Chapter 96: Chapter 96: Misunderstanding (4)

I’ve returned to let them know, to introduce the newly enslaved Elisha, and to clear up the rumors currently swirling around. So, I visited Faye’s workshop.

“Junior…?”

“Oh. You’re here. Please open the door, Senior Faye. I have something to discuss.”

-No, I don’t want to!

“???”

The sponsoree… was talking back?!

Startled by Faye’s unexpected reaction, I pounded on the door frantically.

Bang! Bang!

“No, why are you doing this, Senior Faye? Is it okay to treat your sponsor like this?”

-I… I heard everything!

“What did you hear?”

-That you’re actually a collector of noble ladies!

What kind of nonsense was this?

While I could only let out a hollow laugh, Carla and Elisha, who were standing beside me, giggled and nodded.

“Heehee… That’s something you can’t deny, Master.”

“Oh my? I agree, too. Strictly speaking, I am also of the bloodline of the Alfheim royal family.”

Well, she was a high elf, so it was natural that she had royal ancestors.

Seeming to have caught on to our conversation, Faye shouted with conviction.

-Exactly! I knew it from the start! You’re here to target me next, right?! I won’t go down easily!

“Are you still going on about that misunderstanding?”

-Blah, blah, blah! I can’t believe it! I can’t!

Faye sounded like a child, covering her ears and shaking her head in denial.

Sigh…

“Anyway, what’s wrong with me being a collector of noble ladies? You’re not one, Senior Faye.”

-…I am a noble lady, though.

“Ah.”

I remembered that Faye was indeed from a good family, though she was born out of wedlock.

Seeing my genuinely forgetful reaction, Faye seemed a bit downcast and continued.

-Anyway! Until you prove you’re not planning to enslave me too, I won’t open this door!

“Hmm.”

A strangely firm stance.

At this point, I started feeling slightly annoyed.

“Fine then.”

-Huh?

“I supported Senior Faye, who has yet to achieve anything significant and can’t even promote herself properly. I even provided living expenses so you wouldn’t go hungry…”

-……

“If Senior Faye still can’t trust me, then it can’t be helped.”

-…Ah.

“Let’s consider the sponsorship over. You don’t have to return the money I gave you last time. Don’t worry about that.”

-Wait, Junior!

“Goodbye, Senior. We might never meet again, but I hope you don’t go hungry.”

-Wait, please, Junior!

Her voice was desperate. But instead of responding, I deliberately made loud footsteps, as if I were walking away.

“No, Yandel, what are you doing… ugh?”

Unlike the incredulous Elisha, Carla seemed to have caught on to what I was doing.

She quickly covered Elisha’s mouth, feigning concern.

“Master… are you really leaving?”

“Yes. The money I gave last month can be considered payment for the elixir.”

“Hmm… If that’s what Master wishes.”

Carla seemed to be comforting me, but in reality, she was chuckling.

As always, Carla was the only one who synced with me in times like this.

I briefly stroked Carla’s cheek with the back of my hand in appreciation.

-Junior…? You’re not really leaving, are you…?

-I just opened the door! I’ve opened it, so…

-No, I’ll go! I’ll come to you, so just stay there, Junior!

Clatter Clatter!

Loud noises came from beyond the door.

Seizing the moment, I turned around and pretended to walk away. Shortly after, Faye burst through the firmly closed door.

“Junior!”

Faye clung to my leg impulsively.

As she held on tightly as if she would never let go, her chest naturally wrapped around my leg.

Even through the clothes, the softness was unmistakable, and my body froze involuntarily.

Thinking my hesitation was uncertainty, Faye began to plead, pressing her head against my leg.

“Don’t go… I was wrong, Junior!”

“Please let go, Senior Faye.”

“No! I can’t! I’ve become someone who can’t live without you, Junior!”

“Oh, don’t say things that could be misunderstood. Just a moment ago, you said you couldn’t trust me.”

“I was wrong! I won’t doubt you again! So please don’t leave meee!”

“Well, I’ve been deeply hurt…”

“I’ll do anything! Just please… I beg you… I think something will come out of this relationship between us…”

“……”

Watching Faye cling to my leg and whine, I felt a deep sense of satisfaction.

I tried to suppress my rising smile and cleared my throat.

“Ahem. Since Senior Faye is asking so earnestly, I’ll overlook it this time.”

“Really…?”

“Yes. Really. So, let’s go inside.”

“Okay! I’ll make some tea!”

Faye stood up awkwardly, grabbed my sleeve, and pulled me towards the workshop.

Following Faye, I glanced back triumphantly.

But all I got in return was Carla’s ambiguous expression and Elisha’s disdainful look.

How unfair.

But I guess I achieved my goal, didn’t I?

Although I was the only visitor, along with my companions, I wondered why I always had us sit on the floor.

Sitting on the newly bought sofa in the workshop, I watched Faye’s back for a while.

Elisha poked me in the ribs and whispered.

“So? What’s this ‘fruit’ you mentioned?”

“Huh?”

“Tell me straight. Even though I’m a slave, I need to know this.”

“What are you talking about?”

Confused, I tilted my head, and Elisha continued with a serious face.

“I won’t ask why you sponsored Miss Faye. But if there’s a… result, I think it’s right to take responsibility.”

“…Ah?”

“Master, is this perhaps…”

“Shh. Be quiet.”

There’s another one like Faye here.

Exchanging meaningful glances with Carla and smirking, Elisha looked around anxiously.

“What? Did I say something weird?”

“No, no. Right. Where were we? Responsibility? Of course, I should. Ahem.”

“Phew… If that’s settled, then it’s fine. I didn’t expect this situation, but Yandel, you’ll handle it well…”

“Of course, I have to take responsibility and sell it at a good place.”

“…Eh?”

While glancing sneakily at Faye’s side profile from behind, I wore a mischievously sinister smile.

“Wow. It’s going to be busy from now on, huh? It’s not yet at a sellable level, but once it grows a bit more, things will change. I should start looking for buyers in advance.”

“What… what do you mean…?”

“No, wait. I have plenty of money, so there’s no need to sell it. We can just keep it for ourselves. Right, Elisha?”

“Yandel, you…”

Elisha’s expression turned icy cold.

But then, she seemed to notice something was off.

Glancing at the calm expressions of Carla and me, her brows furrowed.

“…I’ll ask again, what is this ‘fruit’ you’re talking about, Yandel?”

“What else? It’s obviously… the fruits of Senior Faye’s research.”

“…….”

Realizing her grand misunderstanding, Elisha’s face flushed red with embarrassment.

“Eek! Eeeek…!”

She stamped her feet in frustration, making squeaking sounds.

Watching her blue bun hair sway with each movement and hearing her increasingly ragged breaths, I couldn’t help but chuckle.

Why did I always feel like teasing Elisha whenever I saw her?

Still, I felt a bit sorry for always playing pranks, so I decided to lighten up a bit.

“Gotcha.”

I casually laid down, resting my head on Elisha’s thighs.

Carla, sensing my action, leaned back and placed my legs on her knees, allowing me to lie down comfortably.

“What’s going on? Why suddenly…”

“Pervert.”

“Blaming me here?!”

I rubbed my face against Elisha’s thigh, continuing the conversation.

“What were you thinking? Even accusing me after misunderstanding all by yourself.”

“Eh… I don’t have anything to say to that…”

“Elisha, you need to be punished. Be prepared tonight.”

“Why does it end up like that…?”

Elisha, confused, but unable to do much due to the effects of the slave mark, timidly poked my cheek.

Enjoying the sensation, I watched Faye carry a large tray with teacups and snacks, rubbing my cheek against her thigh.

Would I be able to see my feet if they were that big…?

No, that wasn’t the point.

Already close to producing research results?

That was faster than expected.

After all, in H&A, the initial support I could offer Faye was just procuring rare materials, ensuring she ate three meals a day, and comforting her when she was down.

I’d never directly sponsored her with money like this, so it wasn’t strange that her progress had accelerated.

It was actually preferable.

I should also adjust and provide what Faye needed a bit faster.

Smiling contentedly as I thought about Faye’s storyline, Faye finally placed the guest snacks on the small table.

“…Why do you flirt like this in someone else’s workshop?”

“Oh! Others? Are we others to you? I sponsored you! We eat together! We exchange elixirs and potions! Huh? After doing everything, we’re still others?!”

Faye panicked and pressed down on my head as I pretended to get up.

“Ah! It’s a joke, just a joke! You can stay as comfortable as you want! Yes! So don’t get up, please, Junior! Oh, right! Look at this!”

Faye, beaming with a smile, lifted a knife from the tray.

…What? Was she threatening me with a knife to keep me from standing up?