18. The New Employee (5)

Lily once told me.

That the night is darkest just before dawn.

Thinking back now, that day was probably like that too.

I followed that man Gaston in Jessie unni’s place as she trembled in fear.

Two days of the punches I’d braced myself for.

I’d been hit while selling spring to rough customers, beaten by my drunk father too.

But Gaston hit me like he really meant to kill me.

It was a miracle my nose didn’t bleed from those blows.

And then-ta-da!

A famous and beautiful Archmage suddenly broke down the door and appeared.

I really thought I’d died at that moment.

It was something I’d never imagined, something that couldn’t possibly happen.

As I rolled on the ground from the punches to my face, Gaston was just as stunned as I was.

And the Magician pulled me out of that hell.

To be honest, now that I’m talking about it…

Following the Magician was scarier than being hit by Gaston.

Because she had no choice?

She radiated annoyance toward me while saying absolutely nothing.

That was the first time I learned how terrifying silence could be.

Was she taking me back to the brothel?

Or dragging me away to use me as an experiment?

The place the Magician took my trembling self was her shop.

Yes, that’s right.

Fairy’s Playground.

Seeing the familiar place I’d often visited made my heart pound.

And then the door opened.

A small figure came running toward me as if she’d been waiting.

Hair as white and warm as sunlight, sparkling pretty eyes.

For some reason, her ears fluttered like a puppy’s.

My adorable friend Lily.

The moment I saw her, I realized-

The reason the Magician saved me was all because of Lily.

Well, after that, this and that happened.

Lily even managed to make my nose bleed, something even that bastard Gaston couldn’t do.

Ah, it was really intense back then…

Anyway, thanks to kind-hearted Lily, my life underwent a dramatic change.

From an unpopular prostitute reeking of alcohol and powder in the brothel to an employee at a strange shop.

The first thing that comes to mind…

Everything about my life became more stable than before.

Though it’s just the attic, I got my own room where drafts don’t come in.

At the brothel, I shared a room with the other girls and only slept in the corner.

But sleeping alone-and on a soft bed-ironically made it hard to sleep, you know?

My wardrobe expanded too.

Dragged by an excited Lily to the most expensive boutique in the capital, Londinium Boutique.

Trying on clothes so luxurious they’d make anyone’s jaw drop, over and over-those moments were truly happy.

Of course, they were dizzyingly expensive.

In return, Lily had to keep trying on clothes endlessly, just like me, by the shop owner’s (the Archmage’s) orders.

Thanks to that, I’ve now filled an entire wardrobe.

Back when I sold spring, aside from the skimpy clothes I wore for customers,

I only had one set for summer and one for winter.

Just two sets in total.

Food became plentiful too.

It was here that I had lunch for the first time in my life.

Being sold by my father for the price of two rabbits feels like just yesterday.

Now I’m indulging in luxuries I couldn’t even dream of back then.

Working at the shop is easier than I thought too.

As long as I remember the essential rules, the owner doesn’t interfere much.

To be honest, it’s more like she’s indifferent to me.

There are three main rules I must follow:

First.

Do not enter any basement areas except the second-floor storage.

Lily told me there are dangerous things in the owner’s lab and the third basement.

Second.

Stick to the set schedule.

Don’t skip meals, and always close the shop outside business hours.

Honestly, it felt like consideration for me, which made me happy.

Third.

Breaking this rule would be a disaster.

Do not have sexual contact with Lily without permission.

No affairs allowed.

The owner’s black eyes as she calmly said this are etched in my mind.

Even when I close my eyes, I sometimes remember them…

Ugh… I feel queasy…

The work itself was simple enough to learn quickly.

Being the shop of an Archmage-and a noble at that-meant there were very few troublemakers.

At the brothel, troublemakers visited almost daily.

Ah, “troublemakers” is a term Lily taught me.

It’s so catchy it might become a habit.

Anyway, Fairy’s Playground is practically heaven for me.

Except for one complaint.

The owner really loves Lily.

So much that she’s always biting, sucking, and-ugh.

I realized after coming here that I enjoy lewd things and watching.

But all that sticky, slimy stuff should really be done in private.

My solo nighttime activities have increased because of it.

Sigh…

Despite what I’ve said, I’m happy now.

This is my first diary entry since learning to write at the brothel.

I’m not sure if I’m doing it right.

Well, I’ll get used to it as I keep writing.

So, goodbye.

-Marie of Londinium, Employee of Fairy’s Playground-

***

Marie hummed leisurely as she prepared to open the shop.

Behind her, Lily dusted the display shelves while grumbling.

“I don’t get why Jane’s so obsessed with the backside.”

“Ha, haha…”

Even though Jane wasn’t around, Marie found it amusing how openly Lily badmouthed her.

She still found the owner intimidating and hard to approach-what gave Lily the courage to act like this?

Then a cool, clear voice rang in her ears.

“Why? You enjoyed it too, Lily.”

“Eek!”

Unlike Marie, who jumped in surprise, Lily puffed out her chest as if she’d expected this.

“It’s dirty. And I don’t like how you’re obsessed with weird places when you have a perfectly good genital.”

“Like I’ve said before, your butt isn’t dirty, Lily. It’s clean.”

“Eek!”

“If you need proof, I’m willing to lick it thoroughly.”

“I won’t stay still if you lick it!”

Watching Lily and Jane bicker like it was part of their daily routine, Marie turned away and sat comfortably to gaze out the window.

She noticed how people’s clothing had changed dramatically recently.

“Even if I concede a hundred times, touching is one thing. But why overwork it?”

“But you enjoyed it. You cried out in pleasure.”

“Eek! What do you even want from my butt?!”

“Hmm…”

Under Lily’s persistent questioning, Jane pondered seriously.

Soon, she calmly confessed her true feelings.

“Well… I’m not sure myself?”

“Huh? Eh? What?”

Lily, now utterly baffled, blurted out stupid sounds.

Jane gently pinched Lily’s earlobe and continued.

“I want to see you panting in pleasure as I touch you gently.”

“Eek…”

“Sometimes, I feel like ruining you too.”

“What?!”

What did I just hear?

Lily’s eyes, nose, and mouth all widened in shock, and Marie quickly turned to stare at Jane.

“Actually, often.”

“Y-You can’t ruin me!”

Lily tugged at her hair and screamed.

But Jane asked nonchalantly,

“Why not?”

“Because it’d be a disaster!”

“Lily wouldn’t mind, though.”

“What kind of crazy talk is that?! It’s my butt! Not yours!”

“That’s why it’s fine if Lily gets ruined.”

“Waaahhh!”

Unable to bear the frustration, Lily finally flung open the shop door and screamed at the top of her lungs.

Passersby jumped in surprise, but the neighbors, used to this, paid no mind.

After thoroughly riling up Lily, Jane leisurely sat across from Marie.

Then, as if sharing a secret, she whispered,

“Lily doesn’t use the bathroom.”

“Huh? How is that possible?”

“Because she’s a fairy.”

“Gasp!”

Marie covered her mouth and blinked rapidly.

But soon, she slapped her knee and laughed brightly.

“I knew it!”

Lily was utterly bewildered by her friend’s unexpected reaction.

“N-No, I’m not a fairy or anything!”

“No need to hide it, Lily. No ordinary human could be this cute and adorable, right?”

“But I’m not…”

Lily’s cheeks flushed a lovely pink.

Marie gently stroked her soft cheeks, stifling laughter that threatened to burst out.

If she laughed out loud, this tiny friend would surely sulk.

“Ugh…”

But Lily, unable to bear the embarrassment, began squirming.

Marie finally couldn’t hold back and giggled.

“Pfft!”

“Hey!”

Lily lightly punched Marie’s arm in protest.

But Marie, learning mischief from Jane, now laughed openly.

“Ahaha!”

“Stop it!”

Lily’s exaggerated reactions to even the slightest teasing were hilarious.

So this is why the owner loves tormenting Lily.

With this leisurely and delightful realization, Marie wiped away tears of laughter.

Lily, glaring indignantly, spun around.

“I’m not helping with the shop today.”

“Ah!”

Finally feeling a bit guilty, Marie tried to grab Lily.

She might have succeeded if not for the strange scent tickling her nose.

“Huh?”

The faint, sweet fragrance seemed to come from Lily.

But Marie just shrugged.

“Must’ve sprayed perfume or something.”

As Marie and Lily bickered, Jane, who had been watching, stood up.

“I’ll be back late. Don’t wait for me-have dinner with Lily.”

“Okay. Have a safe trip.”

Marie waved casually as Jane left.

She flipped the sign on the door.

[OPEN]

Another peaceful day had begun.