Ever since Elder Beren started teaching temporarily at the academy, I’ve felt the bottomless chasm between Elves and humans growing deeper.

Take Discipline Elder Beren herself, the most typical example.

Threatening her with various leverage points was my last resort. Afterward, I’d planned to ease her anxiety with proper “gentlemanly manners” and a “warm Rosric welcome.”

But it was completely useless.

A few days ago, during a massage session, a tiny “accident” made her label me a perverted creep. When she accidentally saw me changing clothes, she screamed I was a “cross-dressing pervert”…

For all sorts of reasons, whatever I did, Elder Beren twisted it into something perverted.

Explaining further would be pointless. Helpless, I used my day off to return home and consult my stepmother—the Queen of the Elves—for advice.

…

Afternoon sunlight spilled over the balcony of my castle’s upper floor.

Queen Freya—my aunt and one of my stepmothers—sat in a chair, basking in the warmth. She wore loose, comfortable maternity clothes, one hand gently cradling her slightly swollen belly, a blissful smile on her face.

“Hmm… Xiao Ya, that’s not right at all,” she chided softly. “Ears—especially the lobes—are our most sensitive spots. Just a light breath can make an Elf react strongly.”

I could only nod obediently.

She’d been pregnant for months now. Even if I dared, I wouldn’t risk upsetting her.

Besides, to make a good impression on my future little sister—to avoid her thinking “my brother’s a cross-dressing pervert”—I’d even risked my physical constitution flaring up by wearing men’s clothes today!

“Yes, yes! You’re absolutely right. But… how can I get along with Elder Beren?”

I knelt beside her, straining to hear the faint movements from her belly as I sought her counsel.

As Queen of the Elves, she must understand her people’s hearts.

Suddenly, she chuckled mysteriously, gazing at me like a son who’d “suddenly grown up.”

“Xiao Ya, why care so much about Beren? Could it be you…? Well, aside from being overly serious, she’s truly exceptional among Elven women.”

“N-no way!” I blurted out, then quickly lowered my voice for my sister’s sake.

“I just want to get along with her! That Elf targets me for no reason.”

Worse, I worried about Elder Beren’s hopeless personality. She’d protest while her body betrayed her, lost in fantasies like me “training” or “humiliating” her…

If this continued, I feared her psyche might shatter. Rumors like “Elven Discipline Elder broken by a human” had to be avoided.

“Ah… Beren’s grudge against you runs deep… heh…”

My stepmother’s rare, bitter smile surfaced just as she began to explain. Then—

*Bang!*

The balcony doors burst open. A figure charged in, maids futilely tugging at her robes.

“Release me! You human maids! I’m an Elder Elf! I have the right to petition our Queen directly!”

That rigid voice. That reckless energy. That utterly “Elven” declaration…

I didn’t need to turn around to know who’d disturbed my pregnant stepmother.

Discipline Elder Beren!

*Heh! You Elf! Barging in on my pregnant stepmom’s rest? Got a death wish?*

…

Wait.

*Danger’s on my side!*

I shot up to flee—but too late.

Beren, storming toward the Queen, locked eyes with me.

“Your Majesty! I came to condemn that man’s son! That perverted beast dared to— Huh? Huh!? I-It’s… you!?”

Was it my imagination, or did her tone turn instantly polite?

“H-hello,” I greeted her grimly in my men’s attire.

We’d met once before when I wore this outfit. Luckily, this Elf’s eyesight seemed poor—she hadn’t connected my male and female disguises!

“Oh? You two know each other?”

My stepmother’s knowing smile flickered between us.

“Beren, surely you recognize him? He’s my…”

“Ah! A-ahhh! Your Majesty, wait!”

I cut her off desperately—using the safe title “Your Majesty” to hide my identity!

*Brilliant!*

*Stay calm, Arisa. Don’t let that hothead Beren link my disguises! If she does, it won’t just be insults!*

I stole a glance at my stepmother.

Through pure “maternal affection,” we reached silent understanding.

*[Don’t tell her my name.]*

*[Then let me hold you for two days… I’ve missed your milky scent lately.]*

*Deal!*

I had no choice. Twenty days? Fine.

…

My stepmother spoke smoothly. Honestly, the wives my father chose were never airheads.

“Beren, meet our household butler. His name is… hmm… Alisha Da!”

“Y-yes! I am Alisha Da, the butler here… *cough cough*!”

*Seriously, Stepmom?! “Alisha Da”?! That obvious fake name?!*

“Ah… so… that’s your name.”

*Unbelievable! This socially clueless Elf actually bought it?!*

Relief flooded me—I missed the faint blush on Beren’s cheeks.

*Thank goodness her eyes and brain are both faulty!*

Just as I gloated internally, my stepmother dropped a bombshell.

“Beren, as you see, pregnancy makes me terribly sleepy. Even now, I’m exhausted.”

“In exchange… why not share your troubles with this butler? He’s an excellent listener.”

“Xiao Ya… ahem, *Alisha Da*… *pfft*…”

*Don’t laugh, Stepmom! You invented that name!*

“This is your duty too,” she added, eyes twinkling. “Our Elven Elder Beren has worries. As a true gentleman, you *must* help her resolve them.”