She Banished Me Yesterday, But Today She Calls Me Master? - Episode 2

“Wow, it’s deep-fried cockatrice! Doesn’t it look delicious?”

“Master, let’s focus on vegetables today. If you keep eating only meat, your nutrition will become unbalanced.”

Linde gently scolded me with a soft smile as I got excited in front of the display of fried cockatrice. It was a rare occasion—we were out shopping at the market together.

Though she had been hesitant at first, I insisted on bringing her along. There was something I really wanted to do.

“Alright then… let’s get this one and—”

“Please wait, Master. Let me pick a different daikon.”

Linde took the daikon I’d casually grabbed from the shelf and put it back, carefully examining the others. She was so focused, it was like watching a jeweler appraise precious gems.

“Hey Linde, is there really that much of a difference between them?”

“Yes, selecting the right daikon is crucial. First, look at the base of the leaves. The freshest ones have vibrant green tops and a moist texture.”

She continued explaining while skillfully rotating the daikon in her hands.

“That’s amazing… Where did you learn all this about choosing vegetables?”

“From the castle’s chef—ah, no, from a noble household’s chef I used to serve.”

The castle? The familiar word made me furrow my brows. Linde, flustered, quickly handed me the daikon to change the subject.

“A-anyway, try touching the surface. You want one that’s smooth, unblemished, and has a good weight to it. This is for your meal, Master. It should be the best it can be.”

I had my doubts, but I could tell she was serious even about something as small as choosing ingredients—and she was doing it all for me. My heart warmed. At the same time, a fond memory surfaced, and I

couldn’t help but smile.

“What’s so funny, Master? I’m being very serious about making sure you enjoy your food.”

“Sorry, sorry. I was just reminded of something from the past… There was someone who once insisted on baking cookies for me, and I ended up tagging along on a shopping trip that lasted the whole day.”

That was when Eltrinde was ten years old. She had wanted to bake cookies for my birthday and insisted on finding only the best ingredients—so we ended up going from store to store, all day long.

“That sounds exhausting.”

“Not at all. Sure, we didn’t get home until evening, and she got frustrated when the recipe didn’t go exactly as planned. But she gave it her all, and that meant the world to me. They were the most delicious cookies in the world.”

“…”

I was caught up in the memory and didn’t notice Linde turning away. Were her ears a little red?

“Ah… sorry. Was that boring?”

“No… I just wasn’t sure how I should react to my master talking about another woman during our date.”

“Wait, what? This isn’t a date! And I never said the one who made the cookies was a girl!”

“Hehe, I was just teasing. I just thought it was sweet—that you’re the kind of person who makes someone feel that way. I’m sure that girl was very happy to know that.”

“I hope so…”

As I gave a sheepish smile at Linde’s playful expression, my eyes landed on the real reason I’d brought her here.

“Hey Linde, let’s stop by that clothing store.”

“Huh? But what about the groceries—?”

“We can do that afterward. Besides, you don’t have anything to wear besides your maid outfit, right?”

Linde’s eyes widened before she hesitated, looking conflicted.

“But… I’m just a slave…”

“It’s fine. I’ll buy it. It’s a gift—for everything you do.”

“…Thank you.”

And with that, we headed to a nearby clothing store. A middle-aged saleswoman welcomed us warmly as we entered.

“Welcome! Looking for anything in particular?”

“I’d like to find something that suits her.”

The clerk glanced briefly at the collar around Linde’s neck, then quickly smiled again.

“Oh my, what a lovely young lady! That soft blue hair and those sapphire eyes… Let’s find something that brings out her charm!”

Timidly, Linde began looking through the racks. The clerk, noting her figure, enthusiastically brought over various options.

“How about this dress? The gradient blue would perfectly complement her hair.”

Linde picked up the dress and held it up. It was a soft, light blue that matched her hair and eyes beautifully.

“It’s… really cute.”

“Then let’s get that one.”

“What? But this is far too expensive—”

“Don’t worry about it. I want to buy it. Come on, try it on.”

Hesitantly, Linde entered the fitting room. As she did, the clerk leaned over and whispered to me.

“You’re very kind, sir. She has such graceful manners… I’d wager she was once a young lady of high birth.”

“…You might be right.”

All I could do was offer a wry smile. Linde certainly didn’t carry herself like an ordinary slave. There was something refined about her. But I didn’t want to pry—some wounds take time.

After a while, Linde stepped out of the fitting room.

I gasped.

“Wow… you look incredible, Linde.”

The soft aura the dress gave her made her look like a completely different person.

“My, my! Absolutely stunning! Like a noble’s daughter—so elegant and refined!”

Blushing at the praise, Linde looked down shyly.

“Really…? But I’m still just a slave…”

“You don’t need to think about that. Beauty is beauty, regardless of status,” the clerk said kindly.

“She’s right. Don’t let that define you. Okay, it’s settled—we’re getting it.”

I paid for the dress and asked Linde to wear it out of the store. As we left, the clerk whispered one last thing to her:

“You’re very lucky, my dear. Hold on to someone who treasures you like that.”

Linde gave a small nod, then gently took my arm. Her cheeks were bright red, but her smile was radiant.

As we stepped outside, she walked a little nervously. That was when it happened.

A man, not paying attention, bumped into her.

“Watch where you’re going, you filthy commoner!”

“A noble, huh…”

The man wore overly ornate clothing, clearly flaunting his status. I sighed—someone with a superiority complex.

I moved to shield Linde and quickly apologized to avoid trouble.

“Sorry… I’ll be more careful.”

“Hmph. I’ll forgive you out of my boundless generosity. Be grateful.”

As I tried to usher us away, the man’s gaze shifted to Linde. He sneered.

“Unbelievable. Dressing up a slave like this… What, can’t even afford a proper woman?”

“Excuse me, what did you mean by that? You were the one not watching where you were going.”

Linde spoke up before I could ignore the insult. Her voice had lost its usual gentleness—cold and sharp instead.

“Wh-what…?”

The man visibly flinched. He hadn’t expected a slave to talk back—and certainly not with such authority.

“Picking on someone else’s slave to feel superior… That’s hardly behavior befitting a noble.”

Her tone was icy, commanding—like a high-ranking aristocrat admonishing someone beneath her.

“Y-you little—!”

He raised his fist to strike—

“Time, accelerate… Acceleration.”

“What?! Teleportation? No… That’s high-level time magic! There’s no way a commoner— Wait, that’s the Hero who slew the Demon King…!”

Using magic, I intercepted his punch midair and leaned in close to whisper:

“She’s important to me. I can’t let you lay a hand on her.”

“Damn it… I won’t forget this!!”

Overwhelmed by my words and Linde’s piercing glare, he turned tail and fled. I turned to Linde, whose eyes still held the coldness of a winter storm.

“Linde… you were incredible back there.”

The moment I spoke, she snapped out of it and suddenly panicked.

“I-I’m sorry! I couldn’t stay quiet after hearing him insult you… I lost my temper.”

Her voice trembled, her shoulders hunched.

“If someone thinks I’m a slave acting above her station, it could mean trouble. Please, forgive me…”

She bowed deeply, so different from her commanding presence just moments before. I scratched my head, unsure how to respond.

“You don’t need to apologize. Honestly, I’m glad you stood up like that. But… Linde, are you really just a slave? A normal one couldn’t pull that off.”

Her face paled, and she shook her head desperately.

“N-no, of course not! I only worked in a noble’s household, so I’ve seen how they act. I just mimicked it, that’s all!”

She looked frantic, but her words sounded more like an excuse. Still, I decided not to press further.

“Alright… Anyway, let’s go back and pick up that daikon.”

“Y-yes!”

Relieved, she hurried ahead. I watched her back, deep in thought. Linde’s true identity might be more complicated than she lets on. But that’s something to uncover later. Everyone has their reasons.

Besides… those eyes… reminded me of Eltrinde.

________________________________________

★★★

That night, Linde—now with her pale blue hair transformed into silver—met in secret with Anbi, a subordinate in a black cloak. Spinning around, she held the new dress in her hands with childlike glee.

“Anbi! Look! My brother bought this for me!”