Chapter 62: For Example, This Kind of Life

...Apparently I shut down from the shock, and by the time I came to, about two days had passed.

At first, I didn’t know what to do, but when I saw Master, who had left his official duties out of concern to come see me, my anger exploded. I confronted him about the pregnancy, demanding, “What happened to the contraception magic!? What are you going to do about this!?”

Master looked surprised for a moment, then hugged me while crying and said “Thank you.”

I thought he’d go pale like Kasai-san did, but that completely unexpected reaction left me the one stunned.

I mean—what does he mean by thank you? That only made me more certain he did it on purpose, and I seriously considered biting his head off right then and there. I actually did try to bite him, but he blocked it with magic, so I couldn’t really do any damage and had to give up.

So then I tried refusing to see Master and shut myself in my room—but no matter how mad you are, you still get hungry. I had no choice but to secretly ask Yuria to bring me meals, and I’m currently carrying out a siege strategy.

“So, how long do you plan to stay holed up in here?”

While Lulu cleaned up the empty dishes, Yuria once again asked me the same question she’d already asked multiple times. I know staying in my room won’t magically fix anything. But even so, I just can’t bring myself to accept it.

I was turned into a high elf without my consent, treated like a slave, and thrown into a cell. Just when I thought I finally met another Japanese person, I ended up being dragged into being a sex slave, and now I’m pregnant on top of that.

I could maybe forgive being pulled into bed, if I’m being very generous. But getting knocked up against my will? That’s the act of a demon or a monster!

“Because I just can’t accept this…!”

“I understand how you feel, but it’s not just the Master. Everyone in the castle is worried about you.”

I’m aware that my reclusion is causing problems for a lot of people. But still—I don’t want to give in so easily.

“Let me be blunt. Senpai… do you not want to give birth to Lord Shuya’s baby?”

Having finished placing the dishes on the serving tray, Lulu leaned over onto the bed and stared directly into my eyes. Of course I—………….

“…………”

Of course—wait, what do I actually feel? I mean, I am upset, and I am mad at Master.

Technically, I’m no longer a slave since I’m just working off a debt, so he could’ve at least told me beforehand that he planned this… Wait, no, if I say that, it makes it sound like I’d have been okay with getting pregnant if he had just warned me first. That’s crazy… ha ha, no way.

“One more thing. Milady, how do you really feel about Master?”

Now it’s Yuria peering into my face from the other side. I tried to look away instinctively, but both of them grabbed my cheeks and held my head in place. That’s so cruel!

“Senpai, please answer seriously. Do you hate Lord Shuya?”

“…N-no, I don’t.”

I tried to instantly say “I hate him,” but… in the end, I couldn’t.

“…That’s not true at all.”

Because Master is the one who saved me.

I was wandering through the forest alone, not knowing where I was or what was happening. When I finally met someone, it turned out to be a slave trader. That cold prison cell was truly a living hell. I would wake up from the grotesque sensation of bugs crawling all over me, and children like me would huddle together in tears just to keep warm.

On especially cold days, sometimes the person I’d talked to just yesterday would be cold and still by morning. I remember watching as people were hauled out with sticks like broken dolls and stuffed into bags to be carried away… Even now, I still dream about it when I sleep alone—it was that terrifying.

In that hopeless, cold, dark prison where I had no one to rely on and cursed my own helplessness, I lived every day in fear of the approaching footsteps, too powerless even to take my own life, just waiting in dread for the inevitable end.

And the one who saved me from all that… was him.

Even though I was filthy and reeked, he just gave me a wry smile, made warm water, and helped me wash my body and hair. He healed the whip marks all over my skin. He gave me hot meals every single day. He’s the one protecting this place where I can complain and sulk like this.

All of it—all of it—is thanks to Master. So how could I possibly…

“There’s no way I could hate him.”

But even so, I don’t feel that I love him as a man, or that I love him as a woman. If I had to define it, I’d say it’s the kind of love you feel for family—or someone who saved your life.

“…There’s a saying my mother back home used to tell me—”

Yuria’s expression suddenly softened, and as she released her hands, Lulu let go as well, finally freeing my body. But for some reason, I still couldn’t turn my face away. It felt like… right now, I needed to hear this properly.

“‘Rather than love, passion, or all that fluttery nonsense, marry the person you feel the most at ease being with.’ That’s what my mom always said. Back then I thought she was talking nonsense, but… now, I think I kind of understand what she meant.”

“What do you mean…?”

I asked warily, and Yuria gave me a quiet smile.

“Whether you love or hate someone romantically doesn’t really matter. If you’re okay being with them… if being with them is easy, then maybe that’s enough.”

“…………”

I couldn’t bring myself to deny Yuria’s words.

I know—I know that I don’t really have any other choices. I was shocked by the pregnancy, but it’s not like I’m disgusted or that I absolutely don’t want to give birth or anything.

…Ahhh, seriously! Wallowing in indecision really isn’t like me!

“Yuria, Lulu… I have a favor to ask.”

“Yes.”

“What is it, Senpai?”

After holding my head in my hands for a while in thought, I suddenly lifted my face and looked at the two of them. For some reason, they both straightened their posture. It’s not that serious of a request, but… well, whatever.

“Please go get Master.”

“Sora, um… I’m sorry for not talking to you about it beforehand. I knew the pregnancy rate was extremely low, so I thought it’d be fine…”

The door opened, and Master entered, bowing his head apologetically as I glared daggers at him. That’s not proper risk management at all.

Maybe it was just reckless youthful energy, but I really wish he’d thought a bit more about how I felt.

“Master…”

I slowly got down from the bed and walked toward him. As if trying to meet my gaze, Master bent down slightly—and I gently cupped his cheeks with both hands.

His eyes, filled with unease, stared straight into mine. The reflection in those dark eyes—like the night sky, the same color I once lost—how does he see me now?

“Sora, I—”

“CHESTOOOOOO!!”

“Gwah!?”

Before he could finish, I cut him off with a full-force headbutt straight to the forehead. Master crumpled, clutching his head where I landed a perfect hit. I mean, it really hurt for me too—what is this skull made of, rock!?

“S-Sora… you…”

“Next time, talk to me about it first, okay!?”

When I pointed at him and declared that forcefully, Master, who had been about to complain, froze in surprise. His eyes welled up slightly—maybe from the pain—and he stared at my face in astonishment.

“…Next time… you mean, it’s okay?”

That’s the part where you’re supposed to just go with the flow. I can’t stand guys who aren’t at least a little dense.

“…Haa, I did promise, after all. I’ll let you off this time. I’ll give birth—feel free to worship me with all the gratitude you’ve got.”

I put my hands on my hips and puffed up with pride. Master, overcome with emotion, pulled me into an embrace. Stop that. I said I’ll have the baby, but spare me the romantic scene—I’m seriously going to throw up!!

“Thank you, Sora… Thank you so much…”

“H-Hey! You’re hugging too tight! Let go! I can’t breathe! Somebody—!”

T-this is bad! I’m seriously about to vomit from the pressure!?

“Master! Milady is pregnant, you know!”

“Yes yes, Lord Shuya, maybe save the bear hugs for us right now~”

Apparently they’d been eavesdropping outside the door—the cow-and-cat duo rushed in and pried him off of me just in time. I was this close to being squeezed unconscious.

Seriously, show some restraint. I’ve got another little one in my belly now, you know?

Still… I don’t regret it. Not really. But I do feel like maybe we rushed things a bit. I wonder why that is…?