Chapter 72
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 72
Chapter Title: Clone Belia (8)
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"Up until now, I have observed the acts between the Young Master and Master Bella."
Belia spoke in a flat voice.
"Hic!"
I startled with a hiccup that burst out involuntarily and desperately racked my brain for an excuse.
'How... how can I talk my way out of this?'
"Master said you would satisfy the Young Master without showing me any [line-crossing acts]."
"Y-Yeah *hic* yeah, that's right..." Belia kept questioning me as I floundered helplessly.
"Clearly, the [satisfying the Young Master] part behind that seemed thoroughly fulfilled."
"...Yeah?"
"Yes. Analyzing the Young Master's expressions, I could tell he was far more satisfied when with Master than when with my body."
"...Heh, really now..." I barely suppressed the grin tugging at my lips.
What was I so happy about? Of course it was natural for Rian to be more satisfied with my body than Belia's. Nothing special there.
But hearing it confirmed from Belia's own mouth gave me this weird sense of victory.
...Not like I was competing with Belia for Rian's love or anything. An inexplicable feeling.
"However, I have doubts about Master's [not crossing the line] acts." Belia asked with her clear blue eyes wide open.
I knew this was coming.
What should I do? At this rate, it felt like Belia would point out every embarrassing moment of mine and tear them apart.
It stung my pride badly. Maybe it wasn't too late to reconstruct Belia right now?
If I wiped all her memories and rebuilt her to unquestioningly obey my commands without doubt...
I pondered for a moment, but no, that wouldn't do. My pride as a mage wouldn't allow it.
Running from the consequences of a lost bet was cowardly.
Fleeing responsibility was even more shameful.
As I agonized, Belia questioned me.
"Master's actions can be explained in one of two ways."
"Two ways?"
"First, the scope of [line-crossing acts] Master mentioned has changed. Second, the standard for [line-crossing acts] applied to Master is different from mine."
Which one is it? Belia asked with an innocent expression.
'Gotta answer this well, Bella.'
I bit my lower lip hard as I thought it over.
If I cleverly used the options Belia presented to make my excuse... at least I could salvage a bit of dignity, right?
No. As her Master, to show dignity to Belia, neither of those excuses would work.
So I decided to get a little shameless.
"Listen well, Belia. I've never truly crossed the line with Rian." I acted brazenly, like I was wearing a mask of iron shamelessness.
"Pardon?"
"I just showed him, from a third party's perspective, how ugly it looks when you [cross the line with your service]."
"In other words, I gave him an example. Like, [this is what happens if you cross the line]."
"Next time, I'll show him what true model service looks like. You've seen enough of the bad example... right?"
I put on my most dignified tone and expression, but Belia's sullen look made my heart grow anxious.
"..." Belia stared at me silently. Did my excuse work? My heart pounded as I pressed on.
"O-Of course, you're smart, Belia, so you must understand my intent. You didn't really think I was seriously putting on such a pathetic display, did you?"
"I naturally thought it was real."
"It was all an act!" I shouted, cutting her off. If I didn't, she'd start dissecting my actions one by one.
Obviously, she'd grill me with things like, 'Was drooling over the Young Master's cock and kissing it also fake?' 'Rubbing your thighs against his cock and mindlessly thrusting your hips like that too?'
"...Master." Belia spoke in a subdued voice.
"What?" I snapped back curtly. Naughty clone.
"Why are you lying?"
"Huh?" Her unexpected question in that gloomy tone left me momentarily stunned.
Belia stated with conviction in her emotionless voice.
"Master, you show it a lot when you lie."
"No, I... I've never lied..."
"Master, don't deceive yourself."
"No, really, it was all an act..." Unlike Belia's firm tone, my voice grew smaller and smaller.
"I thought Master was admirable."
"Huh?"
"So you don't have to hide it in front of me."
"Admirable...? I don't get it. What about my behavior made you think that?"
Belia's expression flushed slightly, her emotions stirring for the first time. It was the first time she'd shown feelings so directly in front of me.
"The purpose of my life has always been to satisfy the Young Master."
"Following Master's orders, I served him with all my best, but Master was never once truly, perfectly satisfied."
"I always had to cut service short for the Young Master, leaving him wanting."
"That's why yesterday, I kept feeling this dizzying satisfaction."
"...Satisfaction?"
Belia said shyly.
"It was the first time I'd seen Master enjoy it like that."
"...Did Rian really enjoy it that much?" Belia smiled as she replied.
"Yes, to the point of jealousy."
"...♥" I fidgeted with my fingers as I listened to Belia's monologue.
"Maybe I've been unconsciously drawing a line myself."
"No, that's..."
"I thought, even if it's for the Young Master, is it okay to act so vulgar?"
"But Master, you cast off all restraints and bonds yourself... and served solely for the Young Master."
"Crossing the very line you drew, fulfilling the goal of [satisfying the Young Master] perfectly—that was so cool."
"No, I didn't really..."
"Seeing you use the dignity and pride you held so dear as mere tools to win the Young Master's love made me realize my own shortcomings."
"That's not what I intended..."
Belia had completely twisted it into the opposite of my intentions.
Admiring me not as an exemplary Master, but as an exemplary female.
This was definitely wrong.
Wrong... so why did it fill me with such pride...?
"You can be honest in front of me."
"..."
With a sly, teasing voice, Belia coaxed me.
"Oh dear, I've kept Master, who just finished such grueling work, for too long. Let me wash you first."
"Belia, it's fine, I can do it alone... Kyaa...!"
Belia grabbed my wrist and pushed me into the shower booth.
She lathered soap all over my body with warm water, cleaning every nook and cranny meticulously.
The traces of my acts with Rian washed away with the hot water.
Hitting me with hot water warmed my body. But for some reason, my heart felt a little cold.
"...Ah."
"No need to feel so regretful. You can get it again tomorrow, right?"
"...Who's regretting anything?"
Regretting the traces of Rian's acts fading? I never had such lewd thoughts.
"...Hehe."
"It's not a lie!"
"I didn't say anything. I just thought Master looked a bit sad."
"...Hmph." Belia really was an insolent clone.
As she patted me dry with a soft, fluffy towel, Belia spoke again.
With clean bodies, Belia and I lay on the bed, chatting idly.
"Doesn't giving the Young Master [rewards] feel good?"
"...Ugh, this kind of talk..."
"Yes, we probably shouldn't."
As if reading my mind, Belia gently peeled away my hesitations.
"You could never do it with anyone else."
"Only Master and I can have this conversation."
"Honestly, doesn't Master want to talk about it too?"
This was sly temptation, like a serpent. I mustn't give in.
"...Y-Yeah..."
...Looks like I'm weak to temptation.
"Good..."
Belia grinned sympathetically at my tiny, barely audible reply.
"What part does Master like best?"
"What do you mean, I can't just say..."
"For reference, I love it when the Young Master grips my waist tight and praises my breasts."
"Oh my, Belia..."
"Seeing Master pleased with these big breasts... makes me feel proud."
"How embarrassing, Belia..."
If I hadn't buried my face in the pillow, my beaming smile—contrary to my words—would have been fully exposed.
Was sharing secretive, naughty stories this fun?
"What does Master like?"
I shouldn't answer such questions.
I should rebuke her, remind her of her place, and send her back where she belongs...
"....Neck."
The single trembling word turned into a full sentence as it left my lips.
"When Rian sucks on my neck... I like that..."
"Hard enough to leave marks, right?"
"...Yeah."
On our acts with Rian, she and I formed an immense shared understanding.
It was so embarrassing, so shameful... yet so much fun at the same time.
Unlike high society, where I had little in common with other noblewomen, talking with Belia—who shared so many points with me—was truly enjoyable.
Conversations with other ladies about the capital's latest dress trends, Northern Continent art movements, or new Eastern luxuries were just boring.
But this chat with Belia, embarrassing enough to roll around in bed... was fun.
Lying in the same bed with Belia, having a conversation no one else could ever have with me.
The night deepened, and the conversation's intensity kept rising endlessly.
"...Belia, these feelings... they're weird, right...?"
"Not weird at all."
"Still, others wouldn't understand..."
"But the Young Master and I would, right?"
"True..."
"And Master's approval from others doesn't matter anyway, does it?"
"...Yeah."
Belia fully understood even my shameful, guilty desires for Rian.
Maybe Belia... was the one friend I could truly rely on.
The conversation stretched into the deep night, and my fondness for Belia grew ever stronger.
She understood my heart, knew all my shameful sides, and embraced them—I wanted to give her a gift.
"Belia?"
"Yes, Master."
"...Don't you need [body maintenance]?"
"Master!"
Seeing Belia's ecstatic, beaming smile, I knew I'd done well to bring it up.