CHAPTER 272: QUEEN OF SOLMARIA

With Dominic’s sword strapped to his back, he was almost ready, but then he paused and opened the drawer of his desk.

Inside were many magic stones, glowing faintly in red, blue, and other colors.

He picked up a few and stuffed them into his pants pocket.

This was a world of magic.

Since he had no magic power of his own, there might come a time when those stones would be useful.

After being fully equipped and ready, Shiao Yi teleported back to the forest, into the unknown wilderness where the next part of his search would begin.

...

As Dominic watched the woman walk toward him, he erased all emotion from his face.

Showing open disgust or rejection would not be wise.

Still, he had no intention of pretending to be friendly either.

He simply returned to being who he once was.

Perhaps because he had been with Shiao Yi for so long, the sensation felt distant and unfamiliar, almost nostalgic.

Once again, he realized that Shiao Yi was the sun capable of melting even his frozen heart.

Standing completely naked, bound by invisible restraints and unable to move, was hardly a dignified sight.

But at this point, he had no choice but to ignore that fact.

He lowered his eyes away from his own exposed state and imagined himself dressed once again in his familiar knight’s uniform.

"How are you feeling?"

The woman’s voice was slow and sweet, her lips curved in a seductive smile.

Most men would probably have been captivated instantly.

But for Dominic, it had no effect at all.

"Do I look like I’m doing well?"

He answered bluntly, without even trying to hide his irritation.

He knew he should have kept his composure, but deception had never been one of his talents.

The woman, however, didn’t seem offended.

Instead, she laughed softly, her tone filled with amusement.

Clearly, she was enjoying herself after catching her prey.

"There has never been a man who did not kneel before my power," she said proudly. "But that ends today. Now, bow before me and beg for forgiveness. I am the queen of the Solmaria Kingdom, Isolde Solmaria."

With her name, a wave of magical pressure exploded through the air.

The force was so strong that an ordinary man would have been driven to his knees, unable to lift his head.

The weak hearted person might have even fainted on the spot.

But to Dominic it was meant nothing.

Seeing that he showed neither fear nor struggle, Isolde widened her eyes in disbelief.

"I do not belong to this Solmaria Kingdom of yours," Dominic said coldly. "If you wish to speak as a diplomat, then speak properly. But a person who kidnaps others and binds them by force, whether you are a queen or not, you deserves no respect from me."

It seemed this was the first time anyone had ever spoken to her that way.

Her body trembled in anger, but when she met Dominic’s calm and emotionless gaze, she forced herself to regain her composure.

"It is the first time I have met a man who shows no fear," the woman said. "I do not dislike men with backbone. If you promise not to harm me, I will release your restraints. However, the chains that suppress your magic will stay. I will not let you escape. You will become my husband."

Dominic let out a quiet sigh.

From her tone, it was clear this was not a woman who could be reasoned with.

"Your Majesty," he said calmly. "Standing like this before you is disrespectful. I would be grateful if you could give me something to wear."

He knew he would have to show at least some compromise.

Diplomacy was not beyond him.

If he could earn her trust for even a moment, he might find an opening to escape.

The pressure of Isolde’s magic eased slightly.

"Very well," she said. "I will have clothes and food brought to you."

Isolde returned alone to the room while carrying a basket filled with clothes and food.

It seemed no one else was allowed to enter this place.

The invisible restraints around Dominic loosened just enough for him to dress himself.

The chains that suppressed his magic also weakened slightly and he found he could use a small purification spell to clean his body.

When the dirt and sweat were gone and he was finally dressed, he felt almost human again.

The clothes crossed left over right and tied at the waist with a wide sash.

The robe fell just below his knees, with slits up to the hips on both sides.

Underneath, he wore loose trousers that reached his ankles.

The fabric was a woven mix of linen and cotton, light and airy, clearly made for hot climates.

"I cannot remove all the restraints yet," Isolde said. "Before I return, you should decide to become my husband and follow me. I will not treat you poorly. As my husband, all wealth and power will be yours. Every man in this land fights to become my husband. You should think carefully about this."

With that, Isolde left the room.

The restraints had weakened, but not enough to allow full freedom.

Moreover, the entire room itself was a kind of prison, its walls pulsing faintly with magical energy that kept him trapped.

She must have been certain that he could not escape.

If there were so many men desperate to marry her, Dominic wondered bitterly, then why him?

The thought filled him with irritation.

But anger now would get him nowhere.

He sat down on the single sofa in the room and reached for the basket on the table.

Inside was a ceramic jar filled with fruit wine that looked similar to red wine, along with several round rice balls wrapped in bamboo leaves.

He remembered how Shiao Yi had once laughed happily when showing him rice balls for the first time.

On this side of the strait, in the southern parts of the continent, the climate was humid and hot and rice was more common than wheat.

The Solmaria Kingdom was likely a southern land beyond the territories he had yet to visit.

After finishing his meal, Dominic lay down on the sofa.

For now, conserving his strength was all he could do.

"Shiao Yi... I’m all right," he whispered softly. "Please, don’t do anything reckless."

Even though he knew his telepathy would not reach, he focused his thoughts as hard as he could.

Then, after closing his eyes, he drifted quietly into sleep.