her age and it was exactly due to that fact that he couldn't understand her childish choices when she seemed an aged politician only a couple seconds before.
'Children will be children, I guess. It's too much of a trouble to try and understand her thought process'.
But why a hug? He still wanted to understand that. In that moment, something came back to his mind. Their first interaction in the alley.
Back then she told him of her family situation and relationships. She lacked any kind of family love and she probably felt a hug was a truly valuable thing for her.
Guilt engulfed him. He shouldn't judge a child who lacked any parental love so harshly.
He was probably one of the few people she interacted with outside of her family. 'She must truly feel lonely.' He thought. The symptoms were already showing with her twisted personality.
He was no saviour, but if she wanted to continue their relationship, he would try to give her an example and some advice for the future.
'Yes, if I left a lone child by herself, Yamaiko would be really mad at me.' As he made his decision, he went back to his shop to see if there were still customers to serve.
****
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