Chapter 51 - Sneaking into the Queen's Bedroom
After trailing the queen through the dimly lit corridors, I received a notification from the system.
[Ding]
[New Target Detected]
[Sēramu]
[Click here for more details]
I quickly tapped the screen.
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Name: Sēramu
Level: 10 (Genin)
Age: 26
Sex: Female
Affinity: Earth
Title: Queen of Rōran
Constitution: Asura-related bloodline.
Asura-related bloodlines, like those of the Uzumaki and Senju clans, provide increased strength and significantly higher stamina than that of a normal person.
Chakra: 1000 / 1000
Special Skill: Power to Control the Dragon Veins
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As I continued following Sēramu, the opulence of the palace became more apparent. Tall, ornate windows lined the hallway, casting long shadows on the marble floors. Suddenly, a small figure came running towards Sēramu—it was her daughter, Sara, a young girl with striking red hair.
"Mom! Look what I found!" she exclaimed, waving a board game enthusiastically.
Sēramu smiled warmly. "Oh my, what did my little princess find?"
"Mom, let's play together! I found a new game!" The girl's excitement was palpable.
Sēramu's smile faltered slightly. "I'm sorry, Sara. Not now. I have some work to do. But I promise, we'll play later." She gently rubbed her daughter's head.
Sara's bright expression dimmed, and she nodded reluctantly. "Okay…"
As Sēramu walked away, I noticed the disappointment in Sara's eyes, the way her shoulders slumped in defeat. The sight tugged at my heart, but I couldn't linger. I had a mission to complete.
I quickly resumed following Sēramu, who made her way to her bedroom. The palace was eerily quiet, with only a few cleaners bustling about. When she reached her room, she opened the door and stepped inside, oblivious to my presence. I slipped in right behind her, the door closing softly behind us.
The queen's bedroom was modest, considering her status. A simple double bed dominated the space, flanked by a small table with a chair. A single painting hung on the wall, and thick curtains covered the lone window. There was a cabinet for clothes and a drawer at the side of the bed.
There were two doors parallel to each other—one likely led to a kitchen, and the other to a personal bathroom.
Baths are the only place shinobi like to relax since it allows them to be far from war. That's why every room must have a personal bathroom.
As soon as the door closed, Sēramu let out a long, weary sigh. She tossed her crown onto the bed and draped her pink robe over the chair. Then, with sudden heaviness, she slumped to the floor, her back against the wall, her head resting on her knees. Silent tears began to fall, soaking the floor beneath her.
I lifted my concealment technique and softly spoke, "Is life getting too hard?"
Sēramu gasped, her head snapping up in alarm. She was about to scream when I flashed to her side, covering her mouth with my hand.
"Relax," I whispered urgently. "I'm not your enemy. If I were, you'd already be dead."
Her wide eyes trembled with fear, but she slowly nodded. I eased my hand away, careful not to startle her further.
"Who are you?" she asked, her voice trembling.
"I'm a ninja from Konoha," I replied calmly, trying to put her at ease.
"A ninja?" she repeated, her mind racing to process this.
"Yes," I confirmed. "Now, why don't we talk somewhere more comfortable?"
I gestured towards the bed and walked over, sitting cross-legged on the edge. I patted the spot beside me, inviting her to join.
After a moment's hesitation, she stood up and walked over, sitting down beside me. Her cheeks flushed slightly, but she quickly masked her emotions, maintaining her regal composure.
Since she took off her robes, her blouse was high, revealing more of her figure. Her blossoms were even larger than those of Akane and Nami.
"So," she asked, turning to face me, "why are you here?"
Fixing my eyes on her face, I answered her previous question. I looked into her eyes and replied softly, "I'm here for you."
Her cheeks flushed a deeper shade of red, though she tried to hide it. "For me?" she repeated, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Yes," I nodded, holding her gaze. "I'm here to protect you and your people. There's a lot at stake, and I need your cooperation."
She lowered her head, trying to hide her embarrassment.
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