After hesitating for a while, Esdeath sat up. Only then did she realize she was in an unfamiliar room, lying on a bed.
Hmm? No...
Esdeath lowered her gaze to her neck. An exquisite Pet Collar was fastened around it. This collar was very familiar—it was the very one she had prepared for Durandal. But why was it around her neck now?
Just as Esdeath was about to forcibly remove the collar, the room's door suddenly opened. A beautiful young woman in a maid outfit entered, carrying several dishes.
The young woman paused when she saw Esdeath's actions, but she showed no other reaction and continued placing the dishes on the nearby table.
Only then did she turn to Esdeath. "You're awake? Perfect... the food's ready too. Get up and eat."
"Who are you?"
Esdeath stared at the unfamiliar maid before her. She could sense a powerful force from her as well...
"Me? Akame."
The maid—rather, Akame—did not seem to care and simply told Esdeath her name.
"Akame..."
After thinking carefully, Esdeath realized she had never heard of her. She did not dwell on it and prepared to destroy the collar. After all, she had always been the one training others; she had never had a collar put on her before.
At the same time, she was somewhat puzzled. Her bones had clearly all been shattered at first, yet although her entire body still ached, her injuries did not seem serious now.
"I advise you not to remove that thing around your neck. Lord Durandal said that if you dared take it off without permission... she'd beat you up again." Akame quickly stole several pieces of meat from the dishes meant for Esdeath. Seeing Esdeath wanted to destroy the collar, she calmly warned her.
"Durandal..."
Hearing that name, Esdeath stopped