Still, it was embarrassing to be led around by Elucia.

But once the collar covered her neck, Lonis somehow felt a little safer... as if Elucia's warmth were traveling down the iron chain and into her.

(No, what am I thinking? How shameless... I must be under the monster's influence. That's all it is!)

(I'll be fine by tomorrow. I know I will.)

Lonis tried to reassure herself as she followed Elucia into the bathroom.

“Today, as punishment, you can wash your master's hair, you slave maid.”

“Huh?”

“Heh heh. My long hair is very smooth, you know. If you don't take good care of it, I'll tie you up and whip you for fifteen minutes.”

With that, Elucia sat down and contentedly closed her eyes... The black-haired girl's figure was beautiful, like a work of art that left you lost for words.

But that wasn't the only thing that left Lonis dumbstruck. How was she supposed to clean Elucia's gorgeous hair?

There wasn't even any body wash in the bathroom. All they had were a few bars of soap.

“Bring me a basin of water and wipe it clean, one lock at a time.”

“O-okay...”

Lonis cupped Elucia's hair in her hands and only then noticed how incredibly smooth it was.

Unless she gripped it tightly, it was almost impossible to hold. It slipped gently through her fingers with ease.

“Master's hair is so soft...”

“Of course it is. Heh heh. Don't think flattery will get you out of your punishment.”

“Ngh...”

“Your touch is acceptable. Once you've washed me, you masochistic maid can wash yourself too. Make sure you don't leave a single speck of dirt.”

“Huh?”

“I've undone the clasp on your clothes. You can take off your dress now.”

...

When she heard Elucia say that, Lonis suddenly felt a weight lift off her shoulders.

Ever since she'd come back to life, she'd never once taken off this outfit completely... She had to wear it all the time, whether she was resting or working.

Even when she slept, all she could do was take off her high heels and loosen her clothes a little.

The dress seemed to clean itself and never got dirty, but wearing it for so long had left Lonis feeling humiliated, as if she were sealed inside a cage.

Not even being able to choose what she wore... That had to be the lowest a slave could sink, didn't it?

Now that she could take it off, Lonis felt much more at ease.

“Hmph. Don't get too happy. I'm only letting you take it off so you can bathe for half an hour.”

“Huh?”

“When you're done, you'll put it right back on.”

“!”

...

Washing Elucia's long hair didn't take Lonis very long.

The black-haired girl was already very tidy. There were only a few bits of lint in her hair, and they came right off with a wipe.

But when it came to washing herself, Lonis froze.

Because...

SHE WAS WASHING HERSELF!

The warm water flowed over her skin, and only then did Lonis realize just how sensitive her body was.

Her skin was smooth as silk. Even the lightest pass of a finger left a bright red mark.

Earlier, an abyssal tentacle monster had pierced her arm, and a cube-shaped octopus monster had electrocuted her all over. But now, not a single scar remained.

Her skin was soft and smooth, tracing every curve of a young woman's figure.

And that wasn't all. Lonis couldn't find a single hair anywhere on her body.

Not even there.

Her body was like a flawless piece of jade: soft, delicate, and helpless, as if all she could do was wait for someone to claim her... If her past self had seen such a beautiful girl, she would've taken her home no matter what anyone said and made her his wife.

But now...

That cute, beautiful girl was her.

(Waaah...)

Lonis had lost count of how many times she'd groaned in regret. Every time, all she could do was blush and accept reality.

And that wasn't all. Her body was so sensitive that she had to wipe her skin very, very slowly with the towel. Otherwise, it felt like an electric current was running through her.

So by the time Elucia called out to her, she'd only managed to dry half her body.

“Oh? Masochistic maid, time's up~”

“S-so soon...? Has it already been half an hour?”

“Heh heh. I get it. You were dragging your feet on purpose because you wanted me to punish you, weren't you?”

“N-no, I... I'll be out in a moment.”

“Hmph, too late. Finish washing properly, then come out and face your punishment!”

...

At the mention of punishment, Lonis's heart gave a sudden jolt.

Normally, she wouldn't be so afraid of being punished... But it was so dangerous outside right now.

Was Elucia going to lock her in the living room and leave her alone in the dark all night?

And gag her so she couldn't call for help?

Then tie her hands behind her back so she couldn't knock on the door?

No matter how scared or nervous she got, she'd have no choice but to endure it...

(N-no, please...)

...

...

...

Lonis nervously finished washing, got dressed, and stepped out of the bathroom.

Elucia was sitting in a chair, as if she'd been waiting for her all along.

Just as she'd expected...

Elucia held a length of rope in one hand, and a thick blindfold lay on the table beside her.

It looked like Elucia had already figured out exactly how she was going to torment her.

(If I cry and beg for mercy now, will she let me off?)

For a moment, Lonis wanted to drop to her knees and beg Elucia to forgive her.

But...

That would be way too humiliating.

She hadn't even done anything wrong. She'd just taken a little too long in the bath.

If Elucia was going to punish her harshly over such a small mistake, that was just plain bullying... So she absolutely wouldn't give in. No matter how much Elucia tormented her, she wouldn't beg for mercy!

Lonis clenched her teeth and met Elucia's gaze without backing down.

The black-haired girl nodded. “Good, good. Looks like you really do love being punished~”

“Ngh... Do whatever you want with me.”

“Then let the punishment begin.”

...

Elucia didn't put a gag in Lonis's mouth, but she did tie her hands behind her back, leaving her unable to move them at all.

Her eyes were covered too. With her sight gone, her hearing seemed especially sharp... The rustling of rain falling through the trees became so much clearer, each layer of sound distinct.

Then she felt a tug at her neck.

“You masochistic maid, come with me.”

“Ngh...?”

“Hurry up.”

Lonis knew Elucia was leading her somewhere, but she had no idea where they were going.

The living room? The cockpit?

Could it be... outside?

Was Elucia going to leave her somewhere outdoors and make her spend the whole night terrified?

At the thought, Lonis felt a pang of regret... If only she had a softer, more timid personality. If she'd begged Elucia with a pitiful look, maybe Elucia wouldn't be bullying her like this.

But...

“All right, lie down here.”

“E-Elucia, I...”

“Be quiet. It's time to sleep, so stop talking nonsense.”

At the end, Elucia's voice had somehow turned into...

A little girl's voice.