It Seems That the Slave Girl Is Actually a Count's Daughter. - Episode 36: Currently in the Middle of a Purge

Episode 36: Currently in the Middle of a Purge

After getting out of the bath, we returned to the town inn before our bodies cooled down. I had left the room light on. And since we came back without taking much time, the guards shouldn’t have noticed that we were gone.

I immediately used detection magic to check the surroundings. I had already set up a barrier just in case, but there’s no harm in being extra cautious.

Alright. No enemy presence around. No particular changes with the guards. Since an engaged couple is alone together in a room, they probably wouldn’t intrude. It’d be the worst if they barged in while we were having fun.

“Pamela, did you sleep well last night?”

I thought she was fine, but I asked just in case. I thought she looked like she was sleeping comfortably. But that might just be my assumption.

“Being able to feel El-sama’s body warmth right beside me, I was able to sleep comfortably.”

Pamela’s cheeks turned red as she looked down. Her adorable reaction made my stomach squirm. How much longer can I endure this, really…?

“I-I see. Then, shall we sleep together again tonight?”

“Of course. I’d love to.”

Though she seemed embarrassed, she hugged me with a happy voice. Shiro cheered us on with a “woo woo.” What a spectator. Meanwhile, Orto glared sharply at us.

It was a stance of “I won’t allow Master to be defiled.” But you’ll forgive us once we’re married, right? Right?

Just like last night, we snuggled up close and fell asleep. But I wonder why. We should be using the same soap, and yet, Pamela smells really nice. It feels like the scent is coming from her body. Mysterious.

—

The next morning. 

I woke up feeling refreshed. At that moment, I realized something. The reason I used to be weak in the mornings was probably because I hadn’t been sleeping well. Hugging Pamela like a body pillow resolved that. This was an unexpected discovery.

I gently stroked Pamela’s cheek as she breathed rhythmically beside me. The smooth texture like porcelain, mixed with a springy softness.

As I was enjoying it alone, Pamela snuggled her face into my hand.

“El-sama… I wuv you…”

“……”

I felt my heart thump loudly. It was still racing. I slid the hand I had been stroking her with around her waist. Having nowhere else to go, Pamela began rubbing her face against my chest this time.

Ahh, what do I do. I don’t think I can stop. I don’t think I can hold back this emotion rising from deep inside me.

Just as my hand reached for the belt of Pamela’s bathrobe, a voice came from beside the bed.

“Good morning. Are you awake?”

A low, cold, threatening voice that crawled along the floor. It was Orto. That voice snapped me back to reality. And I got out of bed before making a bigger mistake. If I had stayed lying there with her, it would have been really bad.

To cool down the heat inside me, I sat down on the chair by the table. The chair let out a small creak.

“We were *so* close. Why does Orto always interrupt?”

“Because that’s my job.”

“Hmm? But my job is to get Master and Pamela together, you know~”

Shiro and Orto quietly argued so as not to wake Pamela. Thanks to the two of them, my head finally started thinking properly again.

There was still time before Pamela would wake up. During that time, I looked for any new information.

Oh, a message from Mother. To contact me this early in the morning, it must be either something really urgent or she’s so busy with official duties that this was the only time she could reach me.

“Good morning, Mother. Any developments?”

“Yes, that’s right. I have something to tell you about that. But before that—did you make any progress with Pamela? I worry because you’re so shy.”

I thought, “That’s none of your business,” but I still listened briefly. I had time, but she probably didn’t. She’d soon be getting dressed and having one of those stiff, formal meals. Just thinking about it is exhausting.

To summarize Mother’s report: the loss of an item used to control monsters has been confirmed. It had been switched with a well-made fake. The culprit has already been identified—and executed. As expected, no mercy.

They say they’re currently in the middle of a purge, having captured accomplices one after another like pulling on a vine. They’ve also confirmed that the item was brought into this country. And they said it won’t be long before they find out whose hands it’s currently in. Until then, we should remain alert—so they said.

After finishing the communication, as I nodded thinking, “I knew it,” it seemed Pamela had woken up. Pamela’s eyes still weren’t fully open. She tottered her way over to me. A sleepy Pamela like this—how rare.

As I watched, wondering what she was trying to do, she simply flopped right into me with a soft *plop*. Then she began rubbing her soft body against me.

Yep, she’s totally still half-asleep. I should wake her up quickly—this isn’t good. Her chest was becoming more and more exposed, both shoulders now visible. And it looked like the tips were about to peek out at any moment.

“Pamela, Pamela! It’s morning. Wake up.”

If I shook her, something might fall out. Thinking that, I hugged her tightly to restrain her from moving. I shouted into her ear.

“Hmm—?” 

She said, and then her eyes started to focus. Pamela’s face turned red. It was as if it had been lit by the morning sun.

“G-Good morning, El-sama. I-I seem to have still been half-asleep…”

She quickly adjusted her chest area. Hmm… was that a missed opportunity?

“Good morning, Pamela. Could it be… you didn’t sleep well last night?”

“Eh? N-No, that’s not the case at all.”

Pamela turned her eyes away with a *pui*. Something definitely happened. No doubt about it. But if I push her on it, I might stir up something I shouldn’t. I’ll pretend I didn’t notice.

“I see. Well, it’s a bit early, but let’s get changed and have breakfast. Today’s going to be a big day.”

“Y-Yes!”

The possibility that the enemy is using the item to control monsters had risen significantly. If they use that item, even commanding a Red Dragon should be possible. We absolutely must retrieve such a dangerous item.

It was originally something that belonged to our country. We have to settle this quickly before it becomes an international issue. For that reason, today’s actions carry great significance.

Of course, we must recover the item—but we also need to identify who currently possesses it. The mastermind has already appeared in public. But the lower ranks haven’t been exposed. The one meddling with Pamela and her household is probably them. We can’t allow that.

As I looked at Pamela with determination, our eyes met while she was in the middle of changing clothes. I hurriedly averted my gaze. White underwear today, huh? And yet again, she’s wearing even more see-through underwear, I see.