Chapter 245: Sherryl

Giliath demands your power stones! Let's try to get over 500 this week!

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"Pervert.". A soft voice spread out in a rather large and fancy bedroom that was placed toward where Esmelas Garden currently laid, as this area of Valflame Palace housed the private quarters of Erebonia's Royal Family. Inside this room in its center toward the back lay a rather large and circular bed, mostly vermillion and pink in color with many pillows surrounding it. A large hanging curtain wrapped around the entire bed, shielding what was currently inside of it.

Inside the large circular bed, Sherryl could be seen propped up against one of the beds that let her rest her back against the wall. She wasn't alone either. Off to the side, a short violet haired boy, who was about four years older than Sherryl now, could be seen directly to the left of Sherryl, which was of course Naoto. He had stayed the night in Valflame Palace, and the princess dragged him into her own room no less, it was something he couldn't refuse, seeing the princess so adamant about Naoto staying in her room for the night.

That also meant Princess Alfin dragged Sherryl along with Naoto, and the new found themselves sleeping inside this large bed, only to be greeted by the rays of the sun off to the side. In turn, Princess Alfin could be seen placed off to the side a bit, away from the two on her own couple of pillows, letting her long, golden hair flow down the side of her body as she peacefully snoozed away, currently still asleep.

There was no reason to refuse Princess Alfin's kind gesture of offering her room to us the night prior, so Sherryl and I took it upon ourselves, and quickly fell asleep in Princess Alfin's bed. Being the gentleman that I was, I made sure to keep my distance, putting Sherryl and I a certain distance away from Princess Alfin, despite knowing that I am now engaged to her. Yet beaten to my punch, I saw Sherryl waking up before me. I was a pretty early riser thanks to the practices I've put in place, letting me wake up around 6AM, meaning I only got around six hours of sleep.

I'm sure father often gets less sleep considering his current position, but for me personally, I'm fine with even just six to seven hours of sleep on a normal basis. I have learned meditation from Roselia as well, so sleeping for long periods of time doesn't really do much for me. Still, it was a surprise to see the lilac haired girl, who I have not seen for these last couple of years, awake beside me. I could see her pink eyes looking my way. Though tracing Sherryl's gaze, I saw a hint of red currently on her rosy cheeks. Her present gaze pointed downward, toward where our feet currently laid. There was a good reason why Sherryl uttered that, as a small tent could currently be seen pitched within the large bedding, but it was enough for Sherryl to see it. I couldn't help but grin seeing Sherryl respond like this.

"Haha, this is a very natural phenomenon for boys in the morning, you see. It's not like I can do much to stop it. It should calm down on its own in a few moments.", I said, seeing Sherryl let out a sigh as she observed the small pitched tent over the covers that were still wrapped around us.

"Uh-uh. Still, it makes me realize just how much time has passed since we've last seen each other. I am grateful for what Teacher has done for me, but I wouldn't deny that there were times I wasn't feeling lonely without your presence, Big Brother.", Sherryl said, revealing a smile as she snuggled up against me, letting body rest against my left shoulder. I smiled seeing Sherryl do this.

"Well, I have no plans to leave anytime soon, regardless of your current situation of studying at St. Astraia. If I recall, you said you only plan to study there for one to two years? That might fall in line where I will begin my studies at Jenis Royal Academy.", I said. Hearing me ask that, Sherryl nodded her head.

"That's the plan. I want to return home and become your head maid. I meant what I declared back in those caves. I've much calmed down too from all the happenings in the last couple years. I am even interested in having a spar against you, Big Brother. My weird physique has improved by leaps and bounds ever since I've received Teacher's training while we traveled across Zemuria.", Sherryl responded in confidence, causing me to nod my head at her. Sherryl is still just a ten year old girl much like Princess Alfin is to my side, but she's already growing into a rather beautiful girl. Her skin has become extremely tender yet tough, making one to think twice in attacking her. She didn't have any visible muscle, but I did not doubt her newfound strength.

"It would seem your determination hasn't faltered in the slightest since we've parted from the Glorious. As to how strong you've gotten in your absence, it wouldn't be a lie that I didn't have interest to see how strong you've become. I plan to take it easy since it's still the weekend, but once the week starts, I plan to pay a visit to the Vander School, considering that's where most of my time will be spent in these couple months. After that, I plan to take those trials. I hope you'll still stand by my side during them.", I happily responded, seeing the happy look in Sherryl's eyes.

"How could I not? Like you, I think I'm ready for whatever is planning to be thrown at us. That's still a couple months away as you say though, I think we have a more pressing matter to attend to.", Sherryl suddenly said, causing me to get distracted.

"Oh? What would that be?", I decided to ask, seeing Sherryl's persistence on the matter. I saw Sherryl do a motion of her arm, only to point back toward the blankets that were currently pitching a small tent, causing me to blink at it for a moment. As I did that, I heard Sherryl's soft voice speak right into my ear.

"Shall I help calm this down for you? It'd be uncomfortable if the princess saw this, right? It would be a new area for me, but I think I could manage...", Sherryl asked softly as a hit of red appeared over her cheeks, causing me to shift my eyes back toward her.

"I don't think that would sit well on my conscience...", I immediately retorted, causing Sherryl to blink her eyes at me. I knew well what she had just uttered, which caused me to garner a more serious look in my eyes. "You do realize what that would imply, right?", I asked Sherryl. Hearing me utter this in a serious tone, Sherryl nodded her head.

"I've...set aside some of my studies to learn the basics, at the very least, Big Brother. I will be taking my duties as your maid very seriously in the future. If things like this cause any form of discomfort, then as your maid, it would be my duty to make sure your well-being is maintained.", Sherryl responded in a serious manner. She was still young, so it wouldn't do me right to see her take such actions presently. Hell, both of us were still young to even consider such a topic, but it was bound to come up eventually. I gently shook my head, only to ruffle her hair a bit, causing Sherryl to squint one of her eyes.

"I do appreciate your kind gesture, Sherryl, but let's hold off on this for now, alright? This isn't regarding my current placement with the others, both of us are still too young to even consider such a thing. I don't want to force you to do it either.", I responded with a calm look, causing Sherryl to smile.

"If that is what you want, Big Brother, then I won't go against you. I am a little curious, however. It's clear that multiple girls like you. I've heard from Emma you've entered a relationship with one or two already?", Sherryl decided to ask.

"I sure have. Once things settle down and my visit here in Erebonia is done, I could take you to meet them back at the castle, only if you find a break in your studies at St. Astraia that is.", I answered, feeling the tension between my legs start to die down a bit. Sherryl saw the natural phenomenon start to recede back into the covers, no longer creating a small tent.

"Mmm.", Sherryl simply responded, sporting a happy look in her eyes. I'm glad I was able to have another chat like this with her. I could see the happy look Sherryl currently had. She took a moment to let me ruffle her hair in silence. At this time, the two of us suddenly heard the sound of the covers ruffling a bit, only for us to get distracted. We both looked over, and saw Princess Alfin start to squirm a bit, only to start snoozing again. Seeing her do this, it was likely she was bound to wake up soon.

Sherryl and I only looked back toward each other, letting out a light laughter. Yet at the same time, I heard a single notification sound off inside my mind, causing me to blink my eyes at Sherryl, which caused Sherryl to get distracted herself.

[Ding! Sherryl's resolution has reached its peak in wanting to remain at Player Naoto's side for whatever the future may have in store for Player Naoto. Determined to become your Head Maid, Sherryl's favorability has reached its max. Now granting [Sherryl's Blessing] to Player Naoto. A new parameter has been unlocked for Sherryl and is available for viewing.]