It Seems That the Slave Girl Is Actually a Count's Daughter. - Episode 8: Time for Bed

Episode 8: Time for Bed 

“Pamela, starting tomorrow, I plan to take on requests at the Adventurers’ Guild as usual. What do you want to do in the meantime?” 

“I will accompany you, El-sama.” 

I knew she’d say that. I was hoping she would stay at home. But then again, from a safety perspective, maybe it’s better if she stays with me. 

“…I see. In that case, Pamela, can you tell me what kind of magic you can use?” 

For a moment, Pamela’s face twisted slightly. Huh? Was it wrong to ask? I don’t think it’s something that needs to be kept secret, though. 

“I can use water-attribute magic.” 

“Anything else?” 

“No… nothing else.” 

Pamela drooped like a deflated balloon. But the “balloons” on her chest were still floating……..… No, no! Clear your mind! Stay focused! 

I see. So the reason she hesitated to answer was because she can only use water-attribute magic. Generally, people are said to be able to use three different magic attributes. 

“Are you sure about that?” 

“Yes. I had it tested. I have no aptitude for fire, wind, or earth magic.” 

Pamela looked even more dejected. She was losing confidence. 

I see. Now that I think about it, this continent mainly recognizes only four elemental attributes, including water. The magical knowledge here is really outdated. 

But if that’s the case, Pamela might have a chance. 

“I see. Then maybe you’re actually a user of higher-tier magic.” 

“Higher-tier magic?” 

Pamela looked at me blankly. She was surprised by my unexpected words. Her expression was so cute and amusing that I couldn’t help but chuckle. 

Seeing me laugh, Pamela immediately puffed out her cheeks in a pout. It resembled a sulking duck. 

“Sorry, sorry. I didn’t mean to offend you. You just looked so adorable that I couldn’t help it.” 

“A-A-Adorable!?” 

Pamela turned red and looked down. Her gaze seemed to drift toward her ch— No, stop! I won’t follow her line of sight any further. 

“You might not know this, Pamela, but aside from the four basic elements, there are also higher-tier attributes: lightning, ice, light, darkness, space, and summoning.” 

“This is my first time hearing about them. But isn’t ice magic just a part of the water attribute?” 

Pamela tilted her head slightly in curiosity. That gesture was adorable too. 

“It’s a common misconception. But just because someone can use water magic doesn’t mean they can use ice magic, right?” 

Her eyes widened in realization, and she covered her slightly open mouth with her hand. 

“T-That’s true! Then that means… I can use ice magic as well!” 

“I see. Since we’re at it, why don’t we test the rest of the higher-tier attributes tomorrow?” 

“Yes!” 

Pamela responded with excitement and happily clung to my left arm. She wrapped both of her thighs around it tightly. I felt something smooth against the back of my hand……………. Stay focused! Stay focused! I didn’t touch anything! …Wait, does she shave? Her skin was really smooth. 

After that, I let Pamela leave the bath first and took my time before getting out. I felt refreshed. 

Saying “let’s bathe together from now on” so casually may have been a mistake. But it’s too late to take it back now… I’m doomed. And this is all Shiro’s fault. No doubt about it. 

Feeling a little dizzy, I made my way to the living room. I needed water—looks like I got overheated. 

As soon as I arrived, Shiro quickly ran up to me. 

“Master, how was it? You can thank me, you know?” 

“Shiro…” 

“Oh, El-sama, here’s a cold drink for you.” 

Pamela handed me a chilled fruit juice. She must have used her ice magic to cool it down. Looks like she’s gained confidence in her magic. That’s great. And she’s pretty considerate too. 

Pamela was wearing a loose bathrobe. At first glance, it looked like she wasn’t wearing anything underneath… but she is, right? Right? 

“There’s a lot I want to try out tomorrow. And you must be tired too, Pamela. Let’s go to bed early tonight.”

“I understand. The bed is already prepared.” 

“Thank you, Pamela.” 

She even knows how to make the bed now? I feel kind of bad about this. I should try to help more… though, to be honest, I don’t really need the bed made. As long as I can sleep, it doesn’t matter. 

Pamela busily moved up to the second floor. Watching her go, Shiro jumped onto my shoulder. 

“Master, while Pamela was making the bed just now, she was sniffing the pillow like crazy. Is she………. okay?” 

“…Probably. Without anyone watching her, she might have lost a screw in her head.” 

“I’ll look for it later.” 

No, Shiro, that was just a figure of speech. There’s no actual screw lying around, okay? 

Even Shiro thought it was strange. That means Pamela might be in worse shape than I thought. No, I should have realized it earlier—like when she barged into the bathroom completely naked. 

When I reached the bedroom on the second floor, Pamela was already in bed, fully prepared. At least she hadn’t taken off her bathrobe. I tossed Shiro onto the bed, and he landed perfectly after three clean spins in midair. Impressive, as expected of a cat-like creature. 

The bed I use is a king-size. It was big enough for two adults to sleep comfortably. Shiro moved to his usual spot by my pillow and curled up. 

I turned on the bedside lamp. I then switched off the magic tool that had been illuminating the entire room from the ceiling. 

The dim light from the bedside lamp softly lit Pamela’s tense face. As I slid into bed beside her, she pressed her lips together and tightly shut her eyes. 

“Good night, Pamela.” 

Before she could respond, I used the sleep magic [Sleeping Beauty] on her. Soon, I could hear the sound of her quiet breathing. Good. If I put her to sleep before she does anything, I’m in the clear. 

“Master, you’re not planning to do anything to sleeping Pamela… right?” 

“Of course not. But more importantly, Shiro… I heard you calling me a coward earlier, didn’t I?” 

I grabbed Shiro firmly. I could tell he was panicking—his legs were kicking frantically. Heh heh, dance, struggle all you want! 

“Master! You said you’d let me off in the bath!” 

“I did say that, didn’t I? But… that was a lie.” 

“…A lie…” 

Shiro muttered. Accepting his fate, his legs went limp. Heh heh heh, fine, I’ll let him off for tonight. 

After returning Shiro to his usual spot, I patted his head. He flattened his ears and looked up at me. To reassure him, I gave him a small smile. 

“Hey, Master………. what are you going to do about Pamela?” 

“Well… I’m sure she has her reasons. To be honest, I don’t want to get involved in any trouble. But after being shown this much affection, I can’t just ignore it, can I?” 

I felt like I was caught in a spider’s web. A sigh escaped my lips. 

“…You don’t dislike Pamela, do you?” 

It was as if he could see right through me. 

His ears were still drooping. 

“Yeah… I don’t dislike her.” 

If I disliked her or found her unpleasant, I wouldn’t have accepted her, even if she was pushed onto me. I think I like Pamela. But I still don’t know what to do. I’m weighing my current way of life against the possibility of living with Pamela. 

“Wouldn’t it be better to be honest with her?” 

“About the fact that I’m the third prince of the Magical Empire of Idea, which rules the entire neighboring continent? If I told her that, it would only place a heavy burden on her. I can’t say it. Not yet.” 

Shiro let out a long sigh. 

“If you care about Pamela that much, why not just steal her away? No one would complain. And even if they did, you wouldn’t let them.” 

“Haha…” 

All I could do was let out a dry laugh. 

I really am a coward. 

If only I were more outgoing like my brothers…….. How many times have I wished for that?