From the swirling ashes rising into the air, no trace of life could be seen anymore. Although it was impossible to tell what it had once been, it was clear that it was only palm-sized.
Erica felt a wave of dizziness wash over her. The one comfort she used to have, always barking “woof woof”…
Ding-dang, ding-dang.
Looking at the teacup and tea sloshing in her hand, the young girl had to force herself to calm down. This wasn’t even the first time something like this had happened, hahaha…
“The taste really is quite nice. Thinking about it, the tea Erica brews is truly excellent. This is probably even better than what the Head Maid makes.”
“Mhm, mhm. I was originally bought by the Leonis family as a tea-serving slave.”
“You mean Emil? That guy doesn’t drink a single drop of tea. It really was a waste to leave you at Emil’s side.”
“…”
“By the way, why do you look so pale? Are you feeling unwell somewhere?”
“No, to have the honor of Her Majesty the Queen gracing my bedroom for a rest, how could I possibly not be…hap-py?”
“What’s that supposed to mean? Somehow it feels like you’re hiding something in your words.”
You’re such a clever little fox.
“Nothing of the sort.”
Erica managed to force a faint smile.
If I’d known this would happen, I should’ve given you a name, Squirrel-kun.
Since you’re always barking, maybe “Woof Woof Squad” would’ve been fine…
Grrr, grrr.
Her ear twitched. Erica suddenly heard something scratching at the window. Turning to look, she saw a cute little animal pressed against the glass, pawing up and down with its tiny forepaws. It was a chipmunk, its back marked with clear stripes.
“Woof woof.”
What’s going on, you little guy? Weren’t you burned to death just now? Erica’s mind was in utter chaos.
While she was stunned, Evelyn, who was sitting on the bed, stood up and opened the window. The big mouse quickly darted inside, climbing up Evelyn’s leg and onto her shoulder.
“This little one is a chipmunk. Looks like there’s a chipmunk nest nearby.”
“Eh, chipmunk? Isn’t that just a squirrel?”
“Woof woof.”
“Oh, it barks like a dog, so it’s a squirrel-dog.”
Evelyn covered her lips with a laugh. “A chipmunk is a type of squirrel, Erica.”
The girl awkwardly twirled a lock of purple-black hair by her ear, muttering softly, “W-well, calling it a squirrel just sounds easier.”
Evelyn watched the squirrel-dog jump back and forth between her hand and shoulder. “Let’s go with Erica’s idea then and call it a squirrel-dog.” Accustomed as she was to rare treasures, the queen was still curious as she teased Squirrel-kun. “Anise said that squirrel-dogs are usually not very close to people, but this one seems different. Erica, is it yours?”
“N-no, it’s not mine—I don’t keep pets or anything like that.”
Erica’s gaze darted between the squirrel-dog and the blackened ashes on the floor. Which raised the real question: What was that burnt thing, anyway?
Before she could feel any more confused, Evelyn answered for her, “So, that scorpion that burned up just now wasn’t a pet, right? Good. I thought it was disgusting the moment I saw it, so I dealt with it right away.”
“Huh, scorpion, you mean?”
Why would there be a scorpion in my house?
“Wait a minute!”
Erica immediately checked her house’s Protective Barrier Stone. After careful inspection, she found that by the front door, there was something like a Mouse Hole.
The smooth edges were clearly man-made. Someone must have made this to sneak a scorpion in for an assassination attempt.
And the person who used scorpions…she only knew of one. However, that person wasn’t due to appear yet. She’d have to investigate thoroughly tomorrow morning.
“Woof woof!”
“When I was little, I wanted to raise one, but they said these animals couldn’t be tamed, so all I could do was watch—so Anise said.”
Evelyn’s expression was very calm, but Erica, who’d been with her so long, could easily see the hidden joy within. Maybe it helped boost Evelyn’s humanity or maternal instincts, so Erica quickly joined in.
“Should we feed it?”
“Feed it?”
Evelyn took the almond Erica handed her and fed it to the squirrel. Watching Squirrel-kun nimbly take the almond and gnaw away with little “crunch crunch” sounds, Evelyn’s lips curved up in a beautiful smile.
“Eating so happily.” It was the brightest smile she’d shown lately, and only Erica got to see it.
Does Evelyn like small animals? In this, she and Erica were alike. Although only a little, the girl felt a sense of closeness.
“Woof woof!”
After eating all the almonds Evelyn offered, Squirrel-kun quickly darted out the same window it had entered. Evelyn watched its striped tail disappear into the distance, reluctant to part, then let out a yawn.
“Time for bed. Starting tomorrow, you’ll move into the palace immediately. A house where scorpions come and go isn’t suitable for living in, after all.”
“I understand.”
Evelyn slipped off her long robe, wearing only a loose nightgown and long socks, then climbed into Erica’s bed.
“Erica, your scent is everywhere.”
“Sorry, I didn’t expect you’d come today. Shall I go out and buy a new set of bedding?”
“No need. It’s even more…rich than I imagined, but it’s fine.”
What kind of smell is that? Is she insulting me?
Anyway, after a long and tiring night, Erica planned to lay out a rug and sleep on it, but she worried that another scorpion might crawl in or hide there, which made her nervous.
Still, there was no way she could sleep in the same bed as Evelyn.
Just as the girl hesitated, Evelyn patted the soft mattress. “Come on up and sleep. I can’t fall asleep unless I’m holding something.”
“I-is that so?”
Wonderful, she’d gained a max-level bodyguard.
With the powerful archmage Evelyn by her side, no demons or monsters would dare approach.
Naturally, Erica didn’t refuse. She took off her robe and climbed onto the bed. It was surprisingly spacious; there was more than enough room for two.
She’d once thought, since she’d changed genders, if she never returned to reality, maybe one day her boyfriend or husband would appear here, so she’d specially bought a big bed.
Unexpectedly, she still couldn’t accept a man as a lover, so the first one to use this bed turned out to be another beautiful girl—Evelyn.
Come to think of it, is this the first time in both my lives that I’ll share a bed with a girl? My heart is pounding, dokidoki.
Though Evelyn was a tyrant and a villainess, she was also a beautiful girl dubbed the “Flower of Evil.” Under the same blanket, her lovely fragrance filled the air, making Erica drowsy.
At that moment, Evelyn’s arm wrapped around Erica’s sleepy body. The gentle caress made the girl suspect Evelyn thought of her as a giant teddy bear or life-sized pillow, but right now, that really was Erica’s role.
It was still a bit embarrassing to face the queen as she slept, so Erica turned away. Immediately, she felt a warm, soft body snuggle up behind her. Two pillowy mounds pressed against her back.
Erica’s cheeks instantly flushed. “Eek!” She hadn’t expected her pointed ears—usually hidden under her hair and very sensitive—to be wrapped in warmth. Evelyn’s tongue played with their tips, and she whispered softly in Erica’s ear.
“Mmm~ Erica, why are you hiding something from me?”
“…Hiding something?”
Forget the strange sensation; Erica tried to think what she’d slipped up about. Was it the basement, or Squirrel-kun?
With so many possible secrets that might be found out, the girl in Evelyn’s embrace tensed up, even worrying that Evelyn might suddenly squeeze her tight from behind and suffocate her.
“You’re a half-elf.”
“Ah.”
“Come to think of it, I actually know nothing about you, Erica.”
Gently, Erica could feel Evelyn’s hand slip under her arm, gradually moving to her chest, while the other hand tugged down her nightgown a little, sliding upward to caress the girl’s smooth, toned stomach.
Erica’s breathing suddenly quickened. She quickly pressed her fingers to her lips, as this was the first time Evelyn had touched her like this.
“Um… Miss Evelyn?”
“I’m starting to get curious too. Is it really true that half-elves can’t get pregnant? Maybe we should find a way to test it.”