With her eyes closed, Cattleya's cheeks were flushed.
She felt a pair of hot, broad hands glide over her slender waist, slide down her thighs, then wrap around her calf. She tried to convince herself:
This is only a necessary examination.
And wherever Hayashi Maki touched, a tingling spread—her body felt weaker, but even the ache seemed to ease a little.
He must be seriously thinking of a way to treat me, right?
Yet all that resolve collapsed the moment Hayashi Maki asked his next question; after that she couldn't bear to look him in the eye.
"Miss Cattleya, why is this so… prominent?"
Cattleya's eyes flew open. Seeing him pointing at her chest, her face turned scarlet.
Hayashi Maki went on blithely, "Miss Éléonore and Louise are both rather… lacking there, and a bit hot-tempered. Do you think growth in that area is related to temperament? The more irritable the girl, the smaller the bust?"
Cattleya could no longer remain calm. She took a breath and looked at him, a little displeased.
"Mr. Hayashi Maki, how am I supposed to answer a question like that? And… I won't speak for Sister Éléonore, but little Louise will certainly become even more beautiful than me one day. So please be serious and rein yourself in."
Hayashi Maki smiled, still holding her lower leg, playing with it as he continued to channel mana. To her hint he only lowered his head, moving closer.
"I'm always serious—this is a proper examination. And I'm not worried about Louise's future; I have ways to help her 'grow.' I just wonder whether Miss Éléonore might need help too?"
Cattleya's face went completely blank at that.
"You can ask her—but I imagine Sister Éléonore will be furious." Being small there and having you say it out loud? Of course she'd be mad.
Honestly, she didn't know why Mother, Sister Éléonore, and little Louise were so flat, while she, who never leaves the house, had grown so… overboard.
"Haha—then I'll be sure to ask. Miss Cattleya, in that area I'm quite the expert," Hayashi Maki said, smug.
Little Yukino no longer envied Mahiru and the others—thanks to him, after all.
Cattleya was red to the ears. With her good temper and gentle nature, even she was flustered now. Why am I discussing that kind of development with him? And his hand felt even hotter. Her breathing grew ragged. It was her first time being this close to a man—he'd touched her skin, her private calves and slender waist. He was so practiced. Could it be… he has designs on me?
At that thought, her heart went into disarray.
"Um… Mr. Hayashi Maki, how much longer will this examination take?" she asked shyly.
"Oh, the exam? It's already over," he said evenly.
"Eh? Already? Then why is your hand still…" —still on my calf?
She glanced at the misbehaving hand. Hayashi Maki didn't hide anything. "Because Miss Cattleya is so beautiful—I couldn't help touching."
That's just plain lechery! Such rudeness—nothing like a noble gentleman!
Cattleya puffed her cheeks, a little miffed—but soon her warm smile returned and she said earnestly:
"Don't tell little Louise about this. I won't either. Since the exam is over, your hand should move."
Even as she spoke, she couldn't help flicking a glance at that hand, feeling shy. His behavior was still too stimulating for her.
"Sorry—I just have no resistance to cute girls. Hearing how you've been confined at home all these years made me feel for you." He shifted his hold. "Let me hold you a little longer while I think through a treatment plan."
Cattleya's body trembled. She seized on the key point: "It can be treated?"
His words were like a beam of light piercing her world. She had long given up hope—resigned to never marrying, simply watching over her sisters' happiness from the manor. Now, to be told there was a chance for a cure—how could she not be excited?
Hayashi Maki softly stroked her pink hair, inhaled her scent, and smiled.
"Of course it can. I never take on what I can't handle. But… treatment requires a contract with me. Would Miss Cattleya accept that?"
"You know I've already contracted with Louise. It isn't a familiar pact, as people say, but a follower contract—and Louise is my follower."
"…Becoming my follower means you'll be my person—my family."
His gaze burned over her pale skin; a hint of excitement crept into his eyes. Cattleya's cheeks were crimson now. She understood contract magic; familiar contracts were foundational arts handed down by the Founder. What Hayashi Maki was saying was little different from a proposal.
"So—Miss Cattleya, would you accept my treatment?" he asked seriously. He liked beauties, but he still respected their choices. He was domineering and petty, yes—but he would offer a choice.
(Though even if she refused, he'd keep at it. A playful demon wouldn't give up a woman he fancied—especially one as gentle and lovely as Cattleya.)
Listening to his candid words, Cattleya sighed.
"Does little Louise know how flirtatious you are?"
"She does. I've never hidden it," he said, smiling.
Cattleya drew a deep breath. "In that case… I accept your treatment. I want to see our big sister married; I want to see little Louise live a happy life and attend her wedding. But this sickly body has confined me. If I can, of course I want to be a healthy woman. So… please do it, Mr. Hayashi Maki. Or rather—please help me."
There wasn't a trace of aristocratic arrogance about her. Compared to haughty Éléonore and copycat Louise, this girl was gentleness itself.
Seeing her yearning, Hayashi Maki, naturally, wouldn't refuse. He slowly lowered his head and kissed her lips.
"Alright. I'll cure you, Cattleya."
The contract—preliminarily formed.