Chapter 73: Training Maiden’s Heart
{This is a side chapter from Rafilia’s point of view.}
Both Iris and Rafilia are slowly adjusting to their new lives.
The kitchen of the Lord’s house is large and always packed with people.
Before long, it was my job to bake the bread for breakfast here.
“I have been entrusted with the duty to take care of Iris. I’ll do my best.”
With that, I placed the shaped bread on the tray (pre-baked).
The cook, who has been working for the Lord for 30 years, is a pleasant man. He said to me while heating up the oven just in time for baking.
“Iris has started to laugh a lot now-a-days. It’s thanks to you, Rafilia.”
“No, no I haven’t done anything.”
“I think it’s partly because the poison taster is no longer around, and she can eat hot food now. I heard that she only got to eat cold food before.”
“I see. Then it’s also thanks to Master…”
I couldn’t help but hold my mouth as I watched the bread bake.
He’s a nice guy, but he talks a lot. I almost let some secret slip out.
Iris and I, both have many secrets, so I always have to be careful.
“But then again, it’s not like your Master to have an elf as a maid.”
“My Master has even persuaded a Sea Dragon.”
“Yeah, and changed the festival.”
“I like that you can be a bit of a jerk sometimes.”
“Well, your Master is still young, and have a lot of experiences in life ahead.”
“I’d rather have him make me experience more things.”
“…We’re talking about your Master, Iris, aren’t we?”
“… Yes, we’re talking about my Master.”
“”… hahahaha.””
We looked at each other and laughed.
When in doubt, this is the way to go.
It is a survival technique that I have learned during my years of wandering.
While we were talking, the bread finished baking, so I put it on a tray and take it to Iris’ room.
Today’s breakfast is fresh bread and boiled eggs along with pickled fish and fruit.
The fish used for pickling is a high-class fish called “Swordfish”. Its head is literally shaped like a sword and its flesh is firm and delicious.
The fruit is green apple that had just arrived from the south. Shall I peel it normally or try to peel it in the air while jumping.
As I was walking down the hallway, a tall man came from the other side.
Short cropped hair with well-groomed beard. Even though he had just gotten out of bed, the black clothes he wore were shiny and shiny, which would normally be intimidating, but unfortunately, not for me.
The only thing I feel seeing his is, “Oh, Isis’ father.” Nothing more, nothing less.
In the first place, I don’t think the Lord has any business in the kitchen. The current situation of him turning in the corridor seems artificial as well.
But it doesn’t matter, because I don’t care either way, and if I don’t get back to Iris’ room soon, the breakfast is going to go cold. I’m looking forward to hearing Iris say that the food is delicious, even more so after hearing that she used to only be able to eat cold food because she had a poison taster before.
Why is the Lord blocking my path? He’s such a pain.
“Well, well, well. You must be the new maid, Rafilia Grace.”
“No need to preface it. What do you want to ask me?”
I’m in a hurry, so I want him to cut to the chase.
The Lord glared at the rude me. But I still don’t feel anything.
If it were my Master, I would be thrilled at his slightest glance, thrown into frenzy just by being talked to, and horrified if he stared at me. After all, this person is not as good as the Master, right? Yeah, yeah.
“You’ve been waiting here to hear from Iris or the Master, haven’t you?”
“That’s…”
“It doesn’t matter. I just want to bring Iris a hot meal. I’ll answer your questions. But please be quick about it.”
“Oh, I see, so you’re not going to … the home of the Sea Dragon Hero today, are you?”
The Lord looked away, coughed, and asked.
“As a father, I am curious to know what exactly is the relationship between Iris and the Hero … Do they have any plans to have children?”
“That’s what the Lord asked me.”
I am now Iris’s room.
I said what the Lord asked me to Iris while making a cup of tea for her, who was tearing bread at the table.
“I answered with, “Let me ask the persons involved.” But, how should I reply in future?”
“Just say the same thing.”
Iris frowned and threw a piece of bread with an egg on it into her mouth.
She wiped the crumbs from her fingers on her bright white nightgown. Her hair is still shaggy, and she has stopped putting up her front in front of me, a fellow slave, especially when we are alone. Iris never hides anything from her dear friends.
“The only thing I want to keep a secret from my father is the Master-Slave Contract between me and my brother. Other than that, I honestly think there’s nothing to hide between me and my brother.”
“All right. I’ll be honest and say, “Two kisses and a bath you two took together once.”
“Agh!”
Iris, who was about to drink her tea, coughed.
“Whoa, whoa. Iris. Please don’t spill the tea!”
I rushed to offer her a cup of water.
Iris wiped her mouth with a napkin, grudgingly.
“Whose fault do you think it is? Teacher!”
{Note: Time for some clarification. Iris calls Rafilia ‘Shishou” in Japanese which means more of a teacher like Master. So, I am using Teacher whenever Iris refers to Rafilia. Everyone calls Nagi ‘Goushujin-sama’ or ‘Danna-sama’ in Japanese which is more master-slave kind of relation.}
“You said “honestly”, didn’t you?”
“You are being too honest! And … that kiss is for using a skill, so it doesn’t count. Kissing only counts when done with a little better, when you’re in a better… mood, and it will be properly memorable …”
Holding her reddened cheeks, Iris shook her head as if to break the delusion.
“Anyway! I respect Teacher’s frankness, but I think you could use a little more maidenly care.”
“I have a maiden’s heart, you know?”
“… Are you sure?”
“You know, I’m the one who corrects the letters that you write to Master every night.”
“It’s because… I have to pour my feelings to move brother’s heart but I can’t write poems. I can’t compare to Teacher in poems.”
“I think you can give it to Master as it is.”
“That’s what I’m talking about! You really don’t have a maiden’s heart.”
“That’s not true. I know exactly what’s in your heart, Iris.”
“…for example?”
“When I wash your back in the bath, I have noticed you breathing hotly imagining my hands are Master’s…”
“I haven’t! I haven’t!”
Iris gasped and waved her hands.
Then she reflexively went to the window. Outside the window, beyond the forest, we can see Master’s house. There’s no way he can hear us from this distance, but Iris’ face turned red at the thought of being heard.
With an involuntary grunt, Iris glared at me.
Rafilia is Iris’ respected teacher, but her lack of delicacy is troubling her. She also has a problem with the fact that she’s taller than her, and when she moves, her big fruit bounces around on her chest.
If I had that kind of power, I wouldn’t have to keep writing and hiding letters to my “big brother” - writing and hiding in an endless loop.
“Anyway, I’ll like Teacher to learn about a maiden’s heart a little more.”
“Well, why not?”
“Anyway, read this book and learn.”
Iris pulled out a book from the bookshelf, bound with string.
“It’s a popular love story these days. If you read it, you will understand the heart of a maiden.”
“The Knight Prince Hermatka and the Holy Princess Filialna?”
“That’s right. It is a tragic love story between a Prince who stands up to the Demon Dragon race and a Princess who is destined to serve them.”
“Huh, a Prince chosen by tradition, or a Princess blessed by Ancient Magic, doesn’t seem real.”
“Teacher, you are an elf, right? Blessed with magic?”
“But since you recommended it, I’ll read it.”
“Yes. By the way, that’s the first volume, “Attack of the Demon Army”. Now, the 12th volume, “The Divine Sword Awakening” is out. Let’s read it together.”
(2 hours later)
“Uh, uh, uhhhhh,. Why!? Why can’t Prince Hermatka understand Princess Filialna’s feelings? He wants to canquer the ‘Abyss Dungeon’, so why doesn’t he take her with him? Is that okay?”
“Right? Why is it always, ‘Let’s get married after I conquer this dungeon’? That’s crazy! It’s what lovers are supposed to do, live together and die together!”
“But I understand the Prince’s reluctance to put the Princess in danger.”
“I know, but the Princess has been waiting for him to return for six months…”
“Iris, lend me the rest of the volumes.”
“I’m sorry. The author died of a viral disease, so it’s unfinished.”
“Huh!?”
“I’m sorry. I wanted to share this unfulfilled feeling with Teacher.”
“Aaaaahhhh!”
And so, having thoroughly enjoyed the love story of this world, the two of them…
Feeling a little deprived, Rafilia and Iris decided to visit Nagi’s house.
(Nagi POV)
“Come on, you two. You will have lunch with us, right?”
“Gladly, my Prince. I can only say how grateful I am to you for treating me so well when all I can do for you is wait for your return. At the very least, please grant me the honor of kissing the palm of your hand as you have overcome all difficulties.”
“… yes?”
Just after arriving, Rafilia started acting weird.
She was kneeling down right on the front door.
“Um, Iris, what’s this?”
“Teacher is currently training her maiden’s heart.”
Iris was behind Rafilia, hugging a book and nodding.
Rafilia was probably influenced by reading something… or because she is in her midlife crisis.
Rafilia was in the doorway with her forehead on the ground. Her large breasts were pressed against the floor, changing their shape, and her pink hair, tied back, was swaying. Her elf ears were red all the way to the tips, and I wonder what kind of story is unfolding in her head.
“Rafilia and Iris, Aine is making lunch, so why don’t you join us?”
“Yes. I know that the Prince has a Princess in his heart who has grown up with him. However, I would like you to at least accept my feelings that I miss you every day.”
Rafilia looked up and looked at me with a really lonely look on her face.
… It was different from usual.
I didn’t notice Rafilia because she’s so natural and whimsical, but I guess she was lonely being a resident at Iris’ house.
… Yeah. As Master, I have to think about my slave’s feelings a little bit, don’t I?
I decided to play along with Rafilia.
“Prince.”
“I’m not a Prince, but what?”
“Do you remember what you told me before leaving?”
“Of course, Princess.”
I tried to match her.
I had thought about this kind of conversations a lot when I was making the game.
“O beautiful Princess with cherry-pink hair. Do you not know your worth?”
“No, my Prince. Such words are wasted on me…ah?”
“I may have overworked you, and I beg your forgiveness for sending thee on a mission to a faraway land. But in the journey ahead (scheduled to depart in four days), you will be with me as one of the Princesses who surround me. I hope that when the time of destiny comes and I head off to the great battle, you will be waiting for me with the memories of the present. If I disappear someday, let me live on in your memories.”
“Wawawawawawa…”
“Oh, brother… is amazing.”
“The Princesses around me are known as ‘Princesses of Death’. It is the most powerful name to announce death to those who oppose me. You will go down in legend as my fourth Princess of Death. The Elf Princess race with cherry-pink hair. Until that time, I ask that you stay with the fifth Princess and protect her. That is the blessing I give you, and the proof of my loyalty that you are mine.”
“But still, I, I…”
“You understand, my dear Rafilia Grace. You are already a part of me, my body and my soul.”
“Ah, I’m sorry. Oh, awwww.”
Huh? Is Rafilia trembling?
She was on her knees on the floor, her hands clasped in prayer, looking up at me with a bright red face.
And…
“I’m defeated, Master! I’ve been completely defeated! I’m defeated!”
“When did we start playing?”
“My heart is going to explode. In front of the power of Master’s words, a maiden’s heart that is just a little bit on the cutting edge is weak, very weak.”
Rafilia was holding her chest and mumbling.
“But don’t think you’ve won with this! I’m going to train my maiden’s heart with Iris even more, and one day I’ll make Master fall in love with me. This time, I lost.”
Rafilia then grabbed my hand and pressed it against… her left breast.
It was so natural that I didn’t have time to resist.
Thump, Thump, Thump!
Rafilia’s heart was racing like it was about to break.
Rafilia softly pushed my hand into her chest, as if to imprint her heartbeat on me, and then…
“Remember this heartbeat, Master. Remember this heartbeat, because one day I will make your heart beat like this.”
Rafilia was smiling fearlessly, which was somehow different from usual.
Rafilia, you can look like this, huh.
I knew you weren’t just a natural elf.
“And so, Iris. I’d like to withdraw today!”
“What, what, what? But what about lunch…?”
“I can’t eat any food in this state. Besides, I’m kind of embarrassed by the way … Master is looking at me. I don’t know why, but I feel like I need to train my maidenly heart more.”
“I understand. If Teacher says so.”
Iris clenched her fists tightly.
They’ve become good friends, huh, both of them.
“‘I mean, I don’t know much about the situation. Iris?”
“Both Teacher and I have just found our new selves thanks to you, big brother.”
Iris was smiling mischievously.
“I’m in the process of checking my heart, my thoughts, and so on, one by one. Please forgive me if I get a little unstable, big brother.”
“…Is that so.”
I remembered when I first came to this world, I was the same way.
I was reconfirming my skills and what I could and could not do.
Rafilia was just released from her bad luck, and Iris was just released from her mission as a Shrine Maiden, so maybe they are in the same process of adjusting themselves to their new environment. It can’t be helped then, can it?
“So, we’re going back for the day.”
With that, Iris bowed her head.
Rafilia was embarrassed and had already gone out of the house. She was waiting for Iris just outside the front door as she was Iris’s escort. Her face was very red and she never looked at me again.
It was a fresh reaction.
“Oh, yes. I have one request for you, big brother, if you don’t mind.”
“Okay. What?”
“Would you mind rubbing my back for a moment?”
“Why…?”
“When I take a bath,…, no, it’s like a ritual to raise my maidenhood, yeah.”
Okay.
Iris lifted her green hair to her shoulders and showed me her back.
I reached out and touched the area around Iris’ spine. It was so thin. If I put too much pressure on it, it might break. I just used my fingertips and stroked Iris’ back. After I had stroked her from her shoulders to her waist, she let her hair down and I took my hand back.
“Thank you very much. See you tomorrow.”
“Yeah. We have a travel meeting tomorrow.”
I waved Iris and Rafilia off with a wave of my hand.
It was kind of a weird feeling.
If I had a younger sister in the middle of puberty, I might feel this way.
“I knew big brother was an amazing man.”
“Yes. I am ashamed of myself for boasting of my maidenhood to Master.”
“We need to learn more about maidenhood if we want to impress Master.”
“So, I’ve prepared this book, Iris.”
“… “The Book of Making Your Gentleman Crazy Just by Reading It”?”
“Shh. You can’t say it too loud. I obtained this by bribing another maid. If your father finds it, he’ll take it away.”
“You’re right.”
“All right, then, we’ll read it together in secret at night.”
“Teacher, please be vigilant of your surroundings. Make sure everyone is asleep before you knock. The knock pattern is 1 time, 4 times, 3 times and then 7 times in that order.”
“All right. I’m going to memorize ‘I’, ‘love’, ‘big’ and ‘brother’.”
“Don’t read people’s minds! Teacher, you …”
That’s why.
Completely forgetting their original goal, the two began to formulate a new plan to conquer their Master’s heart.
And the next morning.
The Lord appeared in front of Rafilia, who was carrying the breakfast to Iris’s like everyday.
“Good morning, my Lord.”
“Good morning. So, about yesterday…”
“… yesterday?”
“‘Let me ask the persons involved,’ you said?”
“What?”
That’s what Rafilia said yesterday when the Lord asked her about the relationship between Nagi and Iris.
However, the contents of the conversation with the Lord in Rafilia’s mind had already been overwritten by the “love story of chuunibyou,” the “words of Nagi,” and the “The Book of Making Your Gentleman Crazy Just by Reading It”.
The Lord raised his eyebrows at Rafilia’s expression of serious forgetfulness.
But then, perhaps remembering that the other party was Nagi’s slave, he cleared his throat once. He regained his composure and repeated the question he had asked yesterday.
“As Iris’ father, I want to know the relationship between Iris and the Sea Dragon Hero… I am not going to use him or anything. But… if the have children…”
“Oh, that’s what you’re talking about. In that case…”
Nagi and Iris.
Nagi’s words that can make a slave’s heart flutter in an instant.
Iris’s maiden heart.
And the strategy Rafilia and Iris came up with after reading “The Book of Making Your Gentleman Crazy Just by Reading It”.
The words that came out of the combination of all of these…
“If we can reduce the area of our swimsuit by 80% at the beach this summer vacation, the Hero will be satisfied.”
“────────?!”
With an inaudible cry, Rafilia passed by the stiffened Lord and went to Iris’s room.
Rafilia had a lot of plans today.
She ate some breakfast, helped Iris bath, and then went to Nagi’s house.
She wanted to test the results of yesterday’s research.
She increased her maidenhood by reading the book and tried to make her Master’s heart beat faster.
So, by the time she arrived at Iris’s room, the conversation she had with the Lord had completely disappeared from Rafilia’s mind…
A few days later, the two were faced with a large number of swimsuits brought to them by the Lord.
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