“Mastema, at least put some clothes on!”
“I am wearing some.”
“Underwear doesn’t count as clothes… even if we’re at home, really now.”
Lying on the bed, Mastema raised her head just enough to respond to Arnella. As pointed out, she was indeed in her underwear, showing off her fair skin without hesitation.
“Won’t he be happy to see this?”
“If that was all it took, he’d have made a move long ago.”
“True enough. Guess I’ll comply then.”
Mastema got up and slipped into the dress Arnella had prepared for her. Her long black hair and red eyes gave an intense contrast to her white skin, and in the emerald green dress, she transformed into a stunning beauty who could turn heads anywhere.
“Where is he?”
“Her Highness the Princess… he’s been called by the Chancellor.”
“Again? He should just ignore them already. Hanging out here with us would be way more fun.”
Though now dressed, Mastema flopped back onto the bed, resuming her lazy lounging. Arnella seemed resigned to this part of Mastema’s personality and said nothing. She knew that food could easily get Mastema moving anyway.
“Our master is off on important business, so no complaints. Thanks to his efforts, we live in such comfort without much struggle.”
“Making money is easy. If he and I put in a little effort, it’d be done in no time.”
Since she wasn’t wrong, Arnella found it hard to argue. Mastema had certainly become more talkative since they started living together. She was naturally intelligent, and even compared to well-educated high-ranking slaves like Arnella and Noel, she stood out.
It was no wonder she held a high rank among demons.
But seeing her intelligence used for lazing around seemed like such a waste.
As they spoke, Sepia came downstairs, yawning.
“Geez, so noisy… are they at it again?”
She looked bored with the almost daily routine between the two, grabbing one of the many meat pies prepared in the kitchen.
“Mmm! As delicious as ever.”
Sepia smacked her lips and reached for a second pie.
“Hey, not fair. I’m starving too.”
“Isn’t that why I came to get you…?”
Arnella sighed as Mastema finally moved, motivated by food. Arnella and Noel had been entrusted with managing the house by Ahavain.
Eating in her underwear was certainly not the most ladylike behavior.
Although Mastema was a being on a different plane from humanity, she did listen to Arnella’s words. Thus, Arnella kept reminding her each time, though she wondered if it was effective.
It was partly why she had been purchased as a slave initially, and even now, though they shared an intimate bond, her role remained the same.
Arnella had already tasted a bit of the food, so she was done eating, while Mastema and the growing Sepia devoured the many meat pies in no time.
“Alright, I’m heading out.”
“The archives again?”
“Yep. Thanks to Ahavain, I have access to the kingdom’s spellbooks, so it’s great for my studies. Though I have to make copies in return.”
“Well, magic makes it quick.” Sepia added, then left the house, dressed a bit more stylishly than usual.
After eating, Mastema gave a big yawn, slouched in a chair, and leaned back. The chair tilted to a nearly impossible angle but stayed balanced—something not easily achievable by anyone else.
Though she looked like a beautiful young girl, moments like this revealed her inhuman side.
“Hey, isn’t his work supposed to ease up soon?”
“That’s what I’ve heard. Apparently, the trouble with the Empire has settled.”
Time had passed, but back then, they were on the brink of all-out war between the Empire and the Kingdom. Now, with a peace agreement in place, they’d moved toward non-interference, at least militarily, though trade ties remained open.
It was a decision driven by both sides’ interests: the Empire found no profit in fighting once the kingdom hosted the strongest adventurer party, and the Kingdom needed time to rebuild.
As a result, Ahavain was less bound by his duties. There were times just after the war when he’d have to stay overnight, but now he often returned home after half a day.
“I’ve read quite a few books by now. Lately, things have been boring. I want to have some fun.”
Mastema swayed her chair in boredom. Though she wasn’t one to cause a ruckus, her frustration tended to create extra work for Ahavain.
“Well, how about a trip to the sea? That is, if Master has the time.”
If you head northwest from the Kingdom, there’s a sea known as the Red Sea, popular for vacations. The Kingdom originally maintained influence there, but due to complications from demon summoning, it had been neglected for a while.
Thanks to Sepia’s efforts as a mage, they could finally reach out to it again.
At Arnella’s suggestion, Mastema leapt from her chair.
“Really?! Yes! There’s no ocean in hell, you know. There are lava pools, but they’re not fun at all… I’ve been curious ever since I was flying up high and saw it.”
Mastema’s eyes sparkled with excitement, her wings and tail even appearing from the thrill of it.
“Just so you know, we need to ask Master first, okay? If he can’t, you’ll have to give it up.”
“He’ll definitely say yes! No, I’ll make him. Let’s go buy swimsuits already!”
Mastema urged Arnella with enthusiasm. Smiling wryly at Mastema’s newfound motivation, Arnella changed into outdoor clothes.
Noel was already out shopping. For Sepia and Noel, they could pick something that suited them.
