Last night, I couldn’t get a decent sleep because Lindy kept trying to crawl into my bed, and Luna kept clinging onto me. While I could somewhat ignore the rustling sounds, my senses were far too sharp to overlook the constant movement around me.
In the end, whenever Lindy climbed onto the bed at intervals of one to two hours, I would kick her off, sending her sprawling onto the floor. Meanwhile, I had to continually remove Luna’s arm from around me. Between these interruptions, sleep came only in fits and starts.
Granted, the skills I’ve honed as an assassin and the robust physique I maintain as a Sword Master allow me to feel rested even with minimal sleep, but there is something to be said about the comfort of a full night’s rest. It’s only natural to want to sleep through the night undisturbed.
Eventually, I woke up an hour earlier than the two and went for a light stroll around the area. While making my rounds through the city, I noticed that the royal guards had already set watch at the Earl’s mansion with impressive speed.
Their presence reminds me of the Emperor’s authority, which Lindy and I benefit from.
Since there was no need to actively acknowledge the guards, I returned after enjoying the morning breeze. When I entered my room, I found Lindy and Luna sleeping in my bed while embracing each other closely.
For a moment, I considered waking them to ensure Lindy hadn’t crossed any boundaries with Luna, but seeing how innocently they held each other, I decided against it. Reflecting on past female friends, I realized something like this wasn’t uncommon among close girlfriends.
Regardless, I hoped for a little harmony between them, even if just for now. Although it saddened me slightly to confirm Lindy hadn’t done anything inappropriate, given her personality, what else could I expect?
Her antics since we first met are forever etched in my mind—like her shamelessly using my curiosity to get me close to her sensitive ears or asking me to keep a secret while letting me touch her behind.
“Mmm…”
Time had passed while I was engrossed in reading a novel when I heard someone groan softly. Looking over, it appeared Lindy had woken up first. As they say, you lose sleep as you grow older, and being the ancient Elf that she is, she woke before Luna, though, to be honest, I still have no idea how old she actually is. Despite my numerous inquiries, Lindy only squeaks in response and refuses to divulge her age.
“Mmm…”
As if on cue, not long after Lindy, Luna too began to stir awake. They both woke up face-to-face, having been tightly embraced in slumber. Neither seemed quite aware of the situation; they simply blinked and gazed at each other blankly.
“Ah…”
A soft voice from either one of them broke the silence.
“Kyaaaa!”
Without hesitation, they both pushed each other away. Due to the confines of the small bed, Luna smacked her head against the wall, while Lindy landed on the floor with a solid thud.
Clang!
The crash echoed through the room. Luna was cradling her head as she rolled around in pain on the bed, while Lindy, sprawled on the ground, caressed her sore bottom. It was comical watching them start the morning like this.
“Se, Senior is gone… Why is this aunt here…?”
“Is this why I thought your ass felt so small…”
…I should have just separated them last night. Touching someone unseen beneath the blanket while thinking it’s me is certainly problematic.
“Ah, I’m still growing!”
“Who said I’m an aunt?!”
The two bickered after they were so affectionate just moments before falling asleep. The synchronicity of their yelling suggests they genuinely have a good rapport. After all, they’ve been around each other long enough to develop both fondness and annoyance.
If only I could turn back time by an hour and preserve their sweet embrace with a magic artifact. Unfortunately, such luxury items come at a steep price far beyond my means.
“Hmn, Senior! My purity has been defiled!”
Upon spotting me at my desk, Luna leapt into my arms, simpering and feigning distress. Acting is a basic skill for assassins, and no one could deceive me, an acting prodigy, easily.
Giving in to her childish behavior wouldn’t help Luna develop, so I decided to be strict.
“Luna, even if someone is older, calling them ‘aunt’ is rude. Go apologize to Lindy.”
“But…”
“Now.”
Considering Lindy’s sensitivity to her age, ‘aunt’ was indeed a very poor choice of words. Although Lindy appears youthful, having lived far longer than us, factual statements often sting the hardest, as there’s no way to refute them.
Perhaps the comment was made in jest out of familiarity, but being closer should mean being more considerate. Before reaching a point where apologies are impossible, as in my own case, one must remain cautious.
“…I’m sorry.”
Fortunately, instead of sulking or throwing further tantrums, Luna obeyed my reproach and quietly apologized to Lindy.
“Hmph, yeah…”
Even Lindy seemed uncomfortable with the apology. I decided to push the situation further:
“Lindy, apologize to Luna for the inappropriate touch.”
“But…”
“Shh!”
“…Sorry.”
Employing the ultimate weapon I learned from Selian made Lindy apologize as well. It was a heartwarming resolution.
“Alright, now, let’s plan our next move while having breakfast. I’ll cook for the occasion, celebrating your reconciliation.”
Surely, the innkeeper would not mind letting me use the kitchen for a small tip. Although slightly inconvenient, cooking for the two is worth the effort.
“That’s great! It’s been a while since I had Senior’s cooking! I’m all for it!”
Seeing Luna smack her lips like that motivated me even more.
“But, isn’t Alicia tired? We really don’t have to trouble her. We could just buy breakfast instead…”
“No need, the inconvenience is no bother. Besides, I’ve been awake for a while.”
“But, nonetheless… I think I’ll skip breakfast. Just prepare some for the two of you!”
“Didn’t we have breakfast together last time?”
“Diet! I’m on a diet!”
Lindy urgently interjected, almost as though she were avoiding my cooking. Though, that couldn’t be true since if my cooking were bad, there would be no way Luna would be salivating like that.
But do Elves even go on diets? The thought of an obese Elf is laughable.
—
We ate breakfast as planned.
“Since we still have plenty, take your time.”
Handing over the stew I’d set aside for myself to Luna, who was requesting seconds, I settled for watching her happily eat. Watching someone enjoy my cooking fills me with satisfaction.
Considering her age, it makes sense that Luna would eat this much during her growth phase.
“…I keep thinking about this, but really, you’re impressive. Whether it’s your cooking or Luna’s appetite.”
Lindy, impressed by both my skills in the kitchen and Luna’s hearty breakfast, sighed in admiration.
Given that coordinating plans would only need to happen between Lindy and myself, we discussed the situation while Luna ate.
“From here on out, even you, Alicia, will need to be cautious.”
Lindy’s warning caught my interest.
“Not far from here, traces of demons have been found. From what the signs show, there are at least three, possibly more. Even with your skill, if all turn out to be Upper Demons, staying concealed might be difficult. If confronted face-to-face, it could be dangerous.”
Even without facing any high-ranking Upper Demons, I’m not overly concerned. After all, encountering such demons is rare. Rather, the notion of taking down several demons at once is quite appealing.
Of course, upon arrival, there could be only Intermediate or Lower Demons.
“Got it. Mark the location on the map later. So, Lindy, what’s your plan? Are you continuing with us?”
“I initially came to reprimand the information broker assigned to this area for neglecting his post. After this, I’ll have to head back. It wouldn’t be wise to stay away from the group for too long.”
True to her character, Lindy was only visiting briefly. I should’ve packed her a lunchbox.
“I’m full, thank you!”
Just as we wrapped up our conversation, Luna had finished her meal as well, setting down the empty plate.
“Now that Luna’s done eating, let’s get going. I’ll handle the cleanup, so you two head upstairs.”
After sending the two ahead, I entered the kitchen with the dirty dishes.
“Hm?”
But as soon as I stepped into the kitchen, I saw the innkeeper collapsed on the floor.
“Hello?”
The innkeeper, proudly a retired veteran adventurer who had shared tales of surviving within a labyrinth for a week without sleep and eating only monster carcasses, now lay unconscious. While adventurers do make many enemies, checking his pulse confirmed he was merely asleep.
No matter the excuse, it felt wrong to leave the seasoned innkeeper slumped on the cold floor. Lifting him up effortlessly, I placed him on some chairs pushed together.
How exhausted must he have been to fall asleep in the kitchen like that? He always boasted about surviving impossible trials, and yet today he collapses from fatigue while running an inn. Clearly, his stories were exaggerated.
Furthermore, it seemed he fell asleep during the meal I had prepared for him, leaving his bowl of stew overturned on the floor.
“Such a waste… If I’d known this would happen, I should have either eaten it myself or served an extra portion to Luna.”
For a moment, I wondered if my cooking was so good that it made him faint, but fainting from food alone is absurd. Chuckling to myself at the absurd notion, I tidied the kitchen in his place.
This should cover the favor he did by lending me the kitchen.
