Ch. 167
A delivery notice text message would’ve shown more courtesy than this!
Rai shattered my peaceful morning and then had the nerve to yawn.
Of course, to be precise, the one who barged in without knocking was Ash—and the one who’d left the door unlocked was me.
Either way, I was practically half-naked.
I had only a large cloth draped over my shoulders, and even that had slipped so far it was barely covering anything.
Both Ash and I froze, unable to process the crisis.
Even the air seemed to stop. Seconds stretched like minutes until Ash’s brain kicked back into gear first.
“I… I thought you’d be… asleep…”
I could tell the bastard wasn’t breathing.
Granted, it was very early. The dim dawn light was some small mercy.
But no—swordsmen have unnaturally heightened senses. They see like wild beasts at night, don’t they?
Ha. Ha. Ha.
“Get out.”
“Y-yes.”
The door shut quietly, leaving behind a silence so complete it almost erased what had just happened.
I quickly put on clothes.
“Ha… Rai?”
[Yes?]
“Didn’t I tell you to keep watch?”
[I did tell you—he was coming.]
“Right before he opened the door! I’m not a magical girl who can get dressed in three seconds!”
I lunged at Rai, ready to tear off his ears and whiskers.
“I told you not to use that laid-back tone in emergencies! Didn’t I? Didn’t I?”
[Eh? Why is that an emergency? Ash is your ally.]
“Ha!”
[Why guard against a non-enemy?]
“You idiot! I was naked! Your exalted! Master! Was naked!”
[…]
Rai tilted his head, honestly clueless.
[But you’re always naked.]
“…Sure, you’re used to it. But most humans feel shame when they’re seen unclothed.”
[But in the jungle, everyone bathed together.]
“They were all women!”
[Hmm…? Didn’t you say Ash doesn’t count as a man? You even said so last night.]
Forget it. Damn it all.
Trying to find common ground with a spirit from another world—I must be insane.
[Why are you so mad?]
“Shut it.”
[Master’s body—I see it every day. Nothing special. Huh? Your killing intent just spiked. This is almost like when you killed Grak—]
Yes. Rai’s funeral will be today.
—
After that, Ash developed some kind of illness where his face turned red every time he saw me.
Just meeting my eyes froze him for a few seconds, then his ears burned scarlet. He trembled, sweated, and his breathing turned shallow.
Pathetic.
“Ash.”
When I tried to talk to him, he looked on the verge of tears. Anyone would think I was the one who barged in on him.
“G-Geenie… I’m sorry… I’m so sorry.”
“Breathe.”
There was no point getting angrier at someone so thoroughly undone. I just scratched my cheek and glared faintly.
“I swear it wasn’t on purpose.”
I knew it wasn’t intentional. But that didn’t mean I was fine with it. It was still a serious accident.
“Yes, an accident.”
“If I’ve offended you, I should be on my knees this instant.”
“That wouldn’t improve my mood.”
“Then… how can I atone?”
I didn’t want to see him kneel. I didn’t want to ogle him naked in return. And killing him was absurd.
So what was I supposed to do?
While I was wondering, Ash rattled off every apology he could think of.
“Should I shave my head?”
“No.”
“Slap my cheek!”
“Not interested.”
“Then… what can I do… to make you feel better?”
“How should I know!”
You’re the one who saw!
“S-sorry.”
“Hmph!”
Truthfully, I wasn’t that angry. I just didn’t know how to *accept* an apology. Saying “I forgive you” was harder than expected.
But Ash grovelled like a sinner, eyes filled with guilt and panic.
“I know it was all my fault. I have no excuse. But please… tell me. Tell me what I must do. Geenie, whatever you say… I’ll obey. What must I do?”
He was so pitiful I couldn’t help but soften.
Why was I such a good person? Really, I could live without laws. I sighed and waved a hand.
“Fine. Go rent me a horse.”
“…A horse?”
“You said you’d do anything, didn’t you?”
We were leaving this city in an hour. Normally, everyone rented their own mounts—but Ash had sworn to do whatever it took.
“I like white ones.”
Not what he had in mind? Whatever.
“And make sure it’s gentle.”
“Yes!”
Strange how just bossing him around filled me with satisfaction.
Good deeds really do feel good.
—
Renting horses was a pain.
Some stables refused if you couldn’t return the horse to the same city. Others charged extortionate prices if you failed to haggle. And without proper ID, they wouldn’t rent at all. For someone like me, it was nearly impossible. Better to send someone capable.
“I’ve got it!”
“Good. Load the baggage onto it.”
“Yes.”
“And tighten the saddle. Feels loose.”
With such a strong helper, life got easy. Soon I realized this wasn’t bad at all.
The man caught in my snare was kind, capable, and efficient.
“Once that’s done, go buy food. I’m hungry.”
“Yes.”
“Meat, of course. And don’t forget dessert—there’s always room.”
“Understood.”
“And brush my hair.”
While the others were off arranging horses, I made Ash do all the little tasks I hated.
He combed my cursed curls with surprising skill.
“You’ve done this before.”
“I have younger sisters.”
“Right, you do.”
Prince Ross had nearly ten half-siblings—legitimate ones. The Emperor had many children, courtesy of his infamous vitality.
But that meant the Empress’s jealousy was brutal. Many of the Emperor’s offspring, and their mothers, met early deaths.
Prince Ross, the second prince, had taken care of the survivors.
His nickname? “The Mother Bird of the Imperial Family.”
Compared to titles like “Viper of the Empire” or “Outlaw,” it was so… weak.
‘He seems fragile.’
Even I worried for him. Could someone like that really survive the cutthroat palace?
“Shall I braid it too?”
“…Do as you like.”
For now, the moment was peaceful enough to lull me.
The grass smelled sweet, the breeze was cool.
It was the kind of time that just felt good to let pass.
I leaned back, letting Ash take full charge of my hair.
I even felt guilty eating the breakfast he’d bought all by myself. Maybe I should share a little.
“Ash, say ah—”
“I’m fine.”
“You bought it. Say ah.”
“Ah…”
I popped a round meatball into his mouth. It wasn’t kindness. I just didn’t want greasy fingers in my hair.
Still, feeding him made me feel too generous. My boundless virtue might move the heavens.
“It’s good.”
“Right? Meat’s the best.”
The last one was mine.
By the time I finished my breakfast, my hair was done. Ash had braided it lightly at the sides and tied it back—neat, but not tight enough to hurt.
Not bad at all.
A useful servant really did make life easier.
“Thanks.”
“Of course.”
And for some reason, every time I smiled at Ash, I felt strangely satisfied.
“This… this is outrageous!”
Of course. Someone wasn’t going to like this one bit.