05. Going Out (1)

“Here are five boxes of contraceptives.”

“That’s 5 silver, right?”

“Yes, received 5 silver.”

As I handed the customer the ointment in flat cylindrical boxes, she gave me five shiny silver coins in return.

Despite the rather expensive price, the young-faced customer didn’t hesitate to pay.

Is she from a wealthy family?

No, that’s not it.

Just looking at the worn-out, cheap veil the customer was wearing made it clear her circumstances weren’t particularly comfortable.

For reference, an average commoner family in this world can live for a month on 20 silver.

When I placed the wooden box in the bag, the customer’s hidden face was briefly revealed.

Her swollen eyelids were bruised blue.

Clear signs that someone had hit her.

“Seems like you met someone with bad habits.”

“Well, that’s pretty common for us.”

The customer shrugged nonchalantly – her profession was that of a prostitute.

The Fairy’s Playground is located in a residential area.

And right next door, in the commercial district, there’s a red-light district called [Flower Garden].

A place where they sell alcohol, laughter, and even their bodies.

As the youngest at the Flower Garden, she had come running an errand for her seniors.

Probably won’t be taking any customers today.

“Wait a moment please.”

“Huh?”

I left the customer standing there and took out a small wooden box from the shelf, smaller than my palm.

It was an ointment Jane had personally made – quite costly to produce but extremely effective for bruises.

We could make some money selling it, but Master said it was too bothersome and only made a small batch.

I discreetly handed it to the customer.

“If you apply this to the bruises, they’ll heal quickly. Ah, be careful not to get it directly in your eyes.”

“Is it really okay to give me something this precious for free?”

“Shh! I’m giving it to you secretly without Master knowing.”

As I whispered with my index finger to my lips, the customer also raised her finger.

A small service for one of the few customers who’s been kind to me.

It’s not like Master would actually scold me, right?

“I’ll come again~.”

-Ding

The customer waved at me with a bittersweet smile.

I waved back to see her off.

Prostitutes in this world really have it tough.

Though they’re commoners, those who end up selling their bodies for various reasons don’t seem much different from a slave like me.

In fact, my situation with Jane as my sturdy fortress seems much better in comparison.

Plus, the fact that she reminds me of a younger sister I can’t see anymore makes it even more pitiful.

Then I locked eyes with Jane who was coming up from the basement.

Probably because she was wearing indoor shoes, there was no sound of footsteps.

Since customers are intimidated by Jane being both a noble and a magician, I’ve been tending the shop more often lately.

“Customer gone?”

“Yes.”

After that brief exchange, an uncomfortable silence followed.

The cold sweat trickling down my spine itched.

I subtly avoided Jane’s gaze and headed to the kitchen.

My excuse was tea time.

“Phew…”

The reason I’m avoiding my kind and benevolent Master?

Obviously because of that incident last time.

Under the pretense of teaching me masturbation, Jane tormented me to her heart’s content.

Until that beautiful face started looking downright demonic.

Thanks to that, I get startled every time I see Jane these days.

It’s not that I dislike or fear her.

It’s just that whenever I face her, the shocking pleasure from that time comes rushing back.

The sudden trembling of my legs and the tight clenching in my stomach aren’t exactly welcome feelings.

Just now too, I ran away in a hurry because I was embarrassed to show my flushed face.

“Ughh…”

That’s right.

My unnecessarily sensitive body, like some eroge heroine, has learned to respond to Jane’s touch.

If I checked my status, my sensitivity level would definitely have increased.

There’s no way a normal body would be this sensitive.

Those damn slave traders must have done something to my body.

Stupid baldies.

Anyway, time will naturally resolve this.

The problem lies elsewhere.

As punishment for daring to injure Master’s body, Jane sentenced me to five orgasms.

I only endured three.

With two still remaining, I’ve been running away like this.

What should I do…

But I can’t keep avoiding her forever.

After preparing teacups and finger food, I carefully went back downstairs.

Jane’s eyes narrowed ever so slightly when she saw me coming down.

Seems she’s not in a great mood.

But gathering my courage, I sat right next to her.

“Hmm?”

“…Hehe.”

Under her intense gaze, I could only give a hollow laugh.

Then Jane’s previously gloomy expression brightened slightly.

Though it was just the corners of her mouth lifting a tiny bit.

When I sneak glances at Jane, she gives a small smile.

Then I get embarrassed and turn away – repeating this meaningless action.

To relieve the awkwardness I alone was feeling and to satisfy my lingering curiosity, I broached a question to Jane.

“Jane, I’m curious about something.”

“Mm.”

“Why are mixed-bloods slaves? Honestly, aside from these shiny eyes, there’s no difference.”

I know humans are a species that discriminates at the slightest difference.

And if mixed with another species’ blood, the disgust would be even greater.

But there’s a reason I’m asking this.

Perhaps surprised by the unexpected question, Jane’s eyes widened slightly.

But she soon regained her composure.

And gave an unexpected answer.

“To be honest, I’m not entirely sure. It’s the first Emperor’s dying wish.”

“The first Emperor?”

“Yes, the person who first unified human lands. Even after his death, the wish continued, and later independent nations inherited it too.”

Jane’s expression looked slightly bitter as she explained carefully.

No, she seemed almost apologetic.

Why?

Though new questions arose, wanting to solve my original one first, I continued questioning.

“So all mixed-bloods are slaves?”

“Correct. There’s even a law requiring records from birth to death. Lily’s records are also kept in the royal palace.”

“Gasp.”

Though shocked, honestly not that much.

The country I lived in before also managed citizens’ identities from birth to death, so what’s new.

As I sipped my lukewarm tea, a shadow fell over me.

Jane reached out toward me but hesitated.

Somewhat amusing how the young lady who used to knead my breasts like dough is now being cautious.

But since she’s my master, I brought my head to her hand.

Jane gently stroked my hair.

The faint scent wafting from her was pleasant.

Though my thighs trembling uncontrollably was inevitable.

Not getting wet is already praiseworthy.

“Are mixed-bloods common?”

The world seen through the window seemed very small.

But it couldn’t possibly be that small.

Am I really the only one with jewel eyes in such a world?

Couldn’t I meet other mixed-bloods?

“No, mixed-bloods are extremely rare. To my knowledge, Lily is the only one in the capital.”

Jane subtly pulled me onto her lap.

I leaned against her chest touching my cheek.

-Thump thump

The steady rhythm of her heartbeat reassured me.

I asked what I really wanted to know:

“Are mixed-bloods not allowed to go outside?”

“That’s not it. As long as you have the slave insignia, going out is fine.”

Jane’s hand pinching my cheek was warm.

“Then what about walking around alone?”

“That depends on the situation.”

In principle, nobles can’t harm commoners arbitrarily.

Similarly, commoners arbitrarily harming slaves is also illegal.

“But there are many people with ill intentions too.”

Jane’s eyes looking at me trembled slightly.

Obviously not from magnesium deficiency.

She must have guessed the intention behind my question.

“Sigh…”

Jane exhaled deeply and asked me for final confirmation:

“You want to go out?”

Her anxiety was palpable.

But I decided to confront it head-on.

“Yes. If Master permits it, of course.”

Jane’s round eyes seemed to express her shock at my words.

The Fairy’s Playground is quite spacious.

The first floor has the shop, the second floor has the kitchen and rooms, and the third floor even has an attic.

Moreover, the basement contains Jane’s laboratory and storage.

Though very large with many fascinating things, there’s a mountain of stuff to explore.

But spending a whole month just exploring the house was unbearably boring.

Jane only has dull professional books, and there’s nothing fun to play with.

Play with dildos then?

Don’t be ridiculous.

Eventually, like a cat sitting by the window killing time, I just spent all day watching outside.

Just seeing people walk by was entertaining enough.

“This isn’t normal, you know.”

Actually, I know.

That Jane isn’t deliberately keeping me confined to the house.

She was just trying to protect me effectively.

But even that has reached its limit now.

I can feel myself deteriorating in real time.

Being cooped up indoors without smartphones or computers is practically hell.

I’m exhausted now.

Thump thump

“Huff, huff…”

After pouring out what I’d been holding in, I breathed heavily.

Meanwhile, my body recognized Jane’s fingers and reacted.

That tight clenching in my stomach.

Ugh, getting wet.

“Finished?”

I expected to be scolded for being rude, but Jane remained perfectly calm.

Instead, while playing with my earlobe, she asked:

“If you want to go outside, you need an insignia. And the kingdom’s designated insignia is a necklace.”

“That’s fine.”

“But you hate that.”

The necklace the slave traders put on couldn’t be removed by myself.

Of course, Master was the one who removed it, and I secretly threw it in the trash.

“Honestly, I do hate it. But if Master puts it on me, it’s okay.”

Goosebumps rose as Jane’s hand brushed my nape.

“Outside is dangerous.”

“Even though Jane is my Master?”

“Being alone is dangerous regardless.”

At her words, I shook my head.

“Then let’s go out together.”

Her eyes rounded again.

Her murky black pupils seemed to glimmer slightly.

This is my chance.

“Let’s go out together, eat out, go shopping, and when the weather’s nice, bask in the sun.”

Jane’s cheeks reddened as I continued.

I still don’t understand the sensibilities of a 21-year-old lady, but I can tell it’s an offer she’d consider.

“Ah, how about a picnic? Just you and me, of course.”

Checkmate.