The owner of the forest and a fox skilled in illusions, Lina, was led by Erin to the bathroom.
Ugh. Lucy is so picky only when it comes to me, the real lady.
I said I’d help that child with good intentions, yet all I get in return is the stench of disgusting men.
“Ugh.”
Suppressing the nausea rising within her, she frowned and tapped Erin’s wrist lightly.
“Hurry up and make the water. I want to get rid of that horrible smell as soon as possible.”
“Please wait a moment.”
As Erin quickly filled the bathtub with water, Lina jumped in and skillfully began washing her fur.
Though she didn’t know what she was like back when she was closer to a beast, ever since she’d gained a quarter of her powers, Lina had become very sensitive about her cleanliness.
Lina, who was infinitely picky about others' beauty, could not possibly be careless with her own.
So, it was Erin’s job to simply assist her, staying by her side as she took care of Lina’s grooming.
After washing her fur and using fire magic to dry it, Lina entrusted the final touches to Erin.
Normally, Lina was insistent on doing everything herself, but Erin was the exception.
Having undergone several trials with the determination to become worthy of Lucy, Erin possessed the skill to surpass Lina’s demanding standards.
“Hm. You have a good touch. I always thought you were skilled, but since the Goddess bestowed her power on you, it’s gotten even better.”
Lina, wagging her tail in delight from the brushing, let out a melting voice, causing Erin’s comb to stop for a moment.
“...The Goddess?”
“Right. The Goddess of Beauty and Art. She must have been watching over you since the time we visited the Art Order, don’t you think?”
Lina, speaking slowly due to habit, noticed Erin’s confusion and subtly stopped wagging her tail.
“Really, you didn’t hear anything?”
“Yes. No, nothing.”
“She’s not the type of person who would shy away from someone.”
Thinking for a moment, Lina soon realized what the Goddess’ intent was.
She doesn’t want her traces to be discovered by Lucy, does she?
Of course, if she’s caught following her, she’d be looked down on just like the real lady. So, it’s probably something she’s worried about.
Still not there. How thrilling it is when Lucy looks at you with contempt.
Recalling those memories, Lina clicked her tongue and stood up, offering Erin some advice as she did.
“When you have time later, try praying. If you ask for advice from the Goddess, she’ll surely answer. At least, as long as you remain Lucy’s maid.”
Stretching and turning around, Lina transformed into a human shape, the transformation accompanied by a puff of smoke.
A stunning beauty, perfectly fitting the term ‘bewitching’, gave a glance to the door before smiling and opening it.
Outside the door stood Lucy’s friends, chatting quietly.
“If you’ve come to see Lucy, turn back. She hasn’t returned yet.”
The person who answered, taking the lead, was Arthur, standing at the front.
“No, Lady Lina. We...”
However, Lina didn’t spare Arthur a single glance. It was as if he didn’t exist at all.
“...Uh. Lady Lina?”
Arthur blinked, confused, but Joy quietly spoke up, causing Lina’s lips to curl into a smirk.
“You said you didn’t come to see Lucy, right?”
“...Yes, that’s right.”
Arthur responded again to Lina’s words, but once again, she ignored him.
This behavior was quite clear.
To Lina, someone who valued beauty above all else, Arthur wasn’t even worth speaking to.
Arthur bit his lip at such an overt reaction, but instead of saying anything, he stepped back and gestured toward Joy.
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Then who did you come to see?”
“We came to see you, Lady Lina. We want to ask for your help.”
“Hm. You want to ask for help from the real lady herself? Interesting. Come in, then.”
As the powerful figures, who could be treated with respect wherever they went, entered the room, Erin quickly prepared to serve them.
While Erin made the seating arrangements and served tea and snacks, Joy explained the current situation to Lina.
“I see. I understand why you’re here. Creating new magic is too difficult for you at this stage.”
Lina, the long-lived owner of the forest, easily understood the predicament Lucy’s friends were in.
“However, what does this have to do with the real lady?”
“...Pardon?”
“The real lady is nothing but a fool enchanted by Lucy’s beauty. Whether you’re in trouble or not, what does that have to do with me?”
In short, Lina had no interest in anyone but Lucy.
While Lucy’s friends certainly had their own charm, to Lina, they were just humans—nothing more, nothing less.
Even though they had developed a lot since the first time she met them.
The human form, which could easily be replaced by another, did not interest Lina.
Especially men, who didn’t seem any different from when she saw them in the forest.
“If Lucy were to ask for something, I would gladly help. But if not, I have no interest in extending my hand to help with your troubles.”
Joy and the others blinked at Lina’s words, spoken with finality.
They didn’t expect her to welcome them, but they certainly hadn’t imagined she would treat them this coldly.
Arthur, who had been standing a step behind, realized once again that Lina was a different kind of being.
The owner of the forest. Beings born from the will of nature, who prioritize the stability of the forest over their own lives.
For them, human relationships weren’t something to dwell on.
“Lady Lina.”
Amidst the atmosphere filled with awkwardness, Arthur spoke up again, but Lina didn’t look at him.
How long has it been since she’s been treated like this?
It reminded her of the time when rumors about her mother’s death circulated, and she too was supposed to die soon.
Ugh. Having to face all these old grudges again was infuriating, but receiving such treatment made her feel even more frustrated.
Fine. Let’s see if this idiot won’t respond to my words.
“Of course, we didn’t just come here to ask for your help with nothing in return. We wouldn’t be so rude as to do that.”
“...”
“If you help us, we’ll bring you something in return.”
“...”
“For example, something like Lucy Alrn’s notebook, which has been covered in saliva while she slept.”
“...What!?”
The moment Arthur finished speaking, Lina suddenly looked up sharply.
For the first time, her eyes glared at Arthur with intense, dark desire.
“You mustn’t be so surprised. We have much more to offer.”
“How... how could you offer such a precious thing?”
“You haven’t forgotten that we’re Lucy Alrn’s friends, have you? Being with her every day, we can bring you anything you desire.”
Lina’s eyes trembled.
As the owner of the forest, she had lived with her own set of beliefs for a long time.
When evaluating others, there were standards she had to uphold.
But was she really going to collapse, throwing all that away, just for such desires?
It wasn’t as if her mind was melting and she couldn’t think straight, but was she really going to commit such a crazy act!?
Lina chastised herself, trying to stop her actions, but her body betrayed her thoughts.
Before she realized it, Lina had reached Arthur’s side and, with bloodshot eyes, looked at him, her voice trembling as she spoke.
“What do I need to do to help?”
“No, Lady Lina. The thing you need to say right now is something different.”
“...Are you telling me what to do?”
“We could ask someone else for help, but without you, Lady Lina, things would be much harder for us, wouldn’t it?”
Lina bit her lip. She understood what he meant.
Without them, there was no one else who could bring Lucy what she wanted.
Other than them, the people around Lucy would either be too careful not to cause her any trouble or would not be close enough to her to do it.
Damn. Damn. Damn. The fact that she had to bow her head to this bastard made her furious, but she had no choice.
“...I’ll make sure to keep my promise. If not, the wrath of the owner of the forest will fall upon you.”
“Don’t worry about that.”
At the dramatic compromise between Arthur and Lina, the others, except for the two of them, fell silent.
Erin, who had brought the tea, seriously wondered if she should report this to Lucy.
This chapter is updat𝓮d by freēwebnovel.com.
Joy forgot to manage her expression, revealing her genuine disgust.
Phoebe, caught in the irreverent conversation, didn’t know what to do.
“Hey, Prince.”
“...What is it, Freya?”
“You were acting like a total pervert just now.”
Freya bluntly voiced her thoughts.
Only then did Arthur realize the awkward atmosphere around him and, with a flushed face, raised his voice.
“We had agreed on this beforehand! Why is it that I’m the only one being made to look like a weirdo!?”
“...But, Prince. What you just said... honestly, it was a bit much.”
“You should have seen it when you made Lady cry.”
“Do you think the Prince could go to jail? I’m curious.”
“You damn idiots! Why is it only me who’s being scolded!?”