Chapter 85: An Invitation

An Invitation

Are you done taking a bath?

Hiik!

Lulu emerged from the bathroom after having immersed herself in the warm bathwater mixed with high quality potions. Frey glanced at her as he strolled through the hallway and inquired.

It looks like your wounds havent fully healed yet, you should stay in there longer.

Ithatthats

Lulu, who was only wearing a towel, blushed heavily as Frey approached her.

Come here. Ill wrap your arm with the bandage again.

M-My clothes

Hmm?

I-Its nothing.

It was impossible to discern whether or not Frey noticed Lulus embarrassment as he wore a nonchalant expression. He suddenly took out a bandage and reached out to Lulus arm.

Maybe its because you had too many injuries, but not even the high quality potions were sufficient in healing your arm.

Frey caressed Lulus scarred arm gently as he spoke.

It was a stark contrast to Freys usual demeanor. He was often found cursing at people on a regular basis and brutally assaulting Kania.

Ow.

Whats wrong, does it hurt?

Frey gently caressed her arm for some time before she released a pained groan as he touched his arm. He questioned her with worry embedded in his voice.

I-Its nothing. This much pain is

Kania, bring some medicine here.Tp vl updates on n/(o)/v/lb/in(.)com

Lulus firm desire was to quickly go change as she was wrapped in only a bath towel. However, Frey persisted in grasping her arm and provided Kania with a command.

I knew you would ask for it, so I already brought over some medicine in advance

Kania, who had been on standby in the hallway, appeared with a bottle of medicine. She froze when she noticed the nearly naked Lulu.

Kania. The medicine.

Y-Yes I understand.

Kania quickly handed the vial to Frey after overcoming her shock. Her actions hastened due to Freys frigid glare and she quickly descended the stairs afterwards.

Master Frey, your concern is appreciated, but please let me wear some clothheut!

Lulus trembling words were cut off when she felt Frey applying ointment to her arm. The cold feeling of the ointment induced a shiver in her body.

From now on, Ill be the one to apply medicine to your arm.

Frey smiled gently and spoke as he applied the ointment to Lulus arm.

..I understand.

Lulu decided to agree to all of Freys demands upon seeing his benign smile. After all, having her wounds be treated was advantageous for herself as well.

So, from now on, dont hurt yourself. Alright?

Frey spoke with a worried expression on his face as he finished applying the ointment and started wrapping a bandage around Lulus slender arm.

Ugh

Oh, my apologies. Its cold right? Let me take you to your room.

As Lulu continued to tremble at the mysterious sensation induced by the medicine and the bandage brought, Frey spoke swiftly and grasped onto her hand. He dragged her towards the hallway and began walking.

Master Frey, this isnt the way to my room.

However, the direction Frey began walking towards, was in the complete opposite direction of where Lulus room was.

Just a while ago, you wouldve been correct, but not anymore.

Huh?

Lulu tilted her head in confusion in response to the eerie reply.

From now on, this is the room youll be staying in.

Haa.

Lulu could only understand the meaning of his words once Frey came to a halt and opened the door to a room.

How is it? Do you like it?

The room was several times larger than the dormitory she had been living in, and was decorated luxuriously.

Thenfrom now on, will I be living with the other servants?

Lulu scanned the room in shock and noticed all her belongings had been brought here.

No, this is a room just for you.

What!?

Lulus eyes widened in shock as Frey responded with a calm expression on his face.

Well then, Ill take my leave.

Wa-Wait

Lulu could only watch as Frey left the room before she could even speak. Soon silence descended upon the room.

W-Whats going on?

The only words that resonated in the room was Lulus dumbfounded murmuring.

.

.

.

.

Time passed and the sun was beginning to set.

Phew

Lulu laid on her new bed and recollected all the events of the past day.

Dinner was delicious too.

The meals she ate with Frey were two of the most exquisite meals in Lulus life. Her typical meals consisted of white rice porridge or stale bread offered at free food stations.

Instead of porridge, she was provided a warm soup with crayfish, and instead of bread hard enough to break a tooth, she was provided warm creamy bread.

Not only that, but the mountains of colorful seafood that Lulu thought she would never be able to eat in her lifetime came as a great shock to her.

And, Freys attitude

The luxurious food wasnt the only source of bewilderment.

It was quite unbelievable that Frey would glance at her with soft eyes and a gentle smile. Just today alone, he had verbally abused and assaulted the staff dozens of times.

That individual cared for her well-being.

Didnt he apply medicine directly to my wound and even helped bandage it?

Kania and Irinas minor mistakes were met with verbal rebukes and assault. In contrast, whenever he encountered Lulu, he would smile gently and stroke her hair.

For Lulu, who had never received gentle human contact nor a warm gaze, this was an unforgettable experience. Throughout her miserable life, only Frey has ever provided her with these experiences.

No. Frey is still a villain.

Lulu lay on her bed staring at the ceiling and recalled Kania and Irinas conversation she had overheard earlier.

Kania, is it your turn tonight?

I believe so. How terrible.

I wonder if and when we can escape this hell

Kania and Irina embraced each other with pale faces as they conversed.

You must not go in here.

H-huh?

After eating with Frey, Lulu had received permission to wander the mansion. She encountered Kania at the entrance to the basement.

Because its a place where the young master enjoys his entertainment.

Kania shook in terror as she spoke, as if the acts performed within the basement were too fearful to imagine.

After all, the rumors were right.

Lulu was well aware of the rumors about Freys lewd nightlife that had permeated the Empire.

Now that Ive had a good time it should be about time for my misfortune to set in.

Lulus stigma would not allow her to have a single day of bliss. The rest of her day would be brimming with misfortunes.

If Lulu is right, that would be

Creaaaak

Heup.

The terrified Lulu turned pale in response to the creaking sound of the door opening, as quickly sat up on her bed.

Hello, Lulu.

Ah

Lulu trembled with a frightened expression on her face when Frey entered the room smiling while only wearing a white robe.

After all this is what it means to be his pet.

It was clear that all the terrible rumors that occurred in the cellar of the Starlight Mansion stemmed from Freys actions.

From this moment forward, she would be thoroughly dominated by Frey.

Ple-Please

But, there was nothing she could do.

If she resisted, she would be abandoned by Frey, and everything she had endured thus far would be rendered meaningless.

So no matter how badly she was abused by him, she had to endure.

Please be gentle.

Lulu made up her mind and got on her knees, begging as she shut her eyes firmly.

-Clack, Clack.

Freys footsteps and the rustling of his loose robes brushing against itself became more and more audible as he approached.

Hmm.

The rustling of his robes and his footprints came to a stop right in front of her. Lulu swallowed her saliva and began to silently wait for Freys touch.

Alright, hows the room? Is there anything not to your liking?

However, her fears never became reality.

Frey gently stroked Lulus head as he spoke.

Uh huh?

Whats wrong, Lulu?

Lulu glanced at Frey with an expression of incomprehensibility and carefully inquired.

W-Why are you stroking my hair?

Huh? Didnt you say to be gentle?

Frey asked with a confused expression on his face, and Lulu, who was befuddled, responded by asking a crude question without realizing it.

Arent you going to force yourself on me?

Pffft!

Frey burst out laughing, then spoke with a smile plastered on his face.

Why would I do that?

Huh? B-But

You are my pet. What kind of an owner would copulate with their pet?

A puzzled expression emerged on Lulus face and Frey gently stroked her head before continuing.

Its like raising a dog or a cat. I thought you were cute, so I made you my pet, Lulu.

A dog or a cat?

Yes, I just did that earlier to check if you would rebel.

The corner of Freys lips lifted into a smile and he added a frigid statement.

And for that role, Kania, Irina, and the people in the cellar are enough.

In response to his chilling statement, Lulu stared at him with a terrified expression. Frey only glanced at her with curious eyes and spoke in a soft voice.

Anyway, the attitude you displayed was very good. Ill compliment you for that.

Yes

Lulu, what should you do if you receive a compliment?

Uh, say thank you?

Lulu looked into Freys eyes as she responded unconfidently. Frey glanced back with satisfaction in his eyes and spoke.

Good girl. Even if I dont give you a command, youll behave well, right?

Yes.

Thats right. Good girl.

Lulu questioned him in a quiet voice as Frey smiled again.

But why are you here then?

I just came to say good night before going to bed.

Frey gently laid Lulu on the bed, kissed her on the lips, and whispered alluringly.

Good night, Lulu.

Having said so with a smile, Frey turned around and began to leave the room.

Wait Then, whats the next misfortune?

Lulu began to panic in confusion.

She expected herself to be sadistically tortured and cruelly harassed, but nothing like that occurred. Now, she was awaiting a misfortune to occur that she could not foresee.

What what whats going on

Despite experiencing the greatest bliss in her life, Lulu began to panic again.

Crunch, crunch.

She attempted to draw her knife out of habit, but remembered that Frey had removed any sharp objects on her person. She resorted to biting her nails instead.

Cough! Cough! Ugh

Ahh.

Frey, who had yet to step outside of her room, suddenly stopped walking and coughed. Lulu stopped biting her nails and stared at him blankly.

Ughh.

Frey flinched for a brief moment at the sight of his own hand after his spasm of coughing came to a conclusion. He silently retrieved a handkerchief from his pocket.

Creaak

Frey wiped his hands off with his handkerchief and quietly opened the door before walking out. Lulus blank expression transformed into one of horror as she fell deep into thought.

It cant be, right?

Her eyes trembled as she spoke.

.

.

.

.

.

Whew

Frey was exhausted from a day filled with acting.

He teamed up with Kania and Irina to set up a performance. He even gave one of the chefs he hired some money to play along and also showered Lulu with love.

It was quite difficult to keep up the act, but if doing so could save that poor child, its definitely something he had to do.

Creaak..

Now, I have to contemplate what to do for my birthday

I opened the door to my room and laid on my bed exhausted. I tried to fall asleep as I organized my thoughts. However

Hooot!!

Hiss!!

What is this nonsense

When I came to the realization that my room had transformed into a battlefield, I stared blankly for some time.

Meow! Meow!

The cat doll, who was constantly being pecked by Serenas white owl, cried out and grasped my leg.

If you keep doing this it wont Huh?

I attempted to reason with the owl who was assaulting the cat doll but noticed a letter on my desk. I hastened my steps towards my desk with widened eyes.

What could be written here? New information? A new plan? Or

I finally grabbed the letter and tore open the envelope as my thoughts raced ceaselessly.

Eh?

Disappointment grew on his face when he noticed that there was only a since there was only a single miniscule note in the envelope.

Well, Serena is also very busy these days.

I knew exactly how busy Serena was currently.

She has to determine the location of the runaway Secret Head, work on the foundations to completely acquire the Moonlight Family, and also worry about the contents of the letter from Clana.

Therefore, a note of this size wasnt out of the ordinary.

Huh?

I immediately froze as I tried to calm myself down and read the contents of the note.

My parents arent home.

Clearly, I have to go out tonight.

Chapter end