Chapter 286 The Stuck Smile
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
I was born in a small village under the rule of Count Cordis, within the borders of the kingdom.
My name is Stella—a name my parents gave me with the hope that I would grow up as radiant as a star shining in the night sky, drawing admiration from all who saw me.
In this world, influenced by countless cultures and languages, there are many words that mean “star.” Among them, “Stella” is widely known—so much so that even those with no formal learning have probably heard it at least once.
In our village, we cultivated a spice called Nira Mirchi under the direct order of the lord. Little else was grown. Our entire livelihood revolved around the profits from those fields, and all of the harvest was sold to the Cordis family, who then distributed it to the kingdom’s markets.
At least, that was the official story.
In truth, the villagers secretly kept a small portion of the spice for their own use—just enough not to arouse suspicion. To my younger self, this quiet defiance felt like a terrible crime, even if it was only a tiny share compared to the whole.
But my parents and the other adults simply laughed it off.
”It’s just a pinch,” they said. “No one’s noticed in decades.”
Then they would generously season their food with the crushed blue spice, savoring each bite with satisfaction.
I didn’t share their enthusiasm. I hated the sharp sting it left on my tongue. More than that, I hated the idea of doing something wrong. So I never touched Nira Mirchi. I never imagined that small decision would one day change the course of my life.
Then, one day, illness swept through our village.
Fever, rashes, diarrhea—many collapsed, unable to rise from their beds. Alarmed, the lord dispatched a group of officials to investigate.
At first, they suspected an infectious disease. But strangely, none of the investigators fell ill, and a handful of villagers—myself among them—remained perfectly healthy. That raised doubts, and a second investigation was launched.
Eventually, the truth was discovered.
The fields had been poisoned.
The very spice that sustained our lives had become the source of death. Those who had eaten the contaminated harvest were the ones struck down.
Upon learning this, the lord flew into a rage. Had the villagers not consumed the spice in secret, the tainted crop would have passed into the kingdom’s markets unchecked. While he couldn’t ignore their betrayal, he also couldn’t ignore that their disobedience had prevented a far greater catastrophe.
So, instead of punishment, he simply cut off all further support.
Those who had recovered by then were spared. But the ones still bedridden continued to waste away. Among them were my parents. Neither survived.
* * *
My parents loved the blue spice. They always took my share and used it freely, never imagining it could be dangerous. Because of that, their symptoms were especially severe.
Even now, I sometimes wonder—what if I hadn’t been so stubborn? What if I’d eaten with them? Shared in the guilt? Would the symptoms have been milder? Could they have been saved?
The surviving villagers, born and raised in the fields, knew no life beyond spice cultivation. With their way of life suddenly shattered, they were lost. That’s when he appeared.
A traveling merchant, unfamiliar to us, arrived claiming he’d heard about the disaster.
”I’m no doctor,” he said. “I can’t save the sick. But I can help the healthy. I’ll take anyone who can walk to town. I’ll find them work. Give them a chance to live.”
Reactions were mixed.
Some eagerly accepted, clinging to hope. Others refused, unable to abandon their sick families. Some were skeptical—what kind of merchant would offer something so generous to strangers?
I was suspicious, too. But the neighbor uncle who had always looked out for me decided to go, and with no one else left to rely on, I chose to follow him.
I left the only home I’d ever known behind.
* * *
In hindsight, those who distrusted the merchant were absolutely right.
The town we were taken to was called Malm—a place infamous throughout the kingdom, whispered about as a haven for slums and forced labor.
The man who had come to our village was no merchant.
He was a trafficker.
The men were sent off to labor camps. The women were sold to brothels. To prevent us from organizing or running away, they separated us, scattering people from the same village to different places.
The place I was brought to couldn’t be called a brothel. It was little more than a livestock pen.
I was dragged from the transport cart by a gruff man and taken before a woman who reeked of perfume and sweat. Her body was wide, round, and sagging—more beast than human.
”I asked for a young one,” she grumbled. “But this one’s too young, isn’t she? Show me the others.”
”This is the only one you can get for the price you offered. You want someone older, you pay more,” the man said, shrugging.
”Ugh. Fine. Better than that time you brought me a baby still on the teat.”
”Your face back then was priceless,” the man chuckled.
”Get out,” she snapped, tossing him a coin pouch no bigger than a pinch of fingers.
With a laugh, the man left. The woman turned back to me, looking me over with slow, calculating eyes.
”You’ve got a decent face. In five years, you might even be valuable. Maybe this wasn’t such a bad deal after all.”
”Um… what’s going to happen to me now?” I asked, voice trembling.
”You’re merchandise now.”
”Merchandise?”
”That’s right. What’s your name?”
”…Stella.”
At that, the woman laughed—a mean, mocking laugh.
”Stella, huh? Of course. You country hicks love giving your kids fancy-sounding names you don’t even understand. Too bad—we already have a Stella. Pick another.”
”B-but…”
”Listen up,” she snapped. “You smile and say ‘yes’ to me and the customers. That’s all you need to survive. Surely even a country brat like you’s heard the stories. This town’s a prison. The old castle walls now trap people like you—people with no money, no freedom, no future. You can’t leave without a permit. Even if you run, you’ll just get caught and chewed up.”
”No…”
”Play nice and live. Or fight and die. Your choice.”
The woman rummaged through a pile of papers on her desk, then nodded.
”Yeah, this’ll work. From today, your name is Remia.”
”Remia…?”
”Some woman who got pregnant and got kicked out. Tried to claim she ‘didn’t agree’ to anything. Ha! What a joke. You can’t make a baby by accident.”
She tossed the papers aside and pointed toward the back.
”Time to get to work. Room 3.”
”Room 3…?”
”Even someone like you can count to five. Now MOVE! You’re in the way!”
Startled by her yell, I ran toward the back of the building. My legs shook, but I forced myself to keep going.
”One, two, three… this one?”
I opened the third door from the front.
”──Huh?”
”C’mon! Tighter!”
”Ugh! Ughhh!”
Inside, a filthy man was pinning down a woman on the bed, moving on top of her violently.
I didn’t understand what I was seeing. But something told me it was wrong. That I shouldn’t be watching.
Before I could step back, an arm reached past me and slammed the door shut.
The woman had followed me.
”What the hell do you think you’re doing!?”
”Huh? I—I thought this was room three—”
”From the back! I said the third from the back! Can’t you read the numbers!?”
”I… I never learned…”
”Ugh! Country trash! Just go to your own room already!”
”W-wait! What about what I just—”
”Do you want to end up like them!? MOVE!”
Terrified, I scurried into the proper room. I sat in the corner, knees pulled to my chest, heart pounding.
What did I just see?
Is that what I’m supposed to do?
Is that my job?
Will someone like that come in here next?
Questions I couldn’t answer swirled in my mind—until the door opened again.
Another filthy man stepped inside.
* * *
This place was the cheapest brothel in Malm—one where a woman could be bought for a single platinum coin.
Men who were crushed by the backbreaking work of the town came here to vent their rage.
That day was the worst day of my life.
I somehow endured my first “job,” praying the day would end. But even that was wishful thinking.
There were no private rooms. At night, we slept on thin mats in narrow spaces just beyond the work rooms.
One might think those of us forced to live here would support each other.
But they’d be wrong.
Just as the customers vented their pain on us, the prostitutes passed that pain onto those below them.
There was a clear hierarchy here. At the bottom were girls sold for one platinum coin. Then came those sold for two—either due to looks or skill.
At the top were three women, priced at three platinum coins—the same rate as noble districts in other towns.
But regular laborers couldn’t even afford that.
The top-tier prostitutes served guards and bosses.
Each one led a clique. Each clique bullied those beneath them. And newcomers, without allies, became the easiest targets.
Like me.
So I learned.
I smiled.
At customers. At bullies. At anyone who might hurt me.
I smiled even when I wanted to scream.
At first, I dreamed of escaping. Of begging for help.
But one day, something happened—something that killed those dreams for good.
I don’t even remember what it was anymore.
After that, I just accepted it.
My price slowly rose. The bullying stopped. I climbed the ranks.
But I never relaxed.
The moment someone let their guard down, the pack descended.
So I joined the pack.
I smiled, and I hurt others so I wouldn’t be hurt.
Eventually, I became one of the top three. No one dared to touch me. The customers improved. Even the owner treated me like a prized possession.
But none of it mattered.
I was just a doll—a puppet with a painted smile, saying whatever others wanted to hear.
Then, after seven long years, someone came to buy me.
* * *
The person who purchased me was the manager of a luxurious brothel in the royal capital, one that catered to nobles and wealthy merchants.
The place I was taken to was a mansion—grand and elegant, a world apart from the hell I’d known.
”Welcome to my castle,” the manager greeted me. Then he paused, looking thoughtful.
”Ah, that’s right. We need to decide your name.”
”My… name?”
”It’s common for girls in this line of work to change names. Whether it’s to avoid troublesome clients, escape past connections, or simply leave behind bad memories… there are many reasons. If you want a new name, I’ll arrange it. What will it be?”
I thought for a moment.
This name—Remia—was never mine to begin with.
It held no warmth. No fond memories.
Only pain.
I looked up at the night sky.
Stars shimmered quietly in the darkness.
”…It’s fine to keep it.”
”Remia, then,” the manager nodded. “Let me officially welcome you.”
”Yes. Thank you very much.”
I smiled once again.
I had no attachment to the name Remia.
It was a symbol of everything that had dirtied me.
But I had long since stopped feeling anything toward it.
And deep down, I knew—I could never become the star my parents had wished for.
Not anymore.
After that, I began working as a courtesan at a high-class brothel frequented by the nobility. But even so, the nature of my work didn’t change—just smiling, bringing cheer, and repeating the same lines to make the customers happy, day after day.
No matter how extravagant the clothing they dressed me in, no matter how luxurious the room I was assigned, and no matter how high-ranking the men who came through those doors were… none of that changed the fact that I was still Remia.
A year passed since I entered the brothel. It seemed my appearance was particularly well-liked by the patrons. Before long, I was known as the brothel’s “brightest star.”
They said I glittered brighter than the lights of the entire pleasure district. With that kind of reputation, nobles began competing to book time with me. My value continued to rise—until eventually, one noble came forward to buy me out entirely.
Being purchased by a noble was considered an incredible honor on the streets. But I can still remember the strained, bitter look on the manager’s face when he told me.
”Remia… about this offer—I can’t help but feel uneasy. That noble’s bought out many courtesans before. Two of them were from our place. But after they left… not a word. No good rumors, no bad ones either. One of them said she’d write letters. We’ve never received a single one.”
Looking back now… I think the manager was a good person. He always treated us not as commodities, but as people. He genuinely cared for those of us working there.
”If you don’t want to, you can refuse. You know that, right?”
”I don’t dislike the idea. Besides… if I turned down a noble’s offer, wouldn’t it cause trouble for the brothel?”
”Forget about us. Honestly, it’s just a gut feeling… but that noble doesn’t seem to see women as companions. It’s more like he’s shopping for something disposable.”
”Manager, you worry too much. If it helps, I can tell him you’re concerned. May I ask for his name?”
”Sera and Dorothy. They’re the ones he bought from us.”
”I’ll speak to them if I ever get the chance.”
”…Are you really going to go through with this?”
”Yes. After all, being bought by a noble is something to be proud of, isn’t it?”
As always, I smiled and said what was expected of me… even though I didn’t mean a single word. At the time, I was so focused on easing the manager’s concern that I failed to truly consider the weight behind his warning.
”I see. If that’s your decision, I won’t stop you. I’ll start the arrangements.”
”Thank you very much.”
”…Remia. Would you write to me, whenever you like?”
”A letter…? I understand—”
”But don’t write just because I asked you to. Not out of obligation.”
”Then… when should I write it?”
”Whenever you feel like it. When you feel like it’s time.”
”…Understood.”
I nodded, but I still didn’t fully understand what he meant.
A week later, I was brought to the mansion of the Marquis Barone, whose domain bordered the empire’s western edge.
”Welcome, Remia. That smile of yours hasn’t changed one bit.”
I had met the Marquis Barone several times before. He often complimented my smile. That very evening, I was summoned to his chambers.
”My lord, it’s Remia.”
”Ah, I’ve been waiting for you. Please, come in.”
”Excuse me.”
”You must be tired from the trip. I apologize for calling you so soon, but I couldn’t wait any longer.”
”Not at all, my lord. It’s an honor to receive your affection.”
”Haha… you truly are a delight. I made the right choice bringing you here. Lie down, would you?”
”Yes.”
Following his command, I climbed onto the bed and lay on my back.
”Raise your arms. Above your head.”
”…? Yes.”
I tilted my head, puzzled by the sudden instruction, but obeyed nonetheless. The next moment, he climbed onto the bed and leaned over me.
”……?”
I waited, confused as to why he hadn’t moved further… when I suddenly felt a sharp pressure tighten around my wrists. Looking up, I realized he had bound them with rope.
”My lord… what is this—?”
Before I could finish, my vision swam. A moment later, pain bloomed across my cheek. I had been struck.
”Hahaha… ever since I saw that fake smile of yours, I couldn’t wait for this moment.”
”My lord…?”
”I’ve always wanted to shatter that disgusting grin of yours!”
The Marquis Barone struck me again.
”With your forced smile, pretending to flatter men as if they’re fools to be led by the nose! So arrogant… I enjoy tearing away that mask. Watching women who think they’re clever reduced to tears once it’s gone—it’s delightful. Normally, I amuse myself with common women. But sometimes I spend a little more… for someone who looks worth breaking.”
”…Did Sera and Dorothy… go through the same thing?”
”Sera? Dorothy? Who are they?”
He remembered buying women, but not who they were. Once broken, they were discarded—forgotten.
”Well then. This won’t be like your nights at the brothel. But do entertain me.”
And from that moment, the Marquis Barone set about destroying me, body and soul. I was struck, restrained, and reduced to a thing—not a person. I cried, I begged, but—
”Tch… What are you?”
The joy he once wore twisted into something uglier. He stared at me in disgust. And I knew why.
Even then… I was still smiling.
After losing my parents… after being taken from my village by a neighbor… I had lived with that expression always. A smile. I had worn it so long, I’d forgotten how to show anything else.
Even as I was beaten, defiled, on the edge of death—I smiled.
”Disgusting. Absolutely vile! I was given something already broken.”
He realized he wouldn’t get what he wanted. His expression soured as he pulled a dagger from his pocket.
”I’m not interested in damaged goods. Let’s finish this and move on to the next.”
The blade caught the light from the window, reflecting it like a star.
”…The star is beautiful.”
”Still smiling? Even now?”
Even as death loomed, I smiled. I waited for the end—but the dagger never fell.
Instead, it slipped from the Marquis Barone’s hand. I glanced downward, and saw a stake… thick and bloodied, piercing through his throat.
”Agh, guh…”
Blood poured from his mouth, warm and heavy as it splattered onto my skin. He crumpled atop the bed and drew his final breath. I simply remained there, smiling blankly at the body of the man who had tried to kill me.
”You’re quite calm, aren’t you?”
The window, which had been firmly shut, now stood open. A woman stood before me.
”Who are you?”
”We can talk later. For now, come with me.”
”…Alright.”
”Not going to ask why?”
”My master just died in this room. If I disappear, suspicion falls on me. You’re here to help me escape, aren’t you?”
”You catch on quick. You’re willing to run, knowing what it means?”
”Yes.”
”Good. Let’s go—can you move?”
I tried, but my battered body refused to obey. As I stumbled, she caught me.
”…I’ll carry you.”
”I’m sorry. Thank you.”
”You do realize you’re being abducted, right?”
She moved with impressive speed, despite carrying me, and we escaped the mansion. She took me into the quiet forest that lay beyond the town.
”This should be far enough.”
”Thank you for saving me.”
”Honestly, you don’t act like someone who was just rescued.”
She gave me a long look.
”You’re a mess. Didn’t you even try to fight back? …But I guess with that expression, asking is pointless.”
”What kind of smile am I wearing?”
”It’s empty. Like you’ve given up on everything in life.”
Empty…? I thought I was just smiling like always. But maybe I had been wearing that kind of smile all along.
”Ah, right. I was supposed to introduce myself. But in our organization, we don’t use names. It’s inconvenient at times like this.”
”No names?”
”Normally, we don’t need them. But for convenience, you can call me Cany. We’re part of Grelego.”
”The fanatics from the empire…? Why would someone like that be in the kingdom?”
”Barone’s territory borders the empire. Trade’s common. But he’s been stirring trouble, poking the empire on purpose. This time, we couldn’t overlook it. That’s why we moved to eliminate him. If it became known the empire was behind this, it’d cause political chaos. Luckily, you were there.”
”So I helped by being a convenient witness. I see. Then… please go ahead and kill me.”
Cany blinked, clearly thrown off.
”…What’s with you? How did this even become the topic?”
”You explained your identity and your motive. That must mean you don’t plan to let me live.”
”You really don’t value your life, do you? How have you lasted this long?”
”That is…”
I couldn’t answer. I had kept smiling to survive… but somewhere along the way, I’d forgotten what I was surviving for.
”I’ve seen people with no will to live before. But you’re the first who keeps smiling through it all.”
”……”
”Hey. If your life’s just going to be thrown away, why not entrust it to me?”
”…What do you mean?”
”Help me. You don’t care about living, but you don’t want to die either, right? Then use that life to help.”
”Do you really think I can do the work of someone from Grelego?”
”I’ll train you thoroughly. But I’ll warn you now—it won’t be easy. That smile of yours won’t last.”
”…Yes. Thank you.”
”Thank me? Heh… I haven’t introduced myself properly, have I? I’m Cany.”
”I’m Remia.”
”Then Remia, let’s get started. It’s nice to meet you—for real, this time.”
That was the day I met Cany…
And the day I began walking with those who carried out the will of Grelego.
Notes:
• Stella – Female. A young woman from a village in the territory of Count Cordis. Her appearance is that of a young girl with a fixed smile, reflecting her traumatic experiences. She was renamed Remia by the brothel owner in Malm. Her relationship with others is marked by survival and adaptation, as she endures sexual exploitation and bullying. Her inner thoughts reveal a deep sense of despair and disconnection from her original identity.
• Remia – Female. Other name of Stella.
• Marquis Barone – Male. A noble who holds territory adjacent to the empire’s western border. He is known for buying courtesans and breaking their spirits, deriving pleasure from destroying their dignity. He purchases Remia but is frustrated by her inability to show any emotion other than a smile. His actions lead to his demise when he is assassinated by Cany. His relationship with Remia is one of abuse and cruelty.
• Grelego – Ally of the empire. The one who judges those who harm the empire.
• Cany – Female. A member of the empire’s fanatics, also known as Grelego. She is skilled, resourceful, and exasperated by Remia’s detached demeanor. She rescues Remia from the Marquis Barone and offers her a chance to join her organization. Her relationship with Remia begins as a rescuer but evolves into a mentor-like role.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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