Chapter 105: Crystal Elysium

I’m going crazy! This is insane!

I was looking around the lair, and it was just so, so good.

The walls, studded with beautifully crafted crystals, sparkled in rainbow hues under the sunlight.

The floor was made of a smooth, translucent glass like ice, reflecting my image perfectly.

A huge chandelier hung from the ceiling, its size dozens of times larger than my body.

Wow… is this really the place where I’m going to live?

To think they actually followed through on the bizarre requests that came out when my ‘Nobility’ trait activated!

They even all shouted in unison, “We welcome the glorious descent of the great Lady Frostia!” just a moment ago!

It was honestly a bit ridiculous…

But I’ll get used to it, right?

Honestly, I was just spouting nonsense because of the Nobility trait back then, I never thought it would actually become a reality.

In a way, I guess I have the Nobility trait to thank for creating such an amazing lair…

But I was supposed to get rid of the Nobility trait…

I’d forgotten about it since it hadn’t activated in a while.

I have to talk to Lord Nis about it today.

Flap, flap!

Miel flew over my head and was staring in wonder at her reflection on the crystal wall.

Her blue wings, reflected in the crystal, looked even more brilliant.

“How does it look?”

I tried to imitate Miel’s way of speaking.

She then plucked a strand of my hair and wrote in the air.

– Why are you copying my speech? But this place is gorgeous. FR

“I’m good at this way of talking too. I’m going to speak like this from now on.”

I’ve been using it for much longer than you!

Don’t you dare underestimate my internet experience!

Miel started writing again with a rough flap of her wings.

《It doesn’t suit you at all!》

“Yeah, no. I’m better at it than you~”

Flap, flap!

Flap, flap!

Anyone could see that Miel was annoyed.

She was spinning around in the air in a fit of rage in her small body.

Keke!

Did I finally win an argument against Miel!

“But where did Rote go?”

Then it suddenly occurred to me that Rote, who usually lingered around me, was nowhere to be seen.

I saw Cecilia riding around on Glasia, but Rote had been missing for a while.

– Lord Nis took him.

Miel, who had been pouting, kindly wrote the answer, but the content was a disaster.

Oh…

Such a tragedy happened while I was looking away for a moment!

What should I do!

As I was contemplating whether to go rescue Rote, I felt a presence behind me.

“Lico.”

Master!

When I turned around, Master was walking gracefully towards me.

And two maids were diligently scattering white flower petals behind her.

Ah, right.

I ordered that too.

The sight of the petals dancing in the air and settling on the floor was truly fantastical.

It was like snow was falling, or fairies were bestowing blessings.

But…

Umm…

I feel kind of bad for the flowers.

They’re all dying for this…

It’s a terrible massacre…

I should tell them not to do it later.

Or maybe they’d consider it an honor to be part of Master’s special effects?

A subtle dilemma arose between my camaraderie as a plant and my respect for my Master.

I’ll put it on hold for now!

“Master! Do you like my present?”

I clasped my hands together and looked at Master with expectant eyes.

My heart was pounding.

She had looked at me with moved eyes when we first arrived, but she hadn’t said anything directly.

Master smiled brightly and said.

“I love it, Lico.”

Wow!

That smile from Master… I don’t think I’ve ever seen a smile that so clearly expressed such joy and happiness.

Unlike her usual cold smile, she was now genuinely happy, like a child.

My heart felt full.

Seeing Master so happy made all the hardship seem worthwhile.

Hmm… did I even go through any hardship…?

Anyway, I’m happy!

“How did you prepare all this?”

Master asked with eyes full of curiosity.

“Well… the knights who invaded when I was in Sia Kalt were from this kingdom. So I was going to destroy the kingdom as revenge… but I changed it to making a lair for you, Master!”

I said proudly.

That was a really great idea!

“To use humans like this without killing them, you are truly clever.”

Master said in admiration, stroking my head.

Hehe!

Master’s cold hand moved gently on my head.

Just that single touch sent a thrill through my whole body.

Master’s touch is the best!

Just then, I saw the maids who were making the flower path, their faces pale.

Was it because I said I was going to destroy the kingdom?

That was a bit of an exaggeration…

I never really intended to destroy it!

But looking closer, one of the maids was incredibly pretty.

She looked younger than Leivi, with long black hair, large blue eyes, and seemingly very good proportions, just like a child actress.

Her skin was white and clear, like a porcelain doll.

It felt like she was the only one among the servants who had received the protagonist’s special treatment.

She must have been very popular.

A definite ‘inssa’ type.

(TL Note: ‘Inssa’ is Korean slang for an insider or popular person.)

“Maid!”

I shouted towards the pretty maid.

“Y-Yes!”

The maid answered, startled.

Her voice was clear and pretty too.

“Where is Master’s room?”

“Ah, I will guide you!”

We followed the maid up to the third floor.

The stairs were also made of glass, so our footsteps echoed.

Beautiful carvings were engraved on the walls, and crystal decorations sparkled here and there.

When we reached the third floor, a huge door appeared right in front of us.

The silver door was engraved with intricate patterns, and the doorknob was also made of crystal.

The moment the door opened…

“Wow!”

A splendid room of incredible scale unfolded before my eyes.

It was too large to be called a room, almost the size of a banquet hall.

The ceiling was very high, and the view outside was visible at a glance through the huge windows.

The bed…

Wow, the size of the bed seemed to be half the size of my room in my past life.

A canopy decorated with silver fabric was draped over the bed, and the bedsheets also seemed to be made of silk.

“Hoh… the humans’ skills have developed surprisingly.”

Master said in admiration, looking around the room.

Just then, another maid stepped forward and said.

“My name is Clara. I will be in charge of all matters concerning Lady Frostia’s convenience.”

Clara was a woman with blonde hair and a calm impression.

She looked to be just over the age of an adult, and her polite attitude was impressive.

Oho!

Then is the pretty one mine!

I looked at the black-haired maid with expectant eyes.

“Then are you my exclusive maid?”

“Yes! I am Iris, Lady Licorice’s exclusive maid!”

Oops!

Not my personal maid, but my assigned maid!

Iris bowed deeply.

But her voice seemed to be trembling slightly.

Well, she looks young, so she might not be used to it.

Iris…

And I like that her name is similar to mine!

Licorice, Iris.

It has a nice ring to it!

“Lady Licorice, shall I guide you to your room?”

My room?

I was planning to stick to Master’s room…

Well, since they made one, I guess I should see it?

“Yeah! Let’s go!”

“Yes! I will guide you right away!”

As we walked down the hallway, it was filled with decorations that perfectly suited my taste.

Red flower patterns, silver borders, and crystals…

“This is Lady Licorice’s room.”

When Iris opened the door, my jaw dropped.

“Wow!”

It was a room full of white and red.

Red flowers shaped like roses were blooming all over the room, and numerous crystals decorated the walls and ceiling.

The bed was made of red silk, with white lace draped over it.

The windows were also huge, offering a panoramic view of the garden outside.

The garden was in full bloom with white flowers, and crystal-clear water gushed from the fountain.

This is so my style!

“How did they know my taste…?”

I muttered without realizing it.

Is it that looks and tastes are the same…!

“Lico, this room seems to suit you very well.”

Master also said with a satisfied expression.

Heehee!

Master thinks so too!

But what should I do…

Should I move into Master’s room…

Or should I invite Master to my room…

Both are romantic…

It was then.

Knock, knock, knock!

I heard a tapping sound from the window.

When I turned my head, a small shadow was waving at me from outside the window.

“Ma~!!”

Judging by the shape of her mouth, she seemed to be saying something earnestly, but I couldn’t hear her because of the window.

“Cecilia!”

When I called out happily, Iris quickly took the hint and opened the large window wide.

A strong gust of wind swept into the room.

The petals and curtains in the room fluttered as Glasia flapped its wings and entered the room.

“Heheng! I was wooking for Mommy!”

Cecilia, who was sitting on Glasia’s back, shouted with a bright smile.

She was still wearing the black cloak I gave her, and she looked so cute.

“Cecilia! Where have you been?”

I opened my arms to welcome Cecilia.

Cecilia jumped off Glasia and ran into my arms.

“Mommy! I missed you!”

“I missed you too! This is Mommy’s room!”

I said, hugging Cecilia tightly.

Her small, warm body snuggled into my arms, making my heart feel cozy.

Cecilia’s unique sweet scent tickled my nose.

Flap, flap!

Miel also flew around, happy to see Cecilia.

Then she started writing by plucking a strand of Iris’s hair.

Iris seemed flustered at having her hair suddenly plucked, but she quickly regained her composure.

Oh…

A pro maid…?

– The legendary mount and its owner, Ceci!

“Miel unni!”

Cecilia waved at Miel.

Then she took my hand and started looking around the room.

Her flame-like eyes were full of curiosity.

“Wow! This is pwetty too! That’s pwetty too!”

Cecilia exclaimed, pointing at various things.

She marveled at the crystal decorations, saying, “Sparkle, sparkle!”, the red flowers, “The fwowers are pwetty too!”, and the bed, “Fluffy, fluffy!”

She was so cute it made my stomach hurt.

Cecilia’s pure joy seemed to brighten the entire room.

Master was also watching the scene with a pleased smile.

It was a truly warm gaze.

Just then, as if sensing Master’s gaze, Cecilia turned her head.

“Grandma! Don’t you have a room, Grandma?”

Cecilia asked with sparkling eyes.

Her expression was full of pure curiosity.

“Follow me.”

Master said gently and headed towards the door.

At that moment, Clara and Iris’s faces stiffened simultaneously.

They looked at each other with expressions that said, “Grandma…?”, flustered.

Oh dear…

Where did the spirit of a pro maid go…

But a dragon grandmother, a flower mother, a butterfly daughter…

It’s a messed-up family tree, to be sure…

Thinking it was understandable to forget the spirit of a pro maid, I followed Master out into the hallway.

Cecilia followed in the air, riding Glasia, and Miel flew along as well.

When we arrived at Master’s room again, Cecilia’s eyes grew even wider.

“Woooooow! Grandma’s room is super pwetty too!”

Cecilia exclaimed in admiration.

She pointed at various things in the splendid silver-decorated room, delighted.

She looked just like a child visiting a museum for the first time.

But an excited Cecilia gripped Glasia’s antennae tightly.

Glasia let out a small whimper and made a pained expression.

The antennae are a sensitive area…

Go, Glasia!

They say that even weaknesses become strong if you train them!

That’s how Muay Thai fighters train!

I sent a small cheer to Glasia in my heart.

She had to endure it so as not to disturb Cecilia’s joy.

“This is super pwetty too! Mommy, are we going to live here?”

“Yep! Both here and Sia Kalt are our homes!”

Cecilia got even more excited and shook Glasia’s antennae.

Glasia’s expression grew increasingly desperate.

Just then, there was a polite knock on the room door.

“May I come in?”

The voice from beyond the door was that of an elderly man.

But somehow… there was a certain dignity to it that was different from the other servants.

“Come in!”

When I spoke, the door opened carefully.

It was the white-haired old man who had been in the center of the servants when we first arrived.

He was dressed neatly in a black tuxedo and wore white gloves.

He looked old, but his back was straight, and his gaze was sharp yet gentle.

This is just like the old butler who hides immense power in games or novels!

Could you be one too!?

“It is a pleasure to meet you for the first time. My name is Walter, and I am the butler of this establishment.”

Walter bowed deeply.

But the strange thing was, he showed no sign of trembling even when facing Master up close.

Even Clara and Iris had shown signs of nervousness…

Is he really a hidden master…!

“I have prepared a meal. Shall I guide you?”

At Walter’s words, my stomach suddenly rumbled.

Oops!

Now that I think about it, I haven’t eaten anything since I left the old, sick land.