25

"Let us help you, miss."

"N-No, really, I'm fine..! I'll wear it myself.."

Their faces were filled with desire as they reached out to me. I waved them off, expressing my intention to decline. When I firmly refused, they seemed to give up, handing me the clothes and slowly leaving the room one by one.

"Ah… Miss, really… We'll be just outside, so call us anytime if you need anything."

Once all the maids Roselin had summoned left, I collapsed onto the large bed in the room like a deflated balloon.

"Ugh… What a whirlwind…"

When Roselin guided me to the bathroom, there were several maids in maid uniforms waiting for me. When I insisted on washing myself, they dismissed my protests and started undressing me, scrubbing every inch of my exposed skin…

"Ugh…"

Remembering that moment made my face flush bright red.

Would I have to bathe like this every time from now on?

'But it was convenient…'

I had only lain in the bathtub, yet they had washed me thoroughly from head to toe. No wonder it was a grand mansion. They had used a variety of cleansing products I had never seen before.

I gently inhaled the scent of my now much softer hair, and the cozy aroma of strawberries spread around, tickling my nose.

I picked up the clothes they had handed me.

A black lace dress.

It was made of a thin, light fabric, seemingly designed for comfort.

I took off the shabby clothes I had been wearing and changed into the outfit given by the maids.

It took me a while to tie the ribbon on the back, but after a few tries, I managed to do it without any trouble.

"Wow…"

Looking into the mirror in the room, I saw a beautiful lady who could rival a noblewoman who had been pampered her entire life.

Was it because I was wearing luxurious clothes? The unfamiliar sight of myself gave me quite a strange feeling.

Come to think of it, the room I was assigned to was enormous as well.

Before this possession, it couldn't be compared to the tiny studio apartment I used to live in.

Various shelves and decorations added a touch of elegance to the room, and the bed in the center was so large that even five grown men could sleep on it comfortably.

For a mere slave like me, this room was far too extravagant.

As I savored the softness of the bed, I heard a soft knock at the door.

"Miss, it's Alina. May I come in?"

"Oh… Yes! Please, come in…"

When I granted permission, a girl with brown hair, who seemed to be around my age, entered.

She was the maid who had been the most enthusiastic in washing me earlier. She introduced herself as Alina.

"Excuse me. The master wishes to dine with you, so I've come to escort you."

"A… Athena does?"

At my words, Alina's eyes widened in surprise, her expression flustered.

I quickly realized my mistake and corrected myself.

"Oh, no… I mean, Lady Athena is asking for me?"

"Uh… yes, she's waiting in the dining room."

I was already feeling quite hungry…

Athena, waiting to have a meal with me.

I still harbored some resentment towards her, so I wasn't keen on dining with her alone.

But under Alina's unwavering gaze, I eventually pulled myself out of bed.

Thus, guided by Alina, I strolled down the seemingly endless hallway with her.

Feeling bored just walking, I struck up a conversation with her, and as a result, I learned a little about her.

Alina was a commoner and had traveled around the empire with her father, who was a merchant.

One day, a monster suddenly appeared while they were traveling, and Alina, who should have lost her life there, was saved thanks to Athena's intervention.

Having received an unrepayable favor from Athena, she decided to work as a maid in this mansion to repay her in some small way.

"The master is truly amazing! I've never seen someone so strong before. If I were a man, I might have fallen for her at first sight."

Alina, who seemed to have a certain fascination with Athena, started to speak passionately about her as soon as her name came up.

"Oh… yes…"

Alina, she's not as kind-hearted as you think…

Does this girl know that I was forcibly made a slave by her?

Probably not, that's why she can talk like this.

I wanted to expose Athena's wicked nature, but I decided to keep my mouth shut because I didn't want to shatter Alina's deep admiration.

"I heard Lady Hera is someone the master cherishes. How did you two meet?"

Her bright, sparkling eyes as she asked me made me feel pressured.

"…It just sort of happened…"

"I'm jealous! It would be wonderful if I could receive some attention from the master too…"

Her innocent words, spoken without knowing anything, felt a bit annoying.

But she likely didn't mean anything bad by it.

I smiled at her and responded positively.

"Anyone would like someone as cute as you, Alina."

"Oh… oh my! Lady Hera…"

Alina stared at me blankly for a moment, then her face brightened with a cheerful smile.

"Come to think of it, you're really beautiful too, Lady Hera! Your eyes are like precious jewels; I can't help but keep looking at them."

Suddenly, Alina started complimenting me.

Not accustomed to such words, I lowered my head to avoid her gaze.

"Oh… no, that's not true…"

"Oh my… you're so adorable when you're shy! … Ah, we've arrived."

When I lifted my head at her words, I saw an elegant door before me.

"The master is waiting inside. Well then, I'll take my leave."

With that, Alina gave a slight bow to me.

I followed suit, bowing my head to her. She gave me a brief smile before turning back the way she came.

I took a deep breath and then pushed open the large door with both hands.

As the gap between the widening doors grew, the view of the dining room came into sight.

A pristine white space, seemingly sacred, made entirely of white marble.

In the center, a grand dining table, seemingly made of silver, radiated its own light.

And there she was, sitting at the far end.

Perhaps it was the surroundings, but Athena looked even more regal.

"You've arrived, Hera? Come, join me for a meal…"

Athena, speaking as she lifted her head, paused for a moment with a somewhat dazed look as she gazed at me.

Then, she abruptly pushed her chair back and started striding toward me.

"Wha… what's this… why are you coming over…"

As she reached me, she gently grasped my face with one hand and tilted it upwards to meet her eyes.

"…You look much prettier dressed like this, Hera."

Then, she brought her face close to my neck, as if to catch my scent.

"Ha! What… what are you doing!"

Startled, I pushed her away, and she smiled with a slight blush on her face.

"Ah… even your scent is nice…"

I looked at her with a cold, withering gaze at the sound that might have come from some perverted old man.

"…Don't say weird things."

"Hehe… You must be really hungry, right? Come, sit. It will be delicious."

As I followed her and sat at the table,

Before me lay dishes I had never seen in my life.

It was like a variety of dishes from a five-star hotel spread out in front of me, and I couldn't help but feel my mouth water.

With trembling hands, I took a bite. The food melted in my mouth like butter.

Now I understood why people liked expensive food.

Before I knew it, I was unconsciously moving my hand to taste the dishes.

Athena, resting her chin in her hand and watching me, chuckled softly.

"How is it? Do you like the food?"

Her words caught me off guard as I ate, and for some reason, I felt embarrassed.

The food was actually very delicious, but I didn't want to simply admit it to her, so I replied in a low voice.

"…No? Not really… Dania's cooking is much better."

In truth, Dania's cooking was beyond excellent.

Though it didn't have the luxury of these expensive ingredients, it had a taste that brought happiness and warmth to the heart.

There will probably never be food that can beat her cooking in my entire life.

As I boasted, Athena's face turned cold.

"Hmph… is that so? It seems our chef was quite a useless fellow, then."

"…What?"

"Thanks, Hera. Thanks to you, I can get rid of one worthless good-for-nothing."

"Ah… no, wait…"

The poor, unnamed chef's neck was on the line because of my lie.

My heart started pounding at the thought that someone so skilled at making such delicious food might suffer because of me.

"Excuse me for a moment, I'll just go to the kitchen. The food might not be good, but please bear with it for a little longer."

As Athena rose from her seat, I quickly grabbed her hand tightly, fearing that an innocent person might really lose their job.

"N-No!! The food… it's really delicious, seriously."

Then Athena looked down at me with a cold gaze.

"Didn't you say it wasn't very good?"

"Th-That was… ugh…"

As I mumbled, unable to speak properly, she brushed my hand away and started walking.

"It's fine, Hera. You won't get in any trouble."

With each step she took closer to the door, my heart pounded even harder.

I leaned my chair back with a loud scrape, jumped up, and shouted at her.

"I'm… I'm sorry!! I lied… it's really… delicious…"

Athena suddenly stopped in her tracks.

She turned her head toward me.

Her gaze, like that of a predator staring at prey caught in a trap, locked onto me.

"…A slave lying to their master…"

Her intimidating aura left me speechless, and I could only swallow nervously.

Seeing my reaction, she gave a sly smile and said,

"Our dear Hera…"

"It seems you need to be punished."