Chapter 27: Barked

    “What happened?”

    “Well…it’s…”

    Sister asked as soon as I regained consciousness. I’d come to her in a panic, but I hadn’t thought this through.

    Of course, she’d be worried about her sick younger sister. But I couldn’t tell her the truth.

    The blow from the duel still ached. And explaining that would require explaining the duel itself.

    I lost a duel.

    How could I admit that? Especially losing to a commoner classmate.

    I didn’t want to tarnish the Estelle name. And I wanted Sister to see me as strong and capable.

    “Nothing happened, hee hee…”

    I gave her a cute smile, hoping she’d drop it.
    It usually worked. It was my secret weapon.

    “Hee hee… I see, Ellie.”

    I’d gotten away with it, though it felt a bit cowardly.

    Sorry, Sister…Forgive me, just this once.

    Sister looked thoughtful.
    Guilt gnawed at me; I looked down. After a moment, she spoke,

    “Ellie, you need more treatment.”

    “Wh…what? But you said it was over…”

    “I’ve…discovered a serious ailment. I was going to wait and see, but…it can’t be helped.”

    My eyes widened in surprise.
    Sister’s expression was resolute; her mind was made up.

    She reached for my hand, her long, slender fingers intertwining with mine, trapping my right hand. I exclaimed in alarm,

    “S…Sister! Let’s do it tomorrow! It’s late, okay?”

    “It’s alright, Ellie. You trust me, right?”

    Her sweet smile seemed menacing.
    I’d never seen my loving sister look so…scary.

    She snapped her fingers with her free hand, and
    darkness enveloped me. A blindfold covered my eyes.

    “O…of course I trust you, but this is…Mmmph!”

    Slurp

    Something covered my mouth. Her magic tool.

    “Ugh…slurp…”

    I swallowed the pill. A serious ailment requiring a pill?

    Haa…!”

    A wave of heat washed over me as I swallowed the pill.
    I instinctively reached down, but
    Sister caught my hand, intertwining our fingers again.

    “Why?! Sister, please! I’m begging you…!”

    “Hee hee…not yet, Ellie. Be patient.”

    I was desperate, but she was infuriatingly calm. How could she do this to her cute younger sister?
    I’d have words with her after this “treatment.”

    But first, I needed…relief. I’d forgive her anything, just…please…

    “…Ellie…”

    Sister whispered in my ear, her breath sending shivers down my spine.

    She sounded unusually excited, her usual restraint gone, her voice trembling slightly, as if anticipating something.

    “This is…a request, as your older sister.”

    Her words resonated within me, like a ringing bell, the vibrations spreading through my body, creating ripples of…something.

    “Could you…bark for me?”

    That was my last coherent thought.

    I spent the night in the infirmary, under Sister’s care.

    ****

    Ow…!”

    A sharp pain in my lower back made me stop walking. My legs trembled as I stood still. And my…inner thighs ached.

    Sister’s healing magic couldn’t fix everything.
    Usually, I felt refreshed after her treatment, but
    today, my body ached all over. It must have been a serious ailment.

    My underwear felt tight against my chest. Perhaps it was because my nipples were swollen.

    I remembered leaving Sister’s room earlier. We’d both collapsed on the bed, naked and exhausted.

    We were too tired to even bathe; Sister cleaned us with magic. It should be fine, though it stung a little.

    I noticed scratch marks on Sister’s back. And bite marks on her shoulder.

    Sister, did…did I do that?

    Hmm? Hee hee…yes, but don’t worry about it, Ellie.

    But, Sister…

    I felt a pang of guilt and looked down.

    I must have been…wild during the treatment, clinging to her desperately. I vaguely remembered unclasping our hands and holding onto her tightly.

    She hadn’t had a free hand. She needed to hold onto one of my legs to keep me…still. My legs were surprisingly flexible, easily spread… I didn’t remember much after that. But I’d definitely hurt her.

    So, she didn’t hold my hand out of affection or to restrain me. It was for safety during the treatment.

    She never complained, even though I was so…difficult.
    Her selfless devotion filled me with warmth. I had to try harder, be a better…pet for her.

    “Ellie!”

    Woof!”

    Startled by the sudden voice, I barked.
    Had I finally lost it?

    But I wasn’t too surprised. This had happened before, after Sister’s treatments. I didn’t know why. I considered it a minor side effect.

    It had always been fine before, so it should be fine now. I’d be back to normal soon.

    I casually turned to see who’d startled me.
    As expected, it was Linne and her wolf beastkin.

    “Um…Ellie? You sounded very…dog-like just now.”

    “Ugh, that’s because you startled me!”

    Linne, after her initial nonchalant comment, started blushing.
    Embarrassed by her own words.

    Then why say it in the first place?

    My face flushed as well, and I fanned myself with my hand.

    Sniff, sniff

    “…Huh?”

    Linne was acting strange. She sniffed the air, then bent down, burying her nose in my shoulder.

    Sniff—haa…”

    Eek?! What are you doing?!”

    Was she possessed by the wolf beastkin? There was no other explanation for her sudden behavior. Linne pulled away and said nonchalantly,

    “I just…smelled cherries.”

    Sniffing me without permission…
    Was her earlier embarrassment all an act?

    I studied her expression. She looked completely unfazed.

    “A pervert, as always. Sigh…”

    Linne just blinked at me, her expression blank.
    It was infuriating.

    I remembered what she’d just said. Cherries.

    ‘Why cherries?’

    I hadn’t used any cherry-scented products. Perhaps her sense of smell was inferior compared to the wolf’s.

    At least she didn’t seem possessed, which was a relief. I had enough problems with one furry creature.

    I’d always disliked beastkin.
    They hid their true, vile nature behind a cute facade. I’d been fooled by their fluffy appearance too many times.

    I glared at the wolf beastkin clinging to Linne.
    She glared back defiantly, the nerve!

    “You stupid mutt, you don’t even recognize your master’s friend…”

    Of course, I didn’t consider Linne a friend.
    Who would befriend a pervert like her?

    “Wh…what?! Grrr…”

    True to her canine nature, she growled at me, baring her teeth. Linne looked confused.

    “What’s wrong? Did something happen?”

    “N…nothing, Linea. Let’s go!”

    The beastkin quickly composed herself, her flustered expression amusing. I smirked.

    “Such obedience. But you need more training.”

    “You…just you wait!”

    Her indignant fury was satisfying.
    Teasing beastkin was always fun.

    We reached the classroom. As I entered with Linne, the puppy stopped me.

    “Linea, go ahead. I need to talk to her.”

    “Okay, Nina. See you later.”

    Linne smiled and waved, assuming we were about to bond or something. I played along, giving her a casual smile.

    “See you in class, Linne.”

    “…Ellie! Yes, I’ll be waiting!”

    Linne’s face lit up. The beastkin, however, looked like she’d swallowed a lemon.

    Grrr…always flirting with Linea, that…!”

    The wolf beastkin bared her teeth again as soon as Linne was out of sight.

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