Chapter 108
After waiting blankly alone in front of the door for a moment, the closed door opened and a voice rang out from inside.
“Y-you may come in.”
Her behavior, as if intentionally hiding herself, felt a bit strange, but Franz didn’t pay it much mind and took a step forward.
But who could have expected that Hera would be preparing something like this.
At least, Franz had absolutely no idea.
“W-welcome. Master…”
Hera bowed her head, gathering her hands neatly together as if she had become a servant.
Furthermore, around her neck was the leash they had seen together in the North. She had said she liked it, but she had actually put it on.
Seeing her flushed red ears poking out through her hair, it seemed she was quite embarrassed.
'If you’re embarrassed, then don’t do it…!'
Franz couldn’t help but be flustered by her behavior. She usually talked about being a slave and such, often bringing it up, but this was the first time she had actually acted on it.
He already knew she was serious, but actually facing it felt entirely different.
Did those feelings perhaps show on his face?
“Is it perhaps strange…?”
Hera asked, sounding anxious.
At that, Franz fell into confusion once again.
If asked whether Hera’s appearance wearing a leash was strange, it wasn’t. If you just removed the leash part, it was practically no different from wearing a choker.
People of this world might think otherwise, but Franz, who had lived in the 21st century, could accept a choker as a passable accessory.
But he couldn’t bring himself to say that out loud. He couldn’t exactly praise his friend’s appearance wearing a leash, saying it looked fine.
He wasn’t a pervert, so how could he say something like that?
But to say it was strange…
'Hera would definitely be disappointed.'
Even when buying the leash, hadn’t she asked him about every little detail to make sure it was to his liking?
On top of that, she had braved enough embarrassment to do this, making her ears flush red, so she would surely feel an equally great sense of disappointment.
Ultimately, Franz had to make a decision. Silence could be interpreted in a negative way.
After a brief moment of contemplation, Franz opened his mouth.
“…It’s fine. It’s not strange.”
“Really?!”
Hera’s eyes widened as she strode over to Franz.
Franz was a bit flustered by her behavior, but he maintained his composure as much as possible and answered.
“Yeah, really.”
“What a relief…”
Wearing a faint smile, Hera brought a hand to her chest and let out a sigh of relief.
Even though Franz, who had actually said it, was shuddering from the awkwardness.
Well, still, seeing her rejoice didn’t make him feel too bad.
“Ah, right. This is no time for this. Master, would you like some tea?”
“I’ll drink it if you give me some. But isn’t the leash uncomfortable?”
“Hmm-, it certainly would be uncomfortable to move around with the leash hanging down.”
Hera seemed to ponder for a moment, then detached the long, hanging leash. With that, only a choker with gold embroidery on a black background remained around her neck.
So that was detachable…
While marveling at the leash, Franz thought that his aversion lessened now that the strap was gone. Now it really just felt like an accessory.
“Then sit and wait. I will bring you some tea right away.”
Hera said that and headed somewhere.
Franz watched her back and sat down on a chair. It was the chair he had once thought was quite comfortable.
Anyway, was she planning to call him Master until the very end? It was awkward, or rather, it made him feel needlessly sheepish every time he heard it, which was troubling.
Well, this too was a problem that time would solve. He had absolutely no desire to get used to it, but if Hera insisted on doing it, it couldn’t be helped.
While Franz was lost in his thoughts, Hera returned carrying a teapot and teacups.
A teacup was placed in front of Franz, and it was filled with steaming tea.
If there was a problem, it was that Hera was standing next to him instead of sitting in a chair.
She was truly acting exactly like a servant.
“Hera, sit down so we can talk.”
“Understood.”
Ultimately, it was only after Franz spoke up that Hera took a seat.
Taking a light sip of his tea, Franz set down his teacup and spoke.
“It’s a bit sudden, but there’s going to be a banquet in the imperial capital tomorrow. I suppose you could call it a celebration for me becoming a duke…”
Franz continued speaking while fiddling with his innocent teacup. It was because saying things like duke with his own mouth was quite embarrassing. He was also worried it might sound like he was needlessly bragging.
“Well, anyway, you can come to the banquet if you’re okay with it. But you need to think carefully. There will definitely be a lot of humans you don’t know gathered there.”
Just as Franz was about to finish speaking, he suddenly remembered the fact that Hera was calling herself a slave and hurriedly added.
“I’m absolutely not forcing you. Just think about it comfortably.”
It was strictly an invitation. He refused to let it be misunderstood as an order.
Hera didn’t return an answer and maintained her silence. Since he said a lot of unknown humans would be gathering, it seemed she was hesitating.
Franz didn’t say anything and waited while sipping his tea. It was because he fully understood her feelings.
After a brief moment passed like that, Hera’s tightly closed mouth opened.
“What does Master want me to do? I want to hear your honest feelings.”
What did he want her to do…?
'Why are you asking me that.'
Franz was truly flustered by the question that came back at him. But since she had asked so seriously, he began to think about it seriously.
Fortunately, it didn’t take very long to reach a conclusion.
Franz said.
“I’d like you to come.”
Even if they were nobles coming to the banquet, most of them were people he wasn’t very close to. Even if they conversed, it would only be awkward. In the midst of that, he figured it would be a little better if there was even one more close person around.
And above all, he couldn’t leave Hera out when the entire hero’s party was gathering.
He was worried he might be making her needlessly uncomfortable, but wasn’t she the one who gave him the choice? She must have been prepared to endure it to some extent.
“If Master wishes for that, I will simply follow it.”
Hera said that and smiled. Fortunately, it seemed she didn’t entirely dislike the idea of coming to the banquet.
However, that was only for a moment; soon after, her expression became colored with worry.
“But you see. If it’s a banquet, doesn’t everyone dress up to go?”
“Well, probably?”
It was a banquet hosted by none other than the Emperor. Everyone would go all out, dressing up to the nines.
“Then what should I do…? human clothes, or makeup… To be honest, I don’t really know about them.”
The attire of elves is different from that of humans. And they tend not to wear makeup unless there’s a special occasion.
It was only after hearing it from Hera that Franz realized there was such a problem.
But it was fine.
“Then let’s go to the Magic Tower together. I’ll take care of everything, clothes and makeup.”
Weren’t connections and money meant to be used at times like this?
For Franz, who had everything, it was merely a trivial problem.
“Then I will get ready right away.”
“Take your time. I’ll wait while drinking tea.”
Hera stood up from her seat, and Franz leisurely enjoyed his tea.
As expected of an elf, perhaps? The taste and aroma of the tea were excellent. To the point where he wanted to get some next time he had the chance.
Eventually, when Hera appeared carrying a small bag, Franz tossed the remaining tea into his mouth in one gulp and stood up.
“Are you all ready?”
“I’m all done.”
“Then let’s go.”
The two immediately slipped out of the house and headed to where Arian and Yustia were waiting.
It wasn’t long before their figures began to come into view. The children must have already gone back, as the two were sitting side by side on a tree stump, having a conversation.
He wondered if they were perhaps fighting, but looking at their expressions, that didn’t seem to be the case. Maybe they had gotten closer while playing with the children together.
Soon, as they faced them, Hera spoke.
“It’s nice to see you both. I heard you played with the children, but I’m sorry for making you go through the trouble.”
“Ahaha… It’s fine…”
“Yes, of course…”
Arian and Yustia avoided Hera’s gaze and smiled sheepishly.
In truth, the time Arian and Yustia had spent playing with the children wasn’t very long. The children had left, saying it was no fun playing with the older sisters.
Of course, Hera and Franz, who had no way of knowing that fact, were merely puzzled.
'Well, it’s probably nothing.'
Franz thought that and spoke.
“Arian, do you happen to know anyone who’s good with makeup and dresses?”
“Why do you ask?”
“I’m going to get Hera dressed up a bit before attending the banquet.”
At Franz’s words, Arian felt a deep anger. It was because she was helping a romantic rival, of all people.
But thinking about it on the other hand, it also meant he trusted her that much, so she didn’t feel entirely bad about it.
“I’ll take care of it.”
In the end, Arian had no choice but to yield again today.
Well, what could she do? The one who loves more is the fool.
“Then let’s head back.”
Franz said that and snapped his fingers.
A magic circle was drawn on the ground, and everyone’s figures disappeared from the Great Forest.