In the carriage, Louise pursed her lips and said nothing in the face of Éléonore's sophistry. She was the one being bullied—she wasn't about to forgive her big sister so easily. Anyway, her favorite was her gentle second sister, Cattleya—that wasn't going to change!
Thinking of Cattleya, Louise suddenly looked anxiously at Hayashi Maki.
"Hayashi Maki, my second sister has been frail since childhood. She has to stay at the manor and can't be out for long. Since you cured Tabitha's mother, could you treat my sister too?"
At that, Éléonore's eyes also lit up; she fixed Hayashi Maki with a keen stare.
"Of course—but I'll need to examine her myself first before deciding on a course of treatment," Hayashi Maki replied with a smile.
As for Cattleya—who looked exactly like Louise but with an even gentler temperament—Hayashi Maki certainly had thoughts of his own. In short, he wouldn't cure her too quickly. He'd take the chance to flirt and win her over. There was no way he could accept a beauty identical to Louise marrying someone else.
"Really? Then please check on my sister when we arrive," Louise said, brightening at once.
Even Éléonore's gaze toward Hayashi Maki softened. Say what you would; when it came to loving her two younger sisters, no one could say she cared less than anyone else.
"If you can cure Cattleya, consider me owing you a favor," Éléonore promised.
"Alright," Hayashi Maki nodded with a smile. If she wanted to promise, he wasn't about to refuse. Éléonore might be hot-tempered and a bit flat, but she was beautiful overall. He'd set his sights on Louise and Cattleya; there was no reason to pass up the big sister…
The carriage trundled toward the Vallière dukedom. By nightfall, it stopped by a brook in a great forest. Siesta took out pots and dishes and began cooking; Hayashi Maki produced instant noodles and seasoning packets. Soon an irresistible aroma wafted out.
"Wow, that smells amazing, Mr. Hayashi Maki—seasonings from your world are incredible!" Siesta said happily. Hayashi Maki simply handed her a big bag of spices and told her to ask for more when she ran out. Éléonore swallowed—between the maid's cooking and Hayashi Maki's seasonings, dinner was delicious. She couldn't help feeling smug—bringing the maid had been the right call.
As he ate, Hayashi Maki suddenly sensed a gaze. When he looked over, its owner ducked away in a panic. The food smelled so good it was making her mouth water. But she had promised her mother not to show herself before people—or there would be serious trouble.
"Alright, Miss Éléonore, Louise, Siesta—sleep easy. I'll take the first watch," Hayashi Maki said gently, pitching a tent and thoughtfully laying out a large quilt—big enough for all three girls.
Éléonore gave him a satisfied look, then pulled Louise and Siesta down to lie under the covers. Soon, steady breathing filled the tent.
Hayashi Maki left a flame clone in place, set wards around the tent and carriage, and slipped away. Time to meet the peeping "fairy."
Besides Louise and Siesta, there was another heroine in the Familiar of Zero world: a big-busted half-elf named Tiffania. Her mother had been one of the dwellers of the Sanctuary—an elf—and a concubine to the Duke of Albion, which made Tiffania kin to Queen Henrietta of Tristain.
The elves had been driven to the desert by the Founder, making them enemies of elf-hating, Founder-worshipping nations and peoples. Elves excelled at "native magic," once even stronger than the Founder's arts before they spread through humanity.
Because elves and humans were enemies, half-elves suffered even worse fates. After her mother died, Tiffania had lived alone in the forest.
If he wasn't mistaken, the presence drawn by the food's aroma earlier had been Tiffania herself. Since fate had brought them together, Hayashi Maki intended to meet her.
…
Soon, using his powerful spiritual sense, Hayashi Maki locked onto a pure aura deep in the forest—and vanished.
There, nestled in the woods, stood a simple little cabin. Inside, a blonde girl in a hat—which hid her long elven ears—sat quietly tasting wild berries she'd just picked. On her slender legs were the white over-knee socks her mother had left her. Her green camisole hugged a pair of full curves; when she bent to eat, they trembled slightly—an unbelievable elasticity that drew the eye.
"Mm… the food that person cooked just now smelled so good. If only I could taste it," she murmured. The berries suddenly seemed bland. Though she was used to a simple life, she couldn't help swallowing.
"I can. How about I bring you some?" a man's voice sounded by her ear.
Tiffania yelped. "Ah! W-who are you? How did you get here?"
Frightened, she shrank into a corner, pressing her white hat down tight lest he see her ears. Hayashi Maki approached with a smile. "Just walked in. I sensed a gaze and got curious, so I looked around. What—do I look that scary? Why so afraid?"
"N-no… you're not scary. I just haven't seen strangers in a long time. I'm sorry—please don't hurt me," Tiffania said, trembling, glancing toward the door for a chance to run. But if this place was discovered, she couldn't live here anymore—the thought made her reluctant.
"Relax—how could I hurt such a beautiful girl? I only pity you," Hayashi Maki said, the flirt in his voice leaving her no chance to flee. He pinned her lightly against the wooden wall and swiftly pressed his lips to her soft ones.
At any rate—contract first. Hayashi Maki wasn't a saint; having set his sights on her, he would "stamp" her. That way he could watch her via God's-eye view.
Tiffania let out a muffled sound, eyes welling. He… kissed me? Is he going to devour me? Humans really are scary! The poor half-elf pushed as hard as she could, but he didn't budge; she trembled all over.
~~~
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