Chloe's Suspicion
Chloe Eldrich did not consider herself a fool. And that assessment had nothing to do with her academic performance. She believed there was a clear difference between a mind that excelled at studying and one that was truly intelligent. Of course, even Chloe knew objectively that her sexual preferences could become a glaring weakness in noble society. Homosexuality was not something easily accepted, after all. That was precisely why she obsessively erased every trace of it with meticulous care.
Yet, contrary to her expectations, same-sex relationships were not all that rare in high society. It wasn’t particularly surprising. When nobles gathered for social events, it was easy enough to encounter others who shared similar inclinations. For the aristocracy, marriage was simply another tool for consolidating or protecting power. The idea of a love match, the kind that appeared in those anonymous romance novels that circulated through libraries, was practically impossible for nobles. Much like her own parents.
Still, their relationship was better than most. At the very least, her father Amour had never kept multiple mistresses or carelessly fathered illegitimate children, and her mother had never carried on secret affairs. The two of them understood each other’s value and fully recognized the meaning of their union. They had fulfilled their duties accordingly. So Chloe, too, had assumed that someday she would marry either a noble from a house comparable to her own duchy or a man whose achievements no one could ignore. After all, she had preserved her maidenhood until now. For nobles, virginity held considerable weight in the politics of marriage.
But her true sexual orientation was unmistakably homosexual. Like many others, she was drawn to what was cute and beautiful, and that attraction extended to people as well. That was why she had always doted on Eloise. And at the academy, she had fallen for someone for the first time based purely on appearance. That someone was the commoner Serina.
Though she had enrolled in the Department of Magic, Serina’s magical talent was negligible. Still, her mind didn’t seem dull. Excluding practical exams, her grades were decent. Her slightly wilted, gloomy demeanor was charming, and those unusually large breasts and wide hips—rare to see elsewhere—were also appealing. Most captivating of all were those dark, almost devouring eyes.
So Chloe had ordered Eloise to isolate her from the rest of the academy. Eloise had carried out the request faithfully, but Chloe had not wanted the harassment to cross into truly cruel territory. What she desired was a servant who would devote herself to her, not a broken doll to toy with. Though, given that body and face, even playing with a broken doll might have been quite enjoyable.
Time passed, a new school year began, and still Serina refused to yield. Chloe had been pondering whether it was time to change tactics or increase the pressure when Eloise finally brought the answer she had been waiting for. Serina had surrendered. She wished to serve Chloe.
Yet even as joy bloomed in Chloe’s chest, doubt crept in at the same time. Now? So suddenly?
She liked women, but she wasn’t the type to thoughtlessly pursue just anyone. Noble society might appear closed off, but it held no eternal secrets. Rumors always spread: which family had caused what scandal, whose youngest son had joined a famous mercenary band. And among those, stories about romance traveled fastest of all. Who fancied whom, which young lady had become engaged to whom, which knight was passionately courting whose daughter. Such titillating gossip was perfect entertainment for bored aristocrats.
Even if someone caught Chloe’s eye, she would never make the first move until she was certain of their personality and preferences. That caution was exactly why rumors about her own inclinations had never spread widely. So it was only natural that she would wonder.
Perhaps Serina has her own agenda.
The girl had endured everything so far. Nothing in her circumstances had changed recently. For her to suddenly have a change of heart… Chloe couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off.
That was why, when she saw Serina enter the room and begin glancing around nervously, Chloe smiled.
Even so, that body was undeniably tempting.
When her name was called, Serina flinched and began backing away, but she soon bumped into the wall.
“I-intentions…? I don’t understand what you mean…”
“I’m asking why you’ve suddenly changed your mind now. If you’ve heard some strange rumor and think you can use it to mess with me, I suggest you drop the idea immediately.”
Chloe gripped the chin of the seemingly terrified, shrinking girl and forced her to look up, then asked again.
Rumors could arise whether the person involved wanted them or not. No matter how careful one was, bizarre stories would still circulate. And among them, some were unexpectedly accurate. So if Serina planned to exploit Chloe’s sexual preferences as a weakness…
“Th-there’s nothing like that…!”
“…Hm?”
As if to dispel all suspicion in one breath, Serina cried out in a small voice. Then she stepped boldly forward from the wall where she had been cornered and declared with confidence,
“I-I’ve simply been misunderstanding Lady Chloe all this time…! I only realized my true identity a little late…!”
The unexpected answer left Chloe’s mind momentarily blank. Still, it wasn’t a bad response. Assuming it wasn’t a lie.
“…Sister. I told you, didn’t I? I’ve already completed a reasonable amount of ‘education.’ You don’t need to worry.”
“Hmmm… It’s not that I don’t trust Eloise. Just in case.”
Yes. Even if it was an act, it didn’t matter. As long as any problems were resolved before they could arise. More than that, Chloe found herself curious—what exactly had Eloise done to make her sound so confident?
“Still, I can’t help feeling suspicious. So tell me, what kind of education did you use to coax Serina into this?”
“Hehe. I simply taught her love and devotion toward you, Sister. Hmm… It might be hard to understand with words alone. Shall I show you instead?”
The adorable Eloise, whose personality seemed to have shifted slightly, clapped her hands lightly. At the signal, the tense Serina took a deep breath and stepped forward again, positioning herself in front of both of them.
She slowly moved her hands to her coat, then smoothly slipped it off, leaving only her white shirt. Next came the soft pop… pop… of buttons being undone one by one. When the final button came free with a quiet plop, the large fruits hidden beneath were revealed.
Those enormous breasts wrapped in plain black underwear. The faint blush coloring her face, as if embarrassed by the situation. And yet the way she held both sides of her open shirt, as though offering herself to be devoured—Chloe unconsciously swallowed.
“I am Serina, a worthless commoner… I wish to serve Lady Chloe. Please, accept me…”
The way she couldn’t hide her nervousness, the visible gulp of her throat, the single bead of sweat sliding smoothly down her neck—watching it all, a flame began to flicker deep in Chloe’s chest.
“I am Serina, a worthless commoner… I wish to serve Lady Chloe. Please, accept me…”
Even thinking about it herself, the line was ridiculously embarrassing. Look at Eloise standing behind Chloe—she was clearly struggling to hold back her laughter. Still, Eloise was faithfully continuing the performance I had ordered.
I, too, was taking considerable mental damage while reciting that line. The only saving grace was that the target wasn’t a man but a beauty whose appearance left nothing to criticize. Setting aside my own mortifying feelings, the scene was undeniably impressive. What man—or woman—would dislike the sight of a big-breasted beauty willingly stripping and begging to be taken?
And my prediction seemed correct. Chloe froze for a moment, then burst into laughter.
“Ha… hah! Ahahaha! That’s incredible…! Eloise! You’re truly amazing!”
Satisfied, she looked at me before pulling the nearby Eloise into her arms. She tickled under her chin as if praising a pet. Since Eloise was still wearing that uniquely designed mask, she looked even more like an actual pet. Chloe stroked her gently, the way one might pet a cute cat, then smiled and spoke.
“…Yes. I understand your resolve. From today onward, Serina, you will serve me alongside Eloise.”
“Yes. I will do my best.”
I bowed my head once more and answered.