Can't sleep?

　It's already late at night in my senses.
　In this world where there are no electric lights, the night is really dark, and on nights when the moon is hidden, for example, it's as if the whole world is trapped in pitch blackness.
　Well, the moon is beautiful tonight, so it's bright enough to identify Marina in the living room.

　Marina's silhouette is standing by the sofa, unoccupied.
　The moonlight streaming in through the window is backlit, making it impossible to see her expression.
　What do you have to do?

You're going to be able to get the best out of it.　Are you here now ......?

　Marina opens her mouth.
　The sound of her voice is suppressed, probably because it's late at night.

'Hmm?　As you can see, though. Why?
I'm not sure if the princess was in bed until a while ago ...... and just got back a while ago, so I wonder where the Lord was going?　I don't even know what ...... is.
'Really?　I've been working over there all this time.

　I don't know.
　It's not like he was visiting Shamash and Orica, it's a beautiful night for the moon, and it's possible that Deanna was mooning by herself.

　...... No, well, he was probably waiting for me.
　And then he didn't come for any length of time, so I guess he gave up and went to bed or something like that.
　Maybe it's conceited.

　Marina made a gesture of patting her chest at my answer.

...... That's good to know. Marina, I thought--

　He almost said it halfway through and then stagnated.

'Clearly?'
I mean, no, it's nothing. Anything.

　Marina has a tendency to say everything clearly.
　It's rare for her to make a panicked gesture like this.

I'm curious.

　When I said this, Marina clasped her hands in front of her chest, as if she had given up.

'Marina, I thought you'd be ......'
Yes.
I wondered if the ...... princess and the Lord were ...... together ............

　No, no, no.

...... It's not uncommon for me and Deanna to be alone together.
It's a good thing ...... that's true, but ...... it's not. It's nighttime, and because it's a mansion, ...... I felt kind of weird and I couldn't sleep because I was ...... curious about it. Is this strange ......?
No. ......

　No, no, no, no.
　You're such an a**h*le.
　What a cute thing to say.

　My eyes have adjusted a bit and I can dimly see Marina's expression.
　Marina is shyly frowning with her hands in front of her chest and looking up at you with an upturned gaze, looking at you as if you're not there.

It's a good thing it's not weird. ...... I don't want the Lord to hate me,

　The second half was a whisper.

　You don't want to be hated .......
　I'd be tempted to misunderstand, but for Marina, a slave, to be hated by her master is equal to being discarded.
　Me and Marina are master and slave.
　For me, or perhaps for Marina, we are of the opposite s*x, close in age and distance, and no matter how you look at it, that's the kind of (・・・・) consciousness you're going to have, but we are master and slave.
　The relationship is not so half-hearted that the master's side can say, "It doesn't matter. You buy them with money and bind them with a spirit contract.

''There's no way I'm going to hate Marina.

　I said, and then sat down on the couch, wondering what it was like to stand around and talk.
　The couch is at the far end of the room, so I naturally walked past Marina.
　As I walked past, my gaze clashed with Marina's, who was staring at me.
　Her large, clear, purple eyes, which I must have seen many times already, shone so brightly in the moonlight that it made my heart pound.

'The Lord is sly ....... I would be mistaken if you said that .......

　He lowers his eyes, hugs his own arms and mutters softly.
　I don't care if people call me unfair, I can't help it, because I mean it. There's no way I'm going to hate Marina.

　Marina is so cute.
　Her hands, her feet, and everything in between are mine.
　She's a slave, in a disgusting way and in a practical way.
　But that's why I don't want to trample those feelings.
　Today's Marina, bathed in moonlight and floating in darkness, looks particularly sacred to me.

　I can't help but stare at Marina. When Marina notices me staring at her, she says
That cheek was quickly dyed vermillion.
　Hmmm?　
　Was it such an erotic look?
　I wasn't in that mood to look at it today. ......

'Ah, ah, ah, Lord which one!
Hmm?
You're going to bed, aren't you?　Marina, I have interrupted you, sir?
No, I'm totally fine. Why are you so upset?

　Marina looks around as she scurries around.
　Naturally, no one else is there.
　It's just me and Marina.

It's not just because I noticed that it was unintentional for us to be alone together, it's because I noticed that ......
I see. Come to think of it, you and Marina don't have much time together.
There is none. There is: ......
Either it's not there or it is: ......

　It's been quite a while since I met Marina, but it's true that we may have rarely been alone together.
　Basically, Deanna is always with me, and the only time we've been alone together has been when we've been doing things at Elishe's or when I've been tending to the store.
　It's probably the first time we've been alone in a private space like this.

"Lord,

　Suddenly, Marina takes a step forward as if she had decided to do so.

It's not always easy to get ...... alone with them. It's a good opportunity to ...... have a little bit of time to talk with the ...... master for a little bit, just a little bit.
Well, we don't have much to talk about, do we?
How about ......?
It's good.

　Not in any obnoxious way, but just the two of us talking. We didn't seem to have that opportunity.
　Maybe I was living a laid-back life, but unintentionally avoided deep relationships with our people.
　Or maybe I'm just not very good at building relationships.

　Even with Marina, who had been with us for a long time, there was a lot I didn't know about her, as if I knew her.
　It's been about six months since I met Marina.
　I guess I could say it was delusional, because she was so loyal and by my side, and I was just relieved and content with that.

''Well then, don't stand there, sit down.
So I'm going to sit next to you today, sir. ...... It's usually the princess's reserved seat.

　Marina sits down with a bit of reservation while saying that.
　It's not that I haven't sat side by side with her, but it's true that Marina was often stationed at an angle behind me.
　I don't know if that's the pride of being a slave or a knight, but it's in contrast to Deanna, who is always beside me.



　We sat side by side on the couch, both of us sitting side by side, and talked about all sorts of things.
　At first, Marina was somewhat nervous, but gradually the conversation quietly progressed.

　We talked about the village where Marina lived with her mother, and about the time when she was separated from her mother.
　She talked about the time she and her mother got separated.
　The two years she spent in the slave trade.
　The story of when she met me.

　In a room dominated by the tranquility of the moonlight, our conversations are the only sounds, and they dissolve into the night.

'Ever since I met the Lord, I've had a much more pleasant life ...... ever since I met him.

　Marina's well-rounded profile is right beside her, a little more broken in tone than usual.

''I like the princess, too. She's a bit of a caring sister. I'm sure she would be angry if she knew I was saying this.

　I steal a look at Marina's profile as she smiles gently.

''Now, this is how I can have the Lord's house to myself: ......

　Suddenly Marina turns to me.
　Our gazes cross.

...... "......, I've been the only one who's been talking to you since a while ago.

　He smiled as he melted.
　And then he hugged me without hesitation, letting his body take over.
　Cheek to cheek. An embrace that is like ear to ear contact.
　I didn't expect this kind of approach from Marina, so my heart leaps in surprise.

'I am truly grateful to the Lord. But I don't know how to express that feeling. Even this feeling right now ...... this feeling is ............ the Lord's .......
Marina: "Marina: ......
Marina has ...... me ...... and I have nothing to offer but myself. ......

　He put his arms around my neck, squeezed and hugged me with a bit of force, and muttered something like that.

　Me and Marina, Lord and slave.
　We're not friends, much less lovers.
　We're master and slave.

　Suddenly I remembered the night when I met Marina.
　The joy of being held in my arms fizzled out and I was dominated by an unspeakable feeling.
　Was it sadness or resentment? A feeling I can't understand.

　This feeling must have come from my selfishness.
　I want you to stay with me as a slave forever.
　But I want to be liked as a man.
　If I want to be loved, I want to be loved.
　Forget what we are to each other, and just be.
　I mean, you bought her as a slave.

　You were selfish.

　--Anyway, I answer to you as a master.

"I don't want you to think so hard.

　I pulled Marina's body off of mine and replied lightly.
　I had failed to do so before ...... yes, the first night I huffed and puffed "slave, slave, slave". I was shocked to see Marina tense up stiffly, but accepting that it was inevitable. I thought again about what I was trying to do and felt self-hatred.
　That failure ...... or maybe you could call it a trauma.
　Anyway, I don't want to go in that direction anymore.
　It may be the ravings of a virgin, but it's not wrong ...... it should be.

'But ...... I am ......'
Marina. You've been bought as a slave, so it's okay to work and buy yourself back and be free.

　I'm not going to let it go, of course.
　No, but if Marina wants her freedom--

...... Which Lord wants me to be free?
............ No. I just want you by my side forever.

　I wonder what I look like now, spouting these lines.
　I'm really glad it's the night now.

'Huh. ....... The Lord is a contradiction in terms.

　And for some reason, he hugs me again, harder.
　Has the psychological hurdle for hugs been lowered since the one in Luclaera?
　Maybe it has. I've done it once.

　Body to body, close together.
　In the silence of the night, the only sound is the muffled sound of our breaths, Marina and I.
　We are so close to each other that we can even hear each other's heartbeats.

　I guess the reason I can't take that step is because I've decidedly never had a deep relationship with anyone.
　Whether on Earth or in another world, it's the same there.
　If we try to touch each other's hearts, we will step into each other's inviolable territory.
　It will always be accompanied by fear.
　I've been running away from it because I hate it.

"...... Lord which one?　It is ...... trembling.
It's Marina.
'I'm shaking too, sir?　It's not that I'm afraid of you, sir.　Or are you afraid of Marina, Lord?

　He says this in a slightly playful way.
　I wonder if I'm afraid of him. Am I afraid of Marina?
　I think I'm ...... afraid of her.
　If not, that's exactly what I've been doing since--

...... Lord, I've been regretting that night ...... in fact, I've been regretting it for a long time.

　Marina tells me to spit it out as she hugs me.

'That night?'
My first night at the inn: ......
'Oh, ah, ....... No, but that one.

　I didn't expect Malina to tell me about that night.
　But maybe that day is something that Marina will never forget.

'Sometimes I think. I wish I had been embraced by that ...... lord at that time.
............

　I'm a little surprised that Marina, who is always so energetic and doesn't seem to think about anything, thought that way.

It's not that I don't like the relationship we have now, you know?　...... It's just that the fact that we passed each other at that time has been reverberating with us until now. I'm sure I've been letting you down since that day. ...... Sometimes I feel that way.
............

　I couldn't answer any questions.
　That's because it's true.
　It doesn't matter which one is right or wrong.
　It's true that I do care for Marina, but that's a natural part of being human.
　But that's a natural part of being human.

"Lord,

　Marina lets go of her body a bit and speaks clearly, as if to change the subject.

'I ...... that day, that morning. I was actually awake.
...... morning?　Let's see. ...... Oh.

　Suddenly, the blood rushes out.
　I thought Marina was asleep, and that's when I touched ...... her sleeping breasts, no, I rubbed them.
　What ......, you were awake ......?　Seriously, ......?
　It's been about six months now and I can't stay!

　I meet eyes with Marina, who has a bright red face at close range, and I can't help but look down.
　The rich cleavage that I'm sure I touched at the time is there.

''It's ...... good. Lord,
Eh, .......

　As soon as she said it, Marina grabbed my right wrist.
　And then she presses my palm against her right breast with a mugshot.

''Mm.''

　A breath escapes from Marina's mouth.
　The feel of Marina's soft, sucking breasts despite the fact that she's wearing pajamas. My brain is on the verge of overheating.
　My heart is racing, and I can't help but feel the power in my right hand.
　I can feel Marina's heat.
　A feeling of euphoria spreads through my whole body.
　Every time I rub one, a breath escapes from Marina's mouth.

Anh, suh, it hurts a little.
Oh, I'm sorry: ......

　I just rubbed it. I rubbed it too much.
　I found myself rubbing with both hands.
　Silence!　My arms!

...... It's a strange feeling of being nervous, yet reassuring and soothing. It's a very good thing that you're able to do. ...... You've been wanting to touch it for a long time, but have you been holding back ......?
'I'm ashamed to admit it: ......'

　I answer without removing my hand from Marina's chest.
　Oh no, no. My head is getting stupid.
　This is like a drug. I can't resist.

It's like a child," says ....... ...... Hey, Lord. ...... From now on, you can touch it anytime you want. Oh,...... I also feel good when ...... is touched by you.

　If you whispered that in my ear, you'd have to fall in.

Marina: "Marina ......

　It feels good.
　It feels good for both of us.
　It's a win-win situation.
　I'm happy.

　The cloth cuffs are frustratingly unbuttoned and Marina's pajamas.

"Oh ...... it is still ...... embarrassing to be ...... no good ......

　Marina scrunches up the front of her pajamas, as if in a panic.
　In front of me, Marina's face is bright red and her eyebrows are raised.

　I regain my composure for a moment.
　It's a horrible magical power (tits). This is a completely mesmerizing magical one.
　There aren't many experiences where the word "selfless" is so fitting .......

It is embarrassing to be seen that way.

　Marina hides her cheeks with her shyness and hair.
　The soft moonlight makes Marina's amethyst colored hair and eyes shine.

I'm sure your heart will explode if you continue to do this, Marina. ...... That's all I can do for now.

　Then he squeezed his eyes shut, pulled his face to mine, and then discreetly placed his mouth on my cheek.
　He kissed me for a few seconds, then quickly and quickly pulled himself away from me and laughed, "Ehehee,


My Lord, I love it.


　I said.
　Then, as if to get away with it, he went back to his room, saying, "Caw, caw," and went back to his room.

'Oh, oh,'

　I can't help it.
　I'm happy.
　I'm left alone in the room, and I feel a deep sense of joy welling up in me.

　I love you.
　I love her, Marina said with certainty. I love her.

　Maybe I had been confused by things like physical contact and virginity.
　After all, it's the exchange of minds that's important.
　No, I'm talking about the fact that I've been rubbing my tits a lot and now what?
　Besides, come to think of it, isn't this the first time I've ever been confessed to like this?
　Anyway, I'm happy.
　This joy bubbling up from my chest. I knew I wanted to be liked, didn't I?
　Considering the fact that this day has come today, I was still right not to hold Marina the night we met (though I couldn't exactly hold her). From the bottom of my heart.

　In my mind's eye, Marina's bright purple eyes, like the spirit of a moonlit night, come to life.

'Amethyst is the guardian stone of love ......?'

　A poop that I once lied about when I sold my amethyst many times.
　The gemstone language of purple crystal (amethyst) is 'love, honesty and devotion'.
　It's amazingly fitting for Marina.

'...... I think I'll go to bed too.'

　Needless to say, I went back to my room once before I went to bed in the living room.
　How could any man go straight to bed after something like that!


　◇◆◆◆◇


　When I woke up in the morning, it was a ceiling I didn't know existed.
　No, it was the ceiling I knew. I knew it in spades. I slept in the living room of the mansion.

"Good morning, sir. Good morning, sir.

　Suddenly, right beside me, I hear a voice.
　Deanna was looking into my face in front of me.

Hmm, oh. Good morning, Deanna.

'I was waiting for you yesterday, and what time did your master go to bed?　I'm staying up too late, by any measure.

　I knew you were waiting for me.
　From this argument, it seems that he didn't notice that Marina had come afterwards.
　No, if she had noticed, she would have certainly come to interfere - or mix it up with the character of Diana.
　Or maybe what happened last night was a dream or something.
　Maybe it was like a vision that showed me something s*xual: ....... And there's such a thing as a dream demon tribe (nightmare) nearby. ......

'They always go to bed at that hour. The Japanese are night owls.
People who stay up late are unhappy. It's an old saying. Next time, let's get to bed early.
Yeah.

　While replying appropriately, I couldn't help but look for Marina.
　She doesn't seem to be in the kitchen, but--

Where's Marina?
'I'm taking care of the horses. 'I'm taking care of the horses,' she said, 'and unusually, I was up before Marina today. She looked very sleepy when she woke up, and she's been lazy.

　Marina....... I stayed up late last night. ......
　No, it wasn't that late.

　Well, that's just as soon as I got up to go wash my face anyway, the vocation board popped up.
　It was a guidance achievement & clan rank increase.

　I mean, yeah. That was why I stayed at the mansion.
　I'd forgotten about it with the impact of last night's events, man.