I want to sleep with Master if possible.
Yuel tugs on the hem of my clothes while facing Eris.
Were currently at Eris hospital, where we moved our belongings after picking up Yuel. We had dinner at the tavern and informed the barmaster that Eris probably wouldnt show up as often since I transferred the hospital back to her.
Then, when we got around to saying, alright, lets go home and get some sleep thats when the trouble began.
But you know, Yuel-chan. Certainly, nothing may have happened yet, but that doesnt mean it wont ever, right? Besides, Yuel-chan is a girl, so its improper for you two to keep sleeping in the same bed forever, dont you think?
When it got late and we said goodnight to Eris, Yuel naturally tried to follow me into the same bedroom afterward. Eris wasnt having any of that.
Look, we have plenty of beds available, okay?
Eris tries to persuade Yuel like you would a young child, in a gentle tone of voice. Eris is a strict woman when it comes to things like this. It feels a little lonely, but I guess I wont be sleeping together with Yuel anymore. I mean, its weird that we have been so far.
She may still be young, but sleeping in the same bed with a girl I shouldnt be putting my hands on? Thats certainly not proper.
Hearing Eris words, Yuel looks down, lost in thought. Then seemingly understanding the situation, she faces me.
Eventually summer will come around, and it will be difficult to sleep together all the time. Itll be hot, too.
Some convenient air-conditioner-like magic tools do exist in this world, but other than the ones that have been successfully mass-produced for heating, lighting, plumbing and whatnot, magic tools are basically unaffordable due to the high price.
Thinking about the future, Yuel should give up and either sleep by herself or have Eris sleep with her. I nod in response to Yuel to indicate that I agree with Eris. Yuel confirms it and opens her mouth-
Um, Master promised to embrace me when I grow up, so there isnt a problem.
-and, fidgeting bashfully, she brings that up.
Uh oh.
Care to explain?
Eris cross-examines me in a low voice. I sense some anger in her gaze.
This is awkward. If I bungle this, I dont know whats going to happen to Eris impression of me. I feel a nervous sweat drip down my cheeks.
No, I need to calm down when Im in a pinch. First, let me take an objective look at it. How do I look right now to Eris?
Promising a young girl Ill marry you when you grow up, a sweet young man whos good with kids
To embrace such a little girl you made a disgusting promise like that?
Or not. Eris is looking at me like I seduced an innocent young slave girl in order to prey on her sexually. Shes treating me like a sex offender.
This is not good. Just when I finally managed to make peace with Eris, I feel like my reputation keeps plummeting.
However, its true that I did tell Yuel that at one point. Once youre older, okay?, I promised.
But that was just so I could get her to sleep on the bed instead of the floor.
Then the conversation goes back to where it began.
I-I
Yuel is considering Eris words. She doesnt say she hates the idea.
Looking at Yuel her fingertips are tightly gripping the hem of my clothes. In her eyes, tears are welling up and about to spill over, and her lips are clenched in a pained frown.
I can pretty much tell what shes thinking. But even so, she doesnt say that she hates the idea.
Im certain she thinks that if she insists I want to sleep together with Master any further, it would be selfish of her. Yuel very rarely mentions her own desires. She properly draws a line between what she considers to be good behavior and bad behavior.
I dont know if its because of her position as a slave or the way she was brought up, but Yuel definitely has some criteria she uses to restrict her own behavior.
She wants to sleep together, but continuing to say so would be crossing that line.
On one hand, she wants to sleep together no matter what. On the other hand, she doesnt want to be called selfish. Those two feelings are at conflict, and thats most likely why shes making that face and remaining silent.
So so pitiful
I feel ashamed for thinking it would be fine if she slept by herself or with Eris.
Sorry, sorry Yuel-chan. Come sleep with me. We can still sleep together from now on.
! Yes! Yes, Master!
I get down on my knees to match heights with Yuel and hug her. Right, Yuel is still a kid. Of course a child wouldnt want to be separated from their parent. Im not her father, but Im the nearest thing to that for Yuel.
The feeling is probably similar.
Yuel was being forced to make a tough choice. I gently hold Yuels head against my chest and slowly brush her soft, silver hair like you would pat a childs back.
I was wrong. Since Yuel cant express her own wishes, I have to do it for her.
Cmon, Eris
While Im hugging Yuel, I stare into Eris eyes resolutely. Im determined to hold my ground now. I cant let Yuel suffer any more than this.
Maybe Im spoiling Yuel too much, but I dont want to see that mournful face anymore. I want Yuel to be able to smile.
Fine, I understand. But in that case, Ill be joining you.
It turns out she didnt mean that we would all share the same bed.
Now there are two beds laid out in this 8-tatami room. Yuel and I will be sleeping on one side, and Eris on the other.
To be fair, I didnt expect Eris to even go this far. Shes quite the prim-and-proper type. It might be thanks to Yuel becoming good friends with her. Our beds are separated, so you cant exactly call it sleeping together, but just sleeping in the same room with me is major progress.
If were together in the same room, I could slip into Eris bed late at night when I come back half-asleep from the restroom, or pass out onto her when I get drunk.
This time Ill be careful not to overdo it.