It Seems That the Slave Girl Is Actually a Count's Daughter. - Episode 22: The Ribbon

Episode 22: The Ribbon 

Today was truly a day of great achievements. 

Pamela successfully summoned her familiar. And as planned, we made arrangements for her to ride it for travel. 

Tomorrow, after picking up the collar belt, we’ll practice riding. Once that’s done, I can finally resume my adventurer work. 

I haven’t told Pamela, but I’ve received a few requests. They were all monster extermination jobs. So I had declined them. They were tasks that someone else could handle. Even if they were easy, I was still a bit uneasy about bringing Pamela along. 

But now that she can ride Fenrir, that concern is gone. I can bring her along. 

Fenrir isn’t just for transportation—it’s a powerful attacker as well. Its offensive abilities are remarkable. As expected of a high-tier summon. It’s the real deal. 

Most summoned beasts are specialized in either transportation or attack. But Fenrir is a high-tier summon. It excels in both. It’s an incredibly valuable companion. The fact that Pamela managed to summon one was pure luck. 

Tomorrow, I’d like to test its attack power right away. Once that’s confirmed, there’ll be nothing left to worry about. 

Back home, I went through the usual routine—preparing dinner and taking a bath. Another ordinary day. I had gotten used to it by now, and Pamela had also learned to properly wrap herself in a towel. No complaints here. I felt more at ease. 

…Wait. Isn’t this just like a newlywed life?! 

And an extremely lovey-dovey one at that—something even noble couples wouldn’t experience. Nobles rarely bathe alone. A servant always accompanies them. That would completely ruin the mood for any intimate moments. 

After finishing my bath, all that was left was to sleep. Up until now, I had been studying summoning magic until midnight. But now that we had successfully summoned Fenrir, there was no need to continue. 

What should I do? Maybe study other forms of magic? But that’s not really fun… 

As I sat on the sofa thinking, Pamela scooted closer to me. Her ample chest pressed against my arm. She was definitely doing that on purpose. 

“El-sama, may we continue our conversation from the slave trader’s shop?” 

She looked up at me with pleading eyes. She was shimmering like a quiet lakeside. I found myself captivated by her gaze. 

“El-sama?” 

“A-ah, sorry. Go ahead.” 

Relieved by my response, she gently pressed her face against my chest. 

“El-sama, I am not serving you just because I am a slave. I…” 

Her voice faltered. But I already knew what she wanted to say. There was no need to make her say it out loud. 

I pulled Pamela into a tight embrace. She hugged me back just as firmly. 

“Thank you, Pamela. You don’t have to say any more. I was a fool to doubt you.” 

Within my arms, Pamela shook her head vigorously, sniffling softly. 

Ah… I made her cry. I continued stroking her head until she calmed down. 

— 

By the time Pamela had stopped crying, it was already time to sleep. I led her to the bedroom. As I was preparing the bed, Pamela and Shiro left the room. 

Bathroom break? That’s a good habit before bed. But why did Shiro go too? Orto was here—she could’ve taken him instead. 

I glanced down at Orto, who was lying at my feet. He tilted his head as if to ask, “What’s wrong?” 

…..…Dogs are nice. Maybe next time, I should summon a dog-type familiar. Something loyal— 

—Creak. 

The door opened. 

That was odd. Pamela always knocked before entering. 

Puzzled, I turned toward the door— 

“P-Pamela, what are you wearing?!” 

I accidentally shouted in shock. Pamela flinched, trembling slightly. The thin ribbon wrapped around her shoulder nearly slipped off. And she hurried to hold it in place. 

She had wrapped herself in Shiro’s ribbon—the one we had bought earlier today. 

Judging from the situation, Shiro had probably helped. But, well, a cat’s paws aren’t exactly skilled for this kind of thing. The wrapping was loose—no, let me be honest. It was a mess! 

Important parts were already half-visible. 

I wanted to yell, “You two did this on purpose, didn’t you?!” 

No wonder it was falling apart with just a little movement.

“Umm… I thought El-sama might be pleased…” 

Pamela lowered her head in disappointment. No, no, Pamela, that’s not it. That’s not what I meant. 

“Pamela, I really appreciate your feelings. But… don’t you think this is a bit too stimulating?” 

I couldn’t exactly stare at her. Yet after what she had just said, I couldn’t reject her feelings either. How did things end up like this? 

“Shiro-chan said that doing this would make El-sama happy…” 

I turned to look at Shiro—but he was already gone. He had fled the scene. Seriously, Shiro? Meanwhile, Orto was at my feet. He was staring at me with sharp, judging eyes. 

“Well… I mean, he’s not wrong…” 

Hearing my response, Pamela let out a soft, warm smile—like sunlight filtering through spring leaves. Seeing that smile, I instinctively pulled her into an embrace. 

A nearly naked girl. 

“El-sama…” 

Pamela wrapped both arms around my back. That movement must have been the final trigger. The thin ribbon that had been barely covering her important parts slipped off completely. 

Pamela didn’t seem to notice. She was rubbing her face against my chest as if seeking comfort. 

…Screw it. I’ll just carry her to the bed like this. 

I reached around from behind and lifted Pamela’s thighs. But it seemed the ribbon covering her thighs and backside was tied in a bad spot. The fabric dug in— 

“Hyahhn!” 

Pamela let out a sweet gasp. She looked up at me, her ears burning red. 

I pretended not to hear it. 

Instead, I tossed Pamela onto the bed, threw a blanket over her at lightning speed, and turned off the lights. 

First, I needed to secure Pamela’s safety. 

This was bad. This was worse than bad. 

The way Pamela’s barely-covered body had been just within sight, the way my brain perfectly filled in the gaps in the darkness… 

Damn it, Shiro. He knows my weaknesses too well. 

As I writhed internally, trying to get my mind under control, Pamela scooted closer to me. 

This is bad. 

“Pamela… uh… that was… amazing.” 

My vocabulary! I could feel myself losing the ability to form coherent thoughts. My brain wasn’t functioning properly—Pamela had taken up all the space in it. I had turned off the lights because I didn’t know what kind of face to make at her anymore. 

“I’m happy…” 

The words came from right beside me, a soft whisper tinged with nervous tremors. Her breath, warm and uneven, brushed against my skin. 

In that moment— 

I instinctively cast [Sleeping Beauty] on Pamela. 

It was pure reflex. My reason wouldn’t have lasted a second longer otherwise. 

“I’m sorry, Pamela…” 

I whispered an apology to her softly sleeping form. 

I know. I’m a coward. 

But some things should only happen after a proper engagement. Even if no one else would ever find out. 

I couldn’t sleep at all until morning.