Chapter 46: Interlude: Ushigiri-san’s Circumstances

I had been with Cain for as long as I could remember.

As we grew up, I found myself increasingly drawn to how different he was from the other boys, and before I knew it, being by his side had become my normal. I believed, without a doubt, that my future lay in supporting him as an adventurer, bearing his children, and building a family together.

But that fragile dream was shattered—by his own hands.

□■>> Ushigiri-san’s Circumstances.

It was after winter had settled into the forest, once we had finished taking in the latest wave of refugees and things had finally quieted down. For a while now, we’d been enjoying a rare stretch of snowless days.

After finishing today’s load of laundry, I walked back inside, my breath puffing out in white clouds, my feet crunching over the thawing snow. Thanks to the climate control barrier, it wasn’t nearly as cold around the house, even though everything was blanketed in white.

It wasn’t warm enough to be outside in light clothes, but as long as I dressed properly, I didn’t have to worry about freezing. I had always thought Master was an amazing person, but seeing these kinds of things firsthand only made me respect him more.

Yes—Master. The man who once owned me as a slave and now employs me. One of the two people who saved me from rock bottom.

Back then, when Milady came to me—when I had been sold off by the childhood friend I trusted and fallen into utter despair—I won’t lie, I hated her enough to want to punch her.

Looking back, I understand it was just my own paranoia. But back then, I didn’t have the composure to see it that way.

A little girl dressed in fine clothes, kept by a wealthy master. Her skin glowing with health, clearly well-fed, dressed in beautiful garments, treated with care—it was obvious just by looking.

That was all I could see. I could only think she had come all the way here just to mock me, abandoned by the man I loved.

But she saved me. I found out she had begged Master to buy me, even taking on a huge debt to do so. Even then, I was suspicious, wondering what her real motive was.

I remember being completely dumbfounded when she later confessed the truth to me. It’s funny in hindsight… though honestly, even now, I’m not sure if I fully believe her words. Knowing Milady’s personality, I don’t think she was lying—but still.

Living with Master and Milady was happiness itself. They always thanked me for doing the housework. They noticed my efforts to keep the rooms clean every day. They smiled, saying the food I made was delicious.

In the poor village where I was raised, it was normal to serve others without ever expecting thanks. Even Cain never once thanked me for anything I did.

It was only after living with these people that I realized Cain had never cared about me at all. It hurt. It frustrated me. That’s why I begged Master to train me—to get stronger, so I could make that bastard regret ever tossing me aside.

Somewhere along the way, I fell in love with Master. But Master was head over heels for Milady, and Milady was clearly very close to him too.

I owed Milady my life, and more than that, I genuinely adored her innocent smile—even if it wasn’t romantic, I loved her. There was no way I could do something as despicable as trying to come between them.

…That’s what I told myself, but I couldn’t give up. I talked to Lulu over and over again, and after plenty of encouragement… I eventually ended up becoming involved with Master. I was happy. Fulfilled. But having shared a bed with Milady too, I came to understand something—Master would never truly belong to me alone.

He was so gentle, so caring. It was like he could sense exactly what I wanted and always knew how to satisfy me. I felt his love so clearly and it made me happy… but seeing how he treated Milady, I knew. That love came because I was second, maybe even third in his heart.

With Milady, Master showed his raw emotions.

At times, he looked so overwhelmed, so intense, so desperately in love that he couldn’t even pretend to be calm around her. I wasn’t foolish or naive enough to think there was any room for me to squeeze in.

At least both Master and Milady allowed us to remain by their side as concubines. Master even said it was fine to have children after Milady. I don’t know how Lulu feels about it, but for me… it’s complicated. Still, no matter what, I can’t stop loving him.

I keep telling myself that this is enough, praying that one day those words will become my true feelings. And so, I spend another day looking after the handful of troublesome children. It might not be perfect, but for me, it’s still a fulfilling life.

“Milady, you’ve holed up in the kotatsu again…”

When I went to the living room for a short break after finishing my chores, I found Milady barricaded inside the large kotatsu meant for a big group of people. Even when I called out to her with a sigh, she barely reacted.

“…I do not want to work at all~”

Ever since winter arrived, Milady’s lazy tendencies had gotten worse.

She used to get up earlier than me to prepare breakfast, handle laundry and cleaning and such… but lately, she’d been spending entire days lazing around either in bed or inside this so-called “terrifying winter demon” Master had recreated—a magic tool called a kotatsu.

She was doing the bare minimum of work, but it was obvious her workload had significantly dropped.

“I don’t mind if you slack off, but if you sleep in there you’ll catch a cold.”

“Uuuh…”

Milady pouted, practically wearing the word ‘dissatisfied’ on her face as she glared up at me. Honestly, she only looked like a sulky child, completely lacking any intimidation factor.

For now, I decided to repeat Master’s words: “Sleeping in the kotatsu is bad for your health.”

“Milady…?”

“I don’t want to come out~! I hate the cold~!”

From the corner of my eye, I spotted Master sneaking up quietly, signaling me to stay silent with a finger to his lips as he crawled around to the opposite side of the large table.

Milady, oblivious, kept her upper body half out of the kotatsu, mumbling lazily in protest.

“In winter, we should all hibernate. I’m staying right here.”

“If you keep doing that, the kotatsu monster will eat you up, you know?”

I looked down at her, remembering Master’s playful story. Supposedly, the kotatsu was a monster that lured travelers inside on cold winter days, warming them up until they let their guard down, then dragging them in to devour them whole.

“Pfft, you’re actually taking that nonsense seriously? Yuria, you’re more childish than—aaah!?”

Milady’s smug expression vanished in an instant as she let out a strange yelp, suddenly dragged toward the kotatsu up to her neck. Clearly panicking, she grabbed desperately at the carpet, struggling to hold herself back.

“What’s going on!?”

“Ah, looks like we were too late.”

“Wa—wait! S-stop! No, moff-mgh—mmgghh!?”

The kotatsu monster showed no mercy, relentlessly dragging Milady inside, unfazed by her resistance. She fought back with all her might, but she only had the strength of a child. Before long, only her hands were left sticking out from beneath the blanket.

A few moments later, the muffled sound of distressed shrieks rang out, and the kotatsu tabletop began to rattle as if chewing on its prey. Her hands, clutching at the sheets, flailed wildly in vain.

It seemed the lazy girl had finally been eaten by the kotatsu.

“…Please don’t overdo it, alright?”

Thinking this would take a while, I headed to the pantry to get ingredients for lunch. Just before leaving the room, I glanced back to see Milady’s limp arms being slowly swallowed up by the kotatsu.

They really get along so well… I was jealous. Envious, even.

And… despite how deeply Master loved Milady, she could still act so cold toward him. That, more than anything, made me feel a sting of resentment I couldn’t quite suppress.