Published: September 9, 2025
※This is a special New Year's edition.
※This time is just a simple breather chapter (around the middle of chapter 12).
“Oh? Lulu, you’re up early.”
“Good morning, Master.”
I paused my changing to greet Master in the morning.
Though I say early, Master wasn’t in bed when I woke up at midnight either, so maybe he’s not sleeping today either.
I can’t imagine Master collapsing from overwork, but even my mother suddenly collapsed once.
Though it’s presumptuous for me to say, I have to harden my heart and tell him to get some sleep!
“Master――”
“Lulu, you’re still halfway through changing, right? It’s awkward where to look, so could you at least properly wear your underwear?”
――Huh?
Underwear?
I looked down awkwardly, as if hearing a creaking sound.
That’s right, the bra I just carefully put on earlier.
I pressed my chest and crouched down on the floor.
Ah, my face is hot.
Showing Master a naked woman as ugly as me… it’s really an eyesore.
“I-I'm sorry, Master, for showing you something like this.”
“Ah, no need to apologize. I was just a bit sleep-deprived and slow to react. Besides, it was a feast for the eyes, so if anyone should apologize, it’s me.”
Master turned away and said gently.
I hurriedly put on my bra. Recently, my bust-up exercises have been working, and it’s gotten a bit bigger, so the size no longer fits.
I’ll have to ask Arisa to adjust the size for me next time.
“Lulu, when Arisa wakes up, please give her this package. It’s dangerous, so be sure to warn the kids not to open it.”
“Yes, understood.”
I temporarily put the package I received from Master into my Fairy Bag.
I’d like to put it in Arisa’s bag, but since I can’t put things in or take things out of other people’s Fairy Bags, it can’t be helped.
Master waved his hand and left the room.
――Ah! Maybe he’s hungry.
The maid who comes regularly won’t arrive for a while, so I have to make something!
I quickly grabbed an apron and followed after Master.
◇
“Are you sure plum porridge is okay?”
“Yeah, it’s gentle on the stomach. And above all, Lulu’s cooking is delicious.”
Ehehe, I got praised.
“By the way, at this time, there’s a morning market on the street near the Royal Capital’s main gate. Want to go?”
At Master’s invitation, I checked the clock he made that hangs on the wall.
There are two hours until everyone wakes up—so it should be okay, right?
“Yes! I want to go.”
“Alright then, after you finish eating this, get dressed properly, and we’ll leave.”
――Eh?
Ahh... I did it again.
Just wearing an apron over underwear is indecent to the extreme.
This is sheer lewdness.
Regretting it, I hurried back to my room and changed.
◇
“As expected of the Royal Capital, there’s such a variety of goods.”
“Yes! It’s so hard to choose.”
There are lots of seasonings and many unfamiliar ingredients. Just thinking about how to use them makes me excited.
If possible, it would be great to study cooking with Master like we did before visiting the Elf Village... but that’s just a luxury, isn’t it?
“Ah, Master, isn’t that a small tuna over there?”
“Really? Let’s go see, Lulu.”
Master smiled happily, took my hand, and ran off.
Master really loves tuna.
I pressed my cheek that was slackening with the hand not holding his, savoring this brief happiness.
◇
After finishing shopping, Master and I sat on a bench next to a food stall to have a light meal.
Maybe because we walked a lot, the aroma of freshly ground buckwheat whetted my appetite.
“It’s my first time eating buckwheat dumpling, but it’s surprisingly delicious.”
“Yes. Unlike the soba we had before, it’s a bit fragile, but this is tasty too.”
It was my first time, but Master, who is knowledgeable, seemed to know about it.
It seems there are still many dishes in the Royal Capital I don’t know yet.
Since I have more pocket money saved up from Labyrinth City than I can spend, maybe I’ll try eating my way around.
I don’t ask for the luxury of just being alone with Master.