episode_0025

“Damn it, damn it!”

A woman trudged through the heavy snowfall, muttering curses under her breath.

Despite the vulgar words leaving her lips, her stunning beauty drew unwanted gazes.

Skin as white and flawless as jade, striking blue eyes, and an elegant figure—especially the generous curves of her chest and hips, which made it impossible to look away. Even her demeanor had grown slightly more feminine.

This was Arina, forced to run errands in this humiliating getup as punishment for losing a ridiculous bet to Lirit about “ladylike conduct.”

“Excuse me.”

Arina stopped in front of a store and called out to the clerk. A man organizing inventory turned—and froze, unable to tear his eyes away.

Though she was used to this by now, Arina reflexively covered her chest in feigned modesty.

The head maid was watching from a distance, and if she were caught acting “unladylike,” she had no idea what additional punishment awaited her.

If they didn’t want me exposed, they shouldn’t have given me this damn outfit.

Her complaints stayed locked in her mind.

Even Arina, who despised misogyny, had no choice but to submit under the threat of violence. True strength lay in restraint—those who could wield power easily refrained from oppressing the weak.

“Do you have any firewood left in stock?”

Isn’t that pile of junk in the corner all firewood?

Normally, she’d have bluntly said, Just hand me whatever’s over there. But this forced “ladylike” speech was unbearably awkward.

The man, still dazed, didn’t respond.

“Excuse me?”

“Ah, y-yes! Firewood, right? Why don’t you come inside and take a look? We’ve got different kinds.”

Clearly wanting to keep her around longer, the man tried to usher her into the store.

“Any kind is fine. Just give me whatever.”

“Aw, c’mon, just take a quick look. Even if they seem the same, there’s a big difference between types. Let me explain—”

Annoying type.

Arina slowly lowered the hand covering her chest.

The man’s face lit up with anticipation—then immediately paled.

The slave brand hidden beneath her hand was now exposed—the crest of the Hight family.

Arina smiled softly. A lady never lost her temper. Even warnings were delivered with grace and gentleness.

“Could you hurry up and bring it to me?”

Hight Trading Company’s Temporary Residence – Garden

“Grrraaah!”

Fwoosh!

A massive surge of magical energy shot skyward, piercing through the clouds.

For a brief moment, the snowfall ceased, and warm sunlight broke through.

Arina was in the worst mood possible.

First, she was forced into absurd etiquette lessons. Then, every man she met hit on her.

“Calm down. Isn’t it natural for a woman to act feminine and attract men?”

“You know that’s not the issue, right?”

“Yeah, yeah, I know. You used to be a man. But the fact remains—you’re a woman now.”

She knew. She just didn’t want to know.

Dressing up like this and stepping outside made the reality sink in all too viscerally, and it pissed her off.

“This is exactly why I hated the idea of dressing up.”

“It’s just until tomorrow, right? Once we pass the checkpoint, you won’t have to do this anymore. Why not try enjoying life as a woman for a bit?”

Arina didn’t glare murderously as usual. Instead, she pressed her lips together and turned away, sulking.

She wasn’t that angry—just grumbling.

But if her master was going to complain, the least Lirit could do was play along. Was it so hard to match the mood?

Whatever. No one here gets it anyway.

Just as she was stewing in frustration, a man appeared at the edge of her vision.

He whistled as he approached the two.

“Two pretty girls, huh?”

Again?

His face was unfamiliar—definitely not an employee. At best, a guest.

“We’re busy. Leave.”

“Oho. Bold for a slave. You don’t know who I am, even with that brand?”

The man smirked, pointing at Arina’s slave crest.

Snap.

Lirit could practically hear the sound of Arina’s patience snapping.

Sure enough, Arina’s eyes burned with fury.

That smug face, that condescending attitude—he reminds me of that bastard.

“Who the hell are you? Why should I care?”

“Hah! Funny! A pet cat that doesn’t recognize its own master. Isn’t that right, Father?”

The man turned toward a hulking middle-aged figure who stood behind him—a stark contrast to his own lean frame.

The man’s rugged build and intimidating face reminded her of someone else.

“Father! Dennis!”

Another giant came rushing over.

Yep. Spitting image of that guy. Daniel Hight.

Father? Then this bastard is… his brother?

The man called Dennis was slender compared to the other two.

“Bro, listen—you know what this slave bitch just said to me?”

If Daniel’s here, this ends now.

Arina waited for him to explain the situation.

“My apologies. This one comes from a fallen noble family—still has too much pride. Forgive her just this once.”

What the hell is this nonsense?

Arina stared at Daniel, betrayal written all over her face.

Daniel desperately signaled with his eyes: Just play along.

“If you say so, bro. But a fallen noble, huh? Not bad. Mind if I take her for myself? She was prepared for me and Father anyway, right?”

Dennis—and even the so-called “father”—seemed eager to have the two women serve them at night.

“No. You can’t.”

This time, Daniel refused outright.

“What? Why?”

Daniel’s preference for men was a secret to outsiders, but his family knew.

All female slaves in the Hight household belonged to either his father or brother. Dennis frowned, unable to comprehend the refusal.

There was only one excuse he could make here.

Daniel grabbed Arina and Lirit by the shoulders and pulled them close.

“Because these two are my women.”

“Hah? Yours? Since when did your tastes change?”

“How could any man resist such beauty? It just… happened. So keep your hands off.”

Dennis eyed the two women and Daniel suspiciously.

“Bro. You’re not just protecting them, are you?”

“Don’t be absurd. Drop it.”

Daniel’s weak deflection only deepened Dennis’s suspicion.

Just as Dennis was about to press further, the silent father finally spoke.

“Good. It’s about time you grew up. A man must sire heirs. One less thing to worry about. Now quit fooling around with men.”

“Haha. Of course. No need to worry.”

“Father, you really believe him?”

“Should I not trust my own eyes? Has Daniel ever taken a female slave before?”

With even his father siding with Daniel, Dennis had no choice but to back down.

Grumbling, he stepped right up to Arina, looking down at her like she was dirt.

“Fine. But at least apologize. You didn’t know who I was, but you do now, don’t you?”

Arina met his glare with her own.

A silent battle of stares ensued.

“Arina.”

Daniel called her name in a stern tone, subtly massaging her shoulder as if to soothe her.

Reluctantly, Arina averted her eyes.

“I didn’t realize you were my master’s brother. My apologies.”

Her tone was flat, devoid of any real remorse.

Everyone knew it, but the highest authority present wanted the matter settled, so it was forcibly dropped.

Dennis glared at Arina one last time before leaving.

“You’re completely on his shit list now. Your temper’s the problem. If you’d just held back a little—”

Thwack!

A large bump instantly formed on Lirit’s head.

No explanation needed.

No—your big mouth’s the problem.

“This farce ends tomorrow. Next time I see that pretty boy, I’ll rearrange his face so even his parents won’t recognize him.”

“Heh… I’ll be sure to warn my brother to stay out of your sight.”

“So why did those two show up right before we leave?”

One conversation with Dennis was enough to understand why they had to keep up the slave act in front of the family.

Daniel was the exception. Any normal person who learned Arina was Riel Frost would report her immediately.

Daniel could silence his subordinates, but not his father or brother.

“Father had business in the Empire. He said it’d be easier to travel with the company.”

A maid soon approached cautiously.

“Young Master, dinner is ready.”

Arina was summoned to the meal—likely because the earlier incident had left an impression on Duke Hight.

Thus, she endured an awkward dinner sandwiched between the three men.

“Your name is Arina, correct? A fallen noble?”

The Duke spoke only to her, clearly intrigued.

“Yes.”

“What do you think of Daniel? I know slaves rarely hold their masters in high regard, but I’d still like to hear your thoughts.”

Though not as progressive as Daniel, the Duke was decent for his time.

He never abused slaves or forced himself on them, though he did expect them to fulfill their roles.

As long as they did, he was satisfied. He didn’t demand loyalty.

Compared to nobles who tormented slaves while demanding absolute devotion, the Duke was far from the worst master.

“Not at all. My master has treated this mere slave with great kindness. I’m grateful.”

Her monotone delivery didn’t sound sincere, but it oddly fit the “proud fallen noble turned slave” act.

“Hmm. Troublesome, then. I’d hate for my future daughter-in-law to resent me.”

“Daughter-in-law?”

Arina’s face stiffened.

Daniel hastily intervened.

“Father, what are you saying? She’s a slave! How can you suddenly call her your daughter-in-law?”

“She’s the first one you’ve ever taken a liking to, isn’t she? Your attitude makes it obvious you favor her. If not her, who else would you marry?”

How far is this old man going to take his delusions?

Arina forced a polite refusal.

“But I’m just a lowly slave. How could I dare aspire to be the lady of House Hight?”

“You’re from a noble family, even if it’s fallen. There’s no issue.”

Damn. The “fallen noble” backfired.

Arina didn’t argue further. No point. This would all be over tomorrow.

The uncomfortable dinner soon ended.

As they left, the Duke’s final words were the worst.

“Are the two of you using separate rooms?”

With that, they were forced to share.

“Daniel. Sorry, but if we meet again, I might have to disrespect your father.”

“…I’ll be extra careful.”

The two stood back-to-back, refusing to look at each other.

Daniel’s bed was large, but so was he. Two people meant inevitable contact, and it was agonizing.

Sharing a bed with a man put her instincts on high alert, making sleep impossible.

Hours passed. Late into the night, Arina still hadn’t slept.

Then—a rough, calloused hand touched her waist.

She flinched.

“Hey. Move your hand.”

No response. No retreat.

Instead, the hand stroked her waist.

Furious, she flipped over.

“Hey!”

Grrr…

A low, beast-like growl. Closed eyes. The hand didn’t stop.

“Daniel. Are you asleep?”

How the hell is he sleeping right now?

Annoyed, she glared—only for the rough hand to yank her closer.

“Let go, you bastard!”

She pounded his back, but his massive frame didn’t budge.

Instead, he hugged her like a stuffed animal, rolling over and nearly crushing her.

Dizzy and furious, Arina finally snapped.

“You fucking—! You are awake! You’re not even gay, are you? You bastard!”

His muscular body radiated heat. Stifling. Sweat dripped down her skin.

Pinned and manhandled, her mind grew hazy.

She’d had enough.

“Get—off—!”

She gathered magic in her palm and exploded it outward, launching Daniel straight into the wall.

The impact jolted him awake.

“Guh—! Wha—? Sis, what happened?!”

Daniel’s eyes widened at the sight of Arina.

Moonlight revealed her flushed face, disheveled hair, sweat-drenched body, and nearly torn clothes.

To an outsider, it’d look like she’d been assaulted.

For some reason, the sight stirred something in him, and he quickly looked away.

His shock was understandable, but—

“You’re asking me?”

Fists flew.

This time, Arina didn’t hold back.

A magically enhanced punch smashed into Daniel’s head.

She didn’t stop until he was battered beyond recognition. Only then did he hear the full story.

“I’m so sorry…”

He should’ve protested—he’d been asleep, after all.

But his immediate groveling made it hard to stay mad.

Still seething, Arina straightened her clothes and headed for the door.

“Where are you going?” Daniel asked, worried.

It was still the middle of the night.

Arina pointed at her sweat-soaked face and clothes and yelled:

“The bathroom!”