(EP-8) Flower Aira #8

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008 – Evil Flower Aira #8

Draw me a sheep{1}.

No, YOU change your stockings!

Queen Aira said it, as if it was natural.

It was like this was her right and that it had been this way for a very long time.

Well, actually, Aira had always been living like this.

She lacked nothing and lived without any type of inconvenience. If there was a problem, everyone else would deal with it on her behalf.

She ate only good things like dew, and had never gone to the toilet in her entire life.

Come to think of it, I hadn't actually seen Aira using the bathroom during my time here this year.

I didn't know if I would ever see that in the future, but….

"Hurry and change it. I want to go now!"

Aira's languid voice pulled me out of my thoughts, about the interesting topic of going to the toilet. Let's figure that out later.

The important issue right now was this.

"Are you saying you're going out to town this evening?"

"Yes."

The Queen's trip was a job that required quite a lot of manpower and funding.

We had to clean the streets, taking away any objects and people that could potentially pose a threat.

We also had to hire guards and bands. Anyway, there were a lot of things that needed to be considered.

Therefore, the Queen's trip should be a political performance that was prepared and planned for at least a week in advance. At least, that was my thought.

However, Aira said that she wanted to go in these stockings right now.

Why?

Did someone give this idea to Aira while I was away? Only her cousin, Elga, was in the position to do so.

While Aira was speaking, I looked around the room, wondering if Elga might be hiding somewhere.

"Tae-oh, when are you going to change it? Before it gets too late, there is a place I want to go."

"A place you want to go?"

"Yes. Tae-oh, have you ever seen a nymph?"

A nymph?

If it was a nymph…

Thinking of this, tall females would come to mind.

The nymphs were an all-female race. They were like the protectors of nature, rarely found in forests and mountains.

It was the most unique and elaborately described race in 'Villain Hunter'.

So they were quite popular.

If it was a characteristic, they also spoke strangely.

"Elga said that there's a tavern run by a Nymph. I heard that the specials sold there until dinner time are delicious. If I don't go now, it will be too late!"

As expected, it was Elga…

This was what happened when Elga, who returned from the expedition, stayed in the Royal Capital. Many variables would pop up, with me being on the receiving end of the difficulties.

But this was still within the boundaries of being fine. I, at least, had some control over it.

"Come, take it off, Tae-oh."

Aira sat down on the sofa and gently waved her legs towards me. As always, I skillfully removed the stockings from the garter belt that spanned her long legs.

Slip-

The sight of the stockings being removed from the smooth and soft legs was honestly something worth seeing anytime. Once the black stockings were taken off, it would reveal the supple white skin.

The stockings were pulled past her knees and calves, before revealing her small, dainty ankles as well as slender feet.

Perhaps because I had taken off her clothes before, but a scent that resembled the smell of ripe peaches wafted through my nose, making me feel dizzy. I heard that in ancient times, there were maidens who only ate fruits to maintain the scent of their body.

Was Aira like that?

But it was only natural that Aira's scent, who grew up wearing only good things, seeing only good things, and eating only good things, was so alluring.

I recovered my increasingly bewitched spirit and, with a familiar touch, put the black stockings on the creamy white flesh. At this time, the sweet scent was also trapped inside the stockings.

Seuk, seuk. Aira said while stroking her leg.

"As expected, Tae-oh is better at this kind of thing. For some reason, the other maids would be shivering and take a long time to do it."

What did you mean? It was because they were afraid!

I used to be scared of Aira as well.

Well, it was still scary…

There were a few rules regarding how to act, according to what Aira's mood was.

But now, in a way, it was controllable. At least, that was what I thought.

I then took the removed stockings and carefully placed them in my pocket.

"You said that you wanted to go now, but may I suggest putting it on hold till tomorrow? If we were to prepare the necessities right now, it would take too long. By the time everything is finished, it will be well past midnight."

Let's postpone the plan until tomorrow and take control of the situation. Usually, this method worked quite well.

However, today's Aira was a little different.

"It's fine to not have any preparation or protocol. Tae-oh, it will only be you and I, with no other people following. It will just be the two of us going."

"… Just us?"

This was the first time this had happened.

"Yes. Tae-oh, you do this often, don't you? Sneaking around, unbeknownst to people. Wandering the streets without any escort. You were even doing things that were a secret to me as well."

Aira's voice was calm and cool.

It was thanks to this, I felt goosebumps running down my back.

Aira seemed to have known that I would go around the market alone and gather information. I also noticed it and was vaguely anticipating this.

A servant acting in secret from the Queen. If Aira asked, "Why are you hiding things from me? Are you plotting a rebellion?" How should I answer?

I couldn't possibly say that I once read a novel and, since this world was similar to that one, I was collecting information about it.

Of course, I already made up two excuses for this situation. As I was wracking my brain to decide on which of the two was better to use, Aira said.

"Tae-oh, I will turn a blind eye to whatever dangerous moves you have done without reporting to me. However, from now on, I will escort you wherever you go."

"I understand. I am sorry."

"In that sense, how about you come with me today? With our identities hidden, we shall sneak beyond the palace walls! How about it? Doesn't it sound fun?"

Aira's eyes were already staring at the walls from the window.

* * *

"Aira-nim. This may be rude to say, but I think your clothes are too luxurious for stealth."

"Huh? This? But this is the oldest set of clothes I own though?"

Aira narrowed her eyebrows slightly as she looked at the robe that was draped over her body.

She was wearing a top-class silk Magician robe which was embroidered with purple and yellow threads. Only the Royal Family could use purple threads in this world.

If she wore that, the meaning of stealth would disappear…

Thus, I took a couple of brown robes from the Court, the ones maids would wear when they went out.

With this on, unless one deliberately revealed their identity, they wouldn't be recognized.

Of course, nothing was absolute. You couldn't know when, where, and what kinds of variables could arise, so it was important to stay alert at all times.

"Come, Tae-oh. Hold on to my waist."

Aira said to me from under the palace walls, which seemed to be three meters tall. I gently grabbed her waist, which made Aira put her hand over mine and had me hold on tighter.

"Hold closer, otherwise you will fall. Hug me!"

"Then, excuse me."

Eventually, I wrapped my arms around Aira's waist. I felt that her waist was extremely thin, to the point that I could wrap my arms around it with any problems.

Stomp-

With the sound of stomping on the ground, my field of vision rose in an instant. My body suddenly soared, as if I was taking a scary ride.

To be more precise, Aira jumped over the 3-meter wall. The problem was that her body, which had flown high, was now being mercilessly drawn down by gravity.

Seuuuuu-

——————————-

I almost screamed from fright. The sensation of falling from a high place made me feel as if everything inside my stomach was moving up towards my throat.

However, Aira's palms blocked it.

Tadat.

"Great, we're out! In the past, Anise and I had also often sneaked out of court like this."

Anise was one of Aira's older sisters. Among the 12 boys and 5 girls, she was the fourth youngest, right above Aira.

I heard that she was a very kind and friendly woman.

"I remember wandering around with my sister, exploring the surroundings while looking at this and that."

Aira really liked Anise. So, when Anise suddenly vomited blood and died right in front of Aira, the shock must have broken Aria's inner sense of scale.

Suddenly, it occurred to me that if Aira's family had not died…

I wonder what type of girl Aira would have been instead?

Since she was far from inheriting the crown, she would probably just drink tea, ride horses, and look at flowers, like an ordinary noble, right?

Of course, this type of thinking was meaningless in the current situation, but….

"Let's go, Gospel. I know the name of the tavern."

"I know where it is. I'll lead the way."

The place Aira was talking about was the「Nymph's Ditch」which was the same tavern on the outskirts that I had just visited. It was a well-known fact that the Tavern owner Madame was from the rare Nymph race.

I didn't know that I would be going there again today.

Would anyone recognize me?

I was wearing a different robe, without any sort of visible identification, so it should work out somehow.

Also, would anyone really think that I would go there twice in one day?

With that in mind, Aira and I safely left the central street. We then entered the noisy and messy area in the West Gate slum district of ​​Monarch City.

Jilpok, jilpok-

The road was unstable and the ground was dirty, so we carefully watched our steps as we walked.

It was fine for me, but I was worried about what Aira, who was wearing nice shoes, would think of this.

"Even at night, there are many people."

However, Aira was busy watching the people walking around. She seemed to be very interested in this sort of thing.

Her black eyes that peeked out from under her hood were full of curiosity. She didn't seem to care about the mud soaking her shoes.

━Dashing Sirs passing by there, are you interested in getting your fortunes read for only a penny?

━My child is starving, please…

"Hmm-"

When Aira's eyes landed on the beggars crouching on the street, I felt a chilling sensation.

What was she thinking about while looking at them?

"It's spring. It's a chilly day."

She didn't seem to have much in mind.

Although, I vaguely expected for this to happen.

Aira was not interested in most things, unless they were related to herself or a few people around her.

"Ah ah, Sister, Sister, Please buy a flower, Sister!"

At this moment, a group of children flocked towards us. These were the ones who sold flowers and pretty stones. The typical slum child who had soot on their faces and hands.

These children were pulling on and touching the hem of Aira's robe, while bringing out flowers. For anyone who knew of Aira's true identity, this was a truly terrifying scene to look at.

However, much to my surprise, Aira's mouth gently curved up.

"They are such cute children."

She even ruffled the messy hair of the children with her hands.

━Wow, this noona smells good.

━Where, where? I want to smell it too.

Even though the children were clinging to her in a somewhat rude manner, Aira did not scold or yell at them.

Yes. As one could see, Aira liked children.

It was because children were naive and innocent beings, without any hint of hypocrisy or slander. At least, Aira seemed to have thought so.

"Unnie. Unnie. That long robe. Unnie is a Magician, right? Please buy one flower for a coin. It's a lucky flower!"

"A coin? Sure, a flower is worth a coin."

"Here, Miss. I'll pay."

I didn't know what was going to happen, so we left the street and moved quickly.

"I got a nice flower bracelet."

"We will go this way."

After quickly walking, we soon arrived at the front of the tavern.

It was a large three-story building. Maybe it was because it was rather late in the day, the place was very noisy. It would become even more crowded in the late evening.

Jingling-

━What did you just say? Say that again you prick!

━Bald head!

━Bald, bald? That's it, you're dead!

I hesitated, wondering if I should really bring Aira here.

"I am looking forward to meeting the Nymph!"

Aira opened the sliding door of the tavern and went in first.

I rushed in after her.

"It is messy here. I'll take you to a quieter place."

"Okay, escort me."

Ttogak, ttogak-

Despite asking me to escort her, Aira gracefully made her way through the noisy and jumbled tavern.

Even in such a chaotic space, her noble poise remained. It was like she was showing off that she was a Queen.

━Look!

━Is that the daughter of some noble family? Seems like they snuck out to play at night.

━So, shall we try approaching her? Maybe they will allow it, since they are excited about being able to play at night.

━If you want to see the light of the next day, stay still. I have seen a few people meeting tragic endings like that…

It was like gold not losing its value, even if it got muddy.

Aira might be hiding her identity, but she could not hide her aura and dignity.

Hence, some people with good eyesight were already looking at us.

If only they knew that the woman they were looking at, with half interest and half curiosity, was the monarch of this country.

Of course, they wouldn't know that.

A waitress approached us as soon as we sat down. At first, I thought it was the freckled waitress from before, but it was a different person.

Did she already leave? Well, after experiencing that kind of thing, it was normal if she wanted to get off work early and take a break.

"Dear customers, here is the menu. You can tell us which dish you would like to order."

"Okay."

While Aira was busy looking around, I ordered a glass of honey wine, which seemed to be the most moderate drink. It also had milk mixed with honey.

At this time, Aira spoke.

"I thought you could see a Nymph if you came here? Where is the Nymph?"

"Ah, Are you talking about the Manager? The Manager is currently-"

"Bring me the Nymph."

"Yes, yes?"

I felt the waitress, who had brown hair that was tied into two ponytails, was bewildered at Aira's request.

"Excuse me, but what did you say?"

"Did you not hear me? Bring me the Nymph."

It was surprising that Aira had said the same thing twice. However, things were not looking so good right now, so I decided to quickly intervene.

"My Lady wants to try the Manager's special menu. We will give proper compensation, so can you please ask the Manager if she could spare some time from her busy schedule?"

I implicitly stated that the young lady I was serving had a very high status and that it was best to just follow her request.

"Ah-"

The waitress, hardened by working in this dirty place, scratched the back of her head and nodded, as if she understood my meaning.

"Of course, then please wait here for a while."

But just as the waitress was about to leave, Aira called out, "Wait a minute," pulling something out of her sleeves and placing it on the table.

"This is a tip."

Dalgak.

"At a tavern like this, you have to tip, right?"

A shiny object was placed on the table.

"Oh, oh oh!?"

The waitress, who saw it, screamed in surprise. It was as if she had a mental breakdown.

Sulrong. Sulrong.

Thanks to that, the noisy tavern suddenly became quiet.

It was because what Aira took out was none other than a gold coin!

To read up to 300 chapters. patreon.com/Daoist02