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TL: ALT
Chapter 32 – Stella’s Feelings Part 2
It was as if he were trying to block my gaze. As if to shield me from malice.
A master over a slave.
Could such a thing truly exist? Should it be allowed?
Blocked from the gaze of the ancient elf shopkeeper, I finally managed to catch my breath.
Before I knew it, Aire-san and Cloche-san, who had been watching the situation unfold, were standing beside Wataru-sama.
Mariel-san gently stroked my trembling back.
“She no longer belongs to the elven clan. She is, and always will be, my slave. I’d appreciate it if you’d refrain from speaking disrespectfully to my precious possession.”
“Hmph, my apologies for that.”
“I don’t know how Stella appears to you, but to me, she is a captivating slave.”
“Ah, my lord…”
“…Fufufu! Are you serious? Some people have the strangest tastes! Are your eyes broken or something!?”
“Starting a first meeting with insults shows your true colors. Got it! You’re like a withered branch jealous of a young sapling.”
“Hah? What? Cut the crap. Me?”
“Aha, I see. You couldn’t gain weight no matter how much you ate, so you were jealous. That makes perfect sense.”
“As if that could ever be true!”
Wataru-sama grinned maliciously. The shopkeeper’s face flushed bright red as she vehemently denied it.
But by the time she was desperately denying it, Wataru-sama had already seized control of the conversation.
“You know your efforts won’t get you anywhere, so you started hurling insults. Ugh, poor thing. You’re getting on in years, so your chances are slim now, right? Can’t be helped with that body, I guess.”
“You… You’re so rude! Don’t you understand our elven sense of beauty?”
“It’s not that I don’t understand. It’s just your race’s local values. Besides, you haven’t denied that you’re jealous, have you?”
“Don’t impose your values on me!”
“Right back at you. You were the one who judged based on your own values first.”
“Guh…”
“Oh dear—how does it feel to be cornered by your own words?”
“Guhhhhh…! You’re like a mischievous sprite, always coming back with a retort!”
Wataru-sama stood his ground, not backing down an inch in his argument with the ancient elf shopkeeper.
In fact, he was out-arguing the cunning old elf.
It was an unbelievable sight.
My master was furious over one slave.
And for a wretched, hopeless elf like me—a failed elf.
Suddenly, Wataru-sama turned his face toward me.
His expression was terrifying. Instinctively, I forgot my nausea and sadness and straightened my posture.
“Stella, you too…”
“Y-yes!”
“I don’t know what your past was like. But since you became my slave, I expect you to drop that gloomy attitude. You shouldn’t be consumed by an inferiority complex toward the elven clan. If I tell you that you have value and that you’re charming, then believing those words and acting on them is your duty.”
“I-I’m terribly sorry!”
Wataru-sama was angry.
He was angry at the shopkeeper and at my own inadequacy.
In that moment, I realized for the first time that my master truly recognized my worth.
No, I realized that I could wholeheartedly believe his words.
“Listen, I told you this before, but since you still don’t seem to believe it deep down, I’ll say it again: You are attractive. At least to me, your master. Don’t betray that feeling of mine.”
“I’ll take it to heart. Uh, uh… Thank you. Thank you for saying that.”
His sincere words warmed my chest.
A tingling warmth spread throughout my entire body from my chest, and before I knew it, tears welled up.
It was a very happy moment.
I’m still very immature and sometimes worry about things.
But I will never forget the words spoken on this day in my long, long life as an elf.
I cannot betray the trust of someone who recognizes my worth and believes in me.
“A-anyway, I’ve got nothing to sell to your slave elf. I turned you down. You won’t find anyone willing to sell to you.”
“Fine by me. I’ll use my own connections to find another shop. I’ll buy something far superior to anything from such a rude shop.”
“Like you could!”
“Oh, I’ll get it. I absolutely will. I’m confident I can.”
When ancient elves leave their villages to trade, they establish strong foundations in the land for centuries.
Considering the shop’s history and standing, how many shops could possibly defy Alfheim?
The shopkeeper seemed to command immense trust.
“Hmph. I doubt any shop could rival our selection.”
“It seems you’ve lived long enough to forget how vast the world is.”
“If you insist, do as you please.”
“Then excuse us. Mariel, Aire, Cloche, and Stella. Let’s go.”
“Yes, Master. We’ll take our leave.”
Wataru-sama immediately turned away and left the shop with an irritated, loud stomp. Mariel-san bowed and followed.
Then, Aire-san and Cloche-san unleashed a terrifying aura of killing intent, intimidating the shopkeeper.
“A verbal spat is one thing, but if you lay a finger on my master, I’ll cut your throat—no matter how important you think you are. Remember that.”
“I’ll be your opponent, too. Care to taste the power of the Golden Tiger and Black Wolf clans?”
“Hmph. I’m a merchant. I’ll pass on barbaric brawls.”
Though she was likely a skilled Ancient Elf, faced with Aire-san’s killing intent, the shopkeeper was utterly helpless. Though she put on a brave front, she was clearly terrified.
Her face was pale and drenched in cold sweat, and her eyes darted nervously around.
I’ve spent many years on the battlefield, but that was an outrageous killing intent.
It was the first time I’d encountered such a terrifying warrior.
Even at my absolute best, I wouldn’t want to fight her one-on-one.
The fact that such a woman swore loyalty to Wataru-sama made me feel incredibly proud.
My master is undoubtedly a man worthy of such loyalty.
The shopkeeper’s gaze held not just disgust but also a hint of fear.
Though I still hadn’t overcome my discomfort, seeing that expression gave me a quiet sense of satisfaction.
I felt nothing but admiration for Aire-san and Cloche-san.
Thus, we failed to obtain the staff or catalyst we sought in Mage Alley.
However, we gained something far more precious and irreplaceable in its place: the realization of Wataru-sama’s true heart.
My once cracked and shattered heart found a new vessel in gaining Wataru-sama as my trustworthy master.
How can I possibly express my gratitude and repay this debt and trust?!
Until now, my loyalty was halfhearted and insincere, but now I can offer it without a shred of doubt.
Any hardship or suffering that benefits Wataru-sama is as good as a reward to me.
If he told me to die, I would joyfully charge into battle and bloom my death flower. If he told me to lick his ass, I would gladly do so.
For Wataru-sama’s sake, even if my soul were burned eternally by dragon flames, I would have no regrets.
However, the truly troublesome thing is that, since that time, I have been unable to look directly at Wataru-sama’s face.
My heart pounds like a drum, and my face flushes red.
Just meeting his gaze makes me happy; my mind overflows with euphoria.
Exchanging morning greetings brings me joy. Sharing a meal fills me with gratitude. Sleeping under the same roof brings me the utmost happiness.
If he praises me, my whole body trembles, and I tear up.
Then, somehow, my body feels hot, and it hurts.
It feels hotter than when I drank the love potion for the efficacy test, many times over. Every part of me has become unbearably sensitive.
I’ve never experienced anything like this since I was born.
What in the world is happening to me?
…What has become of me?
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