Chapter 38
Chapter 38
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 38
Chapter Title: Butterfly Soup - 1
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Ellis stared daggers at Tyr's retreating back as she headed out for a smoke, then turned back to the kitchen with an irritated scowl.
"Hoo... This is pissing me off."
Even though Florian had become the mansion's real power broker, Ellis's standing among the servants remained rock-solid.
At her single grumbled remark, every cook quietly set down their utensils.
It didn't take long for the noisy kitchen to fall silent.
"Ah, forget it. Just finish up what you're doing."
At her words, the cooks cautiously picked up their tools again. Ellis's gaze shifted to the head chef.
"Did you do what I asked properly?"
The head chef replied.
"Yes. Just as you instructed. We've added the exact dosage of the medicine you provided to the seasonings for Cheshire Cat's meals."
"Good. That's all I needed."
Only then did Ellis let out a sigh of relief and plop down on some convenient spot in the kitchen, taking a bite of a freshly baked pizza.
The mind of Ellis, former top student of Valhalla Academy's Department of Healing, was no slouch.
How sharp, exactly? Sharp enough to whip up a drug that could neutralize the effects of dogwood scent on beastkin, no sweat.
And Cheshire Cat's meals had been laced with a healthy dose of that antidote for a while now.
The reason was simple. Ever since confirming the presence of dogwood scent in the supplies obtained from Mrs. Cherno, it had been nagging at her relentlessly.
She never imagined Sea Turtle would try to nudge Cheshire Cat that way, but in the end, Ellis was the one flying above the leaping Tyr.
"Told ya~"
This sealed her victory over the one who bedded Florian. The cheese stretched from Ellis's bite like a smug grin on her lips.
What makes a good boss?
For starters, holding your subordinate back during mealtime probably puts you pretty far from "good boss" territory.
By that metric, I'm not exactly boss-of-the-year material. Case in point: Dodo sitting right in front of me while I eat.
It wasn't because I had feelings for her, or some medical curiosity, or even a desire for chit-chat.
...Yeah, the reason was obviously that damn aphrodisiac.
"It won't go down unless you ejaculate?"
Dodo nodded at my incredulous question.
"Yes. I saw Ellis messing with that aphrodisiac. And it was the strongest one on the shelf."
"I didn't even swallow it."
"It touched your tongue, though. It's already absorbed into your system. Even a tiny amount takes effect immediately."
"Ah..."
I let out a deep sigh and chugged a glass of ice water.
And I made a mental note to create a position for someone to taste-test my food beforehand from now on.
"Have to do it by hand, huh."
I muttered in lament, and Dodo tilted her head.
"D-Do you really need to? You have a fiancée, after all."
"That'd just play into her plans. How many more aphrodisiacs do you think she'd slip me after that?"
"W-Well, true. But handjobs won't cut it either. That aphrodisiac rewires your body to crave stronger stimulation. You'll need to insert into a woman to reach climax."
"Shut up. I'll figure it out. Let's just eat for now."
I started eating with a curt expression, and Dodo, sensing the mood, followed suit after a flinch.
Come to think of it, our plates looked wildly different. Mine was piled with meat; hers had only veggies.
It was like someone had plucked all the meat off Dodo's plate. But I wasn't one to care about prying eyes anyway.
I chewed the tender meat and asked Dodo,
"Taste okay?"
"I like this. It's good for the body, too."
"Makes sense. The head chef tailors it to everyone's tastes. If you're happy, that's what matters."
"G-Gulp?"
Suddenly, Dodo started choking and thumped her ample chest with audible smacks.
I clicked my tongue and refilled her glass with cold water.
"Doctor. Slow down. Aren't you a healer from the Department of Healing? Come on?"
"......!"
But Dodo kept thumping her chest and shaking her head. Her gaze was fixed on the space just above my shoulder, so I naturally turned to look.
"......?"
And soon, I felt like I might choke myself. The scene before me was just too bizarre.
Cheshire Cat.
That was what filled my vision.
Familiar enough on its own, but her fidgety restlessness and flushed face made it a truly strange sight.
Her tail wagged wildly, which felt oddly off.
Normally, you'd just ask the person what was up, but Cheshire Cat looked too out of it for conversation, so I turned back to Dodo.
"...What's her deal?"
"I-I don't know."
"You must have some guess. You're from the healing department."
"Dogwood scent...?"
Dodo murmured the words and bowed her head slightly.
'Dogwood scent?'
-It induces heat in beastkin. Should we take some?
-Grab it, just in case.
The brief exchange flashed in my mind. Right, I'd told them to take it because it might come in handy.
And I'd left inventory management to Cheshire Cat. In hindsight, that was my screw-up.
"U-Um... It's not the dogwood scent...! I came because I was curious...! About whether you really like me...!"
"Patients stay put."
I cut Cheshire Cat off with an outstretched hand, without turning.
My eyes stayed on Dodo. I asked her,
"Heal Cheshire Cat. I'm done eating, so I'm out."
"I can't heal her."
I tilted my head at Dodo's words. Not out of anger—just curiosity.
Did she think I was pissed? Dodo waved her hands frantically to explain.
"I-It's true! There's no way! Beastkin in heat from dogwood scent can only return to normal after climax."
"Sounds just like drugs."
"I-It's different from drugs. Those don't let you go back even after climax."
"So?"
"S-Sorry..."
Dodo continued anyway.
"...B-But looking at it now, you two are in a perfect spot to heal each other. You recover through ejaculation? She through climax? Y-Yeah... Something like that."
"Hahaha!"
I burst out laughing at the absurdity. Dodo awkwardly sweated and chuckled along.
"Heh, hehehe..."
I sobered up and stopped, and she did too.
"Funny?"
"N-No."
"Stock up on antidotes for aphrodisiacs from now on."
"I'll try..."
"Cheshire Cat, you're with me."
I dragged the mumbling Cheshire Cat toward the bedroom.
I could acquire Cheshire Cat's unique ability, Stealth.
I could dispel the effects of that damn aphrodisiac Ellis slipped me.
I could normalize Cheshire Cat's dogwood-induced state.
If it were just one or two reasons, I'd deliberate. But three? No need to hesitate.
I didn't ask for this, but it benefited us both, so no helping it. Besides, our thinking time was running out anyway.
The Balrog side must be getting suspicious about the Kali Mandala members who hadn't returned.
I shoved Cheshire Cat toward the bed. She made a face too hard to read, her cheeks burning red.
"Ny-Nya, nyang?"
"Let's get this over with quick."
I started peeling off her clothes from the shoulders, and she let out a "Nyaha!" while stiffening her tail.
I muttered lowly.
"We're both caught up in this hassle. Might as well end it fast."
"N-No, wait? I-I just wanted to know if you really... l-like me...!"
"You?"
I gave it a brief, shallow thought.
"Yeah. I like you plenty."
She managed inventory flawlessly, and with Stealth, she'd be perfect for espionage down the line.
Now that she'd reformed and come over to my side, there was no reason to hate her.
"Ny-Nyahaat?! M-Me?!"
"Stay still for now."
"Nya... Nyat..."
I continued stripping her. Her resistance had weakened, making it easier.
And finally, Cheshire Cat's naked body was fully revealed.
Damn, it was stunning. The kind of figure that made me think, "No wonder she hides it with Stealth."
Put another way, without Stealth, there's no way she could conceal curves like that.
"I-I'm flattered, but th-this feels... too soon... nyat..."
"Quiet."
I started undressing myself.