The rough waters that had split the distant sea for hundreds of years shifted, and an island was discovered.
It lay across from the southern coast of the Empire. When cross-referenced with historical records, the island’s name turned out to be <Isola di Iota>, a place thought to exist only in legend, but everyone simply called it the ‘Ancient Island.’
This mysterious volcanic island, which brought all manner of wealth and progress to the continent but also brought along some unpleasant incidents, possessed quite an extensive territory. Mystical land wrapped in magical power, endlessly excavated relics and ruins, gems and magic stones pouring out like mountains.
Every citizen of the Empire believed without doubt that this land would light a new torch for the waning Empire.
The imperial household took the lead in advancing business ventures, and people scrambled to board ships heading to the Ancient Island.
However, all business ventures related to the Ancient Island would become mere scraps of paper.
Soon, a dispute would begin between the Empire and the Kingdom of Iota over ownership of the island.
* * *
I had been afraid that a changed future might bring about an even greater tragedy.
However, no matter how much I tried to live the same way, things were changing. They would continue to change in the future, and if they were changing anyway—
“Aaaaaargh!!”
Mikhail was screaming.
It was a desperate wail, as if he were the greatest victim of the changed future.
“To lose every single gold chest that was practically in my hands—this is unacceptable!”
In the past, Mikhail had profited greatly from the island’s ship bids and mines.
“If only you’d handed over the ship documents on time!”
I pretended not to hear his blaming words. Mikhail hadn’t won the bid for the ship he’d bought in the past.
“Who knew that bastard Regent Duke had planted his tentacles in the south!”
And he hadn’t bought the mine he’d been eyeing either.
Duke Yorick had actually snatched it up.
If Mikhail found out that I was also involved in the latter… I quietly pulled the lingonberry jam closer.
Rilke opened his mouth with a worried expression.
“Then what you’ve been immersed in every morning lately… What should we do, hyung-nim? Should I try speaking to His Majesty about it?”
“I appreciate the thought, but Rilke-ya. Would that cold-blooded water snake of a man let go of a magic stone mine that’s fallen into his jaws?”
Gold and minerals. Exotic creatures, precious relics, and thousand-year-old ruins. Among them, the most valuable thing was undoubtedly magic stones.
“I should have completely crushed that southern noble bastard, no matter how high his nose was stuck up in the air!”
Saying he’d been stabbed in the back, Mikhail tore the brioche in his hand to shreds and stuffed it in his mouth.
“This won’t do. I’m changing strategies.”
At those words, I reflexively asked back before I could stop myself.
“Pardon?”
“I’m changing the business direction. I need to get into the transport business.”
Mikhail declared.
The Regent Duke, convinced of investing in the island over a series of short periods, had already approved development plans. The Ancient Island, buried for ages and conquered by nature, had been slowly forming an adventurer’s village centered around gem mines and ruins ever since the subjugation force withdrew.
It seemed Mikhail planned to target the fare for transporting that population and supplies.
Swoosh—his blazing eyes pinpointed me.
“Contact the shipyard.”
“…Me?”
“We need to start by recruiting captains with experience visiting the island and posting flyers all over the port advertising that we’ll take people to the island. It would be good to spread them throughout the archipelago too. If we shake up the drifters looking to strike it rich, we can easily make money for at least 10 years.”
“Being a bit more cautious would be… Ah, yes. I’ll pass it along to the butler.”
Mikhail even hummed as he pondered what fare to charge for passage, which was truly a rare occurrence. He only acted like that when certain something would be a money-maker.
But that’s not a sure thing.
I’d barely pulled him away from the mine, and now he’s in this state.
He must have gotten impatient over the mine he lost right before his eyes. Well, he’s rich anyway, so it should be fine.
“I’ll help you. So about that, it seems like I’ll be quite busy.”
Even though I deliberately dug in at a moment when he seemed to be in a good mood, my request didn’t work at all.
“Don’t talk nonsense! You said it smoothly, but in the end, you’re saying you’ll hole up at home for the entire music festival, aren’t you!”
“That’s not it—”
“I know that yesterday’s claim of being sick was also an excuse! Imagine missing the opening ceremony on the first day! You can’t skip a single day now! If your pheromones act up again, I’ll hire a wizard with your year’s worth of food expenses, so no more excuses and just get ready!”
And it’s only just morning.
“His Highness Benedict has sent a knight. Since it’s one of his confidants, shouldn’t you make a good impression?”
* * *
The Summer Music Festival proceeds over the course of a fortnight.
The first day is the opening ceremony, and on the last day, the musician who will receive this year’s laurel crown is decided. All nobles could freely participate in the banquets and recitals spanning over ten days. However, precisely because everyone could participate, nobles who formally received invitations from the imperial family were rare.
“I thought our Rilke would receive an invitation for the first day.”
Mikhail displayed thoroughly strategic disappointment, saying wasn’t he a benefactor to the imperial household.
‘It seems you truly did save me.’
Prince Benedict had spoken as if he knew of Rilke’s lie, yet nothing had changed in Rilke’s position since then.
Did he like Rilke that much?
Or I simply couldn’t understand what the Prince was thinking at all.
“Hyung-nim, what are you saying? I’m sufficiently honored.”
Rilke stepped forward to receive the invitation. The knight who had been standing silently with an impassive face shook her head.
“This invitation is not just for Young Master Rilke Meyer, but for all three members of House Count Meyer.”
Then, after examining the three of our faces, she handed the invitation to Mikhail.
“Hmm, Sir? I haven’t seen your face before.”
“It’s an honor, Count Meyer, Your Excellency. I recently received my knighthood.”
“Your father?”
“I am a commoner.”
As if she’d experienced this type of conversation many times, Sir Sana immediately responded that way.
I carefully examined the knight.
It was her. The Prince’s knight I’d never seen once five years ago. A rare female knight, with a distinctive appearance. Even now, the characteristic feeling of an Omega faintly lingered around her.
Instead of the displeased Mikhail, I spoke up.
“Even though you’re of commoner origin, it seems your skills are exceptional. Considering His Highness Benedict personally entrusted you with important news.”
“Well. In any case, it’s a good thing that His Highness personally gave House Meyer an invitation. My heart is filled with joy and loyalty! Please convey our regards to His Highness. I’ll prepare my younger siblings well and bring them this evening. Let’s see—”
Mikhail’s smile instantly froze.
“Rilke-ya. Is this guy wearing a corset, right?”
Then he approached me briskly. He grabbed my chin and turned it this way and that, then began touching my shoulders, arms, and waist.
“Now muscles attach even if you just lie down and breathe! What the hell is wrong with an Omega’s body!”
“Ugh.”
I thought he would have forgotten about the corset long ago, but he still remembered. I couldn’t move, afraid he’d discover I’d never worn it once.
“Your Excellency, the young master looks sufficiently beautiful right now.”
At some point, Sir Sana’s previously motionless face had slightly furrowed.
“He should be like Rilke. You too cannot deny that Meyer’s third son is this country’s finest Omega!”
Mikhail, who had examined me halfheartedly, turned to look at Rilke.
“Why hasn’t this guy changed at all?”
“…Well. Probably because it was pulled moderately. He has trouble if it’s pulled too tight.”
“Today is an important day. Make sure to do it properly like you do yours.”
Mikhail threatened that if there was no change by departure time, he’d take matters into his own hands.
“He’s one of my treasures.”
So Rilke came to visit the annex. Unlike last time, he came with maids wearing resolute expressions.
Jake initially was wary of them entering the annex, but upon hearing it was Mikhail’s order, she said everything the Count says is right and scurried off to Mikhail. Very much like her.
“The structure wraps around the waist, lower abdomen, and ribcage like women’s ones. It helps create a slender waist.”
Rilke instructed the maids who came with him to unfasten the corset strings.
“However, the material is different. Since we don’t wear dresses, I had it made with material that’s less rigid, much thinner, and form-fitting.”
Rilke looked back at the maids, adding that he had personally ordered it to be altered that way.
“Everyone, prepare. I don’t know if there will be enough slack in the strings since it’s mine. Joachim, take off your clothes now. You, attend to him.”
Before I could refuse, one maid quickly unfastened only the top buttons of my shirt. Then she had me raise my arms and in an instant, the shirt slipped up and over my head. Static-charged hair stood up and stuck to my cheeks.
By the time I was tidying my hair, Rilke was examining my bare upper body intently.
“…Take off your pants too.”
“I don’t think that’s necessary.”
“You need to take everything off.”
I do it that way too. Rilke answered with a faint smile.
Judging by the corset’s appearance, it really didn’t seem necessary at all, but a maid reached out her hand. I refused and undressed myself. I pulled my legs out one at a time.
“I don’t have to take off my underwear too, do I?”
I asked pointedly, but Rilke said nothing.
Standing still like this made the situation uncomfortable. Being surrounded by several fully dressed people while in my underwear didn’t feel great.
It wasn’t like Jake quickly attending to me, and it was even worse when they kept examining me.
“You have to take them off.”
Rilke’s lips curved up at an angle.
“Because you need to wear underwear that suits my corset. Riley, go back to the room and bring the box we ordered this time. Bring ‘that’ as well.”
Meanwhile, the other maids had me stand beside the console. They brought the men’s corset that had been loosened generously in advance. They had me raise my arms, then slipped the corset over my head.
The maids first pulled it moderately for a loose fitting. As the densely crisscrossed strings were pulled, it wrapped tightly from above my hips to my waist and below my chest.
Looking down at my upper body wrapped in the white corset made me feel a bit flustered. The prominent parts of my chest weren’t covered but remained exposed. It felt even more precarious because of the exact width of a knuckle.
“This seems small.”
“…Isn’t that obvious?”
At Rilke’s irritable answer, I just closed my mouth. Right. Because I’m a head taller than you.
The parts I normally never paid attention to felt more noticeable because of the corset. But since everyone was subtly averting their gazes and acting like they didn’t notice, I felt awkward and just looked at the floor too.
“…Hold here.”
The maids had me grip the console. They turned my back and made me bend my upper body forward.
“…! Ugh!”
“Pull tighter.”
“Ah, wait…!”
“Does everyone find my words amusing?”
Rilke’s emotionless voice could be heard.
My waist was being squeezed tight. I bit my lip then urgently looked back over my shoulder. The maids had plenty of string gripped in their hands. It really seemed tight enough to stop.
Yet Rilke still told them to continue.
“Ah, stop— stop, Rilke,”
“…Tighten it more.”
I couldn’t breathe. Before I knew it, I was panting while supporting my weight on my elbows.
The maid who had gone on an errand and returned silently handed something to Rilke.
“The maids will pick suitable underwear for you.”
It was a very small silver lock. Click. I felt it being fastened around my right waist.
“Stay like this until I give you permission.”
Because the key is with me. Rilke whispered low.
As soon as he left, I slid straight to the floor. I was short of breath. I sat down and asked the maids if they could loosen it just a little, but they only repeated that they couldn’t.
The maids, not knowing what to do, carefully supported me. A silk blouse was draped over my bare shoulders. The adornment began.
