Chapter 39: The Common Sense of Slavery

"Eris Mother… you’ve finally resorted to kidnapping, haven’t you?"

"That’s not it! What do you take me for!?"

"R-Riniya-nya. Thank you for your hospitality, nya…"

After breakfast, Eris Mother went out for a short walk—only to return covered in blood, dragging along a beastfolk woman. For a moment, I nearly despaired, thinking that her fondness for beastfolk and the frustrations of pregnancy had finally driven her over the edge. But apparently, she had simply rescued this woman from slavers after killing them. Terrifying, yes—but at least it wasn’t what I’d feared.

"I’m so sorry, Eris Mother."

"That’s right! You should trust me more! Oh, and this girl’s my slave now! I’ve decided to keep her here from today!"

"That is kidnapping! Please take her back!"

"No way!"

Ah… why must I witness my own mother committing crimes on the very day Father is supposed to return home?

Wait—Rinia? That name… I’ve heard it before, from Father and Mother Sylphy…

"Could it be Lady Linia?"

"That’s right! That’s me-nya! You’ve heard about me from Boss, haven’t you-nya!?"

"I have indeed. My apologies for my mother’s behavior… Mother, please, apologize as well!"

"Why should I!?"

"Well, she did save my life, so it’d be weird if she apologized-nya…"

The woman Eris Mother had “brought home” was none other than Linia Dedoldia—Lady Linia, the beastfolk princess and next in line to lead her tribe, one of the Six-Faced.

How could Mother bring her of all people back like some stray? Even Father would be furious if one of his old friends was dragged into the house like a pet!

"She’s one of Father’s friends! If he finds out you enslaved her, he’ll absolutely disown you! Please stop this!"

"Ugh… but I saved her! That means she’s mine now!"

"That’s not how logic works!"

"Fine! Whatever! I don’t care anymore!"

With that, Eris Mother stomped off and locked herself and Lady Linia in the basement. My head started to ache.

We were speaking the same language, yet it felt like we weren’t communicating at all. She’d always been hot-tempered, selfish, and wild—but today was especially bad.

"This is bad, Edith."

"I agree, Aisha. Even for her, this is too much."

"We already have three pets in this house, you know! We can’t take care of another one!"

"Wait—that’s the problem? You mean this is fine as long as we can take care of her?"

I couldn’t help but wonder if the people of this household fundamentally lacked common sense. How did a discussion about enslaving one of Father’s friends turn into a debate over how many pets we could keep?

Unable to keep up with Aisha’s shouting match through the basement door, I wandered off, seeking comfort from my younger sisters.

"Edie, are they fighting again?"

"Yeah… I don’t even know what to say anymore."

"It can’t be helped, Edith. Nobles just… have their quirks. I’ll talk to her later, so just leave them be for now, okay?"

"…Understood. Thank you, Sylphy Mother."

"I’m home!"

"Ah, it’s Big Brother’s voice! Welcome back, welcome back, Big Brother!"

As I helped Sylphy Mother in the kitchen, Father returned home—looking more exhausted than usual.

"Welcome back, Rudy."

"Welcome home, Father! Look, Lucy’s here too!"

"Papa, welcome home!"

"Ahh, Lucy!"

Father’s face instantly melted into his usual dopey grin as he scooped Lucy into his arms.

After a brief but valiant struggle to resist Father’s overwhelming affection, Lucy was caught and subjected to vigorous cheek-rubbing—promptly scolded by Sylphy Mother.

"Eeeh, stubblyyy!"

"Sorry, Lucy…"

"Honestly, Rudy…"

He must’ve had quite a tough assignment—his beard was still unshaven, and poor Lucy quickly escaped after being scratched up by his rough stubble.

The house soon devolved into the usual routine: Father, giddy with joy; Lucy, warily fleeing from his attempts to cuddle her; and Father, heartbroken every time she slipped away.

Seeing this pitiful scene, I stepped forward and raised my hands.

"Father, Father, here!"

"Ah! Sorry, Edith! I didn’t forget you, I swear!"

He lifted me up under my arms and began nuzzling my cheeks. His beard tickled a little, but it wasn’t unpleasant.

"Mwah mwah mwah, Edith-tan, you’re so cute, aren’t you!"

"……………"

"Mommy, help… Edie’s being eaten."

"It’s okay, Lucy. He’s not actually eating her. Probably."

After doting on me for a while, Father—still running high on affection—pulled Sylphy Mother close and began caressing her inappropriately. At that point, there was no stopping him. The man was utterly love-starved.

Eventually, Father went to see Lara, greeting her with his usual gentle smile. Lara, in turn, regarded him with her dignified, composed expression and a soft coo.

"Lara doesn’t cry much, huh? She doesn’t even smile… makes me a bit worried."

"Well, as long as she’s with family, we can help her with anything."

Father, calm as ever, reassured Sylphy Mother with those words. He really had a way of making everyone believe things would be fine.

But then, he noticed that Eris Mother hadn’t come to greet him—a detail I’d been desperately hoping he wouldn’t notice.

So, bracing myself, I followed him and the others down to the basement to minimize the damage.

"What’s going on?"

"Ah, Big Bro! Listen! Eris dragged some cat home this morning, and she’s been meowing down there ever since!"

"A cat? Aisha, that can’t be right…"

Was it just me? Was I the only one who saw Lady Linia as a person and not an animal? Did Mother really just bring home a friend of Father’s like a stray cat?

While I questioned my sanity, Father and the others began discussing how to “keep” Linia in the house.

"Alright, Eris. Open the door."

"Fine."

Once Father’s persuasion was done, the basement door creaked open.

"Ahh! Boss! It’s been so long-nya! Thank you so much-nya! I’ll never forget your kindness-nya!"

"I found her on my morning walk! Her name’s Linia!"

No matter how I looked at her, she was just a woman in tattered clothes who’d clearly been through hell. Was I supposed to just… get used to this madness?

"Take her back where you found her."

"Take her… back!?"

"No way!"

The door slammed shut again.

Take her back, he said… even Father said that. Maybe I’m the strange one here.

Leaning against the wall to steady myself, I looked up at the ceiling and let out a long sigh, trying to quiet the dizziness in my head.