05. Going Out (2)

Fairy’s Playground.

Underground Laboratory.

As I watched Jane’s back, deeply engrossed in her work, I sat on the bed swinging my short legs back and forth.

A few days ago when I asked to go out, Jane told me to wait just a little longer.

And now, the brand being crafted in her hands is an essential item for my outing-effectively her answer.

-Thump thump

My heart is pounding wildly.

Half excitement, half worry.

At this point, even I can’t quite grasp my own feelings.

Somehow, it’s already been a month since I became a house cat.

Excluding the occasional lewd events, it’s been truly boring.

Not that I dislike it.

Absolutely not.

If I’d stayed with the Slave Merchant Guild, I’d have been trembling in fear before some nasty noble snatched me up in no time.

And then my limbs would’ve been chopped off, turning me into a Dragon Knight-no, a Solo Adventurer.

“Huuu…”

Jane let out a deep sigh and raised her head.

Her neck seemed stiff as she rolled it around.

I jumped off the bed and rushed over to massage her shoulders.

“Is it done? Is it done?”

“Mhm.”

Jane closed her eyes, briefly enjoying my touch before handing me the brand.

A red leather collar.

“Ugh.”

I’d braced myself, but my heart still sank.

Frankly, it’s a design that’s hard to stomach for a human to wear.

Apparently, the leatherworker who crafted it mainly makes pet collars.

But since this is the officially designated slave brand in the kingdom, what can I do?

I shut my eyes tight and pressed my fingers against my temples.

In that state, I began hypnotizing myself.

This isn’t a dog collar.

This isn’t a dog collar.

It’s a necessary treasure for going outside.

It’s a necessary treasure for going outside.

“My… my precious…”

“Are you okay?”

“Gah!”

For a moment, the collar looked like the One Ring.

Self-hypnosis is amazing!

Jane gave me a worried look as I eased my tension with pointless antics.

“Are you sure you’re alright?”

Having somewhat dulled my aversion, I lifted my chin to show my neck instead of answering.

It was also a silent request for her to put it on since I couldn’t bring myself to do it.

-Gulp

For some reason, Jane swallowed loudly.

Her approaching hand seemed to tremble slightly.

“Ugh.”

Finally, the leather touched my bare skin.

The smooth texture, carefully processed to avoid hurting the wearer.

Just by touch, I could tell it was high-quality, but honestly, it didn’t feel great.

The only thing keeping me from cursing was Jane’s apologetic demeanor and her warm body heat as she fastened it.

“Huu…”

I’ll get used to it with time.

“How’s the fit? Not too tight?”

“No, it’s just right.”

It doesn’t hinder my breathing or press on any blood vessels.

But wait, when did Jane measure my neck size?

The sudden question vanished as Jane’s fingers began pinching my cheeks as if it were obvious.

Whatever, who cares?

The important thing is that I can finally go outside now.

-Thump thump

My heart raced with a different feeling than before.

The liberation of finally being able to leave.

But one thing nagged at me.

“Jane?”

My Master’s expression as she looked down at me was starting to look a little scary.

Like a lion eyeing its prey…

***

Finally, I fastened the collar around Lily’s snow-white neck.

A strange feeling swirled in my chest.

“Jane?”

At first, I thought it was aversion.

But it’s slightly different.

The plump cheeks bulged between my fingers.

She’s filled out nicely since we first met.

Lily had expressed displeasure when I mentioned the brand.

But now that it’s on, she seems perfectly at ease.

Jane let out a sigh of relief at the sight.

The collar, crafted after harassing the tanner’s guild for days.

The brand, completed by engraving magic onto it myself.

Infused with my magic, the collar is practically a mage’s name tag.

Now, any mage can tell Lily belongs to me.

“Ah.”

A satisfying sense of fulfillment washed over me.

I’ve branded this little girl like an animal.

I removed the self-destruct magic, but the subduing shock magic remains.

Guilt pricked at me for forcibly controlling a being capable of thought and action.

Yet the pain wasn’t unpleasant-it carried a subtle addictiveness.

Enough to make me wish it would continue.

“You must be exhausted, Jane. Sit down and rest.”

Lily’s concerned voice.

My Lily of the Valley took my wrist and led me to the bed she’d just vacated.

As I let myself be guided by that small hand, I recalled the name of the emotion shaking my heart.

Depravity.

“Ngh-kuh.”

Lily climbed onto the slightly high bed and settled right beside Jane.

The sensation was like standing at the edge of a forest, making Jane bite her lip.

Lily’s fresh, green scent had grown slightly stronger, tickling her nose.

The barely sated desire carved out an even deeper craving.

The scent gradually resembling her own.

If she drew her in further, staining her completely…

“Hng…!”

Just imagining it sent a light shudder through Jane’s body as she climaxed.

“Jane? Are you hurt? Did you overdo it?”

Lily grew deeply concerned at the sudden moan.

Jane suddenly wanted to see this naive fairy cry.

Her sobbing face had been unbearably cute before.

“Ah.”

A sudden realization.

“Lily, remember?”

“Huh?”

“That thing from last time.”

Though not stated explicitly, Lily seemed to understand immediately.

Her eyelids fluttered.

Her shimmering Jewel Eye glanced downward.

The wound on her forearm, still present thanks to deliberately reduced healing.

Though brushed aside, two punishments remained.

Noticing Lily’s unease, she inched away from Jane.

But Jane’s gesture, bearing a smile deeper than before, rendered the movement meaningless.

“I-I’m sorry.”

The merciful Master intends to teach her slow-learning, adorable slave an important lesson.

A very, very crucial lesson about not climbing into bed with women so recklessly.

“Eek!”

Lily had no choice but to pay the collar’s price with her body.

Jane found the compensation thoroughly satisfying.

***

Though I now had a collar, I couldn’t go out immediately.

“Always tell me where you’re going. Stay home when I’m away on business. Never go to the slums in the outskirts or Central where noble mansions gather.”

Honestly, it’s hard getting used to Jane like this.

Knowing she’s saying this out of concern, I couldn’t plug my ears and whined to stop her.

“Ugh, I get it. This is the 99th time I’m hearing this.”

But upon hearing my grumbling, Jane repeated it once more, making it a full 100.

I’d planned to go out yesterday but couldn’t due to being punished.

Even now, my legs are trembling.

But my determination to go out remains strong.

No one can stop me now.

A clean tunic and vest prepared for today.

Brown pants for the lower half.

The shoes, commissioned by Jane along with the collar, fit perfectly.

Extremely comfortable.

When did she measure my foot size?

But Jane’s gaze held a hint of dissatisfaction.

She’d wanted me to wear a skirt made by the neighbor.

But I firmly refused.

Still, I’m grateful for everything she’s given me.

Well, after yesterday, maybe not that grateful.

Biting her was wrong, but she started it.

“Well then, I’m off!”

-Jingle

I cheerfully bid farewell and opened the shop door.

The familiar scenery looked different.

“Hehe!”

Finally, one step.

The moment I step outside.

“Huh?”

Feeling my pounding heart, I turned around.

Jane was following me out as if it were natural.

“We’re going together?”

“Is that bad?”

Jane tilted her head, asking.

Her expression quickly turned sullen.

Though aware of her own beauty, it’s more charming than annoying.

“No way! Of course not!”

I shook my head vigorously and offered her my hand.

Startled, Jane hesitantly took it.

Her slightly reddened ears were noticeable, but I pretended not to see.

So cute.

But if we were going together, was the 100-warning lecture really necessary?

Walking the streets on my own two feet, having previously only seen them from Jane’s arms, felt refreshingly new.

Housewives leisurely hanging laundry or cooking.

Children running around or doing errands.

People’s daily lives seemed far more comfortable than I’d imagined.

After hearing my honest thoughts, Jane said:

“It’s partly because this is a capital city. But the worse-off are crowded in the slums, so it seems that way.”

“I see.”

Jane walked slowly to match my short strides.

People stared at us walking side by side as if we were exotic animals.

“Mixed-bloods are rare, so many have never seen one before.”

“Really?”

“But most nearby know. That Lily is my slave.”

“Hmm.”

Jane’s voice, though calm, was slightly higher than usual.

She seemed just as happy to walk outside as I was after so long.

“Showing them us walking together like this should reduce troublemakers, right?”

At my optimism, Jane’s grip tightened.

“Or it might increase them.”

“What a world.”