If You Devour Poison / Doku wo Kurawaba Sara Made

Chapter 38: Dog Show

※ There are depictions of violent and sexual nature at the end. Please proceed with caution.

The performance of the Abyss Ring Circus could be summed up in one word— Magnificent. Young girls danced through the air like petals, swinging from a trapeze while the trained beasts of the circus put on an impressive display below. With elegant movements, girls in sheer costumes traversed tight ropes like they were walking on air, and young men made a spectacle of balancing towers of glasses on a single outstretched finger. As I bit into the apple from the basket, I admired the display of tricks while resting my head on Jolga’s arm. Even in my past life, the number of times I had visited the circus could be counted on both hands. With such a rare opportunity to enjoy the show before me, I wasn’t going to waste it.
Nasha and the Crown Prince sat in the VIP seating, and the nail-biting tension of the acts left her cowering in the Prince’s arms. Her shrill, repetitive shrieks surely grated on the ears of the nearby audience, but there wasn't a soul among them who could complain to the Crown Prince, and they were left to suffer in silence.
At long last, the planned program came to a close, and the entertainers lined up on stage to receive the thunderous applause of the audience.
The Crown Prince stood, giving a standing ovation with a beaming smile, Nasha stood at his side, her expression drowsy and her applause half-hearted.
After they left their seats, led away by the Royal Knights, the stage was plunged into darkness. The audience began to rise from their seats, but the guests in the balcony seats showed no signs of stirring. It would seem everyone in the balcony seats was a "Participant" this time. There were many nobles who visited incognito and would take their time to leave their seats in order to avoid the crowds. It was hardly unusual, and so none of the spectators found it strange.
As the crowd departed, their chattering and the music that followed them grew softer. The lights outside went out, and the tent became even darker.

"...Jolga."

As Jolga relaxed on the sofa, his legs spread, I gave his knee a pat. I let go of the arm I was using as a pillow and took a seat between his outrageously long legs. I leaned back, resting against his chest. His heartbeat echoed across my back, beating even through his beautiful, tempered muscles that were as perfect as a sculpture.

"Jolga, I have something to tell you."

I spoke without looking back. Jolga gave a faint stir.

"Your impression of me has changed completely from what it once was, right? Considering how much you hated me back then from the bottom of your heart. It's remarkable."
"..."

His arms wrapped around me in silent acceptance.
His lips pressed against my neck and then moved to suck behind my ears. A hand crept in through the slit in my harem pants, wantonly playing with the insides of my buttcheeks. As I raised my waist to receive it all, his unrestrained fingers rubbed in the vicinity of my perineum, drawing circles as if trying to tease where there was no hole to get wet.

"Mm..."

My voice wasn’t the only one to be heard leaking out in the darkness. Within the shadowy tent, curtains of the remaining balcony seats all seemed to flutter. The rustling of clothing played as a backdrop to the soft whispering spreading through the darkness. Beyond the curtains were the cloying voices and creaking of sofas of those who had remained behind.

"...It was nothing but a lie—a fantasy— Jolga..."

His hands burned with passion, but even so, I had to give Jolga a warning.

"I am exactly the man you once believed me to be. From here on out… I'll prove it to you."

Confused, Jolga opened his mouth, but just then, there was a pop and the dark circus ring blazed to life, illuminated by dazzling lights.
Standing at the center of the ring, clad in a coat with red and white stripes, was the troupe leader himself, Ducali.