n

n

nTo tell the truth, Zoemi didn't understand fashion in general, to him his lady always looked beautiful no matter what she was wearing.

nBut since she was clearly distressed about her current getup...

nIn the first place, in the kingdom of Bellcephora there was that whole thing where apparently the stockings were the proof of status amongst the noble ladies.

nZoemi knew about it but still couldn't really understand the exact reasoning behind it ever since he learned about it at the attendant training.

n

"My lady, I know that you might want to show off your status - but is that really necessary when the two of you are alone?

"

nZoemi was thinking fast and building his answer as he talked.

n

"...? Elaborate, please.

"

nMiriette raised her brows and waved her hand so he would continue talking – basing it all on the premise that he needs to convince Mireitte to not go with the uniform and stocking looks since the night date was supposed to be special.

n

"My lady, your beauty radiates no matter what you are wearing. But you need to keep in mind that a human will get used to even the greatest feasts if they attend them day after day.

"

nHe started up and since he wasn't immediately interrupted, he continued with a little bit more confidence.

n|If I may be so bold, I think that it would please the first prince greatly if he could catch the glimpse of your legs without the stockings.

"

n

"Oh?

"

nNow Miriette tilted her head intrigued.

n

"Then.. you are saying that I should change things up to make him realize how lucky he is...?

"

nShe tilted her head and squinted her eyes as if considering something.

n

"You're exactly right, my lady!

"

nThe black-haired attendant vigorously nodded his head and the noble lady suddenly smirked as if she came up with a clever idea.

n

"Zoemi, since you and the first prince are both boys, then tell me - as his fellow man, would you be excited to see my bare legs?

"

n|HNNG...!|

nShe asked carefully observing the scarred boy who suddenly felt that he entered a minefield.

n

"M-me...?

"

nZoemi asked, feeling like a young deer on a road, suddenly blinded by the headlights of the oncoming truck.

n

"I-I'm not impudent enough to even imagine myself in such a situation! I'm not worthy - I... I wouldn't dare...!

"

nHe backed off until he felt the door pressing against his back.

n

"As your attendant, I can not...!

"

n

"Now, now, Zoemi, there's no need to be so official with me. I asked you a very simple question.

"

nMiriette said teasingly.

n

"You know... it's an important question... What if my looks entice the prince too much, for example? I'm not an indecent woman and I treasure my body, you know? What will happen if the prince will get too excited? After all, my father always says that all men are wolves.

"

nMiriette continued to walk towards the black-haired boy who had no place to run.

n

"Well then... what is your answer - would my bare legs excite you...?

"

n

"I...

"

nZoemi was conflicted - there obviously were things that attendants can and cannot do or say, and he knew all of them,

nHe also understood – or thought that he understood - that his master was teasing him only because she had faith in him.

n|She does not doubt that I will behave as a proper attendant should, and not cross the line!|

n...was what Zoemi thought to himself, in order to keep his inner wolf caged...

n...and the black-haired boy suddenly realized that the wall he raised around his heart might not be as sturdy as he originally thought...

n

"Shall we test it?

"

nMiriette giggled and one of her fangs shone as the corners of her mouth lifted up.

n

"P-pardon...?

"

nZoemi raised his brows and blinked repeatedly, pinching himself in the back just to keep himself in check.

n

"Hmm~ You will see~

"

nThe dark-haired girl giggled and then rolled up her skirt a little bit higher – then she bent forward and put her hands up her skirt....!

nShe put her thumbs between the stockings and her skin...

n

"If I will take down my stockings now - and if even you - my most trusted servant, will push me down in an attempt to ravish my pure body... then there's no way I can show myself to the prince like that! Can I...?

"

nMiriette bit her lips and looked up at the black-haired boy.

n

"My lady...!

"

nZoemi turned to stone, taken by surprise...

n|Dude, don't! Don't betray her trust...! You are better than this! She isn't serious, don't fall for it like an idiot!|

nZoemi was steeling his resolve, gritting his teeth so hard he almost crushed them - no matter what he couldn't break here!

n|Come on! Do it...! Jump at me! I will not stop you – on the contrary – I will welcome it!|

nMiriette was biting her lips and praying for the exact opposite outcome to happen.

n

"...

"

n

"...ah...!

"

nThen Zoemi moved and Miriette's body shook in anticipation - she let go of her stockings and spread her arms open, ready to embrace the black-haired youth!

n

"...?

"

nBut instead of falling for her charms and into her arms, Zoemi fell to his knees and bowed his head.

n

"My lady, your servant's heart skips a beat on the mere thought of your beauty, please don't trouble yourself with such trivial thoughts. The first prince is a man of great honor and he would never do anything to tarnish yours! An attendant shouldn't speak about his master's body in a casual manner, but I can assure you that the prince would be most pleased if he saw you in a new outfit!

"

nZoemi broke - just not in a way that Miriette has hoped for.

nAs for Mirierre's hesitation about clothing - she honestly just didn't want to be bothered with getting pretty for the pissy prince who always tried to take Zoemi's attention away from her, not something so far out there as him suddenly assaulting her like a beast.

nAs for the temptation part...

nMiriette truly wanted Zoemi to think about her as a proper pure girl so she wanted him to take the first step on the road of the forbidden romance between the master and the attendant - so that it wouldn't seem like she was taking advantage of him using her position.

nBut it seems that she was too impatient and tried to rush things too much, and this was the result...

n|Stupid, you need to slowly take down his defenses brick by brick! Hitting the wall around his heart with a battering ram will only make him hate you! Correct your mistake, now!|

nMiriette wanted to punch herself for forgetting herself in a moment.

n

"...ghhh...

"

nShe breathed out through her teeth and walked up to her kneeling attendant.

n

"Zoemi, stand up. I'm sorry for teasing you so much.

"

nThe dar-haired girl said and tugged on the scarred attendant's vest to make him rise from his knees.

n

"I know that the lack of stockings is not such a big deal, but I wanted to pull a prank on you. Don't be angry...

"

n|Oh...! She was joking...! Dear heavens... That was so close...! If I had used up even a sliver more mana before and entered mana depletion I would have been all over her already and would get fired on the spot! I wish she would understand her own appeal a little more...!|

nZoemi's heart just wouldn't calm down.

nMiriette's action made him feel things that no attendant should feel towards their master.

nWith just a little innocent prank she made him uncover the feelings he promised to keep sealed away forever for her good...

n|...but... that only confirms that she doesn't think about me as a possible romantic interest...|

nThe black-haired attendant thought to himself, holding back a bitter expression.

n